Rural Gold Rush CALIFORNIA Towns - Also, A Haunted Castle That Was Actually A Prison

I visited these rural California towns: Sutter Creek, Jackson & Ione.
Joe's Instagram: / joeysroadtrip
Travel Vlog 314

[@gatorgogo2742]

That place is listed as a hotel. 7 bedrooms and 7 baths, 4,726 sq. ft. Now, hold on to your hat and sit down! Listed for $1,249,000. Sutter's Creek is so pretty and quaint. I like it. The Serbian church and graveyard are so pretty and interesting in Jackson. Thanks.

[@user-cn6de7xe2o]

My parents retired in a cabin just outside of Jackson, CA. We used to stay in bed & breakfast inns in both Jackson and Sutter Creek when we visited them. Never did visit Ione- or see the "Haunted Castle." Thanks so much for the tour- brought back memories 🙂

[@ginkodragon]

I'm loving your tours! I used to take day trips to Sutter Creek with my elderly mother when she was still alive. She used to love to get ice cream in town. On the way to Sutter Creek, there is a daffodil hill that is covered with yellow blooms in the spring and up the hill from Sutter Creek is a railroad museum with an old train that you can go on a ride through the forest. Sutter Fort is in downtown Sacramento. It is restored as a full fort and is a museum. There are exhibits and re-enactments, and a gift shop there. I think that it was the National Hotel that is supposed to be very haunted. My brother-in-law stayed there one night,booked and paid for by his company to do a job nearby. He did not believe in ghosts until he stayed there. He called us the next day to ask if he could stay at our house in Sacramento until he got the job done.

[@gayladenison5925]

Thank you for profiling these towns. I have been to all of them many times before, however not recently. The Preston Castle and Youth Authority facility was where my mom worked as a senior youth counselor (lieutenant level) while the facility housed youth offenders, up to age 24. She lived in one of the small houses on the grounds, which was right next to the castle. The state only charged the officers tax on the house, which was $360 a year! I have many photos of this house, taken back in the 80s to the 90s. We toured the castle a few years ago. The gold country is a very special place to my hubby and myself with many great memories we have together. From Sacramento CA.

[@Wiilly51]

Most people don’t realize those towns exist in California . Good Video

[@TheOnlySolipsist]

John Sutter was actually responsible for events that led to the Ca gold Rush as gold was discovered at his Mill. Unfortunately it also led to his 2nd financial downfall that Joe eluded to. I had to do a report on him back in 6th grade…in the 80’s. I hadn’t even thought of it till now. Great video Joe, my wife and I always enjoy watching them.

[@noellewestfield6849]

Watching these little towns makes me sad. I used to live in Sacramento and these were my wonderful day trip excursions. I loved Sutter Creek the most....so darling and clean with great shops and restaurants. I am sad but happy to see them again. Thank you so much!!. I've been to a wine tasting event at the Preston castle and always did the annual wine walk in November in Sutter Creek.❤

[@martharunstheworld]

That's one of my favorite parts of the state. Remember, that a lot of retired folks live in the area. PS: the tin roofs are protection against wildfires.

[@mekkler]

77 Main, $1.249 Large. 4700 Sq Ft, built in 1857.

[@GM-wr4nx]

🙏🏻

[@jburnett8152]

Thank you.

[@krich650]

Looks like it's meant to be a bed and breakfast

[@yeoldmetalhead6592]

Termites

[@matthewbonner2261]

You should feature your wife’s opinion , she adds to the show !

[@justmyopinion9883]

Thank you for sharing the tours of the gold rush towns. These towns are very beautiful and well maintained. I’d like to visit them one day. Looking forward to your tour of Northern California.

[@jc9301]

Cool that you got Rancho Seco at the end...Jackson is family's home town...National Hotel used to have 2 bits a beer night...lol...They had thought about reopening the Kennedy Mine, but clearing the years of water would have effected the water levels on the neighboring watershed...

