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Getting to Calaveras County from major California cities, Reno and Tahoe, is a beautiful drive whatever route you take.  Be sure to stop in at the Visitors Center in historic Angels Camp for help planning your visit! Scroll down for directions from Sacramento, Fresno & LA, San Francisco & the Bay Area, and Reno & South Lake Tahoe.

We’re located at 753 South Main Street, Angels Camp, CA 95222, and we’re open 7 days a week. Questions? We’re here to help. Call 209-736-0049 or send us an email  info@gocalaveras.com.

Getting to Calaveras from the NORTH: Sacramento – Historic Highway 49

historic hotel Leger exterior
Mokelumne Hill, CA

Want to spend as much time on the historic Highway 49 as possible? Then you’ll want to take the HWY49 route through Mokelumne Hill, CA. Make sure to order a copy of the Highway 49 Gold Rush map to be mailed to you before your trip. Be sure to stop in to Mokelumne Hill’s charming, historic downtown – your entry point to the county – for boutique shops, Renegade winery and Hotel Leger’s historic saloon and restaurant. Ready to hit the road? Get directions by inputting your destination in Sacramento to Mokelumne Hill here.


Getting to Calaveras from the NORTH: Sacramento – Valley Springs Tri-Lake Area

August in Calaveras, Valley Springs
Valley Springs, CA

Looking to enjoy the rural life? You will love the rural landscape, great food and options for outdoor recreation when you take the HWY 26 route through Valley Springs tri lakes area, with its three beautiful reservoirs complete with camping and hiking trails. Once you’re in town, Valley Springs is a great place to stop and get gas, coffee, ice cream and delicious eats. Make sure to check some of what Valley Springs tri-lake area has on offer before your trip. Ready to hit the road? Get directions by inputting your destination in Sacramento to Valley Springs here.


Historic Main Street Angels Camp | Carol RichardsonGetting to Calaveras from the SOUTH: Fresno & Los Angeles – Historic Highway 49

Want to spend as much time on the historic Highway 49 as possible? Then you’ll want to take the Highway 49 route starting in Oakhurst through your Calaveras County entry point of Angels Camp, CA.  Be sure to slow down and enjoy Angels Camp’s charming, historic downtown – your entry point to the county – for boutique shops, historic saloon, ice cream, bakery, Art Deco movie theater, and restaurants. Ready to hit the road? Get directions by inputting your destination in Los Angeles or Fresno to Angels Camp, CA here.


Getting to Calaveras from the SOUTH: Fresno & Los Angeles – Highway 4

Copperopolis, CA

Take Highways 5 or 99 north to Stockton, then Highway 4 east. Enjoy the rolling foothills to Copperopolis, your entry point to Calaveras. Stop off at pretty-as-a-picture, The Square at Copper Valley for artisanal ice cream, locally grown olive oil, wine tasting, gas, boutique shopping and restaurants or take a detour to nearby Lake Tulloch and lakeside dining at Drifters Marina and Grill before continuing east on Hwy 4 to explore more of Calaveras. Link to Google Maps recommended directions from Southern California.


Getting to Calaveras from the WEST: Bay Area – Valley Springs Tri-Lake Area

Attractions: New Hogan Lake in Summer
Valley Springs

From San Francisco take 80 east, or from San Jose take 680 east. Then take 580 east to Tracy, to  205 east, then I-5 north. Next, take Highway 26 east to Rancho Calaveras and Valley Springs, home of the Tri Lakes area with its three beautiful reservoirs complete with camping and hiking trails. Once you’re in town, this a great place to stop and get gas, coffee, ice cream and delicious eats. Link to Google Maps recommended directions from the San Francisco Bay Area.


Getting to Calaveras from the EAST: Reno & Tahoe – Ebbetts Pass National Scenic Byway, HWY 49 or HWY 26

Ebbetts Pass National Scenic Byway Fall Color Lucia Gonzalez
Ebbetts Pass

Traveling in the summer or fall and love photography, spectacular wilderness vistas or outdoor recreation? The Ebbetts Pass National Scenic Byway is an especially spectacular route route for cars, cyclists, and motorcycles and is not available in winter and spring, so make sure to catch it while you can. Then you won’t want to miss the Ebbetts Pass National Scenic Byway. Take Highway 4 westward across the Sierra Nevada through Alpine and Calaveras County. Along the Ebbetts Pass National Scenic Byway, you will encounter scenic high alpine meadows and lakes. Prefer to stay in the car? No worries! This route includes breathtakingly gorgeous roadside views that many users say are a must-see experience. Keep an eye put for some of the highlights including Calaveras Big Trees State Park and more. With wildflowers through August and spectacular fall colors, make sure to stock up on gas and food before you hit the road, your only chance to restock once you enter the Ebbetts corridor from the East will be at Bear Valley.

After Bear Valley if you’re looking for more places to stretch your legs indoors, shop or eat, don’t miss Arnold, CA, a charming historic logging community with great modern amenities.

Get directions by inputting your destination in Reno or Tahoe to Angels Camp, CA here.

Routes Open Year Round – Calaveras from Reno and Tahoe

  • Looking to pack in the most Gold Rush history? Save seasonally available Ebbetts Pass for another trip and consider heading for Hwy 49 through Mokelumne Hill, CA . This route is open year round (road conditions permitting).
  • Love exploring backroads? If you love tiny rural communities and getting off the beaten path, then you won’t want to miss the Hwy 26 route through West Point, CA as well as other hidden gems of Calaveras County. Since this route bypasses the seasonally available Ebbetts Pass, it is open year round (road conditions permitting).

Once You’re Here

Enjoy driving your vehicle along our beautiful highways and byways, including the Ebbetts Pass National Scenic Byway, historic Highway 49, and/or explore the Valley Springs Tri-Lake area. Rather kick back and let someone else do the work? Explore Calaveras County transportation services here:

Murphys Taxi Service | Stagecoach Limousine | Calaveras Transit

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