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California Gold Panning
17712 Harvard Mine Road Jamestown, CA 95327 "Nugget Nick" Prebalick (209) 213-9719 CaliforniaGoldPanning@gmail.com |
Hours
Year-round / 9:00am – 4:00pm OPEN 365/ By appointment RAIN OR SHINE ~ WE WILL BE OPEN! Please call or text for same-day booking availability. |
Meet our Gold panning experts!
History of Prebalick Miners
Nugget Nick (on the left), Nate (middle) and Prospector Terry (on the right)
Terry moved to California from Minnesota in 1979 while he was working for a newspaper running a printing press. His love language called him to the gold country. During his lunch breaks he’d wander through downtown Sonora and look at the running creek. One day he saw an old-timer panning in the creek and watched him pull a gold nugget out of the Sonora Creek. Terry was flabbergasted and felt the ‘fever’ starting to rise in him. Having always been interested in geology, mining and had been drawn to walking the creeks, rivers, woods and mountains of our fair county became his life. He studied the history of the gold mine, mineralogy and became a local expert in where to still find good gold. From that day ‘til today, he worked on and around mining, read and explored the nooks and crannies around Tuolumne county, and dedicated his life to prospecting and mining.
Prospector Terry’s son, Nugget Nick grew up going with his dad mining every break, summer and free moment possible with his dad. Mining and the outdoors is where Nugget Nick thrives while teaching adults and kids the history of the gold rush and mineralogy of gold. California’s geology has been his life’s calling. Being outdoors, the sounds of the creek, the frogs, the wind in the leaves, skipping rocks all are part of his soul, and he passes this love on through the tours he provides.
Teaching and sharing prospecting technique and stories runs in the family, and now a third generation is in town. Having watched his dad and grandpa, and grown up around, “Nuggets, Pickers, Flakes and Dust,” has led Nathanial (Nate) to work the claim with his dad. This has allowed Nate to show his passion and train the hundreds of students, eco-tourists, and families that come to California Gold Panning each year.
Prospector Terry’s son, Nugget Nick grew up going with his dad mining every break, summer and free moment possible with his dad. Mining and the outdoors is where Nugget Nick thrives while teaching adults and kids the history of the gold rush and mineralogy of gold. California’s geology has been his life’s calling. Being outdoors, the sounds of the creek, the frogs, the wind in the leaves, skipping rocks all are part of his soul, and he passes this love on through the tours he provides.
Teaching and sharing prospecting technique and stories runs in the family, and now a third generation is in town. Having watched his dad and grandpa, and grown up around, “Nuggets, Pickers, Flakes and Dust,” has led Nathanial (Nate) to work the claim with his dad. This has allowed Nate to show his passion and train the hundreds of students, eco-tourists, and families that come to California Gold Panning each year.
Golden TESTIMONIALS From our miners
We had a fun time digging for gold and found some! Nate was a great guide and definitely showed us how it’s done. Great for getting the kids off the phones for a few hours. 5/5. (Nathan Lawrence -Sept 2021 )
Had lots of fun as a family. Found some gold flakes. Tip for everyone who does this don’t wear white it will get dirty. Our guide was very friendly and knowledgeable. 5/5. (Jo Sat -August 2021 )
Fun family adventure in a beautiful place by the stream with great professional help from our knowledgeable guide. We learned a lot, struck gold!!!, found some crayfish in the stream and had excellent time! 5/5 (Dominik Behr, 2021)
On Friday, August 2, 2019, my brother, my husband, my mother, and I arrived at the site for “California Gold Panning”. The owners, Nick and his father, were very nice and helpful as my brother, my husband and I learned a lot about the process of digging, sifting, and sluicing. Nick taught me how to pan. Thank you for teaching us! It was a lot of fun! We hope to come back someday! (Diane Jones, 2019)
My family and I went panning and had a blast. If you want the real deal, getting dirty and wet, maybe some blisters on your hands from shoveling material- he's your guy. We found gold today much to my girls delight! Gary took time and coached them each in what to do. It was down home and personal. 5 stars (Tamara McCartney, 2017)
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