Contact us: 209-795-5500 or Tim@skibear.com
Summer Area Activities in Arnold CA
Murphys Creek Theatre
Address: 580 S Algiers St, Murphys, CA 95247 Phone: (209) 728-8422
Website: https://www.murphyscreektheatre.org
Description: Murphys Creek Theatre is a small, professionally oriented theatre company located in the charming and historic goldrush-era town of Murphys, in Calaveras County, California.
With our year-round venue at 580 S. Algiers in Downtown Murphys, everyone can enjoy great live theatre in Calaveras County throughout the year!
Summer area acitivities in Arnold CA. The Ebbetts Pass Scenic Highway has a Federal and State designation. Winter, summer, spring and fall playground.Bear Valley Adventure Company
[209-753-2834]
#1 Bear Valley Road. P O Box 5120
Bear Valley 95223
bearvalleyxc.com
Flatwater kayak and mountain bike rentals, lessons and sales, fishing supplies and bait, gas, mini mart, maps and information.
State Parks
Calaveras Big Trees State Park
[209-795-2334]
Reservations 800-444-PARK
Highway 4-three miles east of Arnold
Arnold 95223
parks.ca.gov
Few natural wonders rival the majestic beauty of the two magnificent groves of giant sequoias at Calaveras Big Trees State Park. Campgrounds, picnic areas and miles of hiking, biking, snowshoe and cross country trails(cross country skiing and snowshoeing in winter) make Calaveras Big Trees one of the county’s most popular year-round destinations. Interpretive center includes visual and hands-on exhibits about the Park’s history and natural environment. Staff and trained docents conduct a variety of summer interpretive programs for all ages. Reservations can be made by calling Reserve America [800-444-7275].
Columbia State Historic Park in California
Columbia State Historic Park in California offers California visitors an “up close and personal” glimpse into the days of California’s Gold Rush in the nineteenth century. With a treasure trove of museums, diplays, tours, theater, local events and shopping opportunities, your friends and family can learn all about the facinating history of this period in California history while enjoying Columbia State Park’s many attractions.
Railtown 1897 State Historic Park Jamestown, CA
[209-984-3953]
http://www.railtown1897.org
Enjoy a six mile, 40 minute roundtrip ride through the rolling Sierra Nevada Foothills, pulled by a vintage steam locomotive.
CAVERNS
California Cavern-State Historic Landmark (open year round)
[209-736-2708] or [866-762-2837]
9565 Cave City Rd.
Mountain Ranch 95246
californiacavern.com
California’s first show cave, delighting visitors since 1850, features an enchanting trail with beautiful cystalline formations in historical and recently discovered pristine areas. Also available-wild cavern expeditions by reservation. Fantistic gift shopping for books, science, nature, mineral and gem supplies and educational toys.
California Zip Lines (open daily, year round)
[209-736-2708] or [866-762-2837]
5350 Moaning Cave Rd.
Vallecito 95251
california-ziplines.com
Race high above the beautiful Gold Country foothills at up to 40 mph on thrilling twin zips 1/4 mile long! Check website for weight limits. No experience necessary. Also ride tandem and super style.
Mercer Caverns
[209-728-2101]
Sheep Ranch Rd., P O Box 509
Murphys 95247
mercercaverns.com
Beautiful, unusual crystalline formations; stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws, curtains, Angels wings, and more. Nature proves herself an artist and welcomes visitors year round to see her in this magnificent subterranean wonderland.
Moaning Cavern-(Open daily year round)
[209-736-2708] or [866-762-2837]
5350 Moaning Cave Road off Parrotts Ferry Rd.
Vallecito 95251
moaning cavern.com
Decend deep underground on a guided walk tour, rappel by rope 165-feet or reserve a challenging Adventure Trip. Above ground, race 1/4 mile on thrilling twin zip lines or climb our new custom climbing tower.
