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    08.21.21 Locke is known for being the only town in the United States built by Chinese for Chinese
    May A.

    The entire town of Locke is a historical site! We visited Locke twice in the same weekend... once at night, after seeing an article from the TravelChannel showing the Ghost Adventures crew doing an episode here [Season 11, Episode 5 aired in February 2016]. We did our own amateur version of ghost hunting with the GhostTube app LoL! (it detects raw reading of electro-magnetic energy and captures anomaly activities from our phone which shows on the screen as a "stick figure") LoL! it was entertaining. We came back the next day and we walked on Main Street (one way street). We spent some time at the Locke Boarding House/Visitors' Center aka museum. A two story building filled with exhibits and stories expressed through photos, quotes, and original items. You can also purchase souvenir items here including tee-shirts. The museum is free of charge and open to the public operated by the California State Park. Locke Memorial Park and Monument - dedicated to the Chinese who built the railroad, levees, and agriculture of California. Locke was registered in the Registry of National Historic Places in 1970 and has become a National Historic Landmark in 1990. This plaque can be found in the park. Dai Loy Museum - this place is creepy. Inside is like how it was before the government officials was forced to close it down in 1950. In the back was the caretaker's room. We were not allowed entry to the upstairs part of the gambling hall which was supposed to be a former opium den and where prostitutes would pick up men and bring them upstairs. Our Ghost Tube app detected a lot of spirit activities inside this gambling hall. We ended our day in the Locke Chinese School. This was a language school for the children of Locke. It had bust statues of Confucius and Dr Sun Yat Sen on the foreground on each side of the steps. Locke has an eclectic variety of gift shops, art galleries and a couple of restaurants. Some were open but we didn't go inside any. We did eat at the Locke Garden Restaurant. We enjoyed exploring Locke, about 4.5 miles west of I-5 and located 30 miles south of Sacramento. Locke is next to the Sacramento River. Review #2362

    Shelby G.

    Had the town of Locke to myself this morning, except for the gambling museum docent who was opening up. Locke is rich with history, the Chinese culture. So much to see. Today was the perfect weather and lighting for photographs. I got to practice my photography skills and lightening, saturation and filttechnics. I felt so much peace walking through the town. I'd been here before by car and motorcycle but never had the opportunity to walk and photograph as I did today.

    Fiona N.

    We drove 2 hours to visit Locke. Its definitely a small town and probably won't take long to visit. We spent a bit more than an hour. Some families spent less time. I tend to read a lot of the information in the museum. So that's why we spent a bit over an hour. We visited the school, the boarding house, Dai Loy gambling house and the business bureau. All admissions were by donations. I find it very interesting to see all the artifacts that were left behind. I studied Chinese American history in high school, and enjoyed it very much. Thus, I had a good time visiting Locke today. I read that some reviewers spent 20 mins or so. I guess if you are not into this part of the history, u will be done in 20 mins or so. Overall, it was worth the drive out here. I enjoyed the visit despite of the heat.

    Musical hall?
    Li Hsuan L.

    An eye-opener of a town! If you've been to any Chinatown in the US, well, this will be totally unlike it. If you've been to some of the laojie (old street) in Taiwan like me, this will be a little more similar, but still very different. This is, quoting the NPS site, the "largest, most concrete example of a rural, agricultural Chinese American community in the United States". Ok, the large part is certainly an overstatement given how small the town has become (it's literally just one street, and it's not a long street). But yes, it is an experience unlike any others. The buildings are all wood-based, and it's almost surprising how some of them are still standing (a couple look like they can give the Leaning Tower of Pisa a run for its money). The street is clean though (empty may be a better word) and it is interesting to have a juxtaposition of how serene the town is at the present vs how bustling and noisy it must have been in the early 1900s. Regrettably, and I'll take it as us either i) not looking closely enough or ii) going at a wrong time, most of the shops were closed during our visit and I did not manage to check them out (even the museum, which from other reviews look like is definitely worth a visit!). Also, quick tip: there's Walnut Grove just a hop away and Isleton around 10 minutes south on the 160 if you're in for some town-hopping.

    Ray L.

    We were looking to do something different from our past visits to the bay area. We found out from one of the popular paranormal reality TV series about the town of Locke and it's history. The drive to the town from central San Jose was about 1.5 hours on a weekdays through the rolling hills of the east bay up toward Sacramento. It finally winds along parts of the Sacramento river. There are signs directing you to this district off the main 160 Hwy. The main attraction here is main street and the old settlement by the chinese migrant workers in 1915. There are a few shops and museums along this very short street. All of the shops with the exception of the bar and a small chinese restaurant was closed. I was told that the town only opens during the weekends. It's still a nice walk along the main street to see the old wooden buildings and imagine what it was like living back in the early 1900's.

