Coloma (Nisenan: Cullumah, meaning "beautiful") is a census-designated place[6] in El Dorado County, California, United States.

The settlement is a tourist attraction known for its ghost town and the centerpiece of the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park.

[2] The name comes from the Nisenan Native Americans name for the valley in which Coloma is located: Cullumah, meaning 'beautiful.'

Coloma is on the South Fork American River that runs through the valley and was built on the original Indian village of Koloma.

[8] One of Coloma's earliest settlers was Silas Sanderson (1824–1886), who went on to become the 7th Chief Justice of California.

While some people still live in the area, Coloma is considered something of a ghost town because civic buildings such as the jail have been abandoned and left to decay, and other buildings from its boom era (1847–1852) have been converted into museums and other historical displays.

Of particular note is the rafting industry as the South Fork American River is one of the most popular white-water trips in North America.

[18] Federally, Coloma is in California's 5th congressional district, represented by Republican Tom McClintock.