ENJOY CHRISTMAS THE OLD WEST WAY
BY MIKE MORRIS >>> Columbia State Historic Park, a restored Gold Rush town in the Sierra foothills, holds quirky, oldfashioned events each season, including a Fourth of July watermelon-eating contest and a poison oak floral-arrangement show in the fall. Christmas season is no different; activities are lined up each weekend: Lamplight Tours (Dec. 1 and 2, $25) with costumed docents, a Miner’s Christmas (Dec. 9 and 10, 16 and 17, free), featuring a visit from Father Christmas, and a Christmas Equestrian Parade (Dec. 10). The tab: A balcony room at the City Hotel costs $115 on a weekend night, lunch at Columbia Kate’s Teahouse was $74 for my family of four, and our Old West photo session cost $60. THE BED
If you want to stay within the park, your options include the City Hotel (nine rooms) and the Fallon Hotel (14 rooms). The hotels are run by the state, and rooms can be reserved by calling (800) 444-7275 or visiting reservecalifornia.com. Rooms have antique furniture, pine floors and a toilet and sink (with a shower down the hall). The City Hotel has a restaurant and bar downstairs. The Fallon Hotel shares its building with a historic playhouse that’s performing Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas” through Dec. 17.
THE MEAL
Columbia has plenty of charming places to eat, including restaurants, saloons and a coffee shop. At Columbia Kate’s Teahouse, my wife and I drank a pot of Oh My Chai, while our kids sipped Berry Blast herbal tea. Our multicourse feast featured homemade scones, broccoli and cheddar soup, Hidden Treasure mixed greens salad and a variety of tea sandwiches (cucumber, chicken salad, turkey, egg salad and hummus with red bell pepper). So how did we top off a meal like that? With a chocolate torte, French macaron and bread pudding covered with rum sauce, cranberries and cream, of course.
THE FIND
Visiting Columbia is like taking a step back in time, with panning for gold, carriage rides and more. A fun stop was Kamice’s Photographic Establishment, where you can get your picture taken dressed in 19th century costumes. For our family photo, my toddler son and I dressed like cowboys while my wife and daughter were bandidas. Each photo session includes costumes, props and “Hollywood Photoshop treatment.”
THE LESSON LEARNED
Don’t miss Nelson's Columbia Candy Kitchen, where candy canes are made in the store's front window each weekend until Christmas. Visitors can watch and try warm samples. If you want to help make them, there’s a lottery drawing for next year.