Sierra City is a town of 220 people (2010) in Sierra County within the Gold Country of California.

Understand

Sierra City was established in 1850, and grew to a peak population of 3,000 during the Gold Rush. Local mines included the Colombo Mine, the Independence Mine, the Keystone Mine, the Monumental Mine, the William Tell Mine, and the Great Sierra Buttes Mine. The Monumental Nugget, weighing over 106 pounds, was found in 1869 at the Sierra Buttes Mine.

Get in

California State Route 49 is the sole highway into town, where it becomes Main Street. The Pacific Crest Trail passes near Sierra City, and many hikers will visit the town for a drink or to pick up supplies before continuing on their marathon journey.

See

• 1 Kentucky Mine Historic Park and Museum, 100 Kentucky Mine Rd, ☏ +1 530 862-1310. W-Su 10AM-4PM (Memorial Day to Labor Day). An hour+ tour is offered twice each day at 11AM and 2PM to see the stamp mill of a gold mine. The museum houses a replica of the 106 pound Monumental nugget. $1 museum admission, tours $7 for adults, $3.50 for children age 7-17, under 6 free. Cash only. (updated Jan 2017)

Buy

There is a general store, a gas station, a post office, and a gift shop. All private businesses except lodging and the gas station are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Eat

• 1 Red Moose Cafe, 224 Main St, ☏ +1 530 862 1024, info@redmoosecafe.com. W-Su 8AM-2PM, closed M Tu. A rustic restaurant with a deck, serving breakfast and lunch. Fare is standard Americana - burgers, sandwiches, fish & chips - with the Moose Burger in particular weighing in at a hefty half pound. (updated Aug 2019)

Drink

• 1 Sorracco’s Saloon & Salon, 203 Main St, ☏ +1 530 862-1130. A historic building that has been converted into a saloon and hair salon, run by a husband and wife. Offers a good selection of craft beer, and drinks can be consumed inside or on the porch, with the owner often coming out to join in the conversation when business is slow. (updated Jan 2017)

Sleep

• 1 Buttes Resort, 230 Main St, ☏ +1 530-862-1170. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. Buttes Resort has six cabins with fully-stocked kitchen, two of which can be booked as a one- or two- bedroom. In addition, another cabin offers three rooms that are booked separately, each with a private deck, but without kitchens. There is a two night minimum on some of the rooms. $90-155 per night, depending on the cabin. (updated Jan 2017)
• 2 Herrington's Sierra Pines Resort, 104 Main St, ☏ +1 530 862-1151, toll-free: +1 800 682-9848. Open from May through October, this resort is located along the Yuba River and offers private walking trails, picnic tables, a dining room and bar, gift shop, a game room with ping pong and billiards, and a fish pond stocked with several thousand rainbow trout. Rooms offer satellite TV, coffee makers, and covered decks. There is an internet computer in the lobby, and limited wi-fi. The restaurant serves breakfast and dinner. $79-140, depending on the room. (updated Aug 2019)
• 3 Wild Plum Campground. Open from early May until mid-October, this forest service campground offers 47 sites, 24 of which are tent-only. All sites have a picnic table and campfire ring. Vault toilets and drinking water are provided. There are no electrical hookups for RVs. $24 per site. (updated Jan 2017)

Go next

• Downieville – The next town along Highway 49 is 13 miles to the west.
• Sierraville – Sierra City's eastern neighbor is 23 miles away via Highway 49.

Routes through Sierra City

Auburn ← Nevada City ←

S  N

→ Jct N S → Loyalton → Jct W