For people in California

[SmokeyBear12]

I recently found out about this via my local newspaper. http://www.calautomuseum.org/camping-in-style/ For those that don't know, the California Auto Museum is located near Old Town Sacramento. It can be a little hard to find but once found I'm sure you will enjoy it. Now we have a combination of old cars and old trailers. I expect to be in Sacramento early next year so I'll be sure to take a look. Maybe you can too. I have no affiliation and I've only been there once.

[jimger]

I've been there and it's definitely worth a visit. They've got just about everything, from classic cars to early campers. Another good museum is the Blackhawk collection in Danville - they have one-of-a-kind cars, beautifully displayed.

[Dale M.]

IF you are traveling highway 49 or close to Yosemite you may want to stop in at Mariposa Museum & History Center, its not about old cars and trailers but about gold-mining and early California history (gold rush days)...

http://mariposamuseum.com

Mariposa also offers over night camping facilities at the fairgrounds just a mile or two south of the town on highway 49 where Calif state Mining and Mineral museum is located......

Dale

[SmokeyBear12]

Jimger, have you been to The Blackhawk lately? I was there just a few months ago and was very disappointed. The 2nd floor has been completely taken over with a display of old west memorabilia. It's like somebody had this collection and needed a place to display it. No cars at all. On the 1st floor 1/2 of it has been given over to a banquet area. Very few cars left on display. I will say though, what is there, are all one-of-a-kind and concept cars.

Yes, Dale M. the Mariposa Museum & History Center is a "gem" (pun intended). I especially liked that old back bar out of a saloon. As for The Mining and Mineral Museum, I guess it's OK if you are into that kind of thing, which I am not. Did they ever recover that gold nugget that was stolen?

[jimger]

Smokeybear,

That's sad to hear. I haven't been to the Blackhawk Museum for 5 or 6 years. My dad's a big car guy, and we took him there for a visit when he was able to travel. I remember that the display was awesome - black floor and walls, and each car spotlighted like it was artwork (and it was). There were two floors of cars when I visited - bottom floor was one-of-a-kind, and the top floor was more mainstream, but very nicely restored.
By the way - the Fricot Nugget (the big nugget at the Mariposa museum) wasn't stolen, but lots of gold and gem specimens were - most have not been recovered. The museum stopped displaying the Nugget until security was upgraded, but my understanding is that it's on display. I've seen it, and even if you're not into minerals and gems, it's a pretty piece of gold.

[Dale M.]

Jimger, have you been to The Blackhawk lately? I was there just a few months ago and was very disappointed. The 2nd floor has been completely taken over with a display of old west memorabilia. It's like somebody had this collection and needed a place to display it. No cars at all. On the 1st floor 1/2 of it has been given over to a banquet area. Very few cars left on display. I will say though, what is there, are all one-of-a-kind and concept cars.

Yes, Dale M. the Mariposa Museum & History Center is a "gem" (pun intended). I especially liked that old back bar out of a saloon. As for The Mining and Mineral Museum, I guess it's OK if you are into that kind of thing, which I am not. Did they ever recover that gold nugget that was stolen?

Have not heard of any recovery... Its still a mystery and so far the perps have not say where it went, at least nothing has been said publicly......

Dale