    Map.
    Annie L.

    Bucket list item check. Being Chinese, I always am looking for ways to learn more about my culture and understand the immigrant life. This is a very well preserve town that tells the story of the immigrants who worked and lived in the Delta from 1915-1930's. They mostly consisted of Chinese laborers working in the asparagus fields. The town consisted of plain one and two-story wooden buildings with balconies. They cost $800/each to build at the time and does not have foundation or insulation. A few of the buildings are lopsided or falling forward now. What you are able to see today is the boarding house, memorial park, Dai Loy Museum, Chinese school, old theatre, Gambling house, post office, and Chinese herb store. At one point, Locke also had a church, saloons, brothels, restaurants, boarding houses, lodge, hardware store, fish market, dentist office, shoe repair, bakery and a community vegetable garden. Bars, gambling house, opium dens, speakeasies also operated behind commercial storefronts. Due to COVID, it's a self guided tour as you walk down Main Street. You will be able to see many of these buildings in their original condition. My favorite is the post office, if you peak in you will see a postmaster sign and an old telephone from the 20's. It's a blast to the past as you view the town and imagine it bustling back in the day. Some buildings are abandoned. People still live and run their businesses in this town so it's not totally a ghost town. There are shops, restaurants, diners, boutiques and art studios. For those interested in Chinese history, I would recommend a visit as it is the only rural Chinese villages left in the US.

    Joyce T.

    Nice place to learn about the history of Chinese migrants to Sacramento, it's a tiny place to walk around, near the beautiful Sacramento river.

    Lisa F.

    Being of Chinese decent, we know very little about our history in America and how of it was contributed to America's dream. It was really fascinating and heart throbbing to see history in this lens. Highly recommend checking this place out. Where the Chinese lived when building the Sacramento delta, railroads.

    The Star Theater
    Terry T.

    Locke is the only rural Chinese village remaining in US. The sidewalks are wooden. Ramshackle buildings with peeling paint line Main Street, behind their now locked doors, bordellos, saloons, and gambling parlors flourished. Today it seems to be a biker designation and for me they add to the untamed sprite of this ghost-like town. If you walk along Main Street you can visit the Chinese school, the boarding house, and a gambling museum and another museum. There are a couple of art galleries, shops and restaurants. Behind Main Street a few people live in this town, and there is a community garden and a trail to the slough. If you go park and walk the short Main Street, peek down alleys. My favorite time to visit is when the Tule fog drifts along the street. Locke is in a battle to save the town from Hong Kong developers that bought the town and the surrounding land. I hope they succeed. On the day I explored I talk to both sides. Bitter Melon Locke is a very well written book filled with oral histories and photos. As a side note you cannot get a wifi signal until you are back up on the River Road.

    Phil Y.

    I first discovered Locke when my boss took me to dinner at Al the Wop's. Locke is a historical city located about 45 minutes from Sacramento. It is located along the river. Locke was one of the first towns built by and inhabited by Chinese. Long before Monterey Park became Chinese, Locke was "the place". The town was built after the Chinatown in Walnut Grove burnt down. A big thanks to William C. for correcting me. Locke is located off of Highway 160, or River Road. As you turn into Locke, you are greeted by twin signs that says, "Welcome to Locke". http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/locke-historic-district-walnut-grove?select=xCN9Ly6_sjHDS-fAyTYa6A#2HOHfnquxrmo1oriczGn8Q Immediately to the left, you will see the Locke Boarding House. The Locke Boarding is now a museum operated by the State of California. Unfortunately, they also inherited the States problems and are only open during certain hours and days of the week. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/locke-historic-district-walnut-grove?select=xCN9Ly6_sjHDS-fAyTYa6A#OHWOdueZVdngbOBte5CZFA To the immediate right as you turn in is Main Street Locke and Chinese School. The desk and chairs at this Chinese school look eerily similar to the desk and chairs at the Chinese school I went to! They do let you in the school to look around. It was cool to see that I was not the only one forced to go to Chinese school. You can park along Main Street, if you can find a space. If not, you will have to turn back onto Highway 160 to get back to the Entrance of Locke. They have have a parking lot right next to the public restrooms. Just go straight instead of turning right onto Main Street and you will see it. The locals told me that Locke has a lot of activities on the weekends when everything is open. You can see the Dai Loy Museum, and other shops. If you get hungry and/or thirsty, Al the Wop's is there to serve your needs. Sorry, guys, not those needs, it is no longer a brothel. Food and drink only! Locke is a fabulous place filled with history. Going there makes learning about history fun! I would love to go again when everything is open!

