Buckle up for an adventure the whole family will love! Highway 4 through Calaveras County is a road trip packed with discovery at every turn. From exploring mysterious caverns and panning for gold in historic towns to hiking among giant sequoias and splashing in crystal-clear alpine lakes, this route offers endless ways to spark curiosity and create lasting memories. With each mile, Highway 4 transforms from rolling foothills into rugged Sierra peaks, making it the perfect backdrop for a family journey filled with history, nature, and hands-on fun.
Day 1 – San Francisco to Angels Camp
Drive Time: ~2 hr 45 min from San Francisco to Angels Camp
- Morning / Early Afternoon
- Drive to California Cavern in Mountain Ranch (~34 min from Angels Camp) to see California’s first show cave. Meander over nearly level, well-lit passages and walkways with approximately 6o steps throughout this tour. Experienced guides lead groups into the “Jungle Room” named for the crystalline “vines” covering the ceiling.
- Stop for lunch at the Pickle Patch (during the week) in San Andreas or drive to Angels Camp for lunch at The Pickled Porch
- Afternoon
- Once in Angels Camp, visit the Angels Camp Museum. Don’t let the small building on Main Street fool you – there is plenty more on the 3 1/2 acre property! Check out the two 10,000 square feet buildings that house Mining & Ranching Gold Rush history and one of the largest Carriage Houses in the U.S. open to the public
- Head to historic downtown Angels Camp about .25 miles south of the museum to see the old Angels Hotel where Mark Twain heard the story of the Jumping Frog and the World Famous Hop-of-Fame!
- Evening
- Have dinner on the golf course with amazing views of rolling hills at Camps Restaurant at Greenhorn Creek Resort or get cozy, old world Italian-style, at Crusco’s Ristorante.
- After dinner catch a movie at the Angels 6 Theater or enjoy a drink at The Miners Lounge, a laid back, elegant bar serving everything from your favorite domestic beer to classic, elevated cocktails
- Overnight: Angels Camp
- Book your accommodations at WorldMark Angels Camp Resort or Best Western Cedar Inn & Suites. Both places are central to visiting everything in Calaveras!
Day 2 – Angels Camp to Murphys
Drive Time: ~15 min from Angels Camp to Murphys
- Morning
- Breakfast at Angels Creek Cafe downtown or the Golden Frog across from the Angels Camp Museum
- Late Morning
- Head to Vallecito between Angels Camp and Murphys to Moaning Cavern Adventure Park where you can tour the largest single cave chamber in California.
- Want more cave exploration? Drive to Murphys and tour Mercer Caverns (~5 min from Murphys Main Street)
- Afternoon
- Lunch at Murphys Pourhouse or The Watering Hole especially if you are a craft beer lover
- Drive to Ironstone Vineyards (~5 min from downtown Open Thursday – Sunday) where, yes, do some wine tasting, but also see incredible gardens and tour the working winery! If you’re planning a trip in the summer, Ironstone Amphitheater is THE place to see some of your favorite artists perform! Upcoming shows – ZZ Top on August 29th, Train on September 12th, and Ringo Starr on September 21st.
- Head back to downtown Murphys for a little more shopping & wine tasting. Be sure to step into The Spice Tin for spices from around the world and Marisolio Tasting Bar for olive oil tasting!
- Evening
- Dinner at Alchemy Cafe or V Restaurant, Bistro & Bar for something romantic or try Firewood or Murphys Pizza Co for more family-friendly options
- Catch a performance at the Murphys Creek Theatre, if in season or enjoy live music at Murphys Irish Pub
- Overnight: Murphys
- Victoria Inn or the Murphys Historic Hotel – Perfect for a romantic getaway or the charm of an 1856 hotel
Day 3 – Murphys → Arnold
Drive Time: Murphys → Arnold: ~20 min
- Morning
- Enjoy a light breakfast at Aria Bakery downtown or a heartier meal at Grounds across from the Murphys Historic Hotel
- Drive to Arnold to visit the Sierra Nevada Logging Museum (open Sat & Sun in the spring – fall) Find the trailhead here for the Arnold Rim Trail and hike to San Antonio Creek Falls
- Afternoon
- Enjoy lunch at The Lube Room just four miles east of Calaveras Big Trees State Park
- Drive to Calaveras Big Trees State Park to hike (or snowshoe in the winter) the North Grove Trail. An easy 1.5 mile loop through the grove where you will see plenty of the inspiring giant sequoias.
- In the winter, rent snowshoes at Sierra Nevada Adventure Company (SNAC) just as you enter Arnold from Murphys. In the summer, drive about 10 miles further into the park to the Stanislaus River to cool your feet and relax in some incredible natural beauty
- Return to Arnold (~40 min back).
- Evening
- After cleaning up from a day of outdoor adventure, enjoy a specialty cocktail at Hinterhaus Distilling. Known for crafting gin, vodka, and bourbon from natural Sierra Nevada resources, Hinterhaus’ award winning spirits are perfect for any occasion
- Make dinner reservations at Sarafina’s Italian Kitchen on the patio in the summer or El Vaquero Mexican Restaurant.
- Overnight: Arnold
- Arnold Black Bear Inn for bed & breakfast experience or Arnold Meadowmont Lodge – the perfect basecamp in the woods for exploring all of Calaveras
Day 4 – Arnold → Ebbetts Pass
Drive Time:
- Arnold → Bear Valley & Lake Alpine: ~45 min
- Morning
- Pick up breakfast and coffee at Bistro Espresso on Highway 4, then drive east on Highway 4 to Lake Alpine and Bear Valley
- In the Summer:
- – Take the scenic drive along Ebbetts Pass Scenic Byway (Highway 4)
- – Stop at Lake Alpine for hiking, kayaking, or just a walk around the lake
- – Rent mountain bikes at Bear Valley Adventure Company and hit the trails for some spectacular views of the Sierra Nevada
- In the Autumn:
- – Vibrant colors start at the higher elevations from the Quaking Aspen, Pacific Dogwoods, and Silver Maple trees. Ebbetts Pass closes with the first snowfall, so make sure to check road conditions at roads.dot.ca.gov. Few to no crowds, cool temps, and clear weather make autumn a lovely time for a road trip up Highway 4 and still enjoy outdoor adventure.
- – Make a stop at The Red Apple for a truly incredible, melt-in-your-mouth blueberry crumble or a dozen of their popular apple cider donuts – freshly made each morning!
- In the Winter:
- – Ski/snowboard at Bear Valley Resort. Think Tahoe-snow, but not Tahoe prices. It’s a perfect place for all levels and abilities in a very family-friendly atmosphere. Be sure to make reservations for lessons! You can rent skis and boards here or at Sierra Nevada Adventure Company (SNAC) in Arnold.
- – There are some gorgeous cross country trails in Bear Valley. Rent skis if you need them from Bear Valley Adventure Company
- – Bear Valley Adventure Company also builds amazing sledding hills to tube down. Rent your tube from them then go have a blast in the snow!
- – More sledding at Spicer Sno-Park, and pick up your California parking pass ($15 single-day & $40 for the season) online or at Sierra Nevada Adventure Company. Bring your own sleds, and parking is first-come, first-serve, so get there early.
- Evening
- Grab dinner at Sky High Pizza before heading back for the night
- Overnight: Head back to Arnold or reserve a cabin with room for everyone at the family and dog-friendly Evergreen Dorrington cabin. Cedar Creek Realty and Sierra Vacation Rentals also have lots of vacation rental options for families and groups.
Please contact us at the Calaveras Visitors Bureau if we can be of any assistance finding lodging and great things to do in Calaveras! 209-736-0049 or email us at info@gocalaveras.com
