Of you are in Los Angeles and are looking for a weekend road trip destination, check out this old gold rush era town called Calico, which is 2.5 hours drive towards Las Vegas, 3 minutes from 15 freeway. Are you driving from Las Vegas and have $8 left in your pocket? Take a break in the ghost town and see what it looks like after 100 years of being populated by 2 thousand people! Calico, California, has been restored to the look of the silver rush era when it flourished, although many original buildings were removed and replaced instead with gingerbread architecture and false facades that tourists would expect to see in a Western-themed town; Most of the restored and newly built buildings are made of wood with a simple, rustic architecture and a severely weathered appearance. Some structures still stand dating back to the town's operational years: Lil's Saloon; the town office; the former home of Lucy Lane, which is now the main museum but was originally the town's post office and courthouse; Smitty's Gallery; the general store; and Joe's Saloon. There is also a replica of the schoolhouse on the site of the original building. The one-time homes of the town's Chinese citizens exist as ruins only; only a portion of one rock wall remains of the former "family" residential area on a nearby bluff. In November 1962, Calico Ghost Town was registered as a California Historical Landmark (Landmark #782) In 2002, Calico vied with Bodie in Mono County to be recognized as the Official State Ghost Town. In 2005, a compromise was finally reached when the State Senate and State Assembly agreed to list Bodie as the Official State Gold Rush Ghost Town and Calico the Official State Silver Rush Ghost Town. Today, the park operates mine tours, gunfight stunt shows, gold panning, several restaurants, the historic, 2 ft 6 in narrow gauge Calico & Odessa Railroad, a Mystery Shack. and a number of trinket stores. It is open every day except Christmas, and requires an entrance fee. Additional fees are required for some attractions. Overnight camping is also available. Special events are held throughout the year including a Spring Festival in May, Calico Days in early October, and a Ghost Town haunt in late October. The Calico Cemetery, which holds between 96 and 130 graves, has had burials in the 20th and 21st centuries

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