[@DB-ot3qr]

Great to see our Mountain Communities featured. As I live in one myself, I can tell everyone out there it's a totally different California Experience. We absolutely dislike going to any of of Metro Areas. You haven't had a true California experience by only visiting SF and LA. You have only a concrete jungle experience.

[@nancyparker9986]

I agree ! Native born and raised Californian …… there are a lot of hidden gems in my home state !

[@michaelgregory2231]

Thank you for highlighting this overlooked part of NorCal and western history. I grew up less than an hour from there and visited countless times in my growing up. Nice shot of Rancho Mistake-o at the end.

[@yawndave]

I knew exactly where you were when I saw the thumbnail. Oddly enough, I "discovered" Preston Castle thanks to Rob Lowe. He and his sons explored the place on the premiere episode of their show "The Lowe Files". (FYI, the castle is open for tours on weekends) Highway 49 is such a great drive along the foothills and through the Gold Rush towns, especially in the springtime when everything is so green. I'm headed up to the area next week with stops in Yosemite and Calaveras Big Trees. Speaking of Yosemite, have you been? You were so close on this trip it would be a shame it you missed it. Anywho, thanks for the tour...until next time, happy trails!

[@cecoya]

WOW that is one beautiful place. 77 Main St Sutter Creek 1.25M 7 bd 7 b, built in 1857 fireplace in each bedroom. Big open airy rooms just beautiful. Thanks for sharing and safe travels.

[@morganm9040]

Great presentation Joe and Nic. These are great California towns and treasures. Say what you want about California these are some healthy towns and communities. Fun fact: The California state highway signs are a tribute to the 49ers…gold miner shovel. Hence the designation of highway 49.

[@waynesimpson4081]

If you like these towns, you might also like: Nevada City CA, Ruidoso NM, Bisbee and Jerome AZ. And of course, Bodie CA is always worth a visit.

[@dianarutherford6063]

Just discovered your KZbin last night - seeing how sad the Bay area has become (orgininally from SF). I now live in Jackson discovered Amador County about 25 years ago and have spent most of that time lving here. You did a very nice snap shot of our community - Thank You. Sutter Creek is our best perserved. Historical Society would love your tour. There is still an operating mine in Sutter Creek. You did miss Amador City (Pig Turd Alley) population of 200 lol. I will follow your travels. I have been able to see much of US, work travel so will be wonderful to see you guys walk through these hidden American treasures and also see how our country is suffering as well. Blessings on the Road

[@MarkHoffman-ei2ly]

Joe; Wife and I saw the Cal. gold rush show...I saw the castle and searched...We are now Watching ." A Haunting at Preston Castle..Made in 2014....on Tubi, Roku..free..it is rated 3.7 in IMBN..terrible, but we are in the castle..let me know if you read this..An old Philly guy.. .

[@MarkHoffman-ei2ly]

Pic is really showing inside .Horror movie😂

[@brettdanvers9425]

I was interested to see the main street of Sutter's Creek. The architecture was very similar to Australian country towns of the same vintage. Corrugated iron roofs are very common here.

[@karinlearned7150]

Thank you Joe for the posting.I live in a small town up in the Sierras an hours drive south of Sutter Creek, and have seen the signs for Ione and have never been there so thank you...now I don't need to visit.(On another note, Orson Welles, the actor and of the movie Citzen Kane fame, was incarcerated in the "castle" for while as a young man). Be safe out there....

[@JenniferBristol]

So was Merle Haggard, the country singer.

[@Ruben-xh5vs]

I enjoy Joe and Nic road trips I can't put in a few words but that I never tired and always wanting more, please keep up the good work and Thank you Joe and Nic, may you have a safe and enjoyable trip.😊PS would you pick me up some red wood seeds I liked to grow 🪴 some trees.❤😎

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you!

[@stevenvirdenrasmussen-jone4671]

Yes, the National Hotel is still a hotel. Several of the mines have had major disasters. The Kennedy Mine is huge. We live in Ione. The reason for the high average income is because of the Mule Creek Prison, which is right outside of town. The economy around here is actually pretty good. The Castle hosts lots of events and has the guard fences is likely due to vandalism. They have a huge Halloween event there.

