It is 1843, and the news of the gold in California has reached Valparaiso, Chile. Eliza and Joaquin Andieta are in love. But Joaquin soon is caught up in the popular fever, sets out to make a fortune up north, leaving behind Eliza, now pregnant with his child. Spirited and with a mind of her own, Eliza leaves her home in Valparaiso and undertakes a dangerous sea voyage to San Francisco in search of her lover. What she finds instead is adversity and adventure. When she finally hears news of Joaquin, Eliza must decide who her true love really is.