Murphys, California

After celebrating Emily’s wedding in San Diego County on a warm August Thursday, we repacked the car and set off on an epic family road trip that would take us through the great Golden State and into the Pacific Northwest and Canada.

We set off from the San Gabriel Valley on Friday morning, and headed north on Interstate 5. Our first stop was one that is familiar to me and Sami, but a new adventure for the rest of the family: Angels Camp. Angels Camp is nestled in historic Calaveras County, and is an attraction in itself. I had been charmed by ‘the ancient mining camp of Angels’ (Mark Twain, The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County) on my first visit in August 2022, and was excited to be able to share the experience with the rest of my family. We enjoyed the amenities at the Wyndham Angels Camp resort and returned to swim in the caves at Natural Bridges. But we were also able to share some new adventures on this leg of our trip.

Our only full day in this section of California Gold Country was spent mostly in Murphys, an unincorporated village in Calaveras County with a rich history thanks to the Gold Rush as well as its vineyards. Our first activity combined the best of both of those worlds when we started our day at Ironstone Vineyards. We went for a wine tasting package that included a visit to the tasting room and two bottles of wine. This was a fun treat, and a nice way to belatedly celebrate our anniversary. I particularly enjoyed the Old Vine Zinfandels, varietals that are made from grapes from historic vines, including one that is over 111 years old at time of writing.

After enjoying our wine flights and grabbing a snack, we checked out the museum onsite. There is a retail area in which one can purchase artisan and fine jewelry, but the highlight of the museum was definitely the vault. Inside the vault is the famed 44-pound leaf gold specimen, the largest to have been discovered. Along with this piece de resistance, there are also other gem and mineral specimens, as well as historic artifacts.

After a hike in Natural Bridges, we headed back to Murphys for dinner. We dined at the V Restaurant, Bistro, & Bar attached to the Victoria Inn Hotel. The evening was off to a bit of a stormy start, so to speak, as a late afternoon thunderstorm rolled in, putting a damper on our hungry spirits, and most of the seating is outside the small restaurant. Fortunately, the host was able to seat us on the hotel porch, and it ended up being a very pleasant experience. We enjoyed a good meal- the Brussels sprouts were absolutely delicious- and the calming sound of the rain.

As the rain let up after dinner, we walked around the village. There are a number of buildings that are on the list of California Landmarks, such as the Murphys Hotel, the Peter L. Traver building whose iron shutters protected it from fires in the mid- late 1800s, and Murphys Pokey. The pokey is a single room jail cell that was built in 1915 from hand mixed concrete. Legend has it that while no real criminal was actually jailed in the cell, one of the men involved in building it became so drunk and rowdy when celebrating its completion, he became its first inmate. Today, it is decorated inside with seasonal decor and makes kind of a fun background for Instagram photos.

We walked on toward the bridge over Angels Creek and spent some time at Murphys Park. The park features a large play area, gazebo, and picnic areas, as well as a very pretty little free library. Angels Creek runs through the park and there are two young sequoia trees planted in the park. Of course, I had to hug one.

After playing and exploring for a while, it was time to drive back to Angels Camp. We would be heading out in the morning for a 10-hour drive to our next destination. But it was good to be back in this part of Gold Country, and once again, I hope to be able to return to Calaveras County to explore more. There is still so much more to see and explore. But for now, happy trails. Next stop: Oregon.

To plan your trip, visit:
Calaveras Visitors Bureau
Visit Murphys
Ironstone Vineyards