7 Prettiest Downtown Strips In California's Sierra Nevada
Running 400 miles along Northeastern California, the Sierra Nevada mountain range forms the scenic backbone to a state already bathed in natural beauty. These snow-covered megaliths are home to the Lower 48's highest peak, the largest alpine lake on the continent, and some of the most spectacular corresponding valleys and forests imaginable. Pantheistic adorations aside, the Sierra Nevada has also spawned a series of compelling small towns over the years. Be they fateful pioneer towns, historic Gold Rush towns, or paradisiacal resort towns, these communities augment the famous landscape by offering some extra entertainment, creature comforts, and tasteful splashes of 19th-century architecture. Let's shift the perspective from 14,000-foot summits all the way down to street level in order to appreciate seven of the prettiest downtown strips hiding amongst these marvelous mountains.
Truckee
Twelve miles from the north shore of Lake Tahoe, and adjacent to small, scenic, but infamous Donner Lake (where many of the men, women, and children of the Donner Party perished in 1846), the town of Truckee harbors an attractive historic district. Perched 5,800 feet above sea level, downtown Truckee constitutes a handful of blocks between the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway (to the north) and the Truckee River (to the south), with the California Zephyr Amtrak line plowing right through the middle. Along with the aforementioned lakes, two ski resorts, six golf courses, and many parks, campgrounds, and nature trails orbit Truckee's commercial core. But let's narrow in on downtown itself.
Downtown Truckee combines an Old West aesthetic with a splash of modern California's culinary and shopping scene. Housed within the plethora of one and two-story 19th century brick buildings that line Donner Pass Road and Bridge Street are restaurants of the upscale, casual, and ethnic varieties, hip coffee shops with either moody interiors or sunny sidewalk patios, an array of novelty shops and boutiques, and a high density of tap houses, American brewpubs, and even a riverside winery for good measure. As for history, before you walk in the footsteps of the Donner Party, be sure to check off the trifecta of museums in the heart of Truckee: the Truckee Railroad Museum, the Old Truckee Jail Museum, and the Truckee Veterans Memorial Building.
Mammoth Lakes
Another radiant small town within the Sierra Nevada is that of Mammoth Lakes. The east end of its lengthy Main Street kicks off with the Welcome Center (a great place to get inspired about all the local and surrounding attractions), passes perpendicular Old Mammoth Road (another go-to commercial strip), and rolls all the way west into "The Village," where resort lodging (in service of the Mammoth Mountain Ski Area), dining, post-adventure watering holes, and year-round community events are in high supply.
The summer brings a constant stream of concerts to The Village Plaza, be it country, jazz, reggae, or good old fashioned rock 'n' roll, as well as additional adult-focused gatherings, such as the annual Wine Walk and Margarita Fest, and finally, family-friendly movie nights (under the stars), on Thursdays and Sundays. Along with satiating the ski bums and bunnies, winter also sees the Plaza light up, literally (thanks to the Night of Lights, Holiday Tree Lighting, and Disco Night), and figuratively (with such morale boosting events as Woolly's Dance Party, and Woolly's Easter Candy Quest).
What makes downtown Mammoth Lakes shimmer all the more is knowing how many stunning natural attractions await just beyond one's sightlines. Devils Postpile National Monument, with its alien looking basalt columns sits right behind Mammoth Mountain, the 100+ foot Rainbow Falls (whose mist rising against the sunlight produces the namesake phenomenon) is next door to that, and of course, the world famous granite valley of Yosemite National Park is only about an hour's drive away (when Tioga Pass is open).
Nevada City
Over on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada, in a sub-region known as Gold Country (owing to its pivotal role in the mid-1800s Gold Rush), the former mining camp and Victorian hamlet of Nevada City is a must-see. The Downtown Historic District spreads across Broad Street, Commercial Street, Main Street, and beyond, showcasing such gems as the 1865 Nevada Theatre (i.e. California's oldest operating performance venue) the cake-white, bell-tower-topped 1861 Firehouse Museum, and the stately National Exchange Hotel (which, built in 1856, is one of the oldest continually-operating hotels west of the Rockies).
