Donna’s guidebook
Sightseeing
We love going to Pinecrest lake which only takes about 30 minutes from our place. It is a perfect short trip to unwind, relax, swim or hike, and has great fishing opportunities, too. We recommend renting a boat at the marina for a couple of hours, and exploring the other side, jump off the granite rocks into the clear water, and watch for eagles and ospreys swooping down to catch a fish. There is a snack hut and a general store for convenient access while you are there. Check for recently released movies shown in the amphitheater under the stars on certain nights!
55 locals recommend
Pinecrest
We love going to Pinecrest lake which only takes about 30 minutes from our place. It is a perfect short trip to unwind, relax, swim or hike, and has great fishing opportunities, too. We recommend renting a boat at the marina for a couple of hours, and exploring the other side, jump off the granite rocks into the clear water, and watch for eagles and ospreys swooping down to catch a fish. There is a snack hut and a general store for convenient access while you are there. Check for recently released movies shown in the amphitheater under the stars on certain nights!
Step back in history to the gold rush era in this pedestrians only town, filled with interactive exhibits and era museums fun for all ages. Take a stagecoach ride pulled by powerful horses, watch the blacksmith at his forge, pan for gold like a 49er miner, or pick up old fashioned sweets at the Nelson's candy kitchen. Park rangers and volunteer docents will answer your questions and show you around if you ask.
217 locals recommend
Columbia State Historic Park
11259 Broadway StStep back in history to the gold rush era in this pedestrians only town, filled with interactive exhibits and era museums fun for all ages. Take a stagecoach ride pulled by powerful horses, watch the blacksmith at his forge, pan for gold like a 49er miner, or pick up old fashioned sweets at the Nelson's candy kitchen. Park rangers and volunteer docents will answer your questions and show you around if you ask.
Yosemite National Park also has old growth sequoia trees in 2 different groves, but the Calaveras Big Trees is a closer drive and accessible from our place in only one hour, take a trip through Columbia state park on the way and through the quaint town of Murphys. Continue up highway 4 past Arnold 3 miles to Calaveras Big Trees. Take about a one mile walk to see the awesome, huge and beautiful trees.
274 locals recommend
Calaveras Big Trees State Park
1170 CA-4Yosemite National Park also has old growth sequoia trees in 2 different groves, but the Calaveras Big Trees is a closer drive and accessible from our place in only one hour, take a trip through Columbia state park on the way and through the quaint town of Murphys. Continue up highway 4 past Arnold 3 miles to Calaveras Big Trees. Take about a one mile walk to see the awesome, huge and beautiful trees.
The way we prefer to enjoy the majestic high mountain peaks of the Sierra Nevada views, is to drive higher up highway 108 towards Nevada, and stop along the way for picnics or a swim in various lakes or rivers. Snow pack is available at any time of year when you get to the 8000' elevation level, you can stop and play in snow or take a hike to the top of one of the mountain peaks which tower up to 12,000' elevation at the top of the pass. It only takes a day trip to take advantage of this best kept secret in our neighborhood, and it is never crowded like Yosemite can be.
13 locals recommend
Sonora Pass
The way we prefer to enjoy the majestic high mountain peaks of the Sierra Nevada views, is to drive higher up highway 108 towards Nevada, and stop along the way for picnics or a swim in various lakes or rivers. Snow pack is available at any time of year when you get to the 8000' elevation level, you can stop and play in snow or take a hike to the top of one of the mountain peaks which tower up to 12,000' elevation at the top of the pass. It only takes a day trip to take advantage of this best kept secret in our neighborhood, and it is never crowded like Yosemite can be.
Our favorite short, one mile hike to the swimming cave of Natural Bridges is a one-of-a-kind experience. It is right before you arrive at Moaning Caverns, so worth a stop for a hike, picnic and swim through limestone caverns which the stream passes under a mountain, enjoy swimming or floating on your own inflatables and see the stalactites hanging all around the massive cavern above. This swimming destination was a favorite with the 1849 gold miners who visited there.
