Day Trips – December 2022

Jamestown, California

Nestled in the Sierra foothills of central California, Jamestown is an ideal location to explore the Golden State. At just over an hour’s drive from either Stockton or Modesto, this charming town makes for a quick getaway. And even if you’ve never been there, chances are, you’ve seen Jamestown on TV or in the movies. So what makes this are so unique?

Like many foothill communities in California, Jamestown got its start during the gold rush. Gold was discovered here in 1848. The following year Colonel George F. James arrived, setting up a trading post. He plied his customers with free champagne, and soon there after he was elected mayor. Colonel James like to engage in speculation and got several of the are miners involved in his schemes. He left town in the middle of the night, taking their investments with him. Out of anger the town’s name was changed to American Camp, but in 1851 citizens voted to revert to the name Jamestown. Unlike many other gold rush towns, Jamestown remained an active mining town up until World War 2.

Today, Jamestown is a picturesque community, with a vibrant historic downtown and resplendent with old Victorian homes. One of its better-known attractions is the Railtown 1897 State Historic Park. As the names suggests, the park preserves the rail operations which were established in 1897.

For over 100 years, the railroad’s rolling stock has appeared in over 200 movies and the area itself has been featured in movies such as Back to the Future 3, and TV shows including Little House on the Prairie, Green Acres and Petticoat Junction. Jamestown even has a “Walk of Fame” celebrating the area’s rich cinematic history.

For those wishing to have more than a day trip, Jamestown has several fine dining and lodging opportunities available. One can even stay at the historic Jamestown Hotel or the National Hotel, established in 1859.

Winter is a great time to visit Jamestown. At 1,429 feet above sea-level, the area gets little snow, and it’s high enough that it is often above the thick Tule Fog that blankets the Central Valley below.

Whatever your reason for wanting to get away, a trip to Jamestown is something you’re sure to enjoy.

For more information, visit: https://www.visittuolumne.com/jamestown

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Gold N Silver Inn – Reno, NV

Anyone who has lived in or visited Reno over the years has witnessed change. The Biggest Little City has been reinventing itself ever since it was founded. Of course, there are many historic building to be found, but it’s rare to find a business that’s been in continuous operation for over 6 decades. At the Gold N Silver Inn, you can still get a taste of old Reno.

Gold N Silver opened its doors in 1956, and has been serving customers from the same location on 4^th Street ever since. Back then, 4^th Street was Highway 40, one of the first cross-country routes in the nation. For visitors coming from the west, the Gold N Silver would have been one of the first businesses they encountered as they entered Reno. Interstate 80 through Reno was completed in 1974, and several businesses along 4^th street struggled due to the reduced traffic. However, the Gold N Silver continued to shine.

The Gold N Silver specializes in classic American comfort food. Their menu is extensive. If you can imagine it, they probably serve it. They claim to have served over 16 million customers, so they must be doing something right.

This restaurant is open 24 hours a day. As such, it has served generations of late-night casino employees, gamblers and weary travelers, in addition of the residents of the Truckee Meadows.

In 2010, Gold N Silver was featured on the hit TV show Diners, Drive-ins and Dives with Guy Fieri. Being in the spotlight brought the restaurant to the attention to a worldwide audience, but it has remained a casual establishment with friendly service.

If you want to experience Gold N Silver, you better hurry. In February 2022, it was announced that the owner sold the restaurant to a redevelopment company. Plans are for the restaurant to continue operations until at least 2024, but beyond that, its future is uncertain.

Hopefully this Reno landmark will continue to serve the community for years to come. In the meantime, if you have a craving for a tuna melt or meat loaf at 3am, the Gold N Silver is still the place to go.

For more information, visit: www.goldnsilverreno.com