Sierra County is a year-round adventure paradise, but its tiny mountain towns also hold some of the most evocative Gold Rush stories in California, preserved in their original buildings, museums, and stagecoach-era main streets.

Downieville Museum — Housed in a former Chinese store, the museum showcases artifacts from the town’s Gold Rush heyday and the diverse community of miners, merchants, and immigrants who shaped the North Yuba canyon.

Historic Walking Tour of Downieville & Sierra City — Take a self-guided tour of the well-preserved downtowns of Downieville and Sierra City to see buildings and sites dating back to the 1850s, when these towns were among the most active mining camps in the Sierra.

Kentucky Mine Museum, Sierra City — An excellent attraction that offers a look into the area’s mining past. Tour the grounds, see the operational stamp mill in action, and learn first-hand about gold extraction in the high Sierra.

Bassetts Station — Historically a stagecoach stop, this Highway 49 landmark (now a gas station, café, motel, and general store) has welcomed travelers for generations and remains the gateway to the Lakes Basin.

Historic Town of Sierraville — Explore this charming Sierra Valley ranching town, where well-preserved historic buildings and a relaxing atmosphere offer a window into the eastern side of the county.

Local Tip:

The Downieville Gallows Site marks a somber but historically significant location: the only hanging of a woman in California, in 1851. A short walk from the museum, it’s a sobering complement to the town’s walking tour.