Chinese Camp Store And Tavern

Very cute & fun and helpful oasis on the way to Yosemite/Gold country.. and, it is OPEN ! by a miracle after the recent wildfire that devastated most of Chinese Camp town. It is a very helpful and cute stop on the way in any case, important for any needed supplies/snacks/help , plus lots of fun memorabilia etc as well. Please stop by and give them & town some support, they are also collecting donations for wildfire-impacted folks in town. The delightful side/back garden is INTACT, wonderful for a shaded picnic or rest stop, and the bathrooms (plumbing) DO work despite some fire damage and scorching (electrical/lights out), they are working to repair them. Just nice and friendly folk there as well. SO glad to see a precious gem still around!

My sprinter van tire popped, and this was the first place I was able to safely pull over and I am sure glad I did. Ads was working in the store, she let me wait in the picnic area until the tenants showed up who were able to have the tools to help me change my tire. (Turns out my spare had an incorrect rim so I had to spend the night here to buy a tire in the morning). Jake and Decklin had helped me to get me sorted. They were patient and incredibly kind. During my unexpected stay I found out how amazing it is here. It truly is a hidden gem right off the highway. There is a beautiful garden/picnic area and a fenced in area with goats and chickens. The store itself is small and quaint with a lot of history. The owner has a love of gems and minerals and there are some huge fossils behind the bar. Ads made me a lovely sandwich for dinner and their cat (I think it is named Clovis) visited with me. I don't know how many times in the past that I had driven by on the 120. But if I had known what a great stop it was, I would have certainly dropped in before as well. Next time I am on the road passing through I will make sure to stop for lunch here. For the good company, interesting local history and the peaceful environment.

I stop buy to get some refreshments. And a very interesting place from rocks to old coins. I even bought my self a buffalo nickle a fair price. The gentlemen behind the counter was a very nice man.

Had an absolute great experience visiting this store on our way to Yosemite. It’s a special store for sure that carries versatile stuff such as historical coins, feathers, fur caps (beaver?), fossils, stones and minerals (geode, amethyst, petrified wood, granite, basalt, tire track ammonite, quartz, aquamine crystal, black tourmaline and a lot more. They also Carry all kinds of gear for camping, rock climbing and lots of snacks, candy, coke, water. They also have real sea sponge. It’s an interesting store for sure. They also have mini garden and seating area if you want to hangout. The couple who seems to be owning this place are very kind. Richard was super knowledgeable and humorous. We learnt a lot talking to him and carried his jokes along with us while he carefully packed our stuff. Definitely recommend it to all who loves historical stuff and need some essentials before heading to Yosemite!

Beautiful stop. Has become our Yosemite tradition. Amazing eclectic array of goods, friendly people, and wonderful garden and koi pond, etc, in the back.

Must stop if you're passing by. Lots of cool stuff to look at, ended up buying Native American blankets, rocks, and drinks. We'll be back..

Currently watching the news of a wildfire in the area. My buddy and I were traveling around all of California. Trying to see as much as possible, the usual places Giant Redwoods,Big Sur,Hearst Castle and any other points of interest. Yosemite was on the list and we mapped out our route in our atlas( it was 1990 no cell phone or GPS). Long story short we had to find a place to stay it was after 1am and El Capitan would wait until the next day for us. We knocked on the door of the store i believe it had small bungalows for rent.The Owner happily invited us in and gave us a room and opened the bar! I don't know if it is still there but he had what he claimed to be the very first Wells Fargo safe. I don't know who has the place now but I hope to stop by again.

This place is special, magical and a must stop. I love the owner lady Add, she's so knowledgeable. They have such an assortment of cool stuff here. It's tradition now when traveling to Yosemite with friends or family to stop here by some cool rock specimens, drinks, snacks and take a moment to enjoy the garden before heading out. Rip Andrew my brother , we had one of our greatest conversations there next to the chickens a day before he passed on the way home from an epic Yosemite trip. Now I stop by every time to pay homage to my brother.

So happy to hear that this shop survived the fires. They have everything you need for camping as well as a cool assortment of collectibles and oddities. The prices are a bit high but that's what one should expect based on the location.

Stopped by on our way to Yosemite based on the reviews and it was not worth the stop. The lady at the front desk seemed so thrilled when our family of four stopped in to check out the "cool" place. No hellos, no asking if we needed assistance. Very awkward so we quickly left. We went to go see the two cows across that street. That was the highlight of our stop. Only giving 2 stars bc they have cool vintage pins inside.

Very cool place to sit and enjoy a drink or just take a quick rest. They have lots to choose from ansa beautiful yard where you can enjoy the beer or goats. Oh yeah, bring Cash if you can! Notnecesary but it helps!

Great little store with an excellent selection of ephemera, and a good selection of minerals and stones. Cute garden area, a nice stop for some snacks and a stretch.

I stopped several years ago on my way to Yosemite. I was prepared to get my small dog out of the car to go to the bathroom.. but I noticed a small white dog had cone out of the fence and was out by the parking lot. I was only concerned for the little one's safety. I yelled out " Your dog is loose our here" several times. Finally a man from inside, presumably the store owner" came out yelling obsesenities at my me to leave his dog alone. I was so afraid he was going to physically attack me, I jumped in my car and sped off. I wouldn't stop there again if you paid me.

