Hotel at a Glance: Hotel Jeffery
The Hotel Jeffery is a historic Old West property dating back to 1850. It’s a convenient option for those looking to explore nearby Yosemite National Park. In fact, some guests have evidently liked it so much that they’ve stuck around for good: the hotel claims that numerous ghosts have been spotted throughout the place.
- Famous past guests who don’t haunt the place: Teddy Roosevelt, Mark Twain, and John Muir
- Two well drinks per room are included with this getaway.
- Eat this: Magnolia Saloon’s cowboy burger, a 1/3-pound beef burger with hickory-smoked bacon, fried onion rings, barbecue sauce, and swiss, jack, or american cheese
- Distance to Yosemite: about 30 miles east (talk to the front desk about the best routes)
Coulterville, California: Historic Gold Rush Town Near Yosemite
In the early- to mid-1800s, rumors of profitable gold mines brought floods of people into California looking to strike it rich. Coulterville, which lies about 120 miles southeast of Sacramento, was one of the gold-rush towns that sprang up. Coulterville still resembles an old western settlement today, with many original buildings intact. Some have been re-purposed—an old blacksmith shop now serves as a gas station—but others have stayed the same through generations. Visit the Coulterville Museum to browse old photographs and artifacts. Next door you’ll find “Whistling Billy,” an 8-ton locomotive that was used to transport gold ore.
The main draw in the area, however, is Yosemite National Park. The town lies along the historic John Muir Highway, a route traveled by Muir himself as he worked to preserve the valley. It’s one of the most scenic routes into the park.
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