8 Offbeat Towns to Visit in California's Sierra Nevada
The Sierra Nevada is a beautiful display of mountainous terrain, wildlife, and gorgeous landscapes that runs north-south through California. Iconic landmarks such as Sierra National Forest, Yosemite National Forest, and Lake Tahoe draw tourists from far and wide. But amidst these well-known destinations is a collection of off-beat towns that offer unique experiences and awe-inspiring sites. From mystical caverns to story-book towns, Sierra Nevada’s towns are full of individual charm. Explore these offbeat options from Angels’ Camp to Murphys.
Angels Camp
One of the more unique towns in the Sierra Nevada is Angels’ Camp. The town has a strong connection to author Mark Twain, who chose the area as the setting for his short story The Celebrated Frog of Calaveras. Angels’ Camp embraces this connection during the truly unique yearly Mark Twain Wild West Fest. Visitors can also explore the Mark Twain History Trail and the Mark Twain Exhibit, which is located in the Museum and Carriage House. These unique attractions are popular with literary enthusiasts and travelers alike.
Another interesting attraction in Angels’ Camp is the Gold Rush Originals. As a former gold rush town, the area is full of history and lore. Kids and adults alike will love learning about the boom that brought so many prospectors and dreamers to the region. Angels’ Camp is also an excellent place to camp and spend time outdoors. Take the kids fishing at New Melones Lake, or make memories while boating on its beautiful waters.
Truckee
Just north of Tahoe City is the town of Truckee. Truckee is a great destination for history lovers looking to learn more about the early history of the Sierra Nevada area. Like Tahoe City, the town of Truckee has many locations listed on the National Register of Historic Places, but it has the benefit of being a little more ‘off-the-beaten-track’, making it a great option for travelers.
The name of the town itself comes from a Paiute Indian chief famed for leading emigrants westward through the region on what is now called the Emigrant Trail. History lovers can learn about this rich history at the Emigrant Trail Museum, as well as the fate of the Donner Party at the Donner Memorial State Park, which tells one of the more unique stories in California’s history.
The Emigrant Trail - and other trails in the area - offer great hiking and mountain biking opportunities. Popular scenic routes include the Donner Pass and paths along Donner Lake. Those looking for water sports can also experience kayaking on the Truckee River or fishing on Sawmill Lake. In the winter, like in many Sierra Nevada towns, Truckee has great skiing and snowboarding options. Northstar California Lodge and Truckee Donner Lodge are popular places to stay and enjoy the alpine views.
Bishop
Bishop sits just west of the Owens Valley, near Bishops Creek. Though a lesser-known town, the region does hold a number of interesting attractions for visitors, including the Laws Railroad Museum and Historical Site and the Owens Valley Paiute Shoshone Cultural Center. Both sites are full of local artifacts that help paint a picture of what life was like in the early settlement days.
Just outside of town is Bishops Creek Canyon. The tower mountain peaks slope down through bright forests into the winding creek and grassy shores. The views, though always impressive, are particularly vibrant in autumn when foliage turns fiery red and orange. Sit and watch the sunset paint a rainbow of colors across the water’s surface, or hike along the trails for an aerial view of The Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest. Popular hiking trails include the Little Lakes Valley Trail, Bishop Pass Trail, and North Lake Campground.
Mammoth Lakes
Mammoth Lakes is a gorgeous town in California’s Sierra Nevada, full of beautiful natural water features. The area is dotted with clear blue lakes. Lake Mary and Crystal Lake are two examples of the area's impressive scenery. Towering mountain peaks slide into old-growth forests, which lead up to the lakes’ edges.
One of the more unique features in the area is the Devils Postpile National Monument. The protected area includes the postpile formation, a phenomenal example of columnar basalt, which creates a natural stack of 60-foot tall rock poles or posts. This rare sight is certainly worth a visit, and travelers can also check out 101-foot tall Rainbow Falls, which is also part of the National Monument.
Mammoth Lakes is also home to another geological phenomenon known as Hot Creek. Hot Creek is located in the nearby Inyo National Forest, which is an area that contains a lot of geothermal activity. Visitors can witness hot water geysers and steaming pools bubbling up from the earth’s surface.
Markleeville
Markleeville also has an interesting geothermal region which brings plenty of visitors to the area. The town sits close to Grover Hot Springs State Park, a beautiful area of mountainous terrain and lush meadows. Amidst the beautiful landscape are multiple natural hot springs which feed into a heated mineral pool. Visitors can enjoy soaking in the warm waters, cooling off in the nearby cold water pool, and exploring many hiking trails that run through the forests and hills. Some 76 campsites offer overnight accommodation.
The town is also popular for its impressive skiing conditions. Kirkwood Mountain Resort is a popular place to stay for those looking to take in the snow peaks and fresh powder of the area's impressive ski runs.
Markleeville is also home to the Alpine County Historical Museum, which offers exhibits and information about the history of Alpine County, from the native Washoe to the town's early days as a mining village and the importance of the Basque sheepherders.
Wawona
Another Sierra Nevada town full of natural beauty is Wawona. The region is full of rural beauty and places to explore the great outdoors. One of the most unique attractions in the area is the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. Walk through towering red trees beneath a lush canopy of leaves and branches in this gorgeous grove that highlights the special natural beauty of the Sierra Nevada region. The grove is located in the southern part of the larger Yosemite National Forest and is the largest of the sequoia groves in the park, with over 500 giant trees. The grove is also one of the first areas legally protected by the government for recreational use, making it an important historical destination as well. More history of Wawona can be learned at the Pioneer Yosemite History Center, where visitors can go back to a time of horse-drawn carriages.
Lone Pine
Lone Pine is part of the historic Owens Valley. Experience the highest point in the contiguous United States at Mount Whitney. Mount Whitney is over 14,500 feet tall and poses a great hiking challenge for visitors. Guided tours are available, but there are also trails open to the public for experienced adventurers. The town is also close to the distinct Alabama Hills, a natural rock formation of great beauty. These unique rock arches and boulders are impressive in themselves but also hold historical and cultural significance, as many movies use the area as a set. The Museum of Western Film History highlights this and more.
Between the mountain peaks and this great history, Lone Pine has a distinctly Western feel more akin to the American West than coastal California, yet it is a surprisingly popular destination for fishing - something rarely found in desert areas.
Lone Pine has an early Trout Season, and both Golden Trout Wilderness and Owens Valley are common areas for visiting anglers.
Murphys
The Mercer Caverns of Murphys make it one of the more unusual small towns in the Sierra Nevada. The caves are open to the public for guided tours, where visitors can explore the mysterious depths and take in rock formations such as flowstones, stalagmites, and stalactites. The caves are also unique in their abundance of the rare mineral formation known as flos ferri, which are coral-like formations of the Aragonite mineral. Other natural attractions in the area include Calaveras Big Trees State Park, which features towering sequoia trees and beautiful views.
Each of these Sierra Nevada towns has something different to offer. For travelers who love exploring something out-of-the-ordinary, these towns offer the perfect scenic escapes. Whether it is for outdoor adventures, quirky festivals, or other-worldly rock formations, the towns of Sierra Nevada have a lot to offer. Explore national parks, hike scenic trails, or dive into a whole new world of wonder. Getting off the beaten path and finding something new is a great way to see this beautiful area in a whole new light.
