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Planning on visiting Murphys for a wine country getaway? This Murphys Travel Guide will help you to plan the perfect trip with suggestions on wineries to visit, where to eat a tasty meal, and where to stay.
California is brimming with wine – and it’s not just limited to Napa and Sonoma! I have no beef with Napa and Sonoma, as I also love to visit those regions myself. However, if you’re looking for something a little more off the beaten path (read: more affordable and less crowded), I’m here to help!
In the foothills of the Sierras, you’ll find this quaint and historic little town called Murphys that is eagerly waiting to share its wine and charm with you. Thanks to some friends who have discovered Murphys’ beauty and delicious wines (and shared their secrets with me), I have added it to the regular rotation of day trips to take.
Not only is Murphys a great wine and foodie town, the entire area has plenty to offer any type of traveler. Looking for a romantic relaxing getaway? You’re covered. Want a laid-back location for a girls’ wine tasting trip? This is it. Even if you’re searching for outdoor adventure and sports, you won’t find the area lacking. There are caverns, caves, hiking and even golf!
I’ve put together this Murphys Travel Guide to help you gather inspiration for your next trip to the area. Hopefully, this will provide some valuable information that you can use when planning.
Where to Eat in Murphys
If you’re headed up to Murphys for the wine, do not forget to eat! One of the most important things when wine tasting is not to do it on an empty stomach. Also, remember to stay hydrated with water! Luckily, there is no shortage of cute restaurants in Murphys. Most restaurants are located in a compact downtown area, making it very easy to walk to everything.
Murphys Pourhouse
350 Main St B, Murphys, CA 95247
https://murphyspourhouse.com/
Murphys PourHouse is one of my favorite stops for lunch (or even an easy dinner)! You can find a worthy menu of light salads, wraps and hearty sandwiches. They also have a great beer and local wine selection!
Our favorite items to order are The Vineyard vegetarian wrap, The Hotel and The Pokey. Their sandwiches are packed with meat and you could definitely split one between two people if you aren’t heavy eaters!
Food here is relatively affordable, with sandwiches and wraps averaging between $11.00 and $14.00, and a glass of wine will set you back about $9.00. I always end up with a glass of Newsome Harlow Sauvignon Blanc, which is especially refreshing if you’re traveling to Murphys in the warmer months.
Seating outdoors is casual with picnic benches under the trees, and is a very relaxing spot for a break, or simply to end your day.
Alchemy Café
191 Main St, Murphys, CA 95247
http://alchemymurphys.com/
Alchemy is a cute spot for lunch and like many other places in town, offers a satisfying selection of sandwiches and burgers for lunch. I’ve had their vegan beet burger and it is SO tasty! Burgers are served with fries, but I actually think I would supplement the fries with a side salad next time because it’s simply too much food!
My friends have also enjoyed their ciabatta chicken sandwich, if you are looking for a meaty alternative.
Grounds Restaurant
402 Main St, Murphys, CA 95247
http://www.groundsrestaurant.com/
Grounds is a prime spot for dinner, presenting flavorful dishes like Cioppino, mushroom risotto (vegetarian or topped with grilled salmon), fried chicken and mashed potatoes, steak dinners, and even Bourbon-glazed bacon wrapped shrimp!
I would recommend starting with the bruschetta plate that comes with both basil and sun dried tomato pestos, olive oil and garlic, feta and mozzarella cheese and roasted red peppers. It’s a great dish for sharing as you eagerly await your delicious entrees (and, because….bread). I also really loved the flavor in the mushroom risotto (it will seriously leave you with a craving for it)!
Entrees range in the mid-$20’s which is pretty standard for the high quality of food. Grounds is open for lunch as well, serving up an entirely different but delicious-looking menu at a fair price consisting of sandwiches, salads, and even Mexican-inspired fare! If you’re able, sit out on the patio area for a nice relaxing meal with good company.
The Watering Hole
223 Big Trees Rd, Murphys, CA 95247
https://murphyswateringhole.com/
The Watering Hole is another great spot in town for beer lovers and those who fancy eating pub grub style food. At the end of a fun day of wine tasting, their cheeseburger tastes like heaven on a bun! In addition to beer on tap, they also have a wide array of canned beers to choose from to take home with you.
Best Wineries in Murphys
Murphys is a prime wine tasting destination, with so many wineries in beautiful settings to choose from! And if you want to keep it easy, Downtown Murphys is very compact and has a plethora of tasting rooms to choose from that you can make your way on foot to.
