San Diego became known for its beaches, research labs, and urban growth, the mountains to the east briefly thrived with the promise of gold.

On the morning of Jan. 24, 1848, James Marshall made a discovery that would forever change the trajectory of California. In a creek near the town of Coloma, a remote community wedged in the foothills ...

The gold rushes of the 19th century have long since ended, but there are still plenty of places you can hunt for the precious metal using a shovel, pan, metal detector, and more. In fact, recreational ...

COLOMA, California ‒ Ankle-deep in a stream, James W. Marshall bent over and grabbed a shiny object that caught his eye. He placed it on a rock and began striking it with another. The shiny material ...