LOCAL
Local Information
Local Information: Great Food, Wine and Activities
Arnold, Murphys and the surrounding area offer a variety of
dining choices, wineries and activities for everyone!
MARCH
Murphys Irish Days
MAY
Calaveras County Fair and Jumping Frog Jubilee
JULY
Bear Valley Music Festival
SEPTEMBER
Art & Wine Festival
Labor Day Weekend
Cedar Center, Arnold
OCTOBER
Calaveras Grape Stomp
Ironstone Amphitheatre
Their five-tier, outdoor amphitheatre is a destination amongst locals and travelers who come to enjoy annual events, such as the Summer Concert Series, and Concours d'Elegance
Hiking &
There are several sites in the Highway 4 area that offer excellent hiking and biking options.
The Arnold Rim Trail is a non-motorized trail system designed for hikers, bikers, and equestrians. The A.R.T. connects the many wonders of public lands along the Ebbett's Pass National Scenic Byway stretch of Highway 4 to it's communities.
Bear Valley Music Festival
Celebrating over 40 years of music in the high sierras, the annual summer concert season features classical, opera, pops, and jazz music performed by a full symphony orchestra, international soloists, legendary entertainers, and renowned opera stars. The festival also includes food, wine tasting, children’s events, Arts of Bear Valley, star parties, and other activities (800.458.1618)
Golf
Sequoia Woods Country Club
(Private) – Located in Arnold. Offering 18 holes over 5,564 yards designed by Bob Baldock. (209.795.2141)
Greenhorn Creek Golf Course (Private) – Located in Angels Camp. Featuring 18 holes up to 6,800 yards designed by Robert Trent Jones II.(209.729.95222)
(Private/Public) – Located in Copperopolis. Offering 18 holes over 6,800 yards, designed by Cater Morrish.
(209.728.3439)
Canoe / Kayak
There are numerous flat water paddling opportunities in the area including Lake Alpine, Utica, Union and White Pines Lake, on Highway 4 in the Stanislaus National Forest. For rental information contact Sierra Nevada Adventure Company in Arnold (209.795.9310)
Calaveras Big Trees State Park
Home to two groves of giant sequoia trees thought to be over 3,000 years old. The area has been a popular tourist attraction since its discovery in 1852. There are approximately 150 giant trees in the North Grove, featuring a gently 1.5 mile long self-guiding trail. The far larger South Grove is a pristine example of an ancient and once widespread primeval forest.
Ebbetts Pass Scenic Byway
Consider one of the most scenic drives across the Sierra Nevada Mountain, the Ebbetts Pass Scenic Byway runs along Highway 4 from Calaveras Big Trees State Park Scenic (on the West) to Grover Hot Springs State park (on the East). Ebbetts Pass is one of the last remaining wild trans-Sierra passes. The summit elevation is 8,732 feet.
Fishing
There is excellent fishing throughout the Stanislaus National Forest. Favorite spots include Spicer Reservoir, Lake Alpine, Stanislaus River, Beaver Creek and White Pines Lake. The area is abundant with rainbow, brown, and brook trout. Although several lakes are open all year, the general trout season is from late April through mid November.
Stanislaus National Forest
The Calaveras ranger District of the Stanislaus National Forest includes 250,000 acres of public land, with prime access to the forest along Highway 4, east of Arnold. There are over 200 miles of maintain trails, 13 developed campsites, 225 miles of streams and 19 lakes. Plus there is backpacking access onto the Carson-Iceberg and Mokelumne Wildernesses. For information contact the District Ranger Office (209.795.1381)
Cavern Tours
Moaning Caverns Adventure Park - Located in Vallecito. Featuring California’s deepest chamber, access via the historic 100-foot spiral staircase or by a 165 foot rope rappel (866.762.2837). At Moaning Cavern experience the thrill of racing on twin zip lines, at up to 40 miles per hour, across the beautiful Gold Country foothills.
California Caverns - Located in Mountain Ranch. Featuring guided walk tours and 2-5 hour wild cave adventure tours (866.762.2837).
Casual Dining
Local favorites include:
El Vaquero
- on Highway 4 in Arnold; family owned/operated, authentic - try the mole!
Bistro Espresso
- in the Cedar Center, Arnold; full coffee bar, wine/beer, breakfast and lunch - open 7 days a week, year-round.
Arnold Chinese
- near Big Trees Market; family owned/operated - surprisingly yummy and authentic Chinese cuisine.
The Lube Room
- in Dorrington, great ambiance, good food, full bar - iconic!
Upscale Dining
You will find some treasures right here in Arnold:
Dogwood
- exceptional food and service, opened nightly (except Wednesdays) for dinner. Reservations required.
Sequoia Woods Country Club
- this private course's dining room is open to the public on Fri/Sat/Sun; beautiful view of the course, excellent food and service.
Sarafina's
- classic Italian cuisine, seasoned and friendly staff; open for dinner Thur-Sat.
Wine Tasting
There are approximately 25 foothill wineries and vineyards in the surrounding area offering wine tasting and purchase - see gocalaveras.com
for a full listing.
Manager's Favorites
Winter Ski and Snowboard Rentals
Whether you're getting your friends together for a snowshoe hike, seeking the adrenaline backcountry touring, or cutting through the fresh powder, Sierra Nevada Adventure Company
offers a complete line of downhill and cross country ski, snowboard, and snowshoe rentals to meet your needs. They are conveniently location on Hwy 4 in Arnold, just 30 minutes from Bear Valley Mountain Resort. And don't forget, they offer fast waxing and tuning services as well!
Alpine Skiing
Bear Valley Mountain Resort offers alpine skiing. This spectacular snow sports destination, located at the 8,500 foot elevation, averages over 30 feet of snow annually. Offering downhill alpine, cross country, and back country skiing, this rivals many other Sierra destinations for winter fun. Bear Valley Mountain Resort is some of the most scenic and affordable alpine skiing in the state with 67 runs, 1,900 vertical feet, 10 lifts, and beginner carpet lift. Lift tickets, rentals, and ski/snowboard packages available (209.753.2301)
Cross Country Skiing
Bear Valley Cross Country offers 65 km of scenic groomed track trails. in the heart of the Central Sierra between the Mokelumne and Carson Iceberg Wilderness Areas. At Bear Valley Cross Country you will enjoy an extensive trail system of over 3,000 acres. Trails are open from 9am to 4:30pm daily. The elevation of 7,000 feet to 7,800 feet guarantees first to open (usually mid November) and last to close (usually mid April) status among Sierra cross country centers (209.753.2834).
Snowshoeing
The sport of snowshoeing has gained tremendous popularity in the last few years. Lightweight snowshoes and the discovery of cross country ski trails for snowshoer's have contributed to this fun winter adventure. Sierra Nevada Adventure Company
carries snowshoe rentals in a variety of lightweight and sport sizes. No special shoes are necessary and this is definitely fun for everyone!
Sierra Nevada Logging Museum
The museum is located in White Pines on the site of the historic site of the Blagen Sawmill’s workers homes. This is a high-quality, regional facility devoted to displaying and interpreting the history of logging and lumbering throughout the Sierra Nevada range (209.795.6782)