General stores are wonderful remnants of California's rich history. While shopping at any one of the general stores in Southern California is enjoyable, there's one store that provides a unique, historic experience.
You'll find RUST General Store at the Old Town San Diego State Park. Step inside this little store and you'll step right back in time.
The entire store reflects the time period between 1846-1872, when San Diego was a bustling place with European travelers, traders and early residents. Storekeepers even dress in period costume.
The items in this adorable store are for sale, and they're all either produced locally, or the type of merchandise you might have found in this area in the mid-1800s.
A Trip To One Of The Oldest General Stores In Southern California Is Like Stepping Back In Time
Randsburg, a historic California mining town, offers a nostalgic glimpse into the Old West with its relocated Randsburg General Store now known as The Vault.
Editor's Note: After more than a century in business, the Randsburg General Store has permanently closed its doors. But there's good news! The store has relocated and reopened as The Vault in another historic building just down the street. Check it out in its new digs, and let us know what you think!
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A living ghost town in the desert, Randsburg is filled with rich mining history and serves as a constant reminder of a bygone era. Located just off the highway, Randsburg looks like a real "Wild West" town! Visitors who stop at this historic town immediately feel like they've stepped back in time. Among its many historic structures is the Randsburg General Store, which has been around for over a century. In fact, it's one of the oldest general stores in Southern California!
Located just off Highway 395 in Kern County, Randsburg offers a living snapshot of what a real California mining town once looked like! Visiting the quiet community today, you'd never guess that it was once a bustling town of 3,000 miners and their families.
These days, Randsburg is a historic attraction that invites visitors to come and see what life was like in the Old West. The town's main street is filled with old structures and historic sites, including the longstanding Randsburg General Store.
The General Store is a Randsburg landmark that's been around since 1896. Known for its long, old-fashioned counter, antique backbars, and active malt machines, this old store is definitely a blast from the past.
The nostalgia is definitely strong at the General Store. Home to a real century-old soda fountain, you have to try one of their old-fashioned ice cream sodas, phosphates, or banana splits. They also serve up malts, shakes, freezes, and sundaes.
The store is also home to a full-service restaurant that serves breakfast and lunch. The menu consists of good old-fashioned food like hamburgers, chili, beef sandwiches, hot dogs, and more.
In addition to the restaurant and soda fountain, the General Store carries a wide assortment of groceries and dry goods. Restock on supplies for the road and take home a souvenir to remember your time in Randsburg!
Sadly, in 2022, the Randsburg General Store had to close its weathered doors. But the owners forged ahead and opened their latest venture just down the street: The Vault! This historic building once housed mining dynamite, but is now a local watering hole that serves up pizza, burgers, beer, and traveler essentials.
While we're sad that the original general store has shuttered, we love that the long-standing icon lives on in spirit.
Spend the day traveling back in time with a visit to the living ghost town of Randsburg. During your visit, be sure to grab a bite and rest up at the Randsburg General Store/The Vault - a living legend of old California.
Have you been to this historic general store in Randsburg, California, or explored the rest of Randsburg? This living ghost town looks straight out of a different era! You'll even find a darling B&B here that will take you straight back to the town's mining days in a truly unique way. Let us know your favorite things to do in Randsburg, CA and beyond!
Of course, Randsburg isn't the only ghost town (living or otherwise) hiding away in SoCal! The desert down here is hiding a number of historic spots and unique remnants of the past, like this ghost town in the Mojave, plus a number of trails, abandoned places, and even unexpected tourist spots.
While you're exploring Southern California, how about a taco road trip too? Yum!
Most people may think that general stores are a thing of the past. Well, we're here to assure you that that's not true at all! Northern California has its fair share of general stores that have been serving tight-knit communities for generations. One of the oldest you'll find is San Gregorio General Store, which has been operating since 1889. Yep, this is a real Old West-style general store, and visiting it will make you feel like you've stepped back in time.
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A small, quiet community in San Mateo County, San Gregorio is no longer the booming town it was when wealthy San Franciscans would escape here for fishing, hunting, and boat races in the 1850s. However, the town's general store remains the heartbeat of San Gregorio's rich past.
San Gregorio may no longer see the traffic it did when it was a 19th-century stagecoach stop, but that doesn't mean you'll want to pass it by. Serving the community since 1889, the San Gregorio store has proven to be a popular gathering place for locals and tourists alike.
Visiting the historic general store is like stepping into a time machine to the 1800s. It's not very often you stumble across a store that's so community-oriented these days. In addition to a classic country bar, the store also boasts souvenirs, curiosities, art, and groceries.
Located just a mile from San Gregorio State Beach, the general store is a convenient rest stop when you find yourself in the area. Stop by for a drink, like one of the store's famous Bloody Marys, and enjoy a snack while sitting outdoors and soaking up the view.
Inside, you'll find an endless selection of unique items that you'll want to peruse. From books and clothing to cookware and hardware, the general store lives up to its name by stocking up a little bit of everything. There's even a U.S. Post Office.
However, the store is much more than a place to stock up on groceries and knick-knacks. San Gregorio General Store is a place where the community can flourish. The store features live music from local artists every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Take a seat, kick back, and enjoy a relaxing evening with strangers who will soon be friends!
San Gregorio General Store has been serving the community for a long, long time, and it doesn't look like this gem is going anywhere soon. Visit one of the oldest general stores in Northern California for a taste of the past - it may just become your new favorite hangout!
Have you been to the San Gregorio General Store? This place looks as amazing as ever despite being over a century old! Share your thoughts and experiences with us in the comments about this NorCal general store.
