6 Towns in California's Sierra Nevada With Thriving Local Businesses
The Sierra Nevada is a mountain range that is located mostly in California. Although not many people occupy this large, rugged area, tens of millions of people visit each year. They come for sightseeing and recreation and succeed because of thriving local businesses set inside small mountain towns. Restaurants, bars, shops, breweries, theaters, and hotels accommodate adventurers while they fulfill their Sierra Nevada dreams. In addition, the towns are chock full of amazing outdoor recreation and cultural charm, offering a complete experience ideal for a vacation. Here are six accommodating communities on the California side of the Sierra Nevada.
Nevada City
Nevada City is a historic destination full of superlatives. Approximately 3,200 residents and many thousands of tourists liven up some of the oldest attractions in the range. A Broad Street landmark, the Nevada Theatre has been hosting plays, movies, comedy shows, and various other performances since 1865, allegedly making it the oldest continuously operating theater on America's West Coast. Also on Broad Street is the National Exchange Hotel, a luxurious retreat that opened in 1856 to "accommodate permanent and transient boarders in style unsurpassed in the state." It is one of the oldest operating hotels west of the Rockies. Other golden relics to visit downtown are the Golden Era Cocktail Bar and Lounge, 108 Treasures, and The Mine Shaft Saloon, offering everything from a delicious drink to an entertaining experience.
Angels Camp
Appropriately, Angels Camp sits nearly 1,400 feet above sea level, so visitors can feel like angels amidst the mountains. This is especially true when visiting heavenly haunts like Angels Creek Café, a breakfast and lunch spot on Main Street, and Angels Theatre, a modern movie theater in a historic art deco building. For a different experience, explorers should head to Stories in Stones, a museum-esque cache of purchasable minerals, fossils, jewelry, shells, butterflies, and sculptures.
Speaking of stories, Angels Camp is where Mark Twain heard the tale that he turned into the 1865 short story "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County." Specifically, the Angels Hotel is where Twain's famous story hopped off. The building remains standing but is no longer a hotel. However, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is adorned with a mural of Twain and his frog. Other frog-focused sites in Angels Camp include the Frogtown RV Park and Jumping Frog Motel, both ideal for a budget stay.
Mammoth Lakes
Mammoth Lakes is a small town with mammoth attractions. In addition to the 11,000-foot Mammoth Mountain, 101-foot Rainbow Falls, and massive alpine lakes, after which the town was named, Mammoth Lakes boasts businesses that are big in size and/or reputation. They include the Mammoth Brewing Company, which brews thousands of barrels of high-quality beer yearly, and Mammoth Rock 'N' Bowl, an entertainment complex with bowling, indoor golf, and delicious food.
On the other hand, one can opt for a more relaxing time out at Booky Joint, a locally owned, independent bookstore that has been in operation since 1978. After all the fun, it's time to grab some souvenirs from the Mammoth Fun Shop, a "goofball's paradise" that sells everything from magic kits to giant gummy bears to gag gifts to any-topping ice cream. Although Mammoth Lakes attracts millions of tourists, just over 7,000 people have year-round access to its natural and commercial wonders.
Auburn
Auburn is home to nearly 14,000 people and bustles with life. Along with a town-sized population, Auburn has a town-like nature, friendliness, and a similar main district featuring an array of amazing businesses. Tourists can make good choices at The Pour Choice, which claims to be California's first—and only—craft coffee bar and tap room. From there, one can grab a taco at Taqueria La Herradura, a veggie burger at the Nectar Cafe, and a souvenir at the Auburn Old Town Gallery. As long as you have also burned through Auburn's wilderness, particularly the Auburn State Recreation Area, you can really cool down at the Auburn Alehouse. As the day ends, crash nearby at the Park Victorian, a Victorian-style hotel, bed & breakfast, and even a wedding venue.
Tahoe City
Lake Tahoe is one of the pearls of the Sierra Nevada. It is the largest freshwater lake in the region and the largest alpine lake in North America. Naturally, Tahoe has long been a haven for summer vacationers and year-round aquaphiles, who helped create waterfront communities like Tahoe City. Also keeping people coming to and staying in Tahoe City for its vibrant businesses, which range from a tavern called the Bridgetender to a pizzeria called Za's Lakefront to a brunch spot called the Fire Sign Cafe. After grabbing a meal, most people explore the town’s commercial attractions, such as the Tahoe Art Haus & Cinema, an independent, one-screen cinema draft house considered the best business of its kind in the area. The cinema hosts not just movies, however. It also hosts special events. If visiting in 2024, you can sip craft beer and eat gourmet popcorn while watching Deadpool & Wolverine or attending the Tahoe Literary Fest.
Downieville
With a population of 290 according to the 2020 US Census, Downieville has no business having so many great businesses. Yet, the tiny community boasts many highly-rated eateries, a full-service bar, seven inns, three shops, and even a grocery store. Downieville's restaurants comprise Sabrina's At The Forks, JADAA's Kitchen, La Cocina De Oro, the Boomtown Lounge & Backyard, and Cold Rush Cafe. From grabbing a cold brew coffee to indulging in a hearty steak with friends, these spots have got any food-related cravings covered.
The last of those restaurants has the same address as Empire Creek Provisions, which is a gift shop that joins Sierra Hardware and the Downieville Grocery Store as the town’s splendid stores. After grazing and gifting, Downieville denizens can go guzzling at St. Charles Place, which is called the oldest operating bar in the region. Thanks to such amenities (and surrounding Sierra Nevada scenery), one can book the Riverside Mountain Lodge or Carriage House Inn and spend a fulfilling week in Downieville.
Wrapping Up
California's Sierra Nevada is a breathtaking region that has numerous breath-returning businesses. The historic hotel in Nevada City, gem store in Angels Camp, fun shop in Mammoth Lakes, craft coffee bar in Auburn, cinema draft house in Tahoe City, and mountain lodge in Downieville are just some of the small town haunts to refill your lungs during a Sierra Nevada journey. In addition to the businesses, visitors can enjoy the tranquility of the Sierra Nevadas, which is ideal for a quick getaway from urban hustle and bustle. Go discover the rest for yourself.
