Want to take a relaxing day trip in Northern California? Marysville is a friendly town with a lot of history and culture. Spend a day exploring this Sacramento Valley town for a wonderful summer day trip in NorCal.

Marysville is referred to as “California’s Oldest ‘Little’ City”.
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Marysville’s downtown brick buildings were constructed in the 1850s. The city grew quickly and by 1857 was one of the largest cities in California with a population of about 10,000. The city’s population hasn’t grown much since that time. As of 2021, the population of Marysville is 12,664.
Marysville is the county seat of the County of Yuba.
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Located 40 miles north of Sacramento in the Sacramento Valley, Marysville is bordered by the Yuba River and the Feather River. The town has retained a lot of its historic charm.
Marysville gets pretty hot in the summer, so dress for that hot California Valley weather.
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To prepare for a long walk around the city, get an iced beverage. There are several charming “mom and pop” cafes in town where you can buy drinks and food.
Marysville Chinatown is definitely worth a visit. In fact, it’s one of the highlights of Marysville.
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It was the last Chinatown built during the Gold Rush period. There is still an active temple, as well as beautiful buildings with Chinese characters. Visit the Chinese American Museum of Northern California. This museum is located in a historic building in Chinatown and tells the story of Chinese Americans in Marysville and California.

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You’ll also want to see the stunning Bok Kai Temple. (This temple shares the same name as the famous annual festival in Marysville).
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Constructed in 1880, the temple is used infrequently as a place of worship. But it remains a significant historical landmark. The Bok Kai Temple is open by appointment only.
Marysville has 15 parks, including Ellis Lake and Plaza Park.
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Plaza Park is where you’ll find the Bok Kai Temple. This half-acre park is a lovely green space with benches and picnic tables.
The Mary Aaron Memorial Museum is another must-see stop on your tour of Marysville.
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The museum is housed in a brick Gothic Revival home built in 1855, the museum is a treasure trove of Marysville history. Guided tours of the museum are free, but donations are suggested.
End the day with a meal at the Silver Dollar Saloon – this is one of Marysville’s oldest historic landmarks.
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The Silver Dollar Saloon was built in the mid-1800s and retains its historic craftsmanship. When it was built, it was a popular spot for the area’s gold miners to get a drink. Today, Silver Dollar Saloon is a steakhouse restaurant serving lunch and dinner.

Don’t overlook the small city of Marysville for a summer day trip in NorCal. There is so much to do and see. Unlike other cities, we love that Marysville never seems to be overcrowded, except during the Bok Kai Festival.

Tell us about your favorite thing to do in Marysville.

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