7 Small Towns In California's Sierra Nevada To Visit For A Weekend Getaway
The Sierra Nevada in California is among the most stunning mountain ranges in the world. Featuring attractions such as Lake Tahoe and Yosemite National Park, the region attracts millions of visitors every year, and those who have seen its sights understand why. Breathtaking vistas of high mountain peaks, deep alpine forests, and sparkling lakes, all within the warm climate of central California- it is no wonder the region is so popular. For those looking to spend a weekend in the Sierra while staying away from some of the bigger crowds, the area's small towns are a perfect choice.
Nevada City
A quaint little town that was originally set up as a mining camp in the Sierra, Nevada City is a place that wears its history on its sleeve. Downtown Nevada City is a well-preserved historic district and features the Nevada Theatre, which dates back to the 1860s and stands as one of the oldest continuously used theater venues in the country. It continues to present live theater, music, and even movie showings, and any of these would be a perfect event to build a weekend around. The Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum is another spot that should not be missed and includes a tour as well as a gift shop. To explore the considerable and beautiful wilderness around Nevada City, there is the Deer Creek Tribute Trail, which plunges hikers into the gorgeous foliage around Deer Creek, and the Crystal Hermitage Gardens, which is particularly picturesque during the summer months. For lodgings, travelers should seek out the historical National Exchange Hotel or the Broad Street Inn, which both feature modern amenities despite their 19th-century constructions.
Auburn
On the west side of the Sierra is the town of Auburn. Immersed in the nature that makes the region famous, stops like the Auburn State Recreation Area are the perfect place to breathe in the mountain air. What sets the town apart is the winery and brewery culture that the town has become steeped in. Auburn is one of the premiere stops along the Placer Wine Trail, one of California's most celebrated regions for wine production. To accompany this, breweries such as the Moonraker Brewing Co. and the Auburn Alehouse have sprung up and created a must-visit center for craft beers. For a taste of what the region has to offer, The Pour Choice is a perfect choice. A weekend getaway is not complete without an idyllic place to stay, and the historic mansion that is the Park Victorian is as ideal as it gets.
South Lake Tahoe
South Lake Tahoe is a resort city on the southern shore of the lake that lends it its name. The town has no limit on things to do, from skiing and skating in the winter to beaching, hiking, and boating in the summer. Baldwin Beach will be a destination for anyone looking to spend a weekend getaway enjoying the sand and the water, with the glorious Sierra framing every view. Just a short drive from downtown is the picturesque Emerald Bay, and on it the magnificent castle known as Vikingsholm. Constructed in the 20s to resemble an old Viking fort, the house is truly unique and well worth a stop. From inexpensive hotel rooms to the most opulent lodges, there is room to stay for every type of traveler, including the Camp Richardson Historic Resort & Marina, which offers not just hotel rooms but cabins and other unique lodging options.
Truckee
Just 20 minutes from the north shore of Lake Tahoe is Truckee, another town in the Sierra Nevada steeped in both history and natural beauty. Connected to both the logging and railroad industries of the past, the town is an emblem of the mountainous region's industrial lineage. This lineage can be thoroughly explored in the display of museums on offer in Truckee, including the Museum of Truckee History (MoTH), which has pieces from all throughout the town's storied history, as well as the fascinating Old Jail Museum, which shows visitors what it would have been like to be an inmate in the 1870s. The Donner Memorial State Park, the Martis Valley Trail, and any of Truckee's 26 miles of paved paths are great ways to get outside and enjoy the Sierra, and for those looking to book a place to stay for the weekend, there are lots to choose from, including the stunning and rustic Gravity Haus.
Grass Valley
Another town with deep roots and connections to the mid-19th century is Grass Valley. Immersed in the thick pine forests that define the Sierra Nevada, Grass Valley served an important role in the Gold Rush and was the richest of all the California gold mining towns. Empire Mine State Historic Park is the site of what was the deepest and richest gold mine in the state and still contains many of the buildings used by the miners and owners open to explore. The entrance to almost 400 miles of underground shafts is also visitable, as is the so-called "Secret Room", which contains a scale model of these tunnels. The North Star Mining Museum features tools and equipment used during the Rush and is truly a sight to see. In keeping with this 1850s aura, the Holbrooke Hotel is as authentic as it gets. The current building dates back to 1862, after the 1853 original burned down, and is the perfect way to stay in this gilded town.
Colfax
Colfax is another important town in the history of California's Gold Rush. Serving as an important part of the railway system that kept the gold industry booming, the town is rich in the region's industrial history. The downtown is filled with historical markers, including everything from Colfax's general store dating to 1867 to the Jacob Keck Sr. Saloon from 1865. This main street is straight out of an old Western movie. The Colfax Heritage Museum, located inside the refurbished Colfax Passenger Depot, is the perfect spot to engage with the historical significance of the railway development in Sierra Nevada. The Dutch Flat Hotel, another building that appears to have emerged from an old John Ford movie, is the perfect place to spend your weekend in the historic setting.
Sonora
"The Queen of the Southern Mines," Sonora is located in the southern portion of the Sierra Nevada. While its proximity to Yosemite National Park already makes it an attractive locale for travelers, the town itself has a lot to offer those looking for a weekend getaway. All of the Gold Rush history of places like Grass Valley and Colfax is also alive in Sonora, but it also has a character all its own. A famed summer concert series attracts visitors from wide and far, as does the Sierra Repertory Theater, which features a vast array of dramatic and musical acts sure to delight any kind of audience. In addition to the nearby Yosemite, Sonora boasts access to the Stanislaus National Forest, as well as the Dragoon Gulch, both unique natural marvels of the Sierra. Stops like the Hotel Lumberjack and the Sonora Inn provide top-notch comfort and access to everything this unique town has to offer.
A weekend spent in the Sierra Nevada is one that will not be soon forgotten. Within it is some of the most beautiful natural beauty that can be found, surrounded, and enriched by a deep history of development and progress. From the stories of the Gold Rush to the modern tales of vineyards and wine culture, there is a profound sense of narrative in the region, and this narrative is perhaps best experienced away from the hustle and bustle in these smaller towns.
