Cottages in Murphys

Main Street's historic storefronts house wine-tasting rooms where pourers know the winemakers by first name. Gold Rush heritage permeates every corner, from the old-timey facades to the local museum where docents tell tales of fortunes won and lost. Mercer Caverns offers underground adventures through limestone formations that seem designed by nature's most ambitious architect. Come March, the annual Irish Day parade transforms the village into a green-clad celebration drawing crowds that multiply the local population tenfold. Calaveras Big Trees State Park showcases giant sequoias that have been impressing visitors since the 1800s. After sampling Ironstone Vineyards' crystalline gold leaf display, grab a coffee at a local hangout where regulars debate the best nearby hiking trails.