Murphys, California is a historic small town in Calaveras County, located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. The town originated as a humble camp during the Gold Rush and is now renowned for its wine tasting, beautifully preserved architecture, and tight-knit community atmosphere.
From the reportedly haunted Murphys Hotel to local alpine destinations, here’s a quick guide to help you make the most of a trip to Murphys — which takes about 2.5 hours to reach from San Francisco by car.
History of Murphys
Irish brothers John and Daniel Murphy were successful traders during the Gold Rush who established the town of Murphys in 1848. The area was one of the most lucrative Gold Rush camps, attracting thousands of fortune seekers from around the Mother Lode region.
After the gold began to dwindle and several destructive fires struck the town, Murphys reinvented itself as a supply hub and a well-located gateway to the Sierra Nevada. These days you can still explore its preserved historic Victorian buildings.
Paranormal activity at the Murphys Hotel
One such historic building is the famous Murphys Hotel, which opened in 1856 and hosted major figures including Mark Twain, Ulysses S. Grant, and J.P. Morgan.
The historic building survived numerous fires and has long maintained its 19th-century charm; however, the Murphys Hotel is also a famous hotspot for paranormal activity, with guests reporting unexplained noises, ghostly voices, and objects moving on their own.
Legend tells of a spirit named Eleanor, who worked as a chambermaid at the hotel in the early days. The story goes that she fell in love with a gold miner who broke her heart, and she is still said to throw small objects in the kitchen and the Mark Twain Ballroom.
Visiting the ‘Queen of the Sierra’
Murphys is well-located between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite, making it a convenient gateway town for memorable outdoor activities in one of the most beautiful parts of California. Consider planning an excursion into Calaveras Big Trees State Park, Columbia Mountain, and Angel’s Creek, or along the Stanislaus and Calaveras Rivers.
The town itself is easily walkable with scenic streets lined with Victorian architecture, as well as over 20 wine tasting rooms, farm-to-table restaurants, and boutiques.
Popular community events include Murphys Irish Day in March, which celebrates the town’s Irish heritage, as well as the Grape Stomp and accompanying street fair in October.
🌐 Learn more: Visit Murphys