64 locals recommend
Natural Bridges Trailhead
Parrotts Ferry RoadOur favorite short, one mile hike to the swimming cave of Natural Bridges is a one-of-a-kind experience. It is right before you arrive at Moaning Caverns, so worth a stop for a hike, picnic and swim through limestone caverns which the stream passes under a mountain, enjoy swimming or floating on your own inflatables and see the stalactites hanging all around the massive cavern above. This swimming destination was a favorite with the 1849 gold miners who visited there.
Historical discovery made by a miner who heard a moaning sound and found the mouth of a deep cavern, now a destination with about 300 steps down a circular stairway to the landing, filled with beautiful stalagmites and stalactites. There is also a fun zipline experience! (secret tip: you can ride it on your birthday or during your whole birthday month for free!)
164 locals recommend
Moaning Caverns Adventure Park
5350 Moaning Cave RdHistorical discovery made by a miner who heard a moaning sound and found the mouth of a deep cavern, now a destination with about 300 steps down a circular stairway to the landing, filled with beautiful stalagmites and stalactites. There is also a fun zipline experience! (secret tip: you can ride it on your birthday or during your whole birthday month for free!)
Fun for all ages, take a train ride on a steam engine and tour the roundhouse from 1897 history. Many movies were filmed using the historical trains, including old Westerns, Back to the Future, etc.
100 locals recommend
Railtown 1897 State History Park
10501 Reservoir RdFun for all ages, take a train ride on a steam engine and tour the roundhouse from 1897 history. Many movies were filmed using the historical trains, including old Westerns, Back to the Future, etc.
Enjoy the quaint gold rush town of Jamestown and historical restaurants like the National Hotel, Jamestown Hotel, Morelia's Mexican and many more. Railtown is a fun outing to ride a steam engine or tour the history of old trains.
CA-108, Jamestown, CA, USA
Enjoy the quaint gold rush town of Jamestown and historical restaurants like the National Hotel, Jamestown Hotel, Morelia's Mexican and many more. Railtown is a fun outing to ride a steam engine or tour the history of old trains.
Food scene
Quaint town to walk, shop, dine and enjoy the Kautz Ironstone Winery tours and museum to see a huge specimen of locally discovered gold!
211 locals recommend
Murphys
Quaint town to walk, shop, dine and enjoy the Kautz Ironstone Winery tours and museum to see a huge specimen of locally discovered gold!
Cute and rustic town of Twain Harte is only 2 miles away, and has several recommendable places to dine out, a nice grocery store (Twain Harte Market), golf, miniature golf, concerts in the park, and a winery tasting room. Mark Twain and Bret Harte were the ones who made the town famous and that's how it got it's name.
68 locals recommend
Twain Harte
Cute and rustic town of Twain Harte is only 2 miles away, and has several recommendable places to dine out, a nice grocery store (Twain Harte Market), golf, miniature golf, concerts in the park, and a winery tasting room. Mark Twain and Bret Harte were the ones who made the town famous and that's how it got it's name.
Only 10 miles away for dining, bowling, lounge with live music and all the amenities Black Oak Casino which is run by our local MiWuk tribe.
155 locals recommend
Black Oak Casino Resort
19400 Tuolumne Rd NOnly 10 miles away for dining, bowling, lounge with live music and all the amenities Black Oak Casino which is run by our local MiWuk tribe.
Very close and convenient for a nice brunch or lunch (note that it is closed on Sundays), kid's train ride through the apple orchard, domestic animals, delicious apple treats and cider.
42 locals recommend
Cover's Apple Ranch
19211 Cherokee RdVery close and convenient for a nice brunch or lunch (note that it is closed on Sundays), kid's train ride through the apple orchard, domestic animals, delicious apple treats and cider.
Entertainment
Closest place to go in the neighborhood if you are looking for a casino with all the amenities.
28 locals recommend
Chicken Ranch Casino
16929 Chicken Ranch RdClosest place to go in the neighborhood if you are looking for a casino with all the amenities.