13 Fun Things To Do In Yreka, California (By A Local)

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Yreka surprises a lot of people. Most travelers pass through on I-5, maybe stop for gas, and keep driving.

But if you spend a little time here, you’ll find a town with Gold Rush history, a walkable downtown, interesting museums, parks, art galleries, and a few unexpected things to do.

Yreka also makes a great base for exploring the rest of Siskiyou County. You can spend a day in town, then head out to Mount Shasta, the Klamath River, or one of the small towns nearby.

Here are the best things to do while you’re in Yreka.

1. Explore Historic Downtown Yreka

Empty main street in downtown Yreka lined with historic brick storefronts and parked cars beneath a bright blue sky. The quiet street leads toward tree covered hills, showing the small town atmosphere visitors can explore when looking for things to do in Yreka.

If you’re only going to do one thing in Yreka, make it a walk through historic downtown. The heart of downtown is along Miner Street, where you’ll find old brick buildings, historic storefronts, and some of the town’s best shops and restaurants.

Many of the buildings date back to the 1800s, when Yreka was a booming Gold Rush town. Some still have their original details, including decorative brickwork, old signs, and hitching posts.

Spend some time wandering in and out of the local shops. You’ll find bookstores, antiques, gift shops, clothing boutiques, and places to pick up locally made items.

There are also several good places to grab coffee, lunch, or dinner. If you want to pick up a sandwich for a picnic later, go to Miner Street Meat Market. Their sandwiches are fantastic (but huge!).

In the mornings, you can get coffee and pastries at Zephyr Books & Coffee and relax at an outdoor table.

2. Visit the Franco-American Hotel

Antique shop interior in downtown Yreka filled with vintage dolls, wooden furniture, lamps, paintings, and decorative objects arranged closely together beneath a pressed tin ceiling. A sign on the front barrier reads "No Food or Drinks."

One of the most interesting buildings in downtown Yreka is the Franco-American Hotel. Built in 1854, it was originally a boarding house and hotel for French immigrants who came to Yreka during the Gold Rush.

Today, the building is privately owned by a local couple who have spent much of their lives collecting antiques and memorabilia.

They live upstairs, while the downstairs has been turned into an enormous collection filled with everything from dolls and vintage toys to Coca-Cola memorabilia and other unusual finds.

When the building is open to the public, visitors can tour the downstairs collection. There isn’t a regular schedule, so you’ll need to watch for special open house events or ask locally to see if it’s open during your visit.

Even if you don’t make it inside, it’s worth stopping to admire the building. With its old stone walls and green shutters, it’s one of the most distinctive historic buildings in Yreka.

You can also peek in through the windows to see some of the items on display. It’s seriously impressive.

3. Visit the Siskiyou County Museum

The Siskiyou County Museum building sits behind a large black and gold sign that reads “Siskiyou County Museum,” with a log and stone landscaping feature in front. The museum is housed in a light gray, two-story structure with a brown shingled awning and surrounded by lush greenery under a partly cloudy sky.

The Siskiyou County Museum is one of the best museums in Siskiyou County, and it’s much more interesting than many people expect.

Inside, you’ll find exhibits about mining, railroads, Native American history, pioneer life, and the people who settled the area.

There are old photographs, artifacts, and displays that help tell the story of Yreka and the rest of the county.

The outdoor area is my favorite part. Next to the museum building, you’ll find a collection of historic buildings, replicas, mining equipment, wagons, machinery, and other artifacts arranged to look like a small pioneer village.

Most of the buildings can’t be entered, but it’s still interesting to wander through the grounds and get a sense of what life was like here during the Gold Rush.

Sometimes the museum has volunteer docents available to share stories and explain the history of the buildings and artifacts.

There isn’t a regular schedule, but if one happens to be there during your visit, it’s absolutely worth taking the time to talk with them.

It’s a great way to get a better idea of what life was actually like here during the Gold Rush.

4. Spend Time at Greenhorn Park

Calm lake near Yreka surrounded by green shrubs and rolling hills with a blue mountain rising in the distance beneath a cloudy sky. The peaceful view shows one of the scenic outdoor things to do in Yreka for visitors who want to enjoy nature and local hiking areas.

Greenhorn Park is Yreka’s best spot if you want to spend some time outdoors.

