Google "Red Tricycle Pint size panning" and check out all the old Gold Rush towns that offer activities for kids along old Hwy 49. You will be amazed at the number of things to choose from. If you're coming up from the bay or the valley you can head to Tahoe via old Hwy 49. Beautiful scenery and fun for the whole family.
There is a amazing exhabition at coloma gold discovery park... South Yuba state park also has some historic gold panning stuff. However if your willing to drive coloma gold discovery is an awesome place right on the river. You can gold pan on almost every river you can get too. Including yuba, bear, and the american rivers.
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