Weaverville Joss House State Historic Park
State Park · Weaverville, California
Weaverville Joss House State Historic Park is a small Taoist temple on Main Street in Weaverville, in Trinity County on Highway 299, in the forested country of far northern California. It was built by Chinese miners and settlers during the Gold Rush era, and it is often described as the oldest continuously used Chinese temple in California - confirm if the claim matters to you. The wooden temple holds an altar and furnishings that are carved and gilded, and it is still a living place of worship as well as a museum. Visits to the temple room are by guided tour only at set times - confirm the schedule - so you cannot just wander in. Dress modestly, speak quietly and follow the guide. It suits history lovers and anyone curious about the Chinese role in the Gold Rush. Allow about an hour, and add time for Weaverville's historic Main Street, small museums and cafes. Check tour times before the long drive, and expect snow in winter.
630 Main St, Weaverville, California, 96093, United States
State Parks has generally opened the site on a limited weekly schedule rather than every day, often Thursday to Sunday in the daytime, and the temple room is entered by guided tour at set times through the day rather than at will - confirm the current days, tour times and fee before you make the drive. Tours may stop for the lunch hour, for ceremonies or for staffing reasons, and the site has been closed on holidays and for repairs. Winter weather on Highway 299 and in the Trinity Alps can limit travel, and the park is small, so a missed tour can mean a long wait. Call or check the official State Parks page the day you plan to go, as hours have shifted over the years.
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