The park is divided into two sections, Upper Greenhorn and Lower Greenhorn. Upper Greenhorn has the playground, picnic areas, and easy access to the reservoir path. Lower Greenhorn is quieter and is another good place to access the trail and the water.

The paved path around the reservoir is one of the most popular things to do in the park. It’s an easy walk with views of the water, trees, and surrounding hills. The path is wheelchair accessible, and there are paved spurs leading down to the water where people can fish.

Other things to do in Greenhorn Park include:

Have a picnic
Fish from shore
Play the disc golf course
Let kids play on the playground
Walk your dog
Watch for birds and wildlife

Greenhorn Park is especially interesting because of its old mining features. Throughout the park, you’ll find mining equipment, replica mining buildings, and other reminders of Yreka’s Gold Rush past.

There are also remnants of actual old gold mines in the hillsides around the park. They’re blocked off for safety, but you can still see where the mines once were.

The park is dog-friendly, but keep your dog on a leash. Greenhorn has a large population of geese, and they often nest near the shore.

One thing to know before you go is that no boats or other watercraft are allowed on the reservoir. That includes kayaks, paddleboards, canoes, and inflatable boats. Fishing is only allowed from shore.

5. Take a Historical Tour

Deep red wooden wagon displayed beneath tall trees in a historic cemetery. Stone monuments and headstones stand in the background, while a thick rope is draped along the side of the wagon.

Yreka has a lot of history, and one of the best ways to learn about it is by taking one of the tours offered by the Siskiyou County Historical Society.

I’ve taken several of them, and they’re all really good. My favorites were the Greenhorn Park Mining History tour and the Third Street Historic Homes and Architecture tour.

The Greenhorn tour gives you a much better understanding of the history of gold mining in Yreka, including the war over water and other fascinating stories no one taught us in school.

The homes and architecture tour takes you through one of Yreka’s prettiest neighborhoods and points out historic homes, interesting details, and stories you would never know otherwise.

Other tours focus on downtown Miner Street, local cemeteries, old schoolhouses, and small communities around the area.

Some are walking tours, some are carpool tours, and a few are done by “horse-drawn carriage”. In reality, the horse is an SUV, and the carriage is a wagon, but it’s still cute and a lot of fun.

The tours change from year to year, but there are usually several offered between April and October. They’re hosted by the Siskiyou County Historical Society and usually ask for a small donation.

You can see the 2026 tour schedule here.

6. Go On a Scavenger Hunt

A stone archway entrance made of multicolored masonry blocks, with the words "YREKA PARK 1921" engraved across the top and "SISKIYOU" carved into the horizontal stone panel beneath. The arch opens to a green park with tall evergreen trees, a drinking fountain, and a small green building in the distance. The scene is well-lit, suggesting a sunny day.

If you want to explore downtown in a more interactive way, try the Let’s Roam scavenger hunt.

Using the app, you’ll walk around Yreka solving clues, answering questions, and finding historic landmarks. It’s part scavenger hunt, part walking tour.

The hunt takes you to some of the most interesting places in town while teaching you a little about Yreka’s history.

This is a fun option for families, couples, groups of friends, and anyone who doesn’t want to do a traditional walking tour. Get your tickets here.

7. Browse Local Art Galleries

Storefront with a dark red awning and large front windows displaying the words "BELLA ART WORKS" and "Ceramics & Glass Ice Cream Parlor." A rusted mining cart filled with purple flowers sits on the sidewalk in front of the shop.

Yreka has a surprisingly good local art scene for a small town.

Liberty Arts Gallery

Liberty Arts Gallery features work by local artists from around Siskiyou County. Depending on when you visit, you might find paintings, photography, pottery, jewelry, or handmade gifts.

The exhibits change regularly, so there’s often something new to see. It’s worth stopping in while you’re exploring downtown.

Bella Art Works

Bella Art Works is another good stop if you enjoy art and handmade items. The gallery features local artists and often has unique gifts, home decor, and one-of-a-kind pieces.

They sometimes offer classes and workshops too, so check to see what’s happening while you’re in town.

8. See a Show at the Siskiyou Performing Arts Center

The Siskiyou Performing Arts Center (SPAC) hosts a variety of productions throughout the year.

Depending on when you visit, you might be able to catch a play, a live music performance, or a local production.

