Introduction to Sierra City + Sierra Country Store & Deli; restaurant review

Highway 49--Gold Rush Country

Introduction to Sierra City

Cars start falling off behind you as you drive in toward the little mountain burg of Sierra City.  At an altitude of 4,187 feet, it is formed by a collection of Gold Rush-era buildings positioned on the North Yuba River and with a view of the sawtooth Sierra Buttes.  Some townsfolk describe living here as “like being in Mayberry.”  The town was destroyed by an avalanche in 1852, rebuilt, and in 1869 a 118-pound gold nugget was found.  Sierra Valley is the largest alpine valley in North America. 

Sierra Country Store & Deli 

213 Main St., (530) 862-1560.  M-Sat 10am-7pm, Sun 11-6. 

Rebuilt after the avalanche, this building dates to the 1850s and now holds the town’s atmospheric full-service grocery store.  In addition to meat, produce, and beer, a small deli whips up treats.  The burgers are famous--the smallest is a completely personalized half-pounder that is as big as the nut on the Kentucky Mine jaw crusher, and the largest is the 1-pound “gut buster”--but deli sandwiches, a killer orange freeze, and milk shakes and other ice cream goodies are also available.  The best spot to dine is on a bench out on the front porch (the owner has installed some newer benches, too, measured to the specs of Bubba’s in Kauai, a personal favorite burger spot), but seating at a community table is also available in the back of the store. 


See Sierra City live via webcam.

More things to do in Sierra City.

More things to do in Gold Rush Country.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

images ©2012 Carole Terwilliger Meyers