My sprinter van got a flat tire and I pulled in here. I don't know how many times i have driven by before but it was my first time stopping. I ended up having to spend the night here. But the hospitality was amazing. Ad, Jake and Decklin (who live here) all helped me tremendously. I am so indebted to them. Not only were they great help, they were great conversation and amazing people overall. Aside from how awesome and helpful the people are- this is a great stop. There is a secret garden and picnic area, a bunch of goats and chickens to see, and a cute Tavern. Ads made me an incredible sandwich and I was able to sit inside the store/tavern and enjoy it with the company of a very cute cat. The owner is also a mineral and rock fan and you will find many cool rocks inside as well as other memorabilia. I think it must have been fate that gave me the flat tire, and my spare (whose rim didn't actually fit right) forcing me to spend time here. I will definitely be back.

Something for everyone. Snacks, drinks, ice, rocks, and other cool things kids like to look at.

It's amazing place for stay and takes some beverages and Kandy for children's. Also they it's have a beautiful garden for drink and lovely sound of water.

This is the best place to stop if you are traveling hwy120 going towards Yosemite you should make it a point to stop in for a cold beverage and a snack or use the restroom they are always clean and the owners they treat you like family always have a smile for you when you walk in you will love this place we do.

This is one of the neatest locations to visit in the foothills. Chinese Camp is rich in history. The owners retrieve natural findings from all over the world and are very passionate about what they do. I consider the tavern to be a gem in itself.

Nice little spot to sit on top when wanting to inspect some rock. The geode was old, but we were bold, so we made the break, make no mistake, when opening we found quarts crystals in flakes. Got some coffee and an avocado too but best of all was Richard educating us to something new.

Awesome little shop on the way to Yosemite Valley. Neat collection of historical coins, little stones and snacks. Clean bathrooms outside of patio area. Friendly owner who was very kind to my family. Will always stop by on the way to Yosemite.

Cool little rest stop. This place includes a convenience store, mini museum, and saloon with a garden area that is open to the public. The proprietor, who lives there with his family, is super helpful and knowledgeable about the area and history. Nice to know people still care about these old places.

Excellent find on the highway to Yosemite. Clean restrooms, and so much history! Come in and chat with owner, Richard, and learn about the local history, geology and fun facts. Cold drinks including beer, necessities and woven blankets. Yosemite hats, fossils and other great memorabilia. Set next to Chinese Camp ghost town, worth taking the time to walk around and explore. Peacocks running across the road, peaceful garden to sit in, firewood for sale if you need some. Hopefully you can stop in when Richard's wife, Add is there, as you're, will be able to get great food. They have free WiFi while you enjoy a beverage. We walked in the door and were greeted by their very polite young son. You need to come by and get the local history!

A nice clean little store and rest stop with interesting items in stock such as food, drinks, hats and blankets. Friendly store owners and much local history. We stopped for the restrooms, but ended up having great conversation also. A quiet looking little town now but the history behind it would surprise you. We are going back to see our new friends and check out more of the remaining history of the Gold mining days.

Richard, who owns the store with his wife is an incredibly friendly and helpful person! He's also a geologist with extensive knowledge of the area. Very intelligent person with a lot to offer a clueless passerby like myself. Apparently his wife usually runs the store but I didn't get to meet her. All sorts of interesting knickknacks and archaeological items. I would highly recommend stopping in to say hi and to grab some refreshments. On the way out of town, swing through "Main Street" (I put it in quotes because it's barely a road). Basically a ghost town from the mining days. Very cool stuff. Very friendly and down-to-earth people.

Just stopped by on our way to Yosemite this morning. We decided to stop and just let the kids stretch and take a restroom break. Restrooms were clean and stocked, better than most gas stations. The garden was so welcoming and my daughter loved the hammock they have setup! We went inside the store and bought some of the trinkets for sale, there are drinks and snacks available too. I just had to write the review because of how nice the lady was. I didnt get her name but I'm guessing shes the owner?! Very sweet and was telling us about some of the items in the glass display. Just very refreshing to meet genuinely nice people. Please support local families and businesses!

This place is a gem with the friendliest workers. There are picnic tables in the garden to enjoy your lunch or a quick break to stretch your feet. Clean bathrooms. Will definitely give this place my business the next time we head to yosemite!

This place was a great stop on the way to Yosemite to pick up some drinks or snacks. There is a cool little garden that you can walk through. The owner sells lots of little antique trinkets and is a really nice guy. I'd come back through here anytime!

This place is fun, convenient, and an old standard to pick up some supplies for the trip through Yosemite . I like the setting, the little cabins are nice, small. Good Indian blankets, good snacks.

This place is a must stop on the way to Yosemite, especially if you've never been, or if you don't know when you can come back! Mostly, because you NEED to get a hand-woven blanket! They are fun, colorful, and you can use them for everything! (I have two, but my collection will grow!) This is just an awesome stop on the way to California's gorgeous Yosemite National Park, and the blanket is the perfect souvenir for the road trip!!

Broke down here in our '71 VW bus on the way up to Yosemite. Owner was amazingly kind and helpful, even sending his son to run around and ask the neighbors for a specialized tool we didn't have. Honestly I'd give them 10 stars if I could. Please stop in and support this unique store and its wonderful people.