bruce101

We are travelling with 2 boys age 10 and 7 and are leaving SFO Wednesday morning spending some time in Jamestown looking for gold and then moving on to Yosemite National Park for the rest of Wednesday nite ,all day Thursday, and then leaving for San Simeon Friday afternoon . Are we spending enough time in Yosemite or should we cancel the gold idea ? I would hate to miss something in Yosemite because we spent 4 hours looking for gold , although I have read that kids really enjoy looking for gold - any experts out there that could offer their thoughts? thanks..

bluestar

I wouldn't cancel the gold panning -- most kids (and adults) seem to like it. Jamestown is pretty close to Yosemite anyway -- an easy drive.

http://www.goldprospecting.com/jimtown.htm

J_Correa

I don't know. I always thought it was really boring when I was a kid. It always sounded like a lot more fun than it actually is.

Codysmom

Gold sounds cool, plus it's DOING something as opposed to a lot of just looking at stuff in Yosemite. My little guy would love it.

curmudgeon

You could also consider going over to Columbia to do the gold panning and mining town stuff. It's a bit further out of the way, but definitely more of a 49er feel to the town.

GetOutThere

Yosemite is so wonderful. You can walk the paths at night in the valley and the deer are everywhere. I have never wanted to pan for gold but you can not beat Yosemite. I was just there last fall and you need more time to see the falls and other wonderful sights. But I have discovered you can do anything in any amount of time if you do your research and know what you want to do and have a plan! Have a wonderful time, it is a marvelous place!

mrwunrfl

Am no expert, but I wouldn't cancel the gold mining either. You can see all the falls and the valley and maybe go up to Glacier Point on Thursday. On Friday, stop at Glacier Point, if you didn't do so already or want to see it again, and then go on to Mariposa Grove and exit the park from the south exit.

Suzie

Mileage-wise a detour to Jamestown is insignificant. It may add 10 miles to your trip accounting for driving on 108 past 120 and then driving back to pick up 49/120 into Yosemite. I can't see how taking a short detour to Jamestown to pan for gold for a few hours will make much difference in your overall experience. If the kids are interested in panning for gold I say go for it.

LucieV

JCorrea, I thought gold panning was boring, too...but when our son was little (as op's kids are), he absolutely thought it was the greatest thing since sliced bread. We had to drag him away after a half day.

Personally, I'd think kids would rather pan for gold than visit San Simeon, which to me is overhyped. Just my opinion.

FainaAgain

Agree with Lucie.

LucieV

Well, you better agree with me, Faina. Since I'm always right about what the date is...

elnap29

My kids also loved panning for gold, especially when they are "guaranteed" to find some - it's quite a thrill.