What is the setting of "The Californian's Tale" by Mark Twain?

“The Californian’s Tale” is located in what Mark Twain called “the Stanislau.” The Stanislau is a national forest located in central California. It is located east of San Francisco, north of Fresno, and south of Reno, Nevada. On the east it borders Yosemite National Park and on the south it borders the Sierra National Forest. Originally, the area was settled by the Mi-Wuk Indians, but with the discovery of gold in 1849, white men came into the territory. It is beautiful area of the country and, today, is a place people bike, camp, and enjoy their vacations. Mark Twain describes it in his story, “The Californian’s Tale” as,

“…..like Heaven on Earth.  It had bright green hills and deep forests where soft winds touched the trees.” (pg 1)

Modesto is the county seat of Stanislau County, and there is actually a city in Stanislau County named Twain Harte. This city was named after Mark Twain and Bret Harte, both authors who wrote tales located in that area of California.