School Street (Hatcher/Chatom)
1969 CA-4, Vallecito, CA 95251
https://www.chatomwinery.com/
Start here! School Street (formerly Chatom) is a great first stop on any Murphys wine tasting adventure, located just outside of Murphys town. They offer several different tasting options from both their School Street tasting menu, as well as Hatcher – their sister winery located in town. They also have a beautiful property that is fit for weddings!
Current Favorite Wines: School Street Pinot Grigio & Viognier from Hatcher
Location: Just outside Murphys/car needed
Lavender Ridge
425 Main St # A, Murphys, CA 95247
https://lavenderridgevineyard.com/
Lavender Ridge is one of my favorite wineries in Murphys, not only because they have great wine, but you also get a little cheese pairing experience! This winery specializes in Rhone varietals, with my current favorites being Rolle (also known as Vermentino) and their Sparkling Grenache Rosé. Wine prices range mostly in the $20’s, which is great for my budget!
Also, if you are a lavender fan, their tasting room is decorated with walls of dried lavender and it smells amazing! They have a variety of lavender products for purchase (lotions, oils, candles, etc.), along with many different varieties of cheese.
Current Favorite Wines: Rolle and Sparkling Grenache Rosé
Location: Downtown/walkable
Four Winds
219 Main St, Murphys, CA 95247
https://fourwindscellars.com/
If ever there was a gem in Murphys, Four Winds would be it. Our tasting experience at Four Winds was absolutely made by that “cheeky” Brit – General Manager and part-owner David Webster. If you are lucky to have him pour for you, you will be thoroughly entertained! He’ll greet you with bright eyes and a level of enthusiasm that you would only wish for with every wine tasting experience. The atmosphere for me is just as important as a great-tasting wine, and our experience totally gave me all the London feels!
Favorite Wines: The Cheeky Red! They also make a mean Cab Franc.
Location: Downtown/walkable
Broll Mountain Vineyards
454 Main St, Murphys, CA 95247
https://www.brollwine.com/
Broll is a beauty of a tasting room with a unique, clean country feel (think lovely woods, moss and fern). There’s a cozy room in the back to sit while you wine taste if you don’t want to stand at the counter, or a little patio out back with a serene waterfall setting.
The wines at Broll are fantastic. Everything we’ve had is smooth and I would definitely like to go back for a revisit at the beginning of the day rather than the end (to get the full flavors of the wine). One thing to note is that it is a little more on the pricey side (my favorite wine is $45.00 a bottle) but still well worth a taste.
Favorite Wine: Peyton
Location: Downtown/walkable
Newsome Harlow
403 Main St, Murphys, CA 95247
https://www.nhvino.com/
Newsome Harlow might sound familiar to you if you read the food portion of this guide above! That’s because I get a glass of their Sauvignon Blanc nearly every time we are at the Murphys Pour House. I like something nice and refreshing to eat with my veggie wraps.
You’ll likely start your tasting off with their delish Sauv Blanc, then on to the Drama Queen Chenin Blanc and then finishing with their lovely reds. The tasting room is very quaint and right in the center of Downtown Murphys. They even have a little casual seating area outside in the courtyard with a fire pit if you want to stay awhile.
Current Favorite Wines: Sauvignon Blanc & Drama Queen Chenin Blanc
Location: Downtown/walkable
Hatcher
425 Main St, Murphys, CA 95247
https://www.hatcherwinery.com/
Hatcher’s tasting room is one cozy place with a wine-cellar vibe, located in a downstairs tasting room next to Lavender Ridge. They also happen to make some of my favorite Murphys wine and I can never resist a lineup of their beautiful, deep reds.
Favorite: Parcel 17 & Reserve Estate Zin
Location: Downtown/walkable
What to Do in Murphys
If you’re interested in a bit more than wining and dining, there are dozens of other cute shops to check out. Stop by Moon Alley Candles for handcrafted candles; ND & X for artisan items like tableware, jewelry, and art; or Nelson’s Candies for a sweet treat.
There are also a ton of outdoor activities to check out in the area such as visiting the Calaveras Big Trees State Park, Moaning Cavern and Adventure Park, and Mercer Caverns, and a variety of outdoor sports such as golf and hiking.
Where to Stay in Murphys
Since I haven’t actually stayed overnight in Murphys to date, I don’t have any personal reviews for this Murphys Travel Guide. But, I can help steer you in the right direction!
Murphys is not one of those towns with a lot of hotel options – it’s an old historic town with a couple of inns, B&Bs and a variety vacation rentals. That being said, there are plenty of different options that are close to town that will make your stay quite enjoyable!
Victoria Inn
The Victoria Inn is a lovely little establishment right in middle of Downtown Murphys, and offers European ambiance and style in four king rooms and nine queen rooms, and quite importantly, private bathrooms in each room.
