Sheltered by a pine grove and bordering a wide, sandy beach, this national historic site sits on the archaeologically excavated grounds of the former Tallac Resort, a swish vacation retreat for San Francisco’s high society around the turn of the 20th century. Feel free to just amble or cycle around the breezy forested grounds, today transformed into a community arts hub, where leashed dogs are allowed.
Inside the 1921 Baldwin Estate, the museum has exhibits on the history of the resort and its founder, Elias ‘Lucky’ Baldwin, who made a bundle off Nevada’s Comstock Lode. Nearby is the 1894 Pope Estate , now used for art exhibits and open for guided tours (daily except Wednesday). The boathouse of the Valhalla Estate functions as a theater venue. The 1923 Grand Hall contains an art gallery and gift shop. In summer, concerts, plays and other cultural events happen here, most notably the three-decade-old Valhalla Festival of Arts, Music & Film .
The parking lot is about 3 miles north of the ‘Y’ junction of Hwys 89 and 50.
