Discover the ultimate American Roadtrip
Roads Paved With Gold
Utah - California
Discover a trail of silver and gold across the west of America with this special US road trip we’ve planned. Explore atmospheric ghost towns from the gold rush, the silk sands of golden beaches and the glittering opulence of modern day luxury, as you travel through the states of Utah, Nevada and California. And there’s even the opportunity to pan for gold yourself.
Roads Paved With Gold
Stop 1: Salt Lake City 1/12
The road trip starts in the heart of Salt Lake City, one of the original Gold Rush centres. The ten-acre Temple Square complex owned by the Church of Latter Day Saints, or Mormons, is a fascinating area to be explored. Local Mormons provide free tours of the towering landmarks around the Square, including the huge Salt Lake Temple and Family History Library, the biggest archive of family records in the world. Does it mention your ancestors?
Roads Paved With Gold
Stop 2: Green Valley Spa 2/12
After a long drive, this luxurious spa resort could be the ultimate reviver. The lavish accommodation stands among Red Rock Canyon country in southern Utah, allowing guests to mix in-house treatments and therapies with hiking adventures in the great outdoors. The rooms are sumptuous and well equipped and the sports facilities are outstanding, including an acclaimed tennis academy, six swimming pools, indoor golf centre, various ball game courts and fitness and exercise studios.
Roads Paved With Gold
Stop 3: Twist by Pierre Gagnaire 3/12
Three Michelin-starred French chef Pierre Gagnaire’s signature restaurant is one of the culinary highlights of Las Vegas. The glamorous 23rd-floor restaurant in the Mandarin Oriental high-rise hotel is Pierre’s only site in the US. Expect superlative service and a hushed but relaxed atmosphere. And enjoy spectacular views through full-length windows and wonderful lighting from 300 gold globes suspended from the ceiling, while feasting on the finest French cuisine that has a light contemporary touch. Think venison saddle with marmalade followed by olive gateau with fennel lemon star anise water. (Image credit: Kennejima)
Roads Paved With Gold
Stop 4: Eldorado Canyon & Gold Mine 4/12
Deep in the south Nevada desert, Eldorado Canyon is home to Techatticup Gold Mine, one of the oldest, richest and most famous mines in the state. It’s less than an hour from the Las Vegas strip but thousands of people once lived and thrived in this dry, barren area. A tour of the tunnels and remaining buildings gives a glimpse of the lawless lifestyle of a remote gold mining town of the 19th and early 20th century.
Roads Paved With Gold
Stop 5: Goldfield 5/12
Visiting Goldfield is a memorable way of stepping into the days of the prospectors of the Gold Rush, of more than 100 years ago. From 1906 to 1910, this dusty spot was Nevada’s largest city with a population of more than 20,000. It was known as the ‘world’s greatest gold camp’ where famous lawman Virgil Earp helped maintain order. Today the population has shrunk to around 250. It’s a unique travel experience to investigate the ghost town atmosphere among Goldfield’s empty buildings and deserted streets.
Roads Paved With Gold
Stop 6: Virginia City 6/12
Virginia City was a gold rush boomtown that grew almost overnight more than 6,000 feet high on the slopes of Mount Davidson. The amount of gold and silver found here in the mid-19th century was so great it affected the entire world economy. Today it retains much of the atmosphere of the old days. It’s home to many museums and historic sights from the era, allowing visitors to stroll the wooden sidewalks, step into the Bucket of Blood Saloon, and see a show at Piper’s Opera House.
Roads Paved With Gold
Stop 7: California Gold Panning 7/12
Just outside of Jamestown in central California is a chance to experience some of the thrill of the great California Gold Rush of the mid-19th century. Learn the stories of old-time prospectors and learn how they looked for gold in the ground. Expect some hard and dirty work, including building a sluice, shovelling mud and panning for gold - but the reward is that most visitors come away with a small stash of the precious ore for themselves.
Roads Paved With Gold
Stop 8: Crocker Art Museum 8/12
Discover the West Coast’s longest-standing art gallery in California’s state capital of Sacramento. Wealthy lawyer Edwin Crocker established the gallery in his house to display works he’d bought touring Europe just after the Gold Rush, in 1869. Visit today to see how the collection, the house and the gallery itself have grown and developed since. Inside, there are inspiring works from all over the world, including one of the finest selections of local Californian art. (Image credit: Amadscientist)
Roads Paved With Gold
Stop 9: Old Sacramento 9/12
The old heart of Sacramento has been restored to create a State Historic Park featuring the architecture chosen by wealthy Victorian gold miners. It’s now a great area to stroll along wooden pavements, under balconies and verandas, browsing quirky old storefronts and independent restaurants. Guides in period costume offer horse-drawn carriage tours and there’s a refurbished riverboat for floating meals and cruises along the tree-lined Sacramento River.
Roads Paved With Gold
Stop 10: Sand Dollar Beach 10/12
The Big Sur is a rugged stretch of the Californian west coast between Carmel and San Simeon. The Pacific Coast Highway along this shore is one of the world’s great driving roads but for those who want to stop, Sand Dollar Beach is a visual highlight. Hike down from a car park on the highway to find the Big Sur’s biggest golden crescent of sand. The beautiful scenery is made even more impressive by the rough cliffs behind and jagged rock pillars dotting the beach.
Roads Paved With Gold
Stop 11: Specialized Heli 11/12
Whether it’s a stunning location for a wedding proposal or the finale to a great US road trip, a helicopter tour can be a sensational experience. Central California’s Specialized Helicopters offer tours of Californian vineyards or sweeping views of the dramatic Big Sur coastline. Best of all, how about a whale-watching trip from the air? A sky safari over the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary could be the most exciting way to spot whales, seals, dolphins and sharks.
Roads Paved With Gold
Stop 12: Carmel Beach 12/12
With wide stretches of clean silvery sand backed by wind-shaped trees and dunes, Carmel Beach is a spectacular spot to visit and a perfect place to end this road trip. Locals know the beach as a dramatic surfing venue but it’s just as popular among family strollers, dog-walkers or picnickers. You’ll find there’s plenty of car parking, and because of the geographic orientation, Carmel is particularly beautiful at sunset.
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