Did you know that there are still gold mines that you can walk through and tour today?? There is one located in the beautiful rustic town of Julian located in California called the Eagle Mining Co. The Eagle Mining Co. is open daily with very affordable rates and offers you an amazing opportunity to tour 1000 feet of underground tunnels in the Eagle and High Peak mines. You will leave with amazing knowledge and the chance to learn first-hand about tools, machinery, you will learn what a gold vein is and how they are created, as well as history on the early Californian gold miners. You will also get the chance to see how the old milling and extraction processes at the simulated Boot hill. One of the best features on this tour is the hands-on opportunity to pan for real gold. You will learn how the gold pans have updated throughout the years and why. With this tour you are able to stay and pan for gold as long as you want, but you are not able to keep the gold. It is catch and release only. You will also be able to see and touch real life artifacts from this mine and time period. You truly leave with new found education on this amazing era in history. It is truly amazing how they combine education and fun in one experience! There are group rates available as well has picnic areas if you want to plan ahead a fun filled day.
The Eagle Mining coming has been around since the 1960’s and it is said that the original owners, Ed and Ellen Sprague arrived in 1967 saw the abandoned claims on this property and knew this was for them. They had a vision and were able to open the Old Hand Rock Tunnels, restoring them to the way there were in the 1870’s. They wanted to show and share the wonderful history with tourists and generations to come. Luckily, for us this tradition is still going on today and is now run by the Nelson Family.
It truly is worth traveling to Julian California if you have never been before! This town is truly something special and once you make your first trip out you will keep coming year after year!! You can come out for the day and have lunch, do the Gold Mine tour at Eagle Mining Co., and then you must not leave without trying what Julian is best known for their Julian Pies!! I highly suggest make this a weekend trip where you can stay at a bed-and-breakfast, rent a cabin, or stay at the historic hotels located in the heart of this town. During the winter months Julian is also well known to get snow and makes for lots of fun for all ages. Julian is also filled with many antique shops, candy, wineries; just about anything you could think of to make your visit even more memorable! Once you have experienced all that Julian has to offer you will want to come back again and again.
If you are ready to plan your next vacation, I would love to help you plan your visit to Julian California! Feel free to contact me for a FREE Quote at Carrie@travelwiththemagic.com
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