Rose & Sean’s guidebook

Rose
Rose & Sean’s guidebook

Restaurants & Bars

The Lube Room is a great spot to stop for a beer and burger any day of the week. On the weekends the place can get busy but it has a family friendly backyard with corn hole and horseshoes. In the summer they have live music. We love coming here and watching the sunset from the back patio while our kids run around on the grass.
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Lube Room Saloon
3431 CA-4
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The Lube Room is a great spot to stop for a beer and burger any day of the week. On the weekends the place can get busy but it has a family friendly backyard with corn hole and horseshoes. In the summer they have live music. We love coming here and watching the sunset from the back patio while our kids run around on the grass.
We are consistently blown away with the meals we’ve had at Dogwood. This is one of the best restaurants in the area and they have a decent wine list too. If you are looking for something a bit more upscale this is the place to go. Reservations are recommended.
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Dogwood
1224 Oak Cir
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We are consistently blown away with the meals we’ve had at Dogwood. This is one of the best restaurants in the area and they have a decent wine list too. If you are looking for something a bit more upscale this is the place to go. Reservations are recommended.
El Vaquero offers traditional Mexican dishes, and is a great place to enjoy a quick beer and burrito on the patio, or bring the whole family in for dinner. The staff is super friendly and all the meals we’ve had here have been delicious. It's also kid-friendly with several kid menu options.
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El Vaquero
925 CA-4
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El Vaquero offers traditional Mexican dishes, and is a great place to enjoy a quick beer and burrito on the patio, or bring the whole family in for dinner. The staff is super friendly and all the meals we’ve had here have been delicious. It's also kid-friendly with several kid menu options.
A casual and cozy Italian joint that serves up the usual pastas and meat dishes. The wine list is just ok, but they only charge $12 for corkage. A great place for families but the place is pretty small, so reservations are recommended.
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Sarafina's Italian Kitchen
794 CA-4
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A casual and cozy Italian joint that serves up the usual pastas and meat dishes. The wine list is just ok, but they only charge $12 for corkage. A great place for families but the place is pretty small, so reservations are recommended.
A real local’s spot with typical (but decent) bar food. Killer Bloody Marys. The owner is wonderful and has coloring books and a basket of toys for the kids to choose from. Even when the full kitchen isn't open, they can offer sandwiches and hot dog/chili dogs.
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JJ's Dive Bar & Grill
1051 CA-4
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A real local’s spot with typical (but decent) bar food. Killer Bloody Marys. The owner is wonderful and has coloring books and a basket of toys for the kids to choose from. Even when the full kitchen isn't open, they can offer sandwiches and hot dog/chili dogs.
The food and beer are decent but nothing to write home about. If you are into hoppy west coast style IPA, the lack of hop forward beers might leave you a bit disappointed. They do have take-n-bake pizzas which is a nice option if you don’t feel like cooking. Super close to the cabin.
Snowshoe Brewing Company
2050 California 4
The food and beer are decent but nothing to write home about. If you are into hoppy west coast style IPA, the lack of hop forward beers might leave you a bit disappointed. They do have take-n-bake pizzas which is a nice option if you don’t feel like cooking. Super close to the cabin.
A good spot for eat-in breakfast or a quick smoothie to go. They also have ice cream! In the summertime they have concerts on the back lawn and Taco Tuesdays.
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Bistro Espresso
1225 Oak Cir
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A good spot for eat-in breakfast or a quick smoothie to go. They also have ice cream! In the summertime they have concerts on the back lawn and Taco Tuesdays.

