Jamestown: Gold Prospecting Adventures; things to do

Highway 49--Gold Rush Country

Gold Prospecting Adventures  

18170 Main St., (800) 596-0009, (209) 984-GOLD.  Trips daily; 1 hr./$35+; family rates.  Reservations recommended. 

Operating out of the town's old livery stable, Gold Prospecting Adventures supplies all equipment for its prospecting trips.  Participants get down and dirty in a stream, where they are taught the basics.  It is claimed gold has been found on every trip lasting 2 hours or more, and the rule is "finders, keepers."  I think the people that run this are really smart and are mining real gold as well as tourist gold, but everyone has a lot of fun.  Trips by river raft or helicopter can also be arranged.  Guides dress in period costume.  

office of Gold Prospecting Adventures in Jamestown, California

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images ©2016 Carole Terwilliger Meyers 

Jamestown: Here’s the Scoop; things to do

Highway 49--Gold Rush Country

Here’s the Scoop  

18242 Main St., (209) 984-4583. 

The scoop on Here’s the Scoop is that its back walls are covered with more than 1,000 cookie cutters--all for sale.  Cake decorations and sprinkles plus assorted gift items--many locally made--are also available.  But most people first step into this unusual old-fashioned ice cream parlor for a cool treat—perhaps a Black Cow or a root beer float.  It’s nice to know you can have your ice cream and get some cookie cutters, too.  

exterior of Here's the Scoop in Jamestown, California

interior of Here's the Scoop in Jamestown, California

 

old-time photo at Here's the Scoop in Jamestown, California

cookie sprinkles at Here's the Scoop in Jamestown, California

wall of cookie cutters at Here's the Scoop in Jamestown, California

More things to do in Jamestown.

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images ©2016 Carole Terwilliger Meyers 

Jamestown: Antiques shops galore!; things to do

Highway 49--Gold Rush Country

ANTIQUES SHOPS GALORE!

ceramic chickens in a Jamestown, CA antiques shop

Filled with architecturally interesting old buildings, this historical boom town’s economy is now fueled by myriad antiques shops.  So far, there are way more antiques shops in town than wine-tasting rooms. 

●A. Flowers  

Main St., (209) 352-5023.

Located within a charming repurposed vintage cottage, A. Flowers purveys one-of-a-kind handmade items mixed with a curated selection of antique goodies, making for a delightful browse.  I left with two sweet unused washcloths enhanced with vintage lace medallions. 

exterior of A. Flowers antiques shop in Jamestown, CA

sweet hankies at A. Flowers antiques shop in Jamestown, CA

interior of A. Flowers antiques shop in Jamestown, CA

soap on saucer gift at A. Flowers antiques shop in Jamestown, CA

potpourri at A. Flowers antiques shop in Jamestown, CA

●The Classy Flea  

18201 Main St., (209) 606-0947.

Ariat the cat watches over the goods at The Classy Flea, which is mostly jewelry and antiques.

Ariat the cat at The Classy Flea antiques shop in Jamestown, CA

●DD’s Antiques-N-Such  

18211 Main St., (209) 984-4000.  W-Sun.

Providing a fun browse, DD's Antiques-N-Such is packed with vintage goods, including buckets of buttons, coins, marbles, and silverware.  If you’d rather divest than invest, bring in your own items to sell on the spot.

bucket of buttons at DD's Antiques-N-Such antiques shop in Jamestown, CA

bowl of coins at DD's Antiques-N-Such antiques shop in Jamestown, CA

basin of marbles at DD's Antiques-N-Such antiques shop in Jamestown, CA

●The Emporium  

18180 Main St., (209) 984-0262.

The Emporium has a giant open-space, old-time interior that displays groupings of antiques.  Not to mention an unexpected espresso bar.

interior of The Emporium antiques shop in Jamestown, CA

and also:

●Time Travelers  

18138 Main St., (209) 984-6551. 

 

●With God All Things are Possible  

18174 Main St., (209) 984-0507. 

 
More things to do in Jamestown.

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images ©2016 Carole Terwilliger Meyers 

Jamestown: Jamestown Hotel + National Hotel; hotel review

Highway 49--Gold Rush Country

This small Gold Rush town has not just one, but two historic hotels!

Jamestown Hotel  

18153 Main St., (800) 205-4901, (209) 984-3902.  8 rooms.  Full breakfast; restaurant. 

Built in the 1850s, the Jamestown Hotel is furnished with Victorian antiques and has many spacious suites with sitting rooms.  Don't miss the impressive antique cash register displayed at the registration desk. 