Because there is limited room availability, they do seem to book far out in advance, so I would recommend checking availability on their website first in order to plan the best weekend for your adventure to Murphys. I have to say, this place is pretty quaint and offers probably the best location you could ask for.
Notable Benefits:
- Onsite full-service restaurant and bar (V Restaurant & Bar)
- Free WiFi
- Central location
Address: 402 Main St H, Murphys, CA 95247
Website: https://www.victoriainn-murphys.com/
Murphys Hotel
Also conveniently located right in the heart of Downtown is the historic Murphys Hotel (est. 1856), offering both a mix of modern and historic accommodations. The Murphys Hotel is actually a registered National Historic Landmark and has hosted many famous past guests like Mark Twain, Ulysses B. Grant, and John Wayne, just to name a few!
Note that to maintain the historic value of the historic-styled rooms, there are no private bathrooms and they do not have any modern amenities such as televisions, telephones or central heating/air. I would personally go for the modern-styled rooms (which are located in a separate building from the main hotel), as I prefer a clean and updated feel (and I also take my bathroom privacy very seriously, lol). But, if you’d like to experience a little slice of history, there is something for you here too.
Notable Amenities & Benefits:
- Onsite full-service restaurant and saloon
- King-sized beds in select modern-styled rooms
- Free WiFi (although your connection may be spotty)
- Central location
Address: 457 Main St, Murphys, CA 95247
Website: http://murphyshotel.com/
Murphys Inn Motel & Murphys Suites
The Murphys Inn Motel and Murphys Suites are a couple of budget options that are available close to town. If you’re staying for one night and you don’t mind motel-style accommodations, these would probably work out well for you (and plenty of guests reviews say so).
Benefits of both:
- Complimentary Oreos (yes, both of them! This must be a thing….)
- Outdoor swimming pool (seasonal)
- Free WiFi
- Free Parking
- Convenient location (although Murphys Inn Motel is a wee bit better)
Murphys Inn Motel: 76 Main St, Murphys, CA 95247; http://www.murphysinnmotel.com/
Murphys Suites: 134 CA-4, Murphys, CA 95247; http://www.murphyssuites.com/
Vacation Rentals
Lastly, there are always going to be vacation rental options in a little town like this, so check out VRBO or Airbnb! Here are some cute options I found that I may consider in the future:
If you need more planning resources, check out the Visit Murphys website, which will keep you up to date on events and the latest and greatest in this cute town!
I hope this Murphys Travel Guide helps you when planning your next visit to the area! If you’ve been before and have some recommendations for us to try to add to this guide, please pass them along in the comments!
Murphys is a small town with lots to do – so many wineries and eateries for aficionados of all sorts! When you visit, don’t be shy about asking the wait staff, wine pourers or fellow tasters where there favorite spots are – you won’t be disappointed and will
probably find a magnificent spot that doesn’t typically end up on a reviewer’s website (no offense to reviewers – it’s just that the same 6-8 spots get visited and reviewed every time!). We hope to see you, soon!
Definitely wise advice! I normally like to ask the locals who work there as well, but have also relied on advice from my friends who have visited several times. There are quite a few eateries to make my way through up there (not a bad job to look forward to, if I must say!). I am all for finding those special spots, especially ones that are recommended by locals since they probably frequent them more often. Do you have any specific spots to recommend for us to try?
Love Murphys so much, that I moved here after visiting! Thanks for this gorgeous travel guide!
For folks looking for more vegan eats, Rob’s Place has one of the best veggie burgers I’ve ever had as well as more unusual vegan entrees along with their meat-lovers dishes and to-die-for avocado tempura. Murphys Grille has just come under new ownership and has an entirely new menu including the killer vegan beast burger. Doke Sushi also gets rave reviews even from our Bay Area friends on the freshness and quality of their fish, they have loads of delicious vegan options as well.
Oh my gosh! Avocado tempura?! I’m sold! A friend of mine also recommended Rob’s Place so I guess I will have to put that on my list for the next visit. Can’t wait to try their vegan options! When I was doing research before, for some reason, I did not come across Rob’s for vegan options so I’m really excited to give it a go. I appreciate the other recommendations as well, from a local’s perspective 🙂 It must be so relaxing living up there full-time!
Awesome blog, Moani! You have captured the feel of one of our favorite haunts. It’s really hard to beat Murphy’s for the variety of wine and food within walking distance of one another, all set within a beautiful, historic mountain town. There is also the concert option that Iron Stone offers, which can really make for a memorable weekend trip.
Thanks so much for reading Ron! I’ll definitely check out Iron Stone 🙂