Tour a hard-rock mine and pan for gems.

One of the best places to get a real sense of California's Gold Rush history is at the lively Gold Bug Mine , a fun destination for all ages just off U.S. 50 in Placerville. Here you can tour real mines and hear the brave stories of the men who risked their lives in search of the elusive ore. You can take a self-guided tour of the park's namesake mine, or call to set up a guided tour of adjacent Priest Mine, dug into the hillside by hand in the 1850s. A stamp mill, museum, and a chance to pan for gemstones add to your experience and understanding of this rich chapter in the state's past.

Tours run April through October; the park is open limited hours in winter.

Toyota has endured the ups and downs of the automotive industry and has proved itself to be an auto manufacturer that is here to stay. This exhibit, sponsored by Elk Grove Toyota, explores the many different genres of automotive design and technology that are the foundation of Toyota's history. Some of the vehicles on exhibit will include a 1959 Toyopet Crown, a Prius Plug-In Hybrid, a 1967 2000 GT, a desert off-road race truck, and an IRL Indy race car. Come see the story of one of the greatest car manufacturers that is still thriving in the industry today!