Unwind, indulge…or both.
In Spring, crisp mornings make way for soothing sunshine in the foothills. Sign up for a tee time at one of the area’s challenging and scenic golf courses. Try the championship course at Saddle Creek Resort, which has received recognition from both Golf Digest and Golf Week Magazine.
If the weather is cooperating, head over to Panini’s Italian Grill for a pizza on the patio. Meat-lovers will want to order up Michael’s All Meat, topped with pepperoni, ham, salami, bacon, Italian sausage, AND meatballs. This is a serious pizza.
Spend the afternoon hopping from town to town and tapping into the local art scene. Make your first stop Allegorie Art and Wine in Murphys, featuring rotating exhibits from two local artists, as well as hand-crafted wines at their unique tasting bar (we won’t reveal what’s so special about their tasting bar here).
Next, make your way to Gallery Calaveras. Housed in a historic building in San Andreas dating back to 1858, Gallery Calaveras features a new exhibit every two months ranging from watercolor and photography to glass and ceramics.
Finish your tour at the Petroglyphe Gallery in Mokelumne Hill which features the work of over 20 artists from California and beyond. Time it right and you might be able to observe an artist in action at one of their frequent demonstrations.
Wrap up your day in the same place it started. Settle in to a table overlooking the 9th green at the Copper Grill, only a few steps away from Saddle Creek’s golf course. The grill, with its Frank Lloyd Wright inspired vibe, combines local, farm-raised products with other international treasures to create an exceptional dining experience.
Area lodging: Stay where you play at Saddle Creek Resort, Greenhorn Creek – Villas, or the newly opened Caddy Shack (great for a big group).
Have more time in the area? Here are a few other suggestions…
Grab your pole. Nothing is more serene than a peaceful morning on a calm lake, fishing pole in hand. Rise and shine early to get to New Hogan Lake for some of the year’s best fishing, when the striped bass are plentiful.
Go for a stroll. Park your car at Murphys Community Park and head out for a stroll on 6 Mile Road towards Ironstone Vineyards, a favorite early morning route among locals. Pass by budding vineyards, blooming daffodils and the greenest fields you’ll ever see.
Easy exploring: Catch the highlights.
Ditch your car for the day and hop on a SPYDER Roadster for a fun way to see the sights. Motherlode Motor Sports in Angels Camp offers rentals by the hour, day or week.
Once you’ve got your ride, explore the area’s historical sites. Calaveras County is home to more State Historical Markers than any other county and there are placards in just about every town with stories into the past. Don’t miss the Old Timers Museum in Murphys, the Angels Camp Museum and the Historical Society Museum in downtown San Andreas.
Not into history? Spring is the best time of year to wander around the country roads hunting for wildflowers. Be on the lookout for fields of daffodils. (Hint: Start your search at Ironstone Vineyards.)
On your tour make a stop in San Andreas at The Pickle Patch, the most popular lunch shop in the County. Craziest menu item worth a try? The veggie-friendly Peter Piper Pickle. This hot spot is only open during the week, so if your timing is off, head to the Vista Grille at La Contenta Golf Club instead.
After plenty of pickles, take the Roadster to the farm. Not just any farm, an Alpaca farm. RanchoNC Alpacas is a working ranch in Valley Springs that welcomes visitors. Learn about these loveable animals that produce one of the finest fibers in the world and see what it takes to work the ranch.
From farm to fame, make your way back to Angels Camp to check out the Frog Hop of Fame on Main Street before heading to dinner. The plaques that line the sidewalk immortalize the winners of the annual Jumping Frog Jubilee International Frog Jump Competition, including some World Record holders. Maybe you’ll get one next year?
On the Frog Hop of Fame, you’ll find Crusco’s Ristorante. Sit down for their made from scratch Italian favorites like ravioli and other crowd-pleasers like New York strip steak. Try not to fill up on their fresh foccacia bread, and leave room for dessert.
If you were able to resist the tempting desserts at Crusco’s, make your way to Scott’s Yogurt Factory. Open later for those before late night sugar cravings, the Yogurt Factory fulfills just about any flavor combination you might be in the mood for. Chocolate yogurt topped with Nerds and fresh kiwi? Gross, but no problem.
Area Lodging: Bring your dog to Angels Inn, stay close to everything at the Best Western Cedar Inn, or cozy up at Cooper House Bed & Breakfast.
Have more time in the area? Here are a few other suggestions…
Ride through the vineyards. Book the Vallecito Vineyard trail ride with Horse and Barrel which takes you through rolling acres of vineyards. Also a historic mining area, the tour leads you through a history of the area’s deep roots to the California Gold Rush.
Find Whale Rock. Yup, it’s exactly what it sounds like. Somewhere along Hwy. 4 (ok, close to Bear Valley) you’ll find a giant rock that’s shaped and painted like a whale. It’s not so obvious, so keep a close eye out for it. Hint, hint.
Go for it! Active adventures.
Conveniently located just outside of Big Trees State Park in Arnold, stop by Simply Delicious Café for a no frills, filling and just what you had in mind breakfast. The line of cars outside proves it’s a go-to spot for locals and visitors alike.
Meet up with O.A.R.S. Whitewater Rafting in Big Trees for a day of big water on the North Fork of the Stanislaus River. Ride through Class IV+ doozies like Beginner’s Luck, Body Slam and Surf City on an exhilarating half-day trip. This unique whitewater run is typically only available for a small window of time each Spring, so make sure to call ahead to find out if/when trips are available.
Keep the adrenaline pumping all day long and mountain bike the Arnold Rim Trail, 10-miles of single track trail through pristine forest with incredible vistas at Cougar Rock and trailside bonuses like San Antonio Falls overlook. The trail, which connects White Pines to Avery/Sheep Ranch Road is well-marked, but it’s still advisable to have a map since many fire roads intersect the route. Pick one up at the Stanislaus National Forest Ranger Station in Hathaway Pines.
If you’re more of a hiker, make it a full-day trip the following day, or access only a portion of the trail via various fire roads for a shorter trip.
The best way to reward all that activity is with a Giant Burger. By the name it should be clear what to order. But don’t skimp and go for one of their extremely thick milkshakes too. If you like flavored shakes, you’ll have plenty to choose from here including boysenberry, banana and root beer.
Area Lodging: Camp with the giants at Big Trees State Park, sleep riverside at the Sourgrass Recreation Area Campground or grab a room at one of the motels in Arnold.
Have more time in the area? Here are a few other suggestions…
Snowshoe in the Spring. On one end of Calaveras the wildflowers will be blooming and on the other, there will still be mountains of snow, perfect for snowshoeing in short sleeves. In the Spring, favorite summer hikes like Mt. Reba and Inspiration Point near Lake Alpine offer stunning views of snow-capped peaks as far as meets the eye. Leave from the gate at the end of Hwy. 4, which is usually closed until Memorial Day Weekend.
Paddle Pardee. While some try to hang on to their snow sports for as long as they can, others have a chance to launch their kayaks and start welcoming in summer. Put your boat in at Pardee Reservoir, a scenic low-elevation lake with several fingers that are ideal for flat-water paddling and exploring.
