Explore the California Adventure Loop

Great Food ~ Wines ~ Brews

~ Explore Historic Towns ~

~ Shop Country Stores ~

~ Stay At Unique Inns ~

Rafting ~ Hiking ~Biking

~ Equestrian Trails ~

Start your Gold Rush Country adventure in Northern El Dorado County California

The year 1848 transformed California History when James Marshall found gold in the quiet settlement of Coloma. Several months later the “secret” got out when a San Francisco newspaper carried the first account of the gold discovery. Then everything changed!

Over the next 2 years, mining camps sprung up in the foothills of the Sierra Mountains. Today among the survivors are the towns that make up the Georgetown Divide.

Explore the many businesses along the Adventure Loop

The Georgetown Divide is an adventure, offering endless recreational opportunities for experiencing nature’s wonder firsthand. We hope you will enjoy your visit and share your experience with others.

COOL

~ SHOPS ~ FOOD ~ FUEL ~

Start your adventure in the town of Cool, the Northern Gateway to El Dorado County. Here you will find unique shops and restaurants. Several parks beckon equestrians and hikers to enjoy the area's natural beauty.

GREENWOOD

A historical marker and an old schoolhouse on Main Street are all that’s left of the old downtown. The Greenwood Cemetery has headstones dating back to the 1800s and is a peaceful historical site.

GEORGETOWN

~ SHOPS ~ FOOD ~ FUEL ~ LODGING ~

Past Greenwood, along Highway 193, is the old mining town of Georgetown. Stop at the Buffalo Hill Center to view an interesting display of mining equipment. View ancient headstones in the Georgetown Cemetery and spend time visiting shops & historic buildings on Main Street. Just outside of town is Dru Barner Park and Campground which is popular with equestrians and hikers.

GARDEN VALLEY

~ SHOPS ~ FOOD ~ FUEL ~

Garden Valley once supplied fresh vegetables to the mining camps dotting the Mother Lode. Today virtually nothing is left of the nearby town of Kelsey where cattle ranches and estate homes have replaced the saloons and James Marshall’s blacksmith shop.

COLOMA

Heading west on Marshall Road make a left at Highway 49 to explore Marshall Gold Discovery State Park “Birthplace of the Gold Rush.” Coloma is also the center for whitewater rafting on the American River.

PILOT HILL

~ FOOD ~ LODGING ~

Heading north on Highway 49 is the Dave Moore Recreation Area offering handicapped accessibility to the American River. Further north is Cronan Ranch Park with 12 miles of trails and river access. Pilot Hill was named for the large fires locals would light as a beacon to guide miners & settlers to the Coloma Valley. Shortly before you return to Cool is the historic Bayley House Mansion and barn, a popular wedding location.

KELSEY

This town was named for Benjamin and Samuel Kelsey who started the diggings in this area in 1848. During the height of placer mining, this was the business center and a rich mining center. Kelsey also had a large fire in the year 1853 that destroyed most of the town. This was where James Marshall lived and owned a blacksmith shop at the end of his life.