The Jamestown Hotel Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily, and a welcoming saloon specializes in fancy drinks, California wines, and tasty appetizers.

exterior of Jamestown Hotel in Jamestown, California

owner Charlie Morgan in front of antique cash register at Jamestown Hotel
in Jamestown, California

dining room and saloon at Jamestown Hotel in Jamestown, California

guest room in Jamestown Hotel in Jamestown, California

National Hotel  

18183 Main St., (800) 894-3446, (209) 984-3446.  9 rooms.  Unsuitable for children under 10.  TVs upon request.  Full breakfast; restaurant; room service. 

A sense of history awaits at the really old National Hotel.  Built in 1859, it has been in continuous operation ever since.  In fact, it is one of the oldest continuously operating hotels in the state and is an official historical landmark.  Until 1978, rooms were rented to men only and went for $4 a night.  Indoor plumbing was added in 1981.  Much of the antique furniture is original to the hotel, and that which isn’t is right in tune with the era.  A private Soaking Room with a clawfoot tub for two--sort of an 1800s hot tub--is available to all guests.  Overall, everything is far more luxurious now than anything those gold miners ever experienced.  

exterior of National Hotel in Jamestown, California

stairway to guest rooms at National Hotel in Jamestown, California

Currently the bar accepts gold for payment--just like in the 1800s--and is the only establishment in the West that does so.  

 

gold exchange board at National Hotel in Jamestown, California

owner Stephen Willey with gold scale at National Hotel in Jamestown, California

The hotel restaurant serves lunch and dinner daily and Sunday brunch, and is an especially inviting spot for dinner after the drive in.  On warm evenings, diners are seated outside on a pleasant patio.  Menu strong points include fresh fish with creative sauces, a wine list with the largest selection of Gold Country wines available anywhere, and exceptional desserts.  Just off the parlor, an old-time saloon features its original redwood long bar with brass rail and 1881 cash register and makes the perfect spot for a nightcap.  Also noteworthy, they grow their own herbs and bake most of their own breads, and in summer they serve farm fresh produce from local area farms.

saloon at National Hotel in Jamestown, California

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images ©2016 Carole Terwilliger Meyers 

Jamestown: Railtown 1897 State Historic Park; things to do

Highway 49--Gold Rush Country

Railtown 1897 State Historic Park  

Fifth St./Reservoir St., (209) 984-3953.  Park:  Daily 9:30-4:30, Apr-Oct; 10-3 Nov-Mar; free.  Train:  Sat-Sun 11-4, on the hr.; Apr-Sept only; $12, 6-17 $6; first class $20/$15. 

Be sure to arrive at Railtown 1897 State Historic Park early enough to watch the hubbub that surrounds preparing the train for departure.  The depot is full of excitement as the steam train rolls in and out, sounding its screaming whistle and belching a mix of fire, smoke, and steam.  The Sierra No. 3 steam engine pulls passengers at 5 m.p.h. on a 40-minute, 6-mile round trip.  Listen for the “toooot-toooot-toot-toooot” at railroad crossings, which I learned dates back to when this Morse code for “Q” was used in England to announce that the Queen was coming.  Special trips are sometimes scheduled.

interior of train at Railtown 1897 State Historic Park in Jamestown, California

interior of train at Railtown 1897 State Historic Park in Jamestown, California

A free tour is available of the six-stall roundhouse turntable and machine shop, where the trains are still serviced.  (This is one of only two remaining fully-operational original short-line roundhouse complexes in the U.S.)  Here you’ll see the Sierra Railway car, which was built in San Francisco and has probably been robbed more times in the movies than any other railcar in the world.

exterior of roundhouse at Railtown 1897 State Historic Park
in Jamestown, California

roundhouse tour at Railtown 1897 State Historic Park in Jamestown, California

roundhouse tour at Railtown 1897 State Historic Park in Jamestown, California

If it all looks familiar that could be because more than 200 TV shows and movies have been filmed here, including Bonanza, Little House on the Prairie, The Virginian, High Noon, and Pale Rider.  Hollywood use kept this railroad alive during the 1930s, and is credited in an exhibit displaying Hollywood-related memorabilia.  Note that most of the people who work at this park are not employees but instead enthusiastic volunteers who usually dress in period costume and are excited to educate you about the equipment.  

Hollywood exhibit at Railtown 1897 State Historic Park in Jamestown, California

Ginger Dingus wears her engineer's hat with pins from prior train trips,
at Railtown 1897 State Historic Park

More things to do in Jamestown.
   
More things to do in Gold Rush Country.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.
 
images ©2016 Carole Terwilliger Meyers