Historic Columbia At Christmas Time

Up in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada is a quaint little gold rush town that has been preserved as a State Park.  Columbia State Historic Park is just off California’s infamous Gold Country Highway 49.  They call it a “Living Gold Rush Town”  as it is still in operation with residents, hotels, saloons, restaurants, theaters where you can enjoy a live production, ice cream parlors, and of course many boutique shops.  The vendors and street performers are dressed in period attire and a ride on a stagecoach can make you feel as though you are reliving history.  From the Central Valley it is an easy drive to get to and a budget friendly place to go for a picnic and outing since it is free admission and free parking.  
Christmas time is one of my favorite times to go.  The decorations are simple and rustic, and on a crisp winter day it is the perfect place to step away from the holiday rush and be reminded of simpler times.  During the month of December you will find many holiday festivities to enjoy on the calendar.  A few years ago we took some family friends visiting from Germany there for a day.  The little 4 year old boy went home with dreams and fantasies of American Cowboys in his head. 

Street Vendors	Watching Candy Canes being made.

Old Fashioned Stagecoach rides	Pulling up to the old Wells Fargo Bank.

Rustic Decorations

Father Christmas	Crafts for the kids

A wonderful cousins day memory