Ebbett’s Pass Scenic Byway
scenic4.org
byways.org/browse/byways/2305/
Ebbetts Pass is well-known for it’s unparalleled scenic beauty and abundance of recreational opportunities. For interactive and detailed maps be sure and visit the Scenic 4 website. For a drive you are sure to enjoy take Highway 4 to Ebbetts Pass – it’s the Sierra Crest at it’s Best!
Glory Hole Recreation Area
Length: Road Bike – 8 miles of low traffic roads
Mountain Bike – 18 miles of single track, 4 connecting loops: Carson, Frontier, Buckbrush and Angels Arm
Surface: Road bike – smooth asphalt Mountain bike – all dirt
Climbing: Lowest to highest, about 340 feet
Start: Road bike – Glory Hole Sporting Goods Market
Mountain bike – various parking lots – look for the trailhead
Highlights: Scenic, wildlife, exercise and endurance.
Ironstone Vineyards Summer Concert Series
[209-728-1251]
1894 Six Mile Rd.
Murphys 95247
ironstonevineyards.com
Outstanding entertainment in a unique setting. Voted the best place to see live music in Calaveras County. Amphitheatre boasts a beautiful and intimate setting as well as amazing sound quality.
Sierra Nevada Logging Museum
Suddenly, a Logging Museum visitor can see not just a working model of a lumber mill, but the historical and biographical materials that explain why a particular living person at a particular lumber company built a particular type of mill at a particular geographic location at a particular time. Physical and digital combine to give a bigger picture than either can provide alone. Think of these web pages as our digital museum.
Lots of history to explore.
Hiking
For information and maps of this area, contact the Calaveras Ranger District.
The Arnold Rim Trail
It is located in the Stanislaus National Forest in an area named the Interface Forest and runs between the community of White Pines and Avery Sheep Ranch Rd.
(ART) is a unique trail system at mid-elevation in the central Sierra Nevada Mountains. A non-motorized trail system designed for hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians, it connects the many wonders of public lands along the Ebbetts Pass National Scenic Byway stretch of Hwy 4 to its communities, creating a high level of access for its residents and visitors. You’ll discover breathtaking vistas with panoramic views stretching from Mt. Diablo in the East Bay Area to snowy Mt. Lyell on the high eastern slopes of the Sierras near Yosemite, then dive down into canyons with streams coursing through the shade of older growth forests of cedar, pine, fir and oak. High rocky promontories, native acorn grinding rocks, a magnificent waterfall, many birds and wildlife of all kinds, and a lake lie along its current completed section in the part of the Stanislaus National Forest known as the Interface. Arnold RIM Trail website
Calaveras Ranger District
The Calaveras Ranger District maintains 279 miles of hiking trails (143 in Wilderness, 136 non-Wilderness), offering anything from short, easy day hikes to strenuous, multi-day backpacking opportunities. Most of these trails are at high elevation (above 6,000 feet) and are accessible only during the summer and early fall months. Some of the most popular routes are described below.
Highway 4
Hathaway Pines
[209-795-1381]
Bear Valley – Lake Alpine
This trail runs between the east end of Lake Alpine and the community of Bear Valley. Along the lakeshore, the trail is paved and wheelchair accessible. West of the lake, the trail reverts to native surface as it meanders through the forest, hooking up with a portion of the historic Emigrant-West pioneer route. The trail is open to hikers, bicyclists, and equestrians.
Bull Run Lake
Trailhead off Forest Road 8N13 off Hwy 4 at Stanislaus Meadow. First mile and a half is fairly level in a beautiful meadow, and then starts the ascent into a more difficult slope. Connects with Heiser Lake Trail at the 2 mile marker. Wilderness permit required for overnight camping.
Natural Bridges Hike
This beautiful two-mile round trip hike will lead you to spectacular limestone caverns that have been carved out by Coyote Creek. Getting There: Highway 4 to Parrots Ferry Road. Go about 4 miles and park at the marked trail head.
