Homeschool Field Trip to Sutter's Mill at Coloma, California

California history, and more specifically, the Gold Rush, is likely a very popular topic of study for California homeschool families. After all, the Gold Rush had much to do not only with shaping the state of California, but of our entire nation. Planning a homeschool unit study of the California Gold Rush can include many pieces of available literature, documentaries, and hopefully even some field trips to the Gold Country region of Northern California. One location that a homeschool family may want to visit as part of their study of the California Gold Rush, is the small, historic town of Coloma. Coloma is the site of Sutter's Mill, where gold was first discovered, eventually launching California and the rest of the country into the Gold Rush. If your family is planning a homeschool unit study of the California Gold Rush, and are considering a field trip to Coloma, then the following information may be helpful to you.

How to get to Coloma, California - Coloma, California is technically described as a small unincorporated "former town" in El Dorado County. Traveling from Sacramento, take Highway 50 East to Placerville. In Placerville, take Highway 49 North. Highway 49 literally runs right through the community of Coloma, so don't worry, there's no way to miss it! If you will be traveling from East of Sacramento, you may find it a shorter trip to take Interstate 80 to the city of Auburn. Take the Lincoln Exit, and follow the signs to Highway 49 SOUTH. This route will take you on a very winding, steep climb between Auburn and the small town of Cool (yes, there really is a town in California named Cool). This portion of this particular route can be tough on your brakes on the way back down, so just be aware. My kids and I took a day trip to Coloma recently and ended up sitting on the side of the road for a while because our brakes heated up so much there was smoke billowing out from the front tires! Needless to say, next time we'll be taking the long way around through Placerville.

What to expect when you get there - The portion of Coloma that tourists visit is basically just a stretch of road about a block long, technically located within a state park. The Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, to be exact. As such, you will be required to pay entrance fees. As of April, 2010, there is an $8 charge per car (different fees apply to busses). You will pay this at the Gold Discovery Museum, after you have parked your vehicle. Be advised though, that the museum cannot process credit or debit card payments (which I personally found to be a huge annoyance). You can either remember to bring along cash, or hunt down the one ATM in town. You'll also be in luck if you have your checkbook on hand, because the museum does accept checks. Once you park, and pay, you can make your way through the small museum before heading out to explore the rest of the tiny town.

There are several points of interest in Coloma, and all are within easy walking distance from the museum. The replica of Sutter's Mill, located very near to the spot where the original mill once stood and which served as the location for where James W. Marshall first discovered the gold flakes that eventually triggered the Gold Rush, is interesting. There's a cabin sitting a short distance away, a blacksmith shop down the street, and a fairly impressive one room school house, all of which are hosted by docents on varying days of the week. If there is no docent, you may not enter some of these points of interest (the school house, for example), so you may want to call ahead to find out if docents will be present on the day you plan to visit.

Although I wouldn't personally proclaim Coloma as a "must do" for a homeschooling family studying the California Gold Rush, I will say that it can be a relatively easy and inexpensive day trip for those who wish to go. Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park is unfortunately one of the many California parks that has been affected by recent economic issues, and hours of operation are subject to change. For current hours of operation, visit the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park website, or call the Gold Discovery Museum and Visitor Center at (530)622-3470.