[@johnconnolly6011]

I was in a building like right out side of Philadelphia. It was 1980 and just closed for good 2 months ago. We had 2 stores and the basement was used as classrooms for the school. It was called the Philadelphia Protectory until the 1970's. St.Gabes was the new name being run by Christian Brothers.

[@sharonm.t.2492]

When we lived in Manteca, CA, all my kids went to school at Golden West Elementary. Manteca is not too far from this area, but down in San Joaquin Valley, towards the bay area. (Above Modesto.)

[@barbaragraham6886]

I'm so glad you finally made it to Northern California.

[@cheetabis]

Thank you for another informative virtual walk. 😊

[@TOCC50]

Can’t watch any higher than 480p

[@TravellingTrav1025]

I joke with my kids and tell them I need to take them to Preston castle if they don't start behaving lol

[@Over60sowhat]

Another beautiful video! Sounding fantastic, Joe!

[@jjarm]

Your best video guys, and that’s saying a lot! Great and interesting footage and historical info. Fantastic! Your architectural savvy is really handy. Love your stuff.

[@thomasharhen2168]

Great video bro!! Love the content and knowledge of everything

[@catlover614]

A wonderful video, very relaxing ! Beautiful towns with a great old-world atmosphere ! The old photos are awesome ! Thank you so much, Joe and Nic.😊💚

[@marywalker2896]

Wow thx for this excellent tour. Went to California years ago but never that part of California so it was all new to me!!loved this vlog. Have a close friend that lives in Northern California. To bad u Could not show us more of the castle. That would have been really cool. God bless and safe travels.

[@JenniferBristol]

Come and see it on your next trip out to California! There are so many interesting places along Highway 49 to see. I've driven (not all at once) hwy 49 from Oakhurst where it ends all the way up to Downieville.

[@rick3904]

I live near here. Been to Sutter Creek many times. Nice little town. Check out the wine country in Shenandoah Valley

[@jburnett8152]

Another great video. The castle house is just unbelievable. Very impressive and ominous. I wonder if those small houses were for the staff. You are heading into some beautiful country. Thanks so much.

[@JenniferBristol]

The homes were for the staff, the Warden, and there's a wagon building below the Castle. Along with the Visitor Center for families to visit their boys, and a separate building for the really bad ones who were transferred to the prisons after age 18. It's an amazing place to visit.

[@Risible1]

Thanks for the video, you could spend another month in California, there's so much to see! As far as the Rancho Seco cooling towers in the last moments of your video: All power-generating equipment has been removed from the plant, and the 425-foot high (130 m) cooling towers remain a prominent part of the local landscape as the tallest buildings in the Central Valley.

[@JenniferBristol]

More like years or decades of exploring, because of so many interesting places to go.

[@mavric65]

Been to Preston Castle many times. They are working on restoring it . We have made donations to it and my daughter has a brick with here name on it there for the save the castle foundation. Also been on many tours of of the castle and learned all the history to bad it wasn’t open when you were there.

[@jimmyjames6267]

Getting closer to my part of California, Sonoma County 😉

[@RonzHigh]

Having your videos echo throughout my newly built home feels absolutely natural.😎👍

[@nancysimpson4246]

Love watching you guys videos very interesting things for the world to learn on your videos. I really enjoyed them.😊

[@gmpltd114]

Great video Joe and Nicole. Jenny liked Sutter Creek, "Oooh we could live there". Greg & Jenny New Zealand.

[@ssandraaj]

Amazing video, as always. Thank you for sharing this. So much information packed in a presentation that is very pleasant for the eye and for the mind.

[@alexandralovesgoats3360]

Very interesting history on Sutter Creek! Appreciate seeing the creek! Gorgeous town! Love the historic photos you included in this video. National Hotel is really beautiful ! The Kennedy gold mine is very cool. Cool castle. Fascinating history. Looking forward to your next video! ❤

[@ozzielinkin]

Wow . What a neat old brick building. Thx for the tour. I m traveling the country and visiting many places I would never have seen and I dont even have to leave my house thanks to your channel .

