Audiotour Washington on the Yuba

Welcome to the Washington Mining District. This unique tour is a blend of driving and walking, and it's designed to take you off the beaten path and back in time.

As you travel down the long, winding road into town, you'll be treated to incredible geological features and breathtaking views before arriving at the flat area at the base of the canyon where the town of Washington is located.

Here, you can explore preserved buildings, including a classic one room schoolhouse.

While you're here, you'll definitely want to check out the historic Washington Hotel. It's the perfect place to grab a meal or a drink, sit out on the back patio and relax to the sounds of the South Yuba River flowing past.

Because Washington is a beautifully remote slice of California, a little preparation goes a long way. The local general store has seasonal hours, so it is best to check their schedule before you arrive.

Pack plenty of water, snacks, emergency items, and some cash for a meal or unique local souvenirs.

Cell service is nonexistent down here, so treat this as a true off grid adventure. If you decide to explore the trails branching off from town, please note that most require a four wheel drive vehicle and some cross private property. Finally, because residents live right along Main Street, please drive slowly and respect the local speed limits.

If you bring trash in, please take it out with you as well, Because there is no cell service in this canyon, you must download this tour to your phone before you leave home or while you're still in a place with reliable internet. Once you head down toward town, your GPS may not automatically trigger the audio. So before you hit the first stop, open the app. look at the map to see your location and manually press play for each narrative stop. To ensure an enjoyable experience for yourself and the local community, please also use earbuds or headphones rather than your phone speaker. Each stop includes an audio track, a written transcript, and historical images.

A little about your tour hosts. My name is Rose Murphy and I'm a Biographer for the Grass Valley Museum. I'm Lisa Redfern, and I am on the Board of Sierra College Press. We are both members of the Nevada County Historical Society and historical fiction authors.

Bring your sense of adventure and let's head down the road.