Some of the best resources for exploring the history of California, San Francisco, and the Gold Rush are located near the start of the Gold Rush Trail, in the Yerba Buena district :

The Society of California Pioneers is located at 300 Fourth Street (at Folsom); their phone number is (415) 957-1849.

The California Historical Society is on Mission Street between Second and Third streets; their phone number is (415) 357-1848. Their Timeline of California History is a great online educational resource.

The Mechanics Institute Library is located at 57 Post Street, near the Montgomery Street Bart Station; their phone number is (415) 421-1750.

The Gold Rush Trail Foundation is a volunteer organization and receives no city, state, or federal funds. It is supported by foundations, businesses and citizens interested in furthering its mission. For further information, please write to: The Gold Rush Trail Foundation, 57 Post Street, San Francisco, CA 94104, call: (415) 981-4849, or e-mail: contact@goldrushtrail.org.