Settled in 1881, the southern California town of Calico went out like a shooting star: bright but brief. With over 500 mines and $20 million worth of silver ore produced in 12 years from its terrain, Calico seemed destined for greatness. However, when silver lost its value, Calico residents quickly shuffled off. The town was bought by Walter Knott (of Knott’s Berry Farm) in 1950 and was restored to match that of its 1880s peak. Proclaimed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to be California’s Official Gold Rush Town, tourists can visit the town’s museum, pan for gold in tour groups, witness an old fashioned shoot-out, ride the historic train, and take a tour of one of the mines. The Maggie Mine tour is said to be very educational. You will learn about the history of the mine, how the miners worked it, how the silver was extracted, and much more! There is a reasonable fee for admission into this historic ghost town, as well as separate fees for the activities, so you may want to check that out before you go.