[@NativeNYer]

Ty Nicole and Joe. Great vid! Stay safe.

[@TOCC50]

480p gives me a headache

[@cowboy5105]

Just discovered your page. I'm really enjoying it. Keep up the great work! 🤠

[@Victory1981]

It’s cool to visit places you learned of in school or by a book. Another cool video! Your channel rocks.

[@theonewhomjesusloves7360]

curious if you guys went to Solvang and the Madonna inn on your way up Cali?? check out any of the Missions, there are 21? Hearst Castle? Winchester house? fort Sutter (patty Reed's doll)? Bridgeport with the long covered bridge? Redwood trees?... and so much more.. lol

[@ginkodragon]

Have you visited the rest rooms, especially the men's restroom at the Medonna in? We used to stop there on our drive from the San Fernando Valley to Paso Robles to visit my parents. We always picked up one of the white chocolate cakes to share with family. My sister and I used to bicycle the Solvang Century every year!

[@JenniferBristol]

Yes, there are 21, and I've been to about 7. Knights Ferry also has one of the 4 covered bridges in California. Sadly, it's now closed to foot traffic!

[@briangray313]

Beautiful towns and as usual a well produced video.

[@tudo8412]

Great Video…Special that Church and Cemetery, finally the Castle is impressive. Thanks for sharing and be safe on the road.

[@Katy-ne2xh]

Lots of childhood memories of visiting my grandparents in Sutter Creek and spending time in the Mother Lode but haven't been there in a long time so nice to see it now.

[@razorready]

Joe, your videos are so good they are becoming too short.

[@frankadams2401]

Lord Spoda; one of your best videos yet. Too bad you could not have gotten into the Castle. Keep the good videos coming.

[@horacesubayar794]

We truly love how you highlight the historic sights.

[@empressvogt]

That mine was featured on Ghost Adventures! It's reportedly "haunted" as well! I recognized it instantly after seeing just a bit of the tower. :)

[@JenniferBristol]

Yes. Both Kennedy and Argonaut mines are haunted due to the mining disaster that killed about 22 miners.

[@Marvel-Rogue]

@Joe & Nic's Road Trip Valcano 🌋 street what a name 😊 . 🏫🏭💒🏛 buildings may be old but still in very good shape ⛪. I wanna ride 🚆. Watchout for the rattle🐍 Joey alking up to that chruch/school.

[@ginkodragon]

Volcano is a town in the Sierras!

[@juliogonzales5441]

THANKS JOE AND NIC ❤

[@truthseeker3967]

That last winding road in Sutter Creek-, with the hill in the background, -- the very last scene before you edit to go to next town - is gorgeous!!

[@doloresdavila2378]

I enjoyed the rural gold rush towns. This is my first time commenting on your shows. Me and my husband like them all! I'm not to savvy on how to do this stuff. Hope I did it right!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

You did great! 👍😀

[@patrickmcdonald6196]

You should go to Columbia State Historic Park near Sonora

[@JenniferBristol]

And Malakoff Diggins/ North Bloomfield. Population 9.

[@CrankyBeach]

I've been through Jackson a number of times, but haven't been to any of the other towns in many decades. My paternal grandparents had ties there, and I still have a second cousin living in, I believe, Amador City. His father was a doctor in Jackson. One of these years I'll have to take a road trip up there and explore off the beaten path.

[@user-do4pt5hm7t]

Check out Coloma. Birthplace of the gold rush. Check out Columbia if you want an old west experience even with gun fights some days.

[@user-sd6lt5cw8s]

Thank you again for another great video! 🤗

[@JamesForrester-xq3ur]

I really liked yourpresentations it is concise and very sensible to the prevailing living situations.

