Learn about the California Gold Rush, ride along challenging mountain biking trails and visit an intricate Taoist temple in the seat of Trinity County.
Follow in gold miners’ footsteps in Weaverville, California. Founded in 1850, the settlement was at the center of the California Gold Rush. Learn about this fascinating time in American history as you explore the charming town and its surroundings.
Discover Weaverville’s past at the Jake Jackson Museum and History Center, run by the Trinity County Historical Society. Explore the original cabin, which belonged to a ditch tender of the La Grange Mine. Try to identify the 19th-century farming tools in the restored barn and nearby blacksmith shop. The Denny Sawmill houses the only working steam stamp mill on the West Coast. See it in action.
Learn about Weaverville’s rich Chinese history at the Weaverville Joss House, also known as the Temple of the Forest Beneath the Clouds. The spectacularly ornate Taoist temple, which was built in 1874 by immigrants during the gold rush, is one of the oldest continuously used Chinese temples in California. See pictures, mining tools and weapons used in the 1854 Tong War.
Stroll back in time in Weaverville Historic District. Explore the remarkably preserved 19th-century town, which is a thriving downtown area today. Note the spiral staircases, a Weaverville trademark, that adorn many buildings. Take a self-guided walking tour through the nearby cemetery, which is filled with historic gravestones from the town’s original inhabitants.
Enjoy Northern California’s beautiful scenery along the Weaver Basin Trail. Hike, mountain bike or horseback ride along more than 50 miles (80 kilometers) of wooded trails. Weaverville is a popular destination for mountain bikers and holds several annual races, such as the Lagrange Fall Classic.
Explore the Trinity Alps Wilderness Area spread across over 500,000 acres (200,000 hectares). Discover sparkling alpine lakes, lush forests and chiseled granite peaks. Take advantage of endless outdoor activities, from fishing to rock climbing to camping.
Visit Weaverville throughout the year. Be prepared for chilly winters and warm summers.