Outdoors

Calaveras Big Trees State Park is 3 miles east of Arnold along Highway 4. The park is open year-round and collects an entrance fee of $10 per vehicle ($9 for seniors). The highlights of the park include: Two magnificent groves of ancient giant sequoia trees Miles of great hiking trails through the groves and about the park Two main campgrounds, groups campsites, and environmental campsites Visitors center, interpretive program, ranger-led hikes, star gazing The North Grove is a flat 1.5 mile loop that starts right at the main parking lot / visitor center area. You’ll see a couple dozen old growth Sequoias along this path. This is a great hike any time of year.
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Calaveras Big Trees State Park
1170 CA-4
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Calaveras Big Trees State Park is 3 miles east of Arnold along Highway 4. The park is open year-round and collects an entrance fee of $10 per vehicle ($9 for seniors). The highlights of the park include: Two magnificent groves of ancient giant sequoia trees Miles of great hiking trails through the groves and about the park Two main campgrounds, groups campsites, and environmental campsites Visitors center, interpretive program, ranger-led hikes, star gazing The North Grove is a flat 1.5 mile loop that starts right at the main parking lot / visitor center area. You’ll see a couple dozen old growth Sequoias along this path. This is a great hike any time of year.
Just one mile outside of Arnold, White Pines is a great place for fishing, hiking, beach time, or a picnic.  It’s a small and beautiful high country lake with beaches, picnic tables, a children’s playground and disc golf course. This lake can be the center of your entire day and is also a great spot to start your hike along the Arnold Rim Trail, or visit the Sierra Nevada Logging Museum.
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White Pines Park
Blagen Road
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Just one mile outside of Arnold, White Pines is a great place for fishing, hiking, beach time, or a picnic.  It’s a small and beautiful high country lake with beaches, picnic tables, a children’s playground and disc golf course. This lake can be the center of your entire day and is also a great spot to start your hike along the Arnold Rim Trail, or visit the Sierra Nevada Logging Museum.
Nothing beats some fun boat time out on New Melones Reservoir. This was the original destination that introduced us to Calaveras Country, and we can’t imagine another place to go wakeboarding or water tubing behind a speed boat. This is a great day trip if you want to rent a boat and have a big lake day, and is also fun for older children. For you anglers, the fishing here is ok depending on the season and when the last trout were planted. If you make your way up towards the inlet from the Stanislaus River, (basically go east under the two bridges) you’ll be rewarded with dramatic terrain. Large granite rock faces, and red earth banks still allow plenty of room to boat in. After a long day of wake boarding, this is a quiet place to relax for an hour or two in the afternoon. Boat Rentals: https://www.newmeloneslakemarina.com/
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New Melones Lake
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Nothing beats some fun boat time out on New Melones Reservoir. This was the original destination that introduced us to Calaveras Country, and we can’t imagine another place to go wakeboarding or water tubing behind a speed boat. This is a great day trip if you want to rent a boat and have a big lake day, and is also fun for older children. For you anglers, the fishing here is ok depending on the season and when the last trout were planted. If you make your way up towards the inlet from the Stanislaus River, (basically go east under the two bridges) you’ll be rewarded with dramatic terrain. Large granite rock faces, and red earth banks still allow plenty of room to boat in. After a long day of wake boarding, this is a quiet place to relax for an hour or two in the afternoon. Boat Rentals: https://www.newmeloneslakemarina.com/
A year-round, mountain destination in California's spectacular High Sierra, Bear Valley Mountain offers snow and ski fun, an adventure park, rock climbing, and all the mountain adventures you crave. A spectacular snow sports destination, Bear Valley averages over 30 feet (9 meters) of snow annually at its 8,500-foot (2591-meters) summit and features  67 runs, 1900 vertical feet (579 meters), 10 lifts and a  beginner carpet lift.  Lift tickets, rentals and learn to ski/board packages plus child care for age 2+ are all available. Bear Valley Mountain is also a summer playground surrounded by two of California’s largest federally designated wilderness areas, the Mokelumne Wilderness and Carson-Iceberg Wilderness, where hiking, biking, fishing, kayaking and rock climbing are spectacular. Additionally, the mountain includes an Adventure Park for kids. Lift Tickets: https://www.bearvalley.com/ski_ride/lift-tickets/
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Bear Valley
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A year-round, mountain destination in California's spectacular High Sierra, Bear Valley Mountain offers snow and ski fun, an adventure park, rock climbing, and all the mountain adventures you crave. A spectacular snow sports destination, Bear Valley averages over 30 feet (9 meters) of snow annually at its 8,500-foot (2591-meters) summit and features  67 runs, 1900 vertical feet (579 meters), 10 lifts and a  beginner carpet lift.  Lift tickets, rentals and learn to ski/board packages plus child care for age 2+ are all available. Bear Valley Mountain is also a summer playground surrounded by two of California’s largest federally designated wilderness areas, the Mokelumne Wilderness and Carson-Iceberg Wilderness, where hiking, biking, fishing, kayaking and rock climbing are spectacular. Additionally, the mountain includes an Adventure Park for kids. Lift Tickets: https://www.bearvalley.com/ski_ride/lift-tickets/
Lake Alpine, located at an elevation of 7,350-feet (2,240 meters) is one of the most picturesque places to spend a summer day. The lake is formed by snow melt, so the water is very cold until well into the summer. It’s regularly planted with trout – making for some great fishing here on 180 surface acres with an average depth of about 40 feet (12 meters). There’s a boat launch and plenty of beaches for picnicking. There’s also some great hiking and jogging trails (the loop around the lake is ~3 miles).
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Lake Alpine
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Lake Alpine, located at an elevation of 7,350-feet (2,240 meters) is one of the most picturesque places to spend a summer day. The lake is formed by snow melt, so the water is very cold until well into the summer. It’s regularly planted with trout – making for some great fishing here on 180 surface acres with an average depth of about 40 feet (12 meters). There’s a boat launch and plenty of beaches for picnicking. There’s also some great hiking and jogging trails (the loop around the lake is ~3 miles).
Mosquito Lake is east of Lake Alpine on Highway 4. The lake is a great place for a long day trip in the summer. You can hike, fish, swim, kayak, camp, or picnic. This part of the Sierras is seldom crowded, and if you are looking for peace and quiet, this is it.
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Mosquito Lake
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Mosquito Lake is east of Lake Alpine on Highway 4. The lake is a great place for a long day trip in the summer. You can hike, fish, swim, kayak, camp, or picnic. This part of the Sierras is seldom crowded, and if you are looking for peace and quiet, this is it.

