California is famous for crowded beaches and massive cities but it also has some hidden quiet spots. Loyalton is a small mountain town that actually calls itself the loneliest town in America. It has a fascinating history and beautiful scenery that most travelers completely miss when they drive right by.
Once a Massive Rival to Los Angeles
Back in the early 1900s this town was actually the second largest city in all of California when you measure by square miles. It is pretty wild to think this quiet little spot used to be right behind Los Angeles in size during its big logging days.
A Very Small Crowd Today
Now there are only about 740 people living in the whole town according to the recent census numbers. They only get around ten visitors passing through on an average day which totally explains why they gave themselves that lonely nickname.
Hidden Right Next to the Action
You would think more people would visit because it sits right near the border of Nevada and California. It is literally just 40 miles away from Reno so it is basically hiding in plain sight near a very busy area.
Grabbing Some Classic Comfort Food
Even though the town is super quiet you can still find some really good spots to eat like the Golden West Saloon for steak and potatoes. You can also grab a frosty milkshake from a cute little burger joint down the street called The Frogs-Ty if you want a sweet treat.
Stepping Into a Time Machine
History fans can check out the Milton Gottardi Museum to see rooms full of old Victorian furniture and neat antique items. They even have a cool model train setup that shows exactly how the town looked when ranching and logging were booming.
Walking Around the Beautiful Lakes
The town has an amazing backyard full of outdoor adventures like the Lakes Basin area where you can hike around without bumping into crowds. Taking a walk on the Sardine Lakes Trail gives you some beautiful views of the water and the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Exploring the Trails on Horseback
If you are tired of walking you can actually go on a guided horseback ride through the local forest trails. Getting saddle ready at the Reid Horse and Cattle Company is a fun way to see the quiet mountain scenery just like the cowboys used to do.
Sleeping in an Old Historic Mansion
When you finally want to rest you can check into the Gilded Drifter Inn which is a huge 125 year old mansion sitting in a meadow. They have neat rooms named after famous writers so you get a cozy place to sleep and you help keep the loneliest town a little bit of company.
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