From Goldrush World Access, "The Women" on line.
In 1850, over 90% of the non-Indian population of California was male. Some women did come to try their luck in the gold fields. Most women provided services for the miners like washing clothes and cooking. Other professions included entertaining, baking, speculating, mule & horse tending, hotel keeping, shop keeping, and prostitution.
The male gold miners were lonely and missed having women around them. The mining camps were considered rough and wild -- not a place for a lady. Some wives went west to be with their husbands and others went to track down their husbands that left them. It was usually a difficult trip from anywhere to get to California. The women and children had to brave the many hardships involved whether the trip was by land, sea, or both. Eventually, the travel became easier and faster, with improved transportation and roads.
California was the land of opportunity, and for many women it meant independence. There was money to made in many types of businesses in this new land.
Read about other people associated with the Gold Rush:
Blacks
Chinese
Indians
James Marshall
People