    Sergio F.

    Coolest little town ever ! If this is your kind of style , tiny historic town the you have to stop here and peep it !

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    Very unique place with a lot of history. This place is a living museum and should be seen before it disappears.

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    Ask the Community - Locke Historic District

    Review Highlights - Locke Historic District

    If you walk along Main Street you can visit the Chinese school, the boarding house, and a gambling museum and another museum.

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    California Cavern State Historic Landmark - Inside the cave

    California Cavern State Historic Landmark

    4.6(97 reviews)
    54.4 mi

    What a cool experience. Got there for the 10:00 am tour, and I was the only guest. The walk to…read morethe cave is only about five minutes, but there's no shade so the earlier the better as the temps heat up. Inside the cave is about 50°. I have no issues with claustrophobia, but if you do there is one tight squeeze that might be a problem. Cash, my tour guide, turned off the lights (after asking my permission) and we experienced total darkness for maybe thirty seconds. It felt like two hours, and I hated it , but still neat and recommend trying if offered. Use the hand rails. They are there for your safety.

    The drive here is much more involved than Mercer Caverns with more windy and narrow roads. Once you…read moreget closer the space opens up to a large parking lot and shop you meet at. We were the only ones that signed up for the earliest tour that day and were lucky to have a private tour. The tour has informative history about the caverns with landmarks along the way. The most interesting thing we didn't know about is they have caving adventure tours where you shimny through holes and narrow spaces with a guide but our kids aren't old enough to partake. This was the first show cave in California and townspeople lived in them during harsh winters in the 1800s. There was a bar inside and a church and nails were even given to people to carve on the walls. Because of this there are signs of harm everywhere with soot, broken formations, and dirty coloration from human hand oils and even champagne poured on a rock formation. The caverns are huge and beautiful with some jaw-dropoing rooms. The walking tour is very safe though we loved the slight danger and claustrophobic feel of the Mercer Caverns. When you leave the shop has some cool historical items pulled from the caves on display like glass bottles, etc .. that are worth checking out.

    Photos
    California Cavern State Historic Landmark - Toward the exit, some parts are a bit wet

    Toward the exit, some parts are a bit wet

    California Cavern State Historic Landmark - Stairs and path wind through amazing formations. People used to live in these caves in the 1800s!

    Stairs and path wind through amazing formations. People used to live in these caves in the 1800s!

    California Cavern State Historic Landmark

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    Psychic Journeys House of Healing - More crystals

    Psychic Journeys House of Healing

    4.0(4 reviews)
    0.9 mi

    Had a wonderful experience here this evening, it's the tiniest little boutique near the corner on…read moreRiver Rd. I walked in and was helped by a nice lady at the front, I told her I was looking for unique pieces to add to my collection and she selected this beautiful piece of Labradorite for me, and I'll tell you. The shine on that crystal was immaculate, I've never seen so many colors in Labradorite before. I also noticed this neat little shelf on the wall, sorta hidden in the corner. And it was filled with these tiny little jars filled with herbs and crystal, sealed with wax-- I had no clue what they were, so I asked about the little trinkets and she explained to me their purpose. Turns out they were "Spell Jars" custom made for various purposes. I ended up purchasing the Protection jar after she explained the ingredients and their various meanings. But yeah-- Long story short, it was a breath of fresh air seeing this place in such a small little town. I'll definitely come back sometime soon to affix more crystals to my collection, and potentially a reading too if I'm feeling feisty. But yeah, to summarize-- I'll be back soon, and I'm very happy with the quality, pricing and just overall experience.

    I came in to get a reading and Lisa was very good. She knew things that were spot on. The business…read morewas very light and airy. The reading went so well I am coming back and would recommend her to others.

    Photos
    Psychic Journeys House of Healing - Our beautiful selection of crystals

    Our beautiful selection of crystals

    Psychic Journeys House of Healing - Crystal towers!!

    Crystal towers!!

    Psychic Journeys House of Healing - Crystal balls

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    Crystal balls

    Locke Historic District - landmarks - Updated May 2026

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