[@ramonjrusa]

Nice walk through of the towns. The last walk through of the correctional facility historical building looks awesome. Too bad you didn’t get a close up of it. It kinda reminds me of here in SoCal, of a former boys correctional facility as well name Fred C. Nelles in Whittier. From pictures of the past the building looked beautiful. I believe it was demolished due to damage of an earthquake or something if I remember correctly reading from their website. They did build brick houses after. Unfortunately due to unfortunate circumstances at the center regarding the youth, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger closed it down. Later the city bought it and demolished most of the infrastructure but leaving a few buildings, maybe for historical reasons being it was once labeled a CA historical landmark. The land now is a retail area with restaurants. I’m definitely going to have northern Ca with sacramento on my list to visit. Thank you

[@pittsites]

When I was in high school in Oakland, California, in the mid-1950s, that castle in Ione was the Preston School of Industry, a reformatory. My counselor told me I could wind up there if I didn't change. That scared me straight.

[@robertlawrence492]

During your travels in N. California , I hope you guys make it to Ferndale. So many amazing old Victorian houses. From Ferndale heading north to the Oregon/ Washington border, is one of our favorite areas of the U.S. we have traveled there for years.

[@JenniferBristol]

You missed the Tailing Wheels and the Jackson Gate just east of Kennedy Mine on Main St. A beautiful place to walk around, and my family always looked for them as we drove down the hill into Jackson whenever we went to my Grandma's cabin at Silver Lake. The Sierra Foothills along Hwy 49 is a great place to explore with all the Gold Rush Era towns, plus the Indian Grinding Rock Park and Black Chasm Cave nearby in Volcano/Pine Grove, and many other places like Columbia State Park near Sonora, Murphy's, Calaveras Big Trees, etc....

[@timothymacdonnell9079]

Sutter Creek is really beautiful! I loved how they preserved the town.

[@poowg2657]

I noticed a lot of the buildings out west have metal roofs. I was told it was primarily for fire abatement. Another cool tour, thanks much!

[@JenniferBristol]

Fire was a big hazard in the Foothills, so they also have the metal doors and dual brick construction buildings. Check out Columbia State Park to see more examples of a Gold Rush Era town. Coloma, where gold was discovered is also a great place to visit.

[@srjaide]

Not sure where you are headed next but if you are heading north, would love to see a tour of Cottonwood. Its pretty historical and small. Grew up there but never really studied the history of it.

[@bearclawvelez370]

You should come and visit the Redwoods and Ferndale ca over on the coast. The movie Outbreak was filmed in Ferndale

[@davidellis5141]

The Preston Juvenile Correctional Facility is quite intimidating. Glad I didn't have to go there !

[@JenniferBristol]

It's a very beautiful building to explore. I went to the grand opening a few years ago, and it was quite the experience to see how massive it is, and the outbuildings nearby were just as incredible. You get a sense of how they were taking troubled boys, and helping them to be better. Including Merle Haggard. There's also one gargoyle left on the tower - it used to have 4.

[@JuliaKhan-ps3fp]

Excellent video. Thank you❤❤❤

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you!

[@thapainter11]

Imagine that creek full of gold pans back

[@vintagevisionsales]

Wow its so nice to see places across the USA. I live on the east coast!😊

[@user-lw7mw1cj5k]

Well Joe you had me on this one (Sutter Creek) till I checked out the house - 1.249 Million Dollars so I'll have to pass. Everything else about this town is perfect, small population - neat history and downtown - low crime and a good location. It is indeed an impressive town! Again another nice video that is high quality and very interesting!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

That is a lot of money for a house!

[@PattyHamilton-kv1pz]

❤ your road trips. Thank you.😊

[@georgedsouza4885]

Sitting here in Mumbai, India and watching your videos. This virtual tour with you continues to be a stress buster for me, there is a something in your narration which takes me to mindfulness meditation mode.❤❤

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Nice!

[@stevenmoser7233]

Excellent video. You are the master. Up north I hope you visit weed and mt. Shasta. Hydraulic mining really hurt the land in California but beautiful preservation and use of buildings.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

I visited both places. :)

[@stevenmoser7233]

@JoeandNicsRoadTrip you all are awsome. I only have a few channels that I look forward to and this channel is gold. Be safe a n d looking forward to the next vlog.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

@@stevenmoser7233 Awesome! You’ll see Weed and Shasta City, as well as the mountain in the next video coming up this Saturday morning. 👍😀

[@stevenmoser7233]

@JoeandNicsRoadTrip Excellent you're the best hands down.

