Northern California’s Gold Country is packed with dozens of interesting Gold Rush towns, but did you know that Marysville in Yuba County is known as “California’s oldest little city?”
The 1850s-era city sits about 40 miles north of Sacramento and contains numerous fascinating historical tidbits, from its beautifully preserved 19th-century buildings to its rich multicultural heritage.
Marysville’s proximity to the Sutter National Wildlife Refuge also provides ample opportunities for exploring the best of outdoor recreation in California.
You can reach Marysville from SF in about 2 hours by car via I-80. Keep reading for a breakdown about how to make the most of Marysville.
History of Marysville
Today’s Marysville was originally occupied by the Indigenous Nisenan people up until the arrival of Gold Rush settlers, who displaced and severely reduced the Nisenan population in a few years. The city was founded in 1850 at the junction of the Feather and Yuba rivers, making it a key supply and shipping hub for Gold Rush operations. Marysville was named after Donner Party survivor Mary Murphy Covillaud.
With paddlewheel steamboats regularly traveling between Marysville and San Francisco, the city experienced a major boom during the Gold Rush. It drew diverse settlers from all over the world, including a major Chinese community. They established one of the oldest Chinatowns in the U.S. in Marysville, as well as one of the country’s oldest active Taoist temples—in fact, the Bok Kai Temple, built in 1880, still hosts the Bok Kai Festival every year.
Despite being one of California’s largest cities during the Gold Rush, Marysville’s prominence faded after this time. But many of its 19th-century sites still stand, including the 1851 Silver Dollar Saloon and an 1855 Gothic Revival home that now holds the Mary Aaron Memorial Museum.
Things to do in Marysville
Historical sites and museums
- Bok Kai Temple – This traditional Taoist temple dates back to 1880 in Marysville, once serving as the center of a bustling Gold Rush-era Chinatown. It opens for ceremonies and events, including the boisterous Bok Kai Festival in the spring, and can be toured by appointment.
- Silver Dollar Saloon – Marysville’s 1851 Gold Rush saloon was once known as the rowdy “Guadalajara Cafe” and even housed a brothel on its upper floor. These days, you can order from a robust menu of comfort food and marvel at dozens of antique decorations throughout the storied space.
- Mary Aaron Memorial Museum – Find this modest museum in Marysville’s stunning 1855 Gothic Revival house. You can visit to learn about the history of Marysville on the first Saturday of the month.
- Chinese American Museum of Northern California – This small Marysville museum also opens only on the first Saturday of the month. It tells the lesser-known history of Chinese populations in California, who built over 30 Chinatowns all over the state during the Gold Rush. Marysville’s Chinatown is the last remaining one.
Outdoor recreation
- Sutter National Wildlife Refuge – Marysville is a gateway city to this expansive wildlife refuge in the Sacramento Valley, known for wildlife watching and boating. Take a hike on the Yuba Goldfields Trail for a glimpse of more Gold Rush history.
- West Coast Falconry – This wildlife park welcomes falconers and non-falconers to join hands-on falconry and raptor classes.
- Beckwourth Riverfront Park – Named after emancipated slave James Beckwourth, who discovered the lowest-elevation pass through the Sierra Nevadas, this grassy park on the Feather River is a tranquil destination for picnicking, walking, and community gatherings.
- Ellis Lake – Marysville is centered around this large man-made lake. While some reviews recommend it as a pleasant sight in the city, others warn that it is poorly maintained, so keep that in mind if you visit.