The Oak of the Golden Dream!

Oak of the Golden Dream
Landmark #168 Los Angeles County Visited: April 17, 2011 Plaque?  YES! 🙂
What is it? The oak tree under which gold was first discovered in California!
What makes it historical? THE GUIDE SAYS: Francisco López made California’s first authenticated gold discovery on March 9, 1842. While gathering wild onions near an oak tree in Placerita Canyon he found gold particles clinging to the roots of the bulbs. The San Fernando placers and nearby San Feliciano Canyon were worked by Sonoran miners using panning, sluicing and dry washing methods. Lopez’s find predated James Marshall’s strike at Sutter’s Mill by six years.

OTHER TIDBITS: Actually, the reason it’s called the Oak of the Golden Dream is because Francisco López fell asleep beneath it. During his nap, he had a dream that he was surrounded by gold, and then he started to pick wild onions when he awoke feeling peckish! That’s when he found the gold dust!

How can I Help the Helpers? HERE’S HOW:

Where is this place? LISTED DIRECTIONS:

    Site:

    • Placerita Canyon State and County Park
      Placerita Canyon Rd
      4.6 mi NE of Newhall (Los Angeles)
    Plaque:

    • SE corner I-5 and Lyons Ave
      Newhall

ANNOTATIONS:
The Oak of the Golden Dream has at least four plaques, and two of them are on the road pointing to it! My advice is to ignore the plaque directions and go right to the site: 19152 Placerita Canyon Rd / Newhall, CA 91321. You’ll take the super-easy Heritage Trail east across the street and under a bridge to reach the Oak!

From Los Angeles: ~33mi (54km) — 0.6hrs
From Sacramento: ~364mi (586km) — 6.1hrs
From San Diego: ~154mi (248km) — 2.6hrs
From San Francisco: ~362mi (583km) — 6.1hrs

When should I go? The park is open every day from sunrise to sunset! The nature center is open Tuesday-Sunday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM!

Oak of the Golden Dream

Oak of the Golden Dream

Click here to see more California historical landmarks!

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