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Coarsegold, California, is a census designated place in Madera County, situated in the central part of the state. Coarsegold holds historical significance as Madera County's last surviving "gold town" and is notable for its Native American heritage, particularly as the headquarters of the Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians, a federally recognized tribe. The community celebrates its frontier culture with annual events such as the Coarsegold Rodeo and the Tarantula Awareness Festival. Positioned between Fresno and Yosemite National Park, the town appeals to both retirees and commuters, thanks to its strategic location along Highway 41.

The Chukchansi, native to the Coarsegold region, have a history dating back over 8,000 years. They are part of a larger group known as the Yokuts, classified by anthropologists based on linguistic similarities among approximately 60 tribes in the Central Valley. While these tribes shared cultural traits and languages, they also maintained distinct dialects. The discovery of gold marked a period of significant disruption for the Chukchansi, characterized by loss of land, spread of diseases, and societal upheaval. These events, coupled with policies of forced assimilation like the removal of children to boarding schools, led to a marked decline in the native population.

Following the 1849 gold strike at Coarsegold, miners spread throughout the region, particularly along the Fresno River. By 1852, a settlement had formed at the river's only fordable point, marked by the establishment of a trading post by John Ledford and George M. Carson. Initially constructed from adobe, the site featured a store, saloon, and living quarters. The trading post changed hands, eventually becoming known under J. L. Hunt and J. R. Roan. During this period, scarce goods led to high prices, especially for whiskey and flour. The area, known as The Crossing, was notorious for violent encounters among miners, leading to numerous burials on a nearby hill. and "Coarse Gold Gulch". The place was first called "Texas Flat" after miners from Texas discovered gold there in 1849. At one time, several dozen gold mines operated in the area.

By the 1860s, Coarsegold became well known as an important stop for people heading to the mountains for cattle raising, farming, and lumbering. The town grew even more popular after the wagon road to Yosemite Valley was completed in 1876, attracting tourists worldwide. However, in the 1880s, Coarsegold saw less traffic after a new road was built directly from the valley to the mining areas in Grub Gulch and Ahwahnee, leading straight to Yosemite. The Coarse Gold Gulch post office opened in 1878, changed the name to "Goldgulch" in 1895 and to "Coarsegold" in 1899.

Coarsegold is located on Highway 41 between Fresno and the southern entrance to Yosemite National Park, at an elevation of 2218 feet (676 m). Its average annual precipitation is It is located in hardiness zone 8b.

The 2020 United States Census reported that Coarsegold had a population of 4,144. Coarsegold stands out from state averages with its older population, high homeownership rates, and unique cultural traits. The town's median age is 40.5, older than the state's 37.9. A notable 90.0% of Coarsegold homes are owner occupied, well above California's 55.8% average. Additionally, linguistic diversity is lower here, with only 7.1% speaking a non English language at home, compared to 44.4% statewide. Initiated in 1953 to celebrate the town's centennial, the Coarsegold Rodeo has become an annual tradition, occurring on the first weekend of May. Additionally, the Tarantula Awareness Festival is held yearly in Coarsegold. This event corresponds with the mating season of local tarantulas, marking the transition to cooler temperatures and the start of autumn rains. It provides an opportunity to learn about and observe these spiders in their natural habitat.

The 1993 adventure game Freddy Pharkas: Frontier Pharmacist is set in a fictional 1880s Coarsegold and was published by Sierra On Line, then based in nearby Oakhurst. The company also released Cranston Manor in 1981, another game set in Coarsegold. The Coarsegold (Coarse Gold) mining site is the destination for stars Joel McCrea and Randolph Scott in the 1962 film Ride the High Country.