Marysville, California travel guide: things to do, food & where to stay

Overview

Marysville is a city in California near Yuba City that is distinctive for being named after a survivor of the Donner Party, Mary Murphy, and being known as the "Gateway to The Gold Fields" during the California gold rush era, as it served as a pitstop for riverboats coming up from Sacramento. Its relevance to that booming industry, not just with the influx of prospectors but also materials, led it to briefly become one of the largest cities in California by 1857. But the glory was fairly short-lived as flooding from hydraulic mining took its toll on the city, along with other factors. Like other gold boomtowns, it attracted a sizable Chinese population, which manifests still today with facets like the Bok Kai Temple.

3 sights · 1 places to eat · 1 places to stay

Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage

Best things about Marysville

Ellis Lake

This man-made lake was formed in 1939 and named after W. T. Ellis, Jr. It is surrounded by a park.

Bok Kai Temple

Historic traditional Chinese temple that has been a longstanding presence in the town. It has a museum of Chinese history in California.

Mary Aaron Memorial Museum

Lots of little historic relics here in a Gothic style building.

Plan your trip

Best time to visit & weather

Most comfortable: Feb–May, Oct–Nov. Summer highs reach about 94°F; winter lows dip to about 41°F. Very hot (Jul, Aug) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jan and Feb. (climate data from nearby Sacramento)

Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).

Getting there

From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
SMF Sacramento International Airport, Sacramento — 31 mi away (major hub). Directions
TKF Truckee Tahoe Airport, Truckee — 79 mi away. Directions

Full “Get in” guide ↓

Budget & where to stay

No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.

Sample 1-day itinerary

Day 1

Morning Ellis Lake, Bok Kai Temple
Lunch Lakeside Indian Cuisine Bar and Grill
Afternoon Mary Aaron Memorial Museum

Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.

Food for you

Cuisine (tap to filter)

What to ask about, for your diet

Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder