“In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is freedom and in water there is bacteria” – Benjamin Franklin
While Calaveras is known as wine country, check out all the surprising good things .
Featured image (above) courtesy of Murphys Pourhouse in Murphys, CA.
1. Angels Camp – Historic saloons and jumping frogs
Angels Theatre I Cascabel Mexican Restaurant I Camps Restaurant I My Bar Saloon I Mike’s Pizza I Miner’s Lounge
Both the Miners Lounge and My Bar are located in historic downtown Angels Camp in buildings that have been around since the 1920’s and 1850’s respectively. Miners Lounge reflects a speak-easy vibe with warm and comfy brown leather furniture making it a great place to have a nice cocktail before or after dinner at Crusco’s Italian Restaurant. My Bar (which may or may not be haunted) sits on the corner of Highway 49 and Hardscrabble and located in the oldest part of the city. Play a game of pool, catch your favorite sports game, or even dance and sing a little when they host live music, karaoke, or just groove along with tunes from the juke box.
Angels Camp, best known for it’s small town charm, was where Mark Twain launched his career and became a literary giant by capturing the humorous part of living in a gold rush town with his story of The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County. One of the most picturesque historic downtowns, Angels Camp features a historic walking tour, great restaurants, locally owned boutique shops, art galleries, and a wonderful three acre museum and carriage house. Just outside of town, 3-5 miles at either end, sit New Melones Lake, one of the largest reservoirs in California perfect for boating and fishing, and Greenhorn Creek, a championship golf course and resort, ensuring there is lots to do in Angels Camp year round.
MUST DO: Compete in the Jumping Frog Contest at the Jumping Frog Jubilee
Special Events in Angels Camp l Calendar of Events l Things to Do in Angels Camp
2. Arnold Area – Award-winning spirits and a historic garage
Howard’s Mystic Saloon I Bistro Expresso I The Lube Room I Dogwood I Camp Connell General Store I Sarafina’s Italian Kitchen I Snowshoe Brewery
Known as Ebbetts Pass National Scenic Byway, discover firsthand the reason the Upper Highway 4 corridor received national recognition as one of the few National Scenic Byways in the country. In the Ebbetts Pass region, craft beer drinking destinations are an experience in and of themselves. Home to Calaveras’ only brewery, Snowshoe Brewery, Arnold is a picturesque mountain town located at 4,000 feet in elevation and offers a wide variety of outdoor activities including hiking, bicycling, off-road adventures, golf, lake and river fishing, and first-rate winter recreation. Home to great restaurants, shops, historic buildings, and lively annual events, the mountain is a great place to beat the heat in the summertime, enjoy a snowy getaway in the winter time, and relax in year round. If you like vodka, gin, or bourbon, take the time to stop in at Hinterhaus Distilling and enjoy the best Old Fashioned around. A little further up Highway 4 in Dorrington and Camp Connell, you can kick back and enjoy a cold one in historic buildings like the Lube Room Saloon and the Camp Connell General Store’s Beer Garden – both of which are kid- and dog-friendly! Visit California named Calaveras’ Lube Room as on of California’s Top 12 Truly Awesome Dive Bars to visit! Camp Connell General Store has live music, wood fired pizza, and great beer on tap every night through September!
MUST DO: Visit Calaveras Big Trees Park and see the iconic giant sequoias!
Special Events in the Arnold Area l Calendar of Events l Things to Do in the Arnold Area
3. Copperopolis – Lakeside dining and heritage olive oil
Verona 18 at The Golf Club @ Copper Valley I Drifters Marina & Grill I Gold Dust Pizza I Griff’s BBQ and Grill I
Situated in the rolling foothills of the Sierra Nevada, Copperopolis features world-class golfing at The Golf Club at Copper Valley Golf Resort and water sports at idyllic Lake Tulloch. Swing by the beautiful Copperopolis Town Square, featuring turn of the 20th century architecture and locally-owned pedestrian friendly shopping, restaurants, wine and Calaveras Olive Oil tasting, festivals, and a fabulous art studio and gallery. With plenty of fun options for craft beer lovers to choose from, you won’t want to miss the chance to enjoy one of those cold ones lakeside at Drifters Marina & Grill (pictured above).
MUST DO: Visit Calaveras Olive Oil for a tasting with the olive oil grower and maker in the historic Reed building.
Special Events in Copperopolis l Calendar of Events l Things to Do in Copperopolis
4. Mokelumne Hill – Small batch hard cider and a haunted hotel
Historic Hotel Leger Saloon I Renegade Winery I Posterity Ciderworks
Mokelumne Hill boasts a charming, historic Main Street which is accessed by turning East onto Main Street from Highway 49. Most lively on the weekend, Mokelumne Hill’s undulating streets feature charming period architecture, a historic haunted hotel and beautiful views that lend old-time appeal to a stroll around town. Though Mokelumne Hill (or Moke Hill, as the locals call it) may be small, it’s charms are plenty, and Mokelumne Hill packs a lot of action into a tiny package. Featuring a historic hotel with attached restaurant and saloon, a family-owned and operated cidery, art galleries, antique and gift shops, a local winery offering lunch and dinner as well as well-sourced craft beer on tap, a charming park with the gorgeous mosaic made with porcelain pieces found in the area where Chinese 49ers and their families lived, and festive annual events, you’ll have plenty to do in Mokelumne Hill before and after grabbing a pint.
MUST DO: Take a ghost tour through the Hotel Leger and see if you run into Mr. George Leger who likes to “check in” on his guests from time to time.
Special Events in Mokelumne Hill l Calendar of Events l Things to Do in Mokelumne Hill
5. Murphys – Craft Beer and BBQ
Alchemy I Firewood Restaurant I Murphys Historic Hotel Saloon I Murphys Irish Pub I Murphys Pizza Co I Murphys Grade BBQ Oysters I Murphys Pourhouse I V Bistro and Bar I Watering Hole
Discover firsthand why Murphys, California Epic 7 Travel calls it the perfect retreat for an indulgent getaway. Best known for its national award winning wineries, charming historic downtown, and award winning restaurants, Murphys keeps the craft beer lovers in mind. With its nearly two-dozen wine tasting rooms all within strolling distance along charming 1/2 mile long Main Street, its multiple restaurants featuring delicious, high-quality cuisine, boutique shopping and historic architecture all located in the Sierra Foothills, you can break up the action by grabbing a pint at The Watering Hole, Murphys Irish Pub, or The Murphys Pourhouse – all showcasing the best craft beers in the area. Get your beer key and some BBQ oysters at Murphys Grade or pork belly bites at Cured Belly BBQ! Conveniently located within a short drive of Calaveras’ numerous lakes, caves, hiking trails, and winter sports, this historic small town offers good-tasting adventure with a smile.
MUST DO: Celebrate the Wearin’ of the Green at Murphys Irish Day!
Special Events in Murphys l Calendar of Events l Things to Do in Murphys
6. San Andreas – Gold rush saloon and… elephants?!
Gooney’s Bar and Grill Enjoy craft beer in historic San Andreas, the county seat of Calaveras. From the restoration of the historic Gooney’s Bar and Grill to the super cool Calaveras County Historic Museum complex, San Andreas is a tucked away, interesting piece of history that includes the original courthouse and jail where the Gentleman Bandit, Black Bart, was tried and imprisoned. Visit and support the animal sanctuary, PAWS, the Performing Animal Welfare Society. Every so often, PAWS will tour people through the animal’s sanctuary where rescued tigers, elephants, and bears find their forever home in the rolling, golden hills of Calaveras. At one point, it was home to the oldest living elephant in North America. If you feel led to support this incredible work, the animals will be forever grateful. Enjoy browsing some of the best antique stores in Calaveras County, relish local artistry at the Calaveras Arts Council Gallery, and, in Mountain Ranch, explore the state’s first show cave, California Cavern State Historic Landmark.
MUST DO: Visit the Calaveras County Museum complex in historic downtown San Andreas. (Turn at the flashing yellow light of of Highway 49).
Special Events in San Andreas l Calendar of Events l Things to Do in the San Andreas Area
7. Valley Springs – Serene golf course dining and so many craft beers on tap
La Contenta Golf Course I Brew’Gers I Hawg Dawgs I Sea Thai House
Enjoy a serene view on the patio at La Contenta Golf Course that boasts some of the finest foods served in California’s Gold Country. Their chef specializes in farm fresh ingredients, homestyle recipes, and in-house prepared brisket burgers. On tap at La Contenta, serves craft beer from Amador Brewing Co., Dying Breed, and Knee Deep Brewing Co., plus they craft some delicious top shelf cocktails perfect after a day of outdoor adventure. In town, try the Sea Thai House will surprise you with some of the best, authentic Thai food you’ve ever had – no lie. Served with the warm Thai hospitality, you’ll find a slice of Thailand right here in Calaveras. Brew’Gers will satisfy anyone’s thirst for craft beer on tap coupled with a great burger and other pub food dishes.
Surrounded by three beautiful lakes, Valley Springs offers abundant outdoor recreation from championship golf course La Contenta to water sports, fishing, swimming and boating to hiking and biking, Enjoy spectacular trails in spring, bursting with wildflowers, summer camping, and serene waterfront sunsets in fall. Valley Springs’ beautiful reservoirs are all within half an hour of each other. Each offers different recreational opportunities, and a variety of topography, geographical features, wildlife and bird watching.
MUST DO: Rent a cottage on Lake Camanche and enjoy summer at the lake!
Calendar of Events l Things to Do in Valley Springs
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