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| 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:
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| Where is this place? | LISTED DIRECTIONS:
ANNOTATIONS: From Los Angeles: ~33mi (54km) — 0.6hrs |
| 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! |
