7 Overlooked Towns In California's Sierra Nevada Worth Visiting
The Sierra Nevada stretches more than 400 miles and is home to dozens of small towns, three national parks, and numerous wilderness areas. Some of the towns are better known and more travelled than others, but those that are overlooked shine in their own right. You will find history, nature, culture, and recreation in each of them. If you truly want to experience the soul of California's Sierra Nevada, these seven towns deserve a spot on your travel list.
Coarsegold
Coarsegold is a pretty town anchored in the southern Yosemite foothills along State Route 41. This town is Madera County's last 'gold town' with a strong Native American history. It is also a practical stop for visitors heading to Yosemite National Park or those who want to explore nearby Gold Rush-era sites. In Coarsegold itself, you will find the Coarsegold Historic Village. The village is filled with unique shops, including Modee's, which sells unique gifts and decor. There is also a museum in the village, the Coarsegold Historical Society Museum, where you can learn more about the town's heritage.
The Sierra National Forest borders Coarsegold, so you can take to the hiking trails for a chance to see the local wildlife. If hiking and the outdoors do not appeal as much as winning big at the slot machines, you will enjoy a night out at the Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino. Even if you do not want to gamble, the resort boasts several restaurants, a pool, and a spa. For something completely out there, and if you have nerves of steel, you can also check out the Tarantula Festival that takes place each October in celebration of the spider's annual mating season.
Downieville
Downieville is another name you will want to remember as you navigate through the Sierra Nevada towns of California. It is also known as California's Original Trail Town, as it was once a hub for prospectors during the Gold Rush. Now, it is known for its world-class mountain biking, but the town offers a lot more than just trails. You can explore the nearby Sierra Buttes and enjoy activities such as fishing, swimming, and backcountry camping. You can also follow the Sierra Buttes Fire Lookout Trail to the old fire lookout on top of a bluff. It is a moderately challenging hike, and there are a lot of stairs to the lookout, so it is best to be prepared with enough water and good hiking shoes.
Back in town, you can visit the Downieville Museum, which houses a model of Downieville as well as several mining and logging exhibits. You can visit the museum between May and October, depending on the weather. Or, you can experience first-hand what the Gold Rush was like by panning for gold in the surrounding hills.
Truckee
Truckee is another outdoor sports haven. Originally a logging town, Truckee made something of a name for itself with major railroad construction during the 1860s. Today, it is an artsy and outdoorsy destination with plenty of opportunities for mountain biking, horseback riding, rafting, swimming, and skiing. The town has more than 22 miles of paved paths for walking, hiking, and jogging. These include the 9.1-mile Truckee River Legacy Trail, a large portion of which runs along the Truckee River.
A seven-minute drive away, you will find Donner Memorial State Park, where you can fish and paddle before having a picnic on the shores of Donner Lake. The park is also home to the Emigrant Trail Museum, which tells the story of the ill-fated Donner Party. There are more museums in Truckee itself, including the Truckee Railroad Museum and the Old Jail Museum. For fun and games with a twist, you can visit Elevation Escape Tahoe, where you will have to crack codes and work with teammates to escape captivity before the clock runs out.
Sierra City
Sierra City hides within a canyon in the Tahoe National Forest. It seems like a very remote town, but it is just a two-hour drive from Reno and an hour and a half from Lake Tahoe. Here, you will find peace, quiet, and a rich mining history all in one place. History, especially, lives on in the varied architectural styles of important buildings such as the town hall, Wells Fargo building, and Masonic Lodge. You can also visit the Kentucky Mine Museum, which features guided tours of the mine and stamp mill.
For an outdoor adventure, you can take the Pacific Crest Trail, which climbs across the face of the Sierra Buttes and rewards the effort with incredible views of Sierra City below. You can also fish for rainbow trout in the North Yuba River or try your hand at gold panning in the shallow water.
Bishop
Bishop is the perfect year-round town to visit if you want to experience something different during each season. Keough's Hot Springs are open and accessible year-round, where the water stays between 86 and 92 degrees. You can rent a tent cabin, pitch your own, or park your RV here, too, if you want to stay for a couple of days. In the summer or fall, you can hike around Lake Sabrina in the Inyo National Forest, thirteen miles or so from town. If you set up your tent above the tree line here, you have an open sky for stargazing.
Bishop also enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine every year. This means you can rock climb to your heart's content at any time of the year. There are steep walls and crevices in Owens River Gorge, eighteen miles away. In town itself, you can fish for trout in Bishops Creek and overnight in one of the cabins along the creek drainage. In winter, the Lower Owens River is great for fly fishing.
June Lake
June Lake is located flush against the rim of the southern region of the Mono Basin in the mountains. The June Lake Loop is a must here, as the road snakes past glacial lakes and rugged peaks for fifteen miles. June Mountain is also a draw for those who want to snowboard and ski in winter. The terrain is suitable for both beginners and experts, and children under twelve can ride the lifts and ski for free. If you want even more of an adrenaline rush, you can go ice climbing in the backcountry or try ski or snowboard mountaineering.
In summer, the region's three other lakes - Gull Lake, Silver Lake, and Grant Lake - shimmer with trout. If you do not want to fish, you can stand-up paddleboard, water ski, or jet ski. The lake waters are also good for swimming and sailing. On land, you can hike the Rush Creek Trail, explore the Ansel Adams Wilderness, or head into Yosemite National Park.
Mariposa
Mariposa is another small town that is often overlooked in spite of offering unforgettable experiences. First settled in 1849, the town still boasts several original buildings and a rich history. It sits at the intersection of Highway 140 and Highway 49, making it a great stop on the way to Yosemite. Before you drive on to the park, however, make some time to visit the Stockton Creek Preserve in downtown Mariposa. The area offers more than five miles of trails that follow the hillsides and Stockton Creek. If you hike here during the spring, you will see the butterflies that gave the town its name.
For a heart-stopping adventure, you can get a bird's eye view of the town and surrounding landscape, courtesy of Skydive Yosemite. The company is based at the Mariposa Yosemite Airport and offers exhilarating tandem skydives. If you do not want to skydive, you can opt for flightseeing and enjoy the same views from the safety of an Airborrn Aviation Services flightseeing plane. Back on the ground, you can visit the Mariposa Museum and History Center as well as the Yosemite Climbing Association Museum and Gallery. Both provide in-depth information about Mariposa's pioneer history and brave Yosemite rock climbers.
These Sierra Nevada Towns Should Be on Your Travel Map
The overlooked and underrated towns of California's Sierra Nevada are so much more than just detours between national parks and world-famous ski resorts. These towns reveal just how the mountain economy and culture continue to thrive in modern times. When you visit them, you will get to experience the Sierra Nevada as more than just a backdrop. And, you will soon learn that Sierra travel is not only in the parks and peaks of the area, but in the working historic towns that keep the range alive.