And for a real Siskiyou County experience, catch a cowboy poetry show. My dad may even be a performer or the MC!

Before your trip, check their calendar. You might get lucky and find something happening while you’re in town.

9. Visit the YMCA

Recreation room with a ping pong table, pool table, and air hockey table arranged beneath bright overhead lights. Large windows line one wall with rows of black chairs underneath, creating an open space for indoor games and community gatherings.

Yreka’s Y is especially impressive for a small town. They offer much more than a typical fitness center, and if you’re only visiting for a short time, you can usually pay as you go instead of buying a membership.

Visitors can use the fitness center, take a class, or spend time in the gymnasium, where they offer basketball, pickleball, volleyball, and other activities.

The YMCA also offers more than 25 fitness classes each week, including yoga, spin, HIIT, TRX, bootcamp, PiYo, and WARRIOR classes. Non-members can drop in for a single class, which makes it easy to join even if you’re only in town for a few days.

If you’re traveling with kids, there are even more options. The Y has a game room with ping pong, foosball, and air hockey, plus a climbing wall and bouldering wall in the Youth Activity Center. There’s also an outdoor playground with the only wheelchair swing in town.

They also offer a huge variety of classes and activities for kids, including gymnastics, dance, indoor soccer, jiu-jitsu, music, arts and crafts, and seasonal camps.

It’s a great rainy-day option if the weather isn’t cooperating or if the kids need to burn off some energy. See their website here for more information and schedules.

10. Go White Water Rafting

One of the most unexpected things to do near Yreka is white water rafting.

The YMCA offers rafting trips on the Klamath River, which is a short drive from town. The river has sections for both beginners and more experienced rafters, so you don’t have to be an expert.

It’s a fun way to cool off in the summer and see a different side of Siskiyou County.

11. Stop at Rain Rock Casino

If you’re looking for something different, head to Rain Rock Casino.

The casino has slot machines, table games, and occasional live entertainment. They have a non-smoking section if you want to gamble without the smoke.

Even if you aren’t interested in gambling, it’s worth stopping by for one reason: The $5 cheeseburger special. I go with my family every couple of weeks. It’s a really, really good cheeseburger and the best fries in town.

It also has one of the nicest hotels in the county.

12. Take a Photo by the Yreka Miner Sign

Sculpture of a gold prospector crouching with a pan beside a pack mule, both made of rusted metal, set on large rocks under an arch that reads “YREKA” in bold letters. The scene is in a sunny downtown area with trees, traffic signs, and mountains in the distance.

Before you leave town, stop for a photo at the big Yreka sign with the miner.

It’s one of the classic Yreka photo spots and a fun way to remember your visit. You’ll usually see people stopping there on their way into or out of town.

13. Attend a Seasonal Event

There are a ton of events going on throughout the year. Depending on when you visit, you may be in for a treat.

Here are my favorite annual events. But check out the full schedule to see what’s going on when you’re visiting.

Golden City Days

Golden City Days is held every Father’s Day weekend. It celebrates the town’s Gold Rush history with live music, food vendors, craft booths, and activities downtown. You can ride a mechanical bull or pan for gold.

The streets fill with people, and Miner Street becomes the center of the celebration.

Alt text: Inflatable mechanical bull ride set up outdoors with a black and white bull in the center of a padded arena. The brown inflatable structure is decorated with white cattle skulls and a yellow sign on the front that reads “CAUTION.”

Siskiyou Golden Fair

The Siskiyou Golden Fair takes place in June (it was moved in 2026 from August). It’s the biggest event of the year and includes rides, food, concerts, livestock, rodeo, and a demolition derby.

They always have some great entertainment, like dog or bird shows, exotic animals, magicians, and more.

It’s a really good old-fashioned county fair. It’s full of some of my best childhood memories.

The best part is that it always feels very safe. There’s a strong law enforcement presence, and I’ve never heard of any kind of violence or other trouble.

Final Thoughts

Yreka may be small, but there’s enough here to fill a weekend. Between the historic downtown, Greenhorn Park, local museums, art galleries, and seasonal events, it’s much more than just a place to stop on the freeway.

Take your time, wander around, and don’t be surprised if you end up staying longer than you planned.

13 Fun Things to Do in Yreka, California (By a Local)