Which fork works for you? The most popular is the South Fork-starting at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, its Class II–III rapids are perfect for families with young children and first-time rafters. Each of the American’s three forks serve up their own style of watery fun, and outfitters offer everything from family-friendly half-day floats to white-knuckle multi-day adventures, as well as rentals of everything you need. The most popular whitewater-rafting river in the West, the American River tumbles through Gold Country, an inviting jumble of churning rapids, deep pools, and tumbling cascades. The town even sounds authentic-no cars allowed here, though you will hear the clip-clop of horses. There’s also a Wells Fargo express office and other relics of California's early mining days. Catch a ride on an authentic stagecoach, order a cold, locally made sarsaparilla soda in a Western-style saloon, or feel the heat in a working blacksmith's forge. Costumed docents do more than lead tours of this carefully preserved Mother Lode town-they actually live and work here in a variety of period-appropriate shops and trades. With throwback charm and a treasure trove of historic artifacts, the Columbia State Historic Park presents the Gold Rush in living, breathing color.

Here are eight places you can experience history, California style. Sporting California’s capital, Sacramento, this region is steeped in history, and fun ways for your family to learn about it firsthand abound. For all this adventure and more, Gold Country has your number-and your kids'. Get your heart racing with a ride down whitewater rapids. Descend deep into the earth to check out unusual rock formations. Pluck a bit of gold from a riverbed scoured by the original ’49ers.

California gold rush for kids