This Town's Main Street in California's Sierra Nevadas Feels Like A Movie Set
California is, hands down, the state to visit for movie lovers. After all, you can visit countless movie studios, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and gorgeous historic theaters like the Castro Theater. But if you really want to step into the shoes of a movie character yourself, you’ll need to wander a little off the usual path and into the rugged bounds of the Sierra Nevadas.
Murphys, situated in the foothills of the mountains, is a fairly quiet town today. However, it still carries the stories of fame and fortune of the 19th-century gold rush, when millions of dollars’ worth of gold were uncovered. A visit to Murphys gives you a chance to step into the shoes of a successful gold miner, exploring 19th-century hotels and saloons, or to join in the town’s modern-day festivities, like Irish festivals and holiday parades. Nowhere else will you feel quite so much like the star of your own movie!
A History Straight Out Of an Old Western
Murphys traces its story to 1848, when John and Daniel Murphy started a gold mining operation and trading post. Their success was astonishing, with reports of a haul worth approximately $2 million in their first year. They became wealthy before reaching their mid-twenties, and their good fortune shaped the growth of the community surrounding them.
Walking through downtown today brings that era to mind. Heavy iron shutters, thick stone walls, and fenced gardens suggest what life looked like during the rush for gold. One of the most recognizable structures is the Peter L. Traver Building, completed in 1856. Its iron shutters and sand-coated roof helped it survive several major fires, allowing it to serve many roles over time, including a general store, bank office, and garage. These preserved details help visitors picture the daily life of a once-active mining town.
The Murphys Historic Hotel
Murphys Historic Hotel extends that feeling of stepping backward in time. First opened in 1856, it continues to operate with rooms furnished in period style. The rooms do not include televisions or telephones, which makes it easier to picture the experiences of early miners, travelers, and community leaders who passed through the same hallways long ago. Several well-known guests are said to have stayed here, among them President Ulysses S. Grant, Susan B. Anthony, Mark Twain, and John Wayne.
The hotel building also holds a saloon that reflects the same historic character. Its bar, built from a single wooden plank, has stood in place since 1856. A pot-bellied stove glows through the winter months, offering a warm spot for conversation. On weekends, you might hear live music or select a song from the jukebox, which adds to the relaxed and nostalgic pull that has long defined this part of town.
Eccentric Festivals
Murphys hosts several annual events that bring Main Street to life with sound, color, and community energy. Murphys Irish Day in March honors the area’s Celtic roots, drawing thousands of visitors from across Northern California. Throughout the celebration, the street fills with bagpipes, marching bands, horses, classic cars, and live entertainment. Booths along the road offer food, wine, and locally crafted goods that reflect the spirit of the day.
October introduces a different mood with Murphys Gathering, a festival filled with playful and spooky themed activities. Guests encounter tarot readings, wand making, juggling shows, face painting, and other creative displays. Early November brings another shift in atmosphere when Catrines and Catrinas line Main Street for the Day of the Dead, a Mexican tradition that honors loved ones who have passed. Dance, folk art, and traditional attire create a meaningful and reflective celebration.
As the year closes, the Murphys Open House and Lighted Parade welcome the holiday season. The event features a parade, treats along Main Street, photo opportunities with Santa, and caroling, transforming the center of town into a familiar gathering place for residents and visitors.
Character-Filled Wineries
Main Street includes a surprising number of wine tasting rooms, each with its own background and personality. Milliaire Winery, the oldest family-owned winery in Murphys, has produced wine since 1983 and is especially known for its Zinfandels. Its tasting room sits inside a former Flying A gas station, which gives the experience an unusual setting linked to local history.
Nearby, Lavender Ridge Vineyard occupies a stone building that holds a tasting room, artisan cheese market, and lavender boutique. Guests can enjoy cheese pairings chosen to complement the wines, with options drawn from regional and international sources. Boyle MacDonald Wines offers another option, with a large tasting room and a rooftop patio that often hosts live music on Friday evenings. The range of wineries adds dimension to the town and gives guests a chance to explore different styles and stories as they walk Main Street.
Memorable Experiences
Murphys shows how memorable experiences can emerge in places many travelers overlook. With roughly two thousand residents, the town maintains a quieter presence, yet its preserved buildings, historic saloon, seasonal festivals, and inviting wineries create an atmosphere shaped by history and local creativity. The town encourages visitors to slow down, notice its layered past, and enjoy what makes this foothill community stand out.