[@LesMorrisracing]

WoW awesome job covering those towns I've never been to any of them. No Cats found Say Hi to Nicky for me!

[@usmcmos0317]

Great video Joe more my kinda places for sure. Course more places I can’t afford to live in. LoL well like you said it is California. Beautiful towns great scenery. And of course informative as usual thanks i love the stats. As an older person to me the age of the people in these places makes sense personally I think us older people appreciate and like places like this that keep the old original feel to them maybe not so much for younger people. And as with every other places you have visited in California good money is made there. Course like every where else it takes it to live there. LoL so I guess it’s a catch 22. Thanks for sharing , looking forward to the upcoming video. Safe travels my friend keep filming I’ll keep watching

[@carstensh.3112]

I love your videos. Nice to see parts of the USA i don't know. I am from germany and i used to visit the southern states, especially TX what is my favourite :)

[@WhittyPics]

1855. Did you see Marty McFly? Those are some amazing old buildings.

[@Laura-nm3rn]

I thought I recognized the Kennedy mine. The Ghost Hunters did an episode there and the nearby Argonaut Mine.

[@biffboffo]

Welcome to the neighborhood!

[@rockeerockey6941]

Yea, I'll stay in Florida with all the inflationary real estate. Can't see paying high State taxes in California. Another great travel video Joe & Nic, keep up the fantastic work

[@julindahiggins1582]

Taxes..the price one pays for a civilized society..y'all just hunker down in Florida sounds like it's your perfect place 😀

[@poowg2657]

​@@julindahiggins1582 Hunkering with my gold, silver, guns and ammo!

[@julindahiggins1582]

@@poowg2657 like I said...your perfect place💕

[@poowg2657]

@@julindahiggins1582 Never been to Florida but there's a lot of hunkering going on up here in northern Wisconsin😁.

[@marcodarko6941]

julinda thinks.. (the keyword: thinks) she's being cute.​@@poowg2657

[@victorthegreat1991]

That house on 77 Main Street, Sutter Creek goes for a paltry sum of $1,249,000! It has 7 bed and 7 bath and is about 4700 square feet. This house was built in 1857.

[@petitjeanriverhomestead]

Been there a lot a friend of mine lives there He had a top fuel dragster shop. the shop is right on Sutter Creek.

[@jimmythecricket25]

Great video, but you didn't mention the casino in Jackson or the prison in Ione. Both interesting places. 😉

[@KentuckyGirl]

My first look at your thumbnail, I thought you may have found The Hotel California. Lol😊

[@kenjohnson5498]

What a story you could tell your grandchildren after staying in the Juvenile detention center, I lived in paradise on the outside but in hell on the inside.

[@kathyburgess9536]

I love these old towns and enjoy Westerns that display some of them. You were just talking about schools. Are you ever able to get info on the schools available to children who live in some of these smaller, poorer towns? I am always interested how the next generation is getting educated besides cell phones and social media. Thanks for including us on your trips. This is my favorite you tube video and I hope you get 1mill viewers🎉

[@TopCarDetailing]

Hi Joe, great videos keep up the good work, what camera do you use for your videos if you don't mind me asking, Cheers Barry.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

DJI Osmo Pocket 3

[@TopCarDetailing]

@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip Thanks for the reply, much appreciated , Cheers.

[@nicorayo195]

You may want to check out Nevada City, California. which is another beautiful historic town.

[@heatherfulmore3412]

Those places are interesting.

[@RobinGerhart]

Very interesting. Housing is crazy but it is California. Thank you!

[@patm5594]

Very nice small communities.

[@craigbrowning9448]

I'm familiar with that area because some friends of my parents had a private campsite in that vicinity, where they later built their retirement house.

[@charlesmaroon8819]

Joe. Head up 49 to the Northern mines and Grass Valley and Nevada City