About the Santa Clarita Gold Rush
Welcome to the Santa Clarita Gold Rush!
The Santa Clarita Gold Rush, which began in 2008, is hosted by Region 678, which proudly includes Newhall, Valencia, Stevenson Ranch and surrounding areas. We provide a highly competitive tournament with AYSO All-Star, Extra, United, Core and Tournament teams among the entrants.
The proceeds from this great tournament will go towards field and equipment expenses for Region 678 as well as for our secondary and scholarship programs. We have an outstanding volunteer base and excellent amenities. Each year, it is one of the finest holiday tournaments in Southern California.
Here is what the Gold Rush has to offer:
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If you have any questions, please email tournament@ayso678.org.
Why the Gold Rush?
It’s easy to assume that we call the tournament “Gold Rush” because at this time of year, AYSO teams are gearing up for Area Playoffs League Cup and even State Cup in search of gold and glory. But the real story of our tournament name is rooted in California’s history more than 150 years ago.
On March 9, 1842, six years before gold was discovered at Sutter’s Mill, a rancher named Jose Francisco de Garcia Lopez was deep in nearby Placerita Canyon (then called Cañon de los Encinos), picking a spot under an ancient oak tree for lunch and a siesta. When he awakened, Lopez dug up some wild onions with his knife and was surprised to discover gold clinging to their roots. This was the first authenticated find in California and started the first gold rush in the state, long before the 1848 discovery at Sutter’s.
Today, the oak tree beneath which Lopez took his famous nap – the Oak of the Golden Dream – is a California Historic Landmark, near the Placerita Canyon Nature Center. Take Placerita Canyon Road 1-1/2 miles east of State Route 14 to the park entrance. Park your car in the lot and head downriver.
Today, the Santa Clarita Gold Rush remains true to the friendly and enterprising spirit of Santa Clarita’s forefathers by putting together a tournament that is geared to challenge all in a welcoming atmosphere. Under the visionary leadership of then-Regional Commissioner Quin Quinteros (2007-2008) and founding Gold Rush team members of Sandi and Joe Franco, Craig Kessler, Wayne Hackelton, Sue and Tom Cahill, Rob Gardner and others, the Gold Rush was born, and it continues to this day.
