Columbia is a former California Gold Rush boom town in Tuolumne County, California, United States founded in 1850 by Mexican gold miners.

Only close to about 2500 people now live in this region with a total area of 6.2 square miles (16.0 km²), once California's second largest city during its heights.

Unlike many settlements that have changed with the times, Columbia, California seems to be frozen in the 1800's. Today, Columbia State Historic Park lives on as a state-preserved historic park and a National Historic Landmark that preserves the original, gold-rush-town flavor of the town, once dubbed the "Gem of the Southern Mines."

The town is a popular destination for school living-history programs, special family gatherings, or a year-round getaway and the Columbia State Historic Park offers a unique blend of museums.

More than 100 films and Television series were filmed in Columbia which included the 1949 classic 'The Lone Ranger' and the most recent Sierra Spirit in 2007.