The rest of Nevada City's downtown strips are as engaging as they are visually alluring. The mix of brick and wood; browns and pastels, is beautifully backdropped by the lush green blanket of undulating coniferous forest and (often) bright blue sky. There's hardly an inch amongst these pedestrian-friendly blocks that isn't worth photographing. But, alas, the whole day can't be experienced through the lens of a camera, so force yourself to take a break and explore the streetside boutiques, saloons, and cafes (often sheltered by wooden balconies), and array of opulent homes (signaling the immense prosperity that sprang rapidly from this resource rich region).
South Lake Tahoe
No tour of the Sierra Nevada is complete without an in-depth exploration of Lake Tahoe - the largest alpine lake in North America (and also one of the purest). The most developed of all the shoreline settlements is the resort city of South Lake Tahoe (you'll never guess where it's located). Winter visitors flock here for the aptly-named Heavenly Ski Resort, where powderheads are treated to the highest summit, longest vertical drop, and most skiable acres in the area, as well as the snowshoe trails of Camp Richardson. But South Lake Tahoe's downtown strip has a few tricks up its sleeve too. Summer tourists will likely beeline for El Dorado Beach, where kayak and paddleboard rentals can be launched from the sandy stretch. Following Lake Tahoe Boulevard down from the lake, sun-kissed adventurers will find all sorts of cafes (of both the java and healthy-grub varieties) and a solid selection of taverns and tap houses.
Tahoe City
Close in tow when it comes to cool Lake Tahoe towns is that of Tahoe City - on the northwestern shore of this big beautiful anomaly. The action is focused around the section of Lake Boulevard that parallels the humble, yet lively public beach. Before diving right in, first get your bearings at the North Lake Tahoe Visitor Center. Then, channel the region's abundant beauty into creative fuel by joining a workshop at North Tahoe Arts, or admire the nature-inspired works of others throughout the gallery portion of the community center. And lastly, decide which lakeside eatery deserves your attention - where you can watch the sun pass overhead, revealing the waters, and accenting the boats from the adjacent marina in a fresh, easy-on-the-eyes way.
Bishop
Scooting slightly off the eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada and into the northern end of Owens Valley (which technically brings us into Mojave Desert territory), Bishop, California is a place where worlds collide. Known as "Small Town with a Big Backyard" (two big backyards, to be exact), there are plenty of reasons for outdoor nuts to jump town, but stick around for a bit and you'll see that Bishop has yet another compelling side to it. The Eastern Sierra Scenic Byway splices right through the heart of town, congregating the Western-style commercial core in the process. Along with the now-expected mix of caffeine and libations, downtown Bishop is a place of fresh-baked breads and pastries, heat-zapping frozen yoghurt, and many Mexican restaurants. If you are able to sync your trip to the week leading up to Memorial Day, then you'll get to see Bishop at its very best, when the annual Mule Days festival takes over the Tri-County Fairgrounds and parades (in a non-motorized fashion) down Main Street.
Sierra City
This eponymous settlement has a short and sweet downtown strip. Sierra City is a preserved Gold Rush-era town that welcomes hikers of the Pacific Crest Trail to take a break from their nation-spanning trek. Follow the Golden Chain Highway into Main Street, where a few cabin-inspired inns provide soft sanctuaries at the base of the unbreakable Sierra Buttes. Whether a strenuous hike or an all-day drive brought you here, take a load off at Sorracco's Saloon or get some satiating pub grub at Red Moose Cafe. And if you're itching to learn more about the colorful prospecting days of yore, opt for the hour-long tour of the anachronistic Kentucky Mine Museum.
Parting Thoughts
The Sierra Nevada mountains struck awe into its Indigenous inhabitants and first waves of pioneers, and continue to do so for both its modest populations of permanent residents and seasonal influxes of out-of-towners. But these days, it isn't just the gravity-rebelling peaks that invoke a sense of wonder; it is the timeless, colorful, and vibrant cores of California's small towns situated amongst them. Whether it be under the summer sun or in the midst of ski season, set up shop in one of these pretty downtowns, and you will be seduced by the Sierras that much more.
