How to Visit Murphys with Kids – Top 3 Fun and Family-Friendly Activities
When my family learned the Murphys was rated as one of the top ten coolest small towns to visit in California by Budget Travel Magazine, I knew we had to check it out. Just three hours east of the Bay Area, you’ll find Murphys nestled among a series of gold mining towns at the base of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Murphys claims it is the “Queen of the Sierra,” and after visiting, I’d have to agree. From hiking to wine tasting to playgrounds, Murphys has it all. We recommend you:
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Jump To...
- Stroll Down Main Street
- Go Wine Tasting
- Check out the Playground
- Go for a Hike at Natural Bridges
- Take a Trip to Columbia State Historic Park
- Explore the Redwoods in Arnold Calaveras Big Trees State Park
- Eat at these Kid-Friendly Restaurants
- Try these Sweet Treat Stops
Quick Tips
Before You go
- From the East Bay Area, drive Highway 4 east towards the mountains. The route takes about three hours depending on traffic.
- Leave the East Bay during naptime so your kiddos can sleep on the ride.
What To Pack
- Standard diaper bag essentials
- Extra bags for shopping
- Hats, clothes for hiking, and a change of clothes just in case someone ends up in the creek
- Scooter or bikes and helmets
- Ergobaby or soft baby carrier, most of Sintra is cobble stone streets and using a stroller would be difficult
Costs
| base cost | |
|---|---|
| Gas | |
| $8 for parking at the Natural Bridges Trailhead | |
| $10 for parking at Calaveras Big Trees State Park | |
| Add-Ons | |
| Shopping | |
| Additional activity and food costs | |
Getting There
Murphys is located on the lands of the Central Sierra Miwok.
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Top 3 Family-Friendly Activities in Murphys
Stroll Down the Historic Main Street
buildings, endless shops, inviting restaurants, and more than 25 wine tasting rooms. Here were our favorite things to do on Main Street: Our favorite activities along this historic street are:
- Grab a book at the local bookstore, Books on Main
- Shop at Sierra Nevada Adventure Co. and say “hello” to the frog statue out front
- Bring home a toy or stuffy from Murphys Village Toy Store
- Peek into Murphys Pokey, the town’s historic jail cell
For more tips, check out our Top 7 Activities to do with your kids on Murphys Main Street on the blog.
Go Wine Tasting
Murphys has over two dozen wine tasting rooms on Main Street alone, I couldn’t imagine trying to taste wine in a small room full of adults and wine glasses within reach of my toddler…so we opted for wine tasting opportunities with outdoor seating!
- Hovey Winery is located on Main Street in a tiny house surrounded by picnic benches and open space. Order a flight or a bottle from the front yard while your kiddos enjoy the outdoor space to play.
- Indian Rock Vineyards is located outside of downtown on a beautiful grassy knoll surrounded by vineyards and hills, overlooking a trout pond. We brought a picnic to enjoy with our wine flight, while the kids threw sticks into the pond.
Our kiddos loved both of these wineries almost as much as we did, but for different reasons of course. Check out our blog post for more of our tips for visiting Murphys’ wineries.
Check out the Playground at Murphys Community Park
Great for active little ones, scootering, and picnicking
- free
- 1 Hour
Located off Main Street just past the historic Murphys hotel, Murphys Community Park is a playground oasis in the middle of a bustling downtown. The park has a separate structure for big and little kids, which was well-utilized by families on the weekend we visited. The coolest part of the park was the river running through the west side, which had a small bridge connecting the park to a little tree-shaded trail. We saw kids tubing down the river, and dipped our toes in as well! Bring scooters or bikes to ride around and a picnic to enjoy on the picnic tables near the gazebo. Check out the bathrooms if you get a chance, too. Our kiddo’s sudden urge to go potty was temporarily derailed by the beautiful mosaic along the bathroom building wall.
Go for a Hike on the Natural Bridges Trail
Great for enjoying nature and seeing a cave
- 3 hours; $8 to park
Parque de Liberdade is a huge park in the middle of the historic Sintra center with beautiful trails, old stone buildings, a few tiny fairy doors, and a small playground.
The playground is called “Jardim do Bico – Parque Infantile” and is located closer to the historic center side of the park.
We stopped to play for a bit while walking down the scenic Volta do Duche on our way to dinner. The Natural Bridges Trail is located in Vallecito, about 20 minutes south of Murphys, and understandably one of the most popular hikes in the area. This two-mile out-and-back trail is relatively easy, short, and kid-friendly. The trail takes you downhill for about a mile to the mouth of an awesome cave you can enter and explore safely. Parking is very limited, so come mid-week or early in the day. Also, bring cash. Parking costs $8 and is paid in an envelope upon entry.
Take a trip to Columbia State Historic Park
Great for a Gold Rush-era experience 6+ hours Columbia State Historic Park is located 20 minutes south of Murphys and worth the drive. Leave Murphys early to spend the entire day wandering this historic gold mining town, and feel like you’re stepping back in time to the Gold Rush era. Our family loved Columbia State Historic Park so much that we might try to go again this year. Here are some of our favorite things to do there:
- Visit the museum
- Create your own candle
- Pan for gold
- Ride the stagecoach
- Enjoy pizza and a glass of sarsaparilla
- Try handmade candy
- Window-shop
- Catch a show in the theater
If you have an extra day to venture outside of Murphys, I recommend you take the short drive to Columbia with your family. Check out our blog post for more tips.
Where to Eat
The Watering Hole
Although we made many meals inside our vacation rental, we ventured out to try a few local spots recommended by friends. Here are a few kid-friendly dining options to check out with your family while visiting Murphys:
- Grounds has outdoor seating and delicious food
- V’s Restaurant Bistro & Bar is hidden down an alleyway next to Grounds Restaurant and has a beautiful outdoor patio
- The Watering Hole is located off of Main Street with 30 beers on draft, a kid-friendly atmosphere, and a creek next door to play in after dinner
Something Sweet
We love finding sweet treats when on vacation because, well, vacation for my family is a great excuse to have dessert every day. On Main Street, you can’t miss:
- JoMas Artisan Ice Cream. It is the real deal: delicious handmade ice cream flavors in freshly made waffle cones.
- Aria bakery offers the most delicious pastries, breads, and coffee.
- Nelson’s Columbia Candy Kitchen has handmade chocolates, candies, and fruit jellies.
The Red Apple is the best spot to grab a freshly made pie and, you guessed it, apples! Drive up Highway 4 towards Arnold for a few minutes to find the big barn full of fresh apples, honey, and pies. You can call ahead to special order a pie too or reserve one.
Final Thoughts
Although we met quite a few families of color along our adventures in Murphys, I noticed that most business owners and staff were white. As was the case with many old, historic mining towns of yesteryear, many miners of color were relegated to the outskirts of town. I love walking into historic buildings like those in Murphys, places where my ancestors were not allowed in or welcome, and take up space. Here I am, a mixed-race Indigenous mama with my two mixed babies and their white dada, a union that would have been frowned upon at the least in the 1800s. I bet the founders of this city, the old “Murphys” themselves would be rolling in their graves. Well, let them roll! Do you ever think about what it would have been like for your ancestors to walk in the same spaces you’re adventuring to? Share in the comments below.
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