Sightseeing

If you haven’t heard of Murphys, just go. This charming goldrush-era town features wine tasting rooms, great restaurants, eclectic shops, park/playground, and a historic foothills feel. Some of the spots worth checking out include: Murphys Hotel - This picturesque, historic landmark is a favorite destination of domestic and international guests. Murphys Pourhouse - Where friends and family meet over craft beers and gourmet sandwiches. Golden Country Roasters - The best coffee in Calaveras Country Grounds - A great breakfast spot JoMa's Artisan Ice Cream - Nothing beats their unique, handcrafted flavors on a hot day.
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Murphys
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If you haven’t heard of Murphys, just go. This charming goldrush-era town features wine tasting rooms, great restaurants, eclectic shops, park/playground, and a historic foothills feel. Some of the spots worth checking out include: Murphys Hotel - This picturesque, historic landmark is a favorite destination of domestic and international guests. Murphys Pourhouse - Where friends and family meet over craft beers and gourmet sandwiches. Golden Country Roasters - The best coffee in Calaveras Country Grounds - A great breakfast spot JoMa's Artisan Ice Cream - Nothing beats their unique, handcrafted flavors on a hot day.
Columbia State Historic Park is a wonderful day trip for adults and kids alike. The town is the single largest collection of existing gold rush-era structures in the state. Walk the wooden sidewalks, pan for gold, grab a beer at the saloon, marvel at the choices in the candy shop and visit a working blacksmith. Docents dressed in period clothing can answer any questions you have and a stage coach ride can finish off the day! One of our favorite activities in Columbia is taking a old-fashioned family portrait, they are a great way to remember your trip to the mother lode!
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Columbia State Historic Park
11259 Broadway St
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Columbia State Historic Park is a wonderful day trip for adults and kids alike. The town is the single largest collection of existing gold rush-era structures in the state. Walk the wooden sidewalks, pan for gold, grab a beer at the saloon, marvel at the choices in the candy shop and visit a working blacksmith. Docents dressed in period clothing can answer any questions you have and a stage coach ride can finish off the day! One of our favorite activities in Columbia is taking a old-fashioned family portrait, they are a great way to remember your trip to the mother lode!

Day Hikes

Distance: 10.5 miles one way, hiking trail Elevation Changes: approx. several hundred feet The Arnold Rim Trail currently runs from White Pines Lake west to Sheep Ranch Road near Avery. The trail is open to hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians. The trail makes a great day hike for anyone visiting White Pines Lake near Arnold. You can hike out the trail as far as you like, whether a quarter mile or ten, and then head back.
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Arnold Rim Trail Head
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Distance: 10.5 miles one way, hiking trail Elevation Changes: approx. several hundred feet The Arnold Rim Trail currently runs from White Pines Lake west to Sheep Ranch Road near Avery. The trail is open to hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians. The trail makes a great day hike for anyone visiting White Pines Lake near Arnold. You can hike out the trail as far as you like, whether a quarter mile or ten, and then head back.
At the end of Manuel Peak Road, (above Lakemont Pines neighborhood), there is a trailhead connecting to the Arnold Rim Trail. After a short walk southeast, you’ll have an amazing view of the entire Arnold valley. This is a great place to watch the sunset. Another entrance is on Fairview drive at the corner of Nugget Circle. A forest road leads up to a ridge with a great view.
Top of the World
Manual Peak Road
At the end of Manuel Peak Road, (above Lakemont Pines neighborhood), there is a trailhead connecting to the Arnold Rim Trail. After a short walk southeast, you’ll have an amazing view of the entire Arnold valley. This is a great place to watch the sunset. Another entrance is on Fairview drive at the corner of Nugget Circle. A forest road leads up to a ridge with a great view.
Distance: 1.5 miles loop, smooth walking surface Elevation Changes: Level The North Grove is adjacent to the parking lot and has easy access. The 1.5 mile tour of the grove is along a level, easy to walk trail. Among the highlights of the grove are the Big Stump, the Pioneer Cabin Tree, the Father of the Forest, and the Empire State Tree. The Empire State Tree measures 18 feet in diameter near its base. Giant Sequoias can live to be over 3,000 years old.
North Grove
Distance: 1.5 miles loop, smooth walking surface Elevation Changes: Level The North Grove is adjacent to the parking lot and has easy access. The 1.5 mile tour of the grove is along a level, easy to walk trail. Among the highlights of the grove are the Big Stump, the Pioneer Cabin Tree, the Father of the Forest, and the Empire State Tree. The Empire State Tree measures 18 feet in diameter near its base. Giant Sequoias can live to be over 3,000 years old.
Distance: 4 mile loop, mountain trail, dirt roads, paved trail Elevation Changes: 100 feet up and down The 4-mile hike around the lake is a great tour of the area. Traveling in a clockwise direction makes for slightly easier trail finding. The trail begins from the road's end near Pine Marten Campground. Follow it down the southeast shore and then across the creek below the dam. From there you pick up dirt roads back to the Lake Alpine Campground.
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Lake Alpine
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Distance: 4 mile loop, mountain trail, dirt roads, paved trail Elevation Changes: 100 feet up and down The 4-mile hike around the lake is a great tour of the area. Traveling in a clockwise direction makes for slightly easier trail finding. The trail begins from the road's end near Pine Marten Campground. Follow it down the southeast shore and then across the creek below the dam. From there you pick up dirt roads back to the Lake Alpine Campground.

Wineries

This is by far the best winery in Calaveras County (both in winemaking skill and location). Not only do they make great wines, but they have an amazing grounds to explore with multiple lawns, ponds, and even a wooded creek running through the center of the property. The main amphitheater features has-been 80’s bands throughout the summer. Bring a low back chair and enjoy the show!
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Ironstone Vineyards
1894 6 Mile Rd
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This is by far the best winery in Calaveras County (both in winemaking skill and location). Not only do they make great wines, but they have an amazing grounds to explore with multiple lawns, ponds, and even a wooded creek running through the center of the property. The main amphitheater features has-been 80’s bands throughout the summer. Bring a low back chair and enjoy the show!
This small town winery is located on beautiful grounds and the owners provide great customer service. Their Cab is great and they have a nice outdoor patio to grab a bite.
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Locke Vineyards
949 Green Meadow Ct
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This small town winery is located on beautiful grounds and the owners provide great customer service. Their Cab is great and they have a nice outdoor patio to grab a bite.