Backpacking Information
Most backpacking opportunities on the Calaveras Ranger District are found in the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness or the Mokelumne Wilderness. A Wilderness Permit is required for overnight camping in these areas. Permits are available free of charge at all Stanislaus National Forest offices during regular business hours.
A Wilderness Visitor’s Permit is required for overnight visits to the Carson-Iceberg, Emigrant and Mokelumne Wildernesses. Only one permit is required for trips that are continuous and pass through more than one Wilderness. One permit is required per trip per group. If you have a larger group than is permitted, reduce the number of people, split the group to visit different areas, or visit an area that permits larger numbers. You are not permitted to camp or travel within one mile of a related group. Special regulations for recreation, pack and saddle stock use are attached to the Wilderness permit. Your permit doubles as a campfire permit while in the Wilderness.
Annual Logging Jamboree 1st weekend in September
White Pines Arnold, CA
Annual Logging Jamboree held at White Pines Lake, near the Sierra Nevada Logging Museum. Contact 209-728-1407
Bear Valley Music Festival Last week in July, first week of August
[209-753-2574] or [800-458-1618]
P O Box 5068
Bear Valley 95223
bearvalleymusic.org
Celebrating 40+ years of music in the High Sierras offering classical, jazz, headliners, and opera performed by a full symphony orchestra, international soloists, legendary entertainers, and renowned opera stars. Great family destination.
Calaveras County Fair and Jumping Frog Jubilee
Third week in May
[209-736-2561]
101 Frogtown Rd., Angels Camp
frogtown.org
You don’t want to miss this fun and historic event that highlights Calaveras County’s rich history. Enjoy the Frog Jump International Competition, carnival rides, livestock, big name entertainment and much more!
Calaveras Grape Stomp
First weekend in October
[209-754-0127]
Murphys Community Park
calaveraswines.org
Every year on the first Saturday in October you will find a crowd gathered to watch and take part in the Annual Grape Stomp. The event celebrates harvest and the rich wine industry of Calaveras County. Come and stomp a few pounds of grapes or simply be a spectator at this fun and crazy event! Along with the event, the Gold Rush Street Faire takes place with over a hundred vendors for you to peruse.
Concours d’Elegance
Third week in September
Ironstone Vineyards
Murphys CA
http://www.ironstonefoundation.org/
Annual Mountain Heirloom Quilt Faire
The Independence Hall Quilters will again hold their annual Quilt Faire at the beautiful Ironstone Vineyards in Murphys, California. As always, numerous quilts, wall hangings, wearable art, handmade dolls, and needle art will be on display. Click here to see a slideshow of last year’s event.
The Faire will open Friday and Saturday, October 19 and 20, from 9 am to 4 pm, and on Sunday, October 21, 2012 from 10 am to 4 pm.
Gold Rush Street Faire-First weekend in October
[209-736-2580]
Main St
Murphys
Shopping is to “live for” at the Annual Gold Rush Street Faire, as Main Street fills with over 100 booths of quality arts and crafts, antiques, handcrafted goods, jewelry, clothing, collectibles, and food booths, in addition to Murphys’ multitude of one-of-a-kind specialty shops. The event is hosted by the Feeney Park Foundation, and has been a valued tradition in Murphys for many years.
Fabulous concert series.
Murphys Irish Day – 3rd weekend in March
Murphys 95247
murphysirishdays.org
Celebrates Murphys’ Irish heritage and beckons visitors and locals with Irish musicians and dancers, authentic Irish fare and wares, carriage rides, crafts booths, dancing in the streets, and storytelling. Parade at 11 am.
Music in the Parks Series, Calaveras County Arts Council
[209-754-1774]
22 N. Main Street
P.O. Box 250
San Andreas 95249
calaverasarts.org
Each summer the Calaveras County Arts Council offers a series of free summer concerts on Wednesday evenings at various parks throughout the county. “Ovations” presents winter performances of top-notch artists at the Brea