The Calico Ghost Town is just a short drive from your Anaheim hotel, located at 36600 Ghost Town Road in Yermo. Open every day, except Christmas, from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., you can make camping reservations by calling 800-TO-CALICO, or simply stop by the Wild West mining town that’s been a tourist favorite for over 100 years. In 1881, the biggest silver strike in the state took place after 500 mines drummed up more than $20 million in just 12 years. However, in the 1890s, silver began to lose its value and Calico residents fled.
When all the miner’s left, they abandoned what was a thriving city just a few years prior. Calico became a ghost town at lightning speed, and Walter Knott (of Knott’s Berry Farm) bought the town in the 1950s. All buildings were restored and now look identical to their heyday of the 1880s. In 2005, former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared Calico the official California Silver Rush Ghost Town.
You Look Like You’ve Seen a Ghost
The San Bernardino County Regional Parks system manages Calico, the ghost town that draws visitors from around the world. Find out more about the city’s history, and take in the beauty of the surrounding desert. You’ll also find contemporary restaurants, shops, and options for camping and outdoor fun around Calico. However, do keep in mind that Calico mines are dangerous, and much of the city is not handicap accessible.
Visit the Lucy Lane Museum to check out artifacts, the Maggie Mine to see a restored mine over 100 years old, and the Mystery Shack Tour where you’ll be amazed at the optical illusions. Ghost tours, gold panning and the Odessa Railroad are all waiting for you to explore, discover, and enjoy a blast from the past.
