Highway 49 Visited

Last month, I spent few days traveling California's "Golden Chain", Historic Highway 49. I had wanted to check it out for some time, particularly the town of Nevada City. Sandwiched between two long weekends at Bass Lake, I took three mid-week days to explore California's Gold Country, and it did not disappoint.

Starting in Mariposa (34 miles from Bass Lake), I went as far north as Downieville. The scenery was beautiful, with historic towns and their early-California architecture against a backdrop of mountains, pines, oaks, rivers and lakes. I'd never seen so many rivers, not to mention historic towns, along a single highway. There is town after beautiful town, and even with frequent stops, there was so much more I would have like to have explored. I stopped and strolled in most towns I passed through, taking photos and having a bite to eat on occasion. Though many of the towns shared many similarities, each had their own unique charm. I'd count Jamestown, Sutter Creek, Placerville, Sonora, Grass Valley and Nevada City as my favorites at this point. I spent two of three nights in Nevada City, and it has definitely become one of my favorite places. I'm hoping to visit this beautiful part of California again in the near future.


On my way up to Bass Lake, stopped in Downtown Visalia for the first time.












Bar door in Mariposa; this was my first stop on Day One of the Hwy. 49 trip.






The tiny town of Bear Valley.










View from Fremont's Fort.


Coulterville- the most "rustic" of the towns I saw.




Lunchtime at the Hotel Jeffery bar.












Sun Sun Wo Company building; a place with a colorful past. Currently for sale!








Moccasin Powerhouse.






Don Pedro Lake.








Jamestown.




















Sonora.






Columbia.








New Melones Lake, where I camped the first night.


The first stop on Day Two was Angels Camp.








The very small town of Mokelumne Hill.


Sutter Creek, named for the area's most famous historical figure.




Placerville.






I don't remember the name of this spot between Placerville and Auburn.




North and Middle Fork Confluence of the American River.




Auburn.




Nevada City.








Historic National Hotel, where I stayed in Nevada City.
















"Summer Nights" event, held each Wednesday in July.
















Don't blink, or you'll miss the town of North San Juan.


From the reviews, I wish I would have eaten here!




Inside the Brass Rail Tavern, a very old-school bar.


Northernmost stop on my trip, Downieville.


















Downieville, where the Downie and Yuba Rivers meet.


Downtown Grass Valley, my last stop on 49.






A rare indulgence; I was hungry on the way back to Bass Lake on 99.


Sign on Highway 140, Merced.


Kid selling lemonade back at Bass Lake.


View of Bass Lake from Beasore Road.




Beasore Meadows.


After a nice dinner with two nice ladies, Sierra Sky Ranch.