THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Step into California’s silver rush without the strain: this full‑day trip from Los Angeles delivers restored 1880s streets, a short mine visit, rail‑car rides and gold‑panning in the high Mojave Desert. Practical tips for timing, footwear and heat management inside.
Step into California’s silver rush without the strain: this full‑day trip from Los Angeles delivers restored 1880s streets, a short mine visit, rail‑car rides and gold‑panning in the high Mojave Desert. Practical tips for timing, footwear and heat management inside.
Book with American Riviera Tours
Book directly with American Riviera Tours for the best rates and real-time scheduling.
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Operated by American Riviera Tours · Calico, California
The road from Los Angeles eases out of suburbia and into the high desert; scrub and Joshua trees lean toward the heat while the ghost town’s wooden storefronts puncture the horizon like props from an old movie set. You step off an air-conditioned van and onto dust that still remembers the clatter of mule hooves and ore carts, the sun pulling long shadows across weathered porches.
easy.
7 hours.
Suitable for most fitness levels; involves light walking on uneven, dusty surfaces and a few short inclines.
The full trip is about 7 hours round-trip, with roughly three hours on-site to explore Calico Ghost Town.
Yes. The itinerary includes hands-on activities like gold panning and a short rail ride; stroller access is possible on boardwalks but mine areas are uneven.
No. Lunch is not included; there are on-site dining options like the Calico House Tavern and picnic areas—bring cash if you prefer.
No. Visitors can tour safe, interpretive mine exhibits and view historic openings, but do not enter original mine tunnels for safety reasons.
Calico boomed after an 1881 silver strike and produced millions in ore before decline; Walter Knott restored much of the town mid-20th century and it’s now a state historical landmark.
The Mojave high desert is fragile—stick to boardwalks and marked paths, pack out trash, and avoid collecting artifacts to preserve both history and habitat.
American Riviera Tours operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
Book with American Riviera Tours
Book directly with American Riviera Tours for the best rates and real-time scheduling.
Reserve Now