Located in Calaveras County in the Sierra Nevada Mountains between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite National Park, Murphys is a quaint and charming goldrush-era town replete with well-preserved historic buildings, a welcoming atmosphere and an abundance of recreational and cultural opportunities.
The Legacy of Murphys, Queen of the Sierra
A stroll down tree-lined Main Street transports visitors back to the mid-1800s with buildings bearing thick stoned walls, iron shutters, and pastoral gardens with white picket fences.
Murphys' rich and colorful past came alive in 1848 when John and Daniel Murphy established a trading post and gold mining operation in the area that is now their namesake. True entrepreneurs with the luck of the Irish, they were a part of the very first immigrant party (Stephens-Townsend-Murphy) to successfully bring wagons over the Sierra in 1844, paving the way for westward migration.
John and Daniel's cries were among the first heard of "GOLD!" in California. It is reported that the brothers took two million dollars in gold ore from the Murphys Diggins in one year's time, making them millionaires before the age of 25.
During that first year, 50 tents, several lean-tos, and two blockhouses were erected, and by 1850, the camp had a population of 1200. In 1852 there were 3000 people, close to the present-day population.
Murphys was one of California's richest "diggins." During one winter, five million dollars worth of gold was taken from a four-acre placer area. Such riches attracted fortune hunters and adventure seekers from around the world - gamblers, opportunists, ladies of easy virtue, and honest men, as well as renowned outlaws - among them Joaquin Murietta and Black Bart.
Gradually, the wild days became a thing of the past, replaced with families, gardens, ranches, and dairies. Hundreds of permanent structures were built, including an opera house, hotel, churches, and schoolhouse. As gold waned, the townspeople remained to work sawmills and stores, farms and ranches, and added their own chapters to the history of the community.
The townsfolk invite you to revisit the past while exploring the "new" upscale Murphys. Guided walking tours of the town's abundant historic buildings, including the home of Albert Michelson, the first American Nobel Prize winner, are conducted every Saturday at 10:30 a.m., starting in front of the Old Timer's Museum on Main Street.
The Arts
Art Galleries - Art enthusiasts will delight to nearly a dozen fine art galleries within the town of Murphys, featuring a wide range of local art for sale including oil and watercolor paintings, ceramics, sculpture, furniture and fine jewelry.
Theatre - Murphys boasts two different theatre companies, including the semi-professional Murphys Creek Theatre, which produces the annual “Theatre Under the Stars” summer outdoor theatre festival at Stevenot Winery, and the Black Bart Players, a local community theatre group that presents melodramas and other productions at the Black Bart Playhouse in town.
Music – Music offerings range from big-name acts throughout the summer months at the large outdoor amphitheatre at Ironstone Vineyards, to local rock and roll bands at the rollicking Murphys Hotel saloon, to small, intimate performances by solo musicians and singers at the Alchemy Wine Bar and Restaurant. Occasionally, outdoor concerts are held in Murphys Park, using the historic gazebo for the main stage. In addition, summer brings the acclaimed Bear Valley Music Festival to nearby Bear Valley for two weeks every July-August, as well as the popular Music in the Parks free concert series, featuring a different band and musical style every Wednesday night at parks throughout Calaveras County during the summer months.
Outdoor Recreation
Skiing - Winter sports fans will enjoy the world-class downhill and cross country skiing at Bear Valley, about an hour drive east on Highway 4 from Murphys. Opportunities include alpine skiing at Bear Valley Mountain Resort, and Nordic (cross country) skiing on either groomed trails at Bear Valley Cross Country or backcountry trails on nearby national forest and state park lands.
Golf - Within Calaveras County within easy driving distance of Murphys, are several outstanding public golf courses, including one 9-hole course, one 18 hole “Executive” (par 60) course, and three regulation par-72 courses that will challenge and delight golfing enthusiasts of all skill levels.
Stanislaus National Forest - The Calaveras Ranger District of the Stanislaus National Forest offers year-round recreation opportunities including hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, horseback riding, camping, picnicking, rock climbing, low speed boating, whitewater rafting and kayaking, stream and lake fishing, skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling and more, on over 250,000 acres of spectacular alpine terrain.
Calaveras Big Trees State Park – Just a short drive from Murphys and open year-round, Calaveras Big Trees State Park features two magnificent groves of giant sequoia, as well as over six thousand acres of pine forest, campgrounds, picnic areas, and miles of hiking and mountain biking trails.
Caves and Caverns – Calaveras County is blessed with some spectacular caves and caverns, all of which are open to the public and offer a variety of tour options. These include Mercer Caverns, located just outside of Murphys off of Sheep Ranch Road, Moaning Cavern in Vallecito just a short drive west on Highway 4, and California Cavern at Cave City, a State Historic Landmark located in the hamlet of Mountain Ranch.
Water sports – Nearby Lake New Melones provides boating, water and jet skiing opportunities, as well as luxury houseboat rentals. The more adventurous can try whitewater rafting on the Class IV North Fork Stanislaus River, or flatwater kayaking or canoeing on one of the many beautiful alpine lakes in the Stanislaus National Forest.
Wineries
Murphys is rapidly becoming a mecca for wine enthusiasts, with a growing and vibrant wine industry establishing itself in and around the town. The Murphys area is currently home to about a dozen family-owned and operated boutique wineries, all of which welcome visitors year-round for wine tasting and/or tours. Many of these wineries have tasting rooms right on Main St., within comfortable strolling distance of one another. You will find numerous award-winning wines among the offerings, without the crowds or hype of other, better known California wine regions. For more information about the local wine industry, contact the Calaveras Wine Association.
Celebrations
Nearly every month, you will find some type of special event happening in Murphys, be it an old-fashioned street fair, a community-wide open house, winery and art gallery tours, concerts and live theatre festivals.
Learn more about MURPHYS , CALIFORNIA
City of MURPHYS , CA official website
County of CALAVERAS, CA official website
City of MURPHYS , CA chamber of commerce
State of California official site