TRAVEL

On the Back Roads Again

5 RURAL ROAD TRIPS

by DANNAH NIELSEN

Crowd control, traffic alerts, holding patterns, urban sprawls, weekend warriors. There’s a culture to California that we’re probably not too proud of—the seemingly endless vocabulary assigned to our over-populated lifestyle. While there are viable myths to the “exodus” now occurring, plenty of people are willing to keep on keeping on and reinvent what it means to enjoy the Golden State. This past year on quarantine status we think we found a solution: country backroads.

The best thing about backroads is they can literally be found everywhere. The next best thing? They always lead to somewhere and much of the time, somewhere winds up being pretty cool. Around our region, the Sierra Foothills is a phenomenal hotbed of living ghost towns, artifacts, historic buildings, quirky country folk, and a whole bunch of other sightings that make you go “huh?”

Here are a few of our favorite discoveries:

1Dutch Flat This town seems to shine brightest when covered with a fresh layer of snow, but any time of year is fun to peek in on this simple forest living ideology. Dutch Flat comes with all the classic staples of a historic town: the one-room church with a steeple, roads that zig and zag in between lots, a local saloon, rusted-over relics, and a small schoolhouse that’s the pride of the community. While there: Wave at the locals and drive extra slow. Said local saloon also hosts live music. Located in: Placer County about 30 miles northeast of Auburn.

2Fiddletown Fiddletown lives up to its name and has likely the world’s largest fiddle on the roof of their one-road town’s center. There are a few more novelties on display, but like most backroad towns the main attractions are the photo ops with old doors, old cars, and old signs. Since it’s nestled within the Amador County wine region, we suggest going for the fiddle and staying for the wine. While there: Brown’s English Toffee might just be the only business in town, and they sell some pretty tasty confections. Call ahead to make sure they’re open! Located in: Amador County, approximately six miles east of Plymouth.

3Iowa Hill The road to Iowa Hill is not for the faint of heart but dishes up sweeping views of the American River canyon. There’s one store, but the real town center might be their lively cemetery, where it seems the dead outpopulate the living and with great fanfare to boot. We strongly suggest you take a stroll, as it seems most tombstones here were written hoping to be read. While there: Swing by Iowa Hill Store, which—when open—is a one-stop shop: restaurant, general store, bar, and post office. Located in: Placer County, six miles northwest of Foresthill and nine miles east of Colfax.

4Alleghany Rolling into Alleghany is a bit like rolling onto a movie set. You thought places like this only existed on film but nay: Alleghany is complete with the squeaky empty swing blowing in the wind, trucks that are living out their rusting years in peace, and a smattering of businesses (read: three) that may or may not be open depending on the collective mood that day. Population posted is 78; we met five residents and truth be told, there’s the slightest tinge of envy as outsiders looking in. How wild to live so off the grid. While there: Stop for a drink and bite to eat at Casey’s Place—but Casey said always call ahead to make sure they’re open. Located in: Sierra County, 20 miles from the nearest highway (California State Route 49).

5Georgetown Georgetown has gotten quite a bit of traction in recent years, and we’re not just talking about Jeeps. But while on the subject, much to our pleasant surprise (because I’m a Jeep owner) there’s a subculture of aficionados who point to Georgetown as a Mecca for them, since it’s the home of the Rubicon Trail and Jeepers Jamboree (don’t worry, we got that correct. There’s some history around Jeep vs. Jeepers, and the locals will passionately and exasperatedly explain it). Beyond this brouhaha, Georgetown itself is a perfect small-town layover for your lazy weekend drive and will pop up right when you’re certain you’re lost. While there: Stop at Uncle Tom’s Cabin for a beer fresh out of the fridge and sign your name in the visitor’s log. Located in: El Dorado County, about 30 minutes from both Placerville and Auburn.

OTHER TOWNS WORTH YOUR WEEKEND:

Smartsville, Pilot Hill, Rough and Ready, Sierraville, North San Juan, Drytown, and many more.