Traveling to San Francisco2

Reaching the gold mines for immigrants Steamboats
was done using three different routes. Canoes
Immigrants can travel by sea, land, or a
combination of both sea and land. The
journey was long and hard, lasting
anywhere between four to nine months.

Overland: 2,000 Miles/ 6-9Months

Sea: Cape Horn The life of a miner was not lavish. The majority of
miners were men, although some women lived in
Route 1: Cape Horn mining camps. Many quickly discovered that life Two-Wheeled
was not what they expected. Miners didn’t shower, Dray
15,000 miles shave, carried and own very little. The lived in the
middle of California mountains which came with
4-8 Months harsh weather conditions, limited foods, and very
little to do. In an effort to entertain themselves,
Route 2: Isthmsu miners spent their time dancing, singing, drinking
and gambling.
5-day journey to
Panama. Four-Wheeled
Dray
People were dropped
off in Panama. Then
they walked about 70
miles overland to
catch a final boat to
San Francisco.