Bearvista / Arnold area guidebook
City/town information
Wonderful little boutique town full of wine-tasting spots, restaurants and shops! Murphys is located in the central Sierra Nevada foothills between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite National Park, in Calaveras County, California. Rich in goldrush history, Murphys today is a vibrant, thriving community, alive with art galleries and live theater, eclectic shops & fine restaurants.
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Murphys
Wonderful little boutique town full of wine-tasting spots, restaurants and shops! Murphys is located in the central Sierra Nevada foothills between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite National Park, in Calaveras County, California. Rich in goldrush history, Murphys today is a vibrant, thriving community, alive with art galleries and live theater, eclectic shops & fine restaurants.
A mountain sports haven, Arnold and the surrounding area offers a wide variety of outdoor activities including hiking, bicycling, off-road adventures, golf, fishing, and first-rate winter recreation. It is home to fine dining, historic lodging and unique boutique shopping. The region also stages free live music concerts throughout the summer, and arts and crafts festivals. The town is also home to Calaveras Big Trees State Park, which lies just a few miles outside of the downtown. Located at the snow line, Arnold receives snow every winter, and shows great seasonal variety in climate, flora and fauna. In addition,Its close proximity to Bear Valley Mountain ski resort makes it a popular snow sports destination and many charming vacation rentals and lodging properties are available throughout the year.
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Arnold
A mountain sports haven, Arnold and the surrounding area offers a wide variety of outdoor activities including hiking, bicycling, off-road adventures, golf, fishing, and first-rate winter recreation. It is home to fine dining, historic lodging and unique boutique shopping. The region also stages free live music concerts throughout the summer, and arts and crafts festivals. The town is also home to Calaveras Big Trees State Park, which lies just a few miles outside of the downtown. Located at the snow line, Arnold receives snow every winter, and shows great seasonal variety in climate, flora and fauna. In addition,Its close proximity to Bear Valley Mountain ski resort makes it a popular snow sports destination and many charming vacation rentals and lodging properties are available throughout the year.
Sightseeing
Arnold’s biggest claim to fame is Calaveras Big Trees State Park, the place giant sequoia trees were first discovered in the Sierra Nevada mountain range. The beautiful park gives up-close views of these majestic trees on easily navigable trail systems. Enjoy the nearly level North Grove year-round, or the more wilderness hiking experience of the South Grove spring – fall.
Spectacularly beautiful seasonal changes are experienced here with snowy winters, fall colors and spring flowers. A wide variety of flora and fauna can be seen in their natural habitat including, on rare occasion, bears. The park offers camping, lodging, guided tours and ranger programs. Beautiful and amazingly huge trees - awesome place to hike and be at peace in nature solo or with the whole family.
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Calaveras Big Trees State Park
1170 CA-4Arnold’s biggest claim to fame is Calaveras Big Trees State Park, the place giant sequoia trees were first discovered in the Sierra Nevada mountain range. The beautiful park gives up-close views of these majestic trees on easily navigable trail systems. Enjoy the nearly level North Grove year-round, or the more wilderness hiking experience of the South Grove spring – fall.
Spectacularly beautiful seasonal changes are experienced here with snowy winters, fall colors and spring flowers. A wide variety of flora and fauna can be seen in their natural habitat including, on rare occasion, bears. The park offers camping, lodging, guided tours and ranger programs. Beautiful and amazingly huge trees - awesome place to hike and be at peace in nature solo or with the whole family.
Lake Alpine is the central attraction of the Calaveras Ranger District. It lies in a timbered setting at an elevation of 7,300 feet and covers 180 acres. Summer visitors enjoy swimming, boating, hiking, camping, fishing, picnicking, biking, and interpretive programs. In winter, the lake becomes part of the Lake Alpine SNO-PARK. Visitors can enjoy snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. See the Lake Alpine SNO-PARK page for more information.
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Alpine Lake
Lake Alpine is the central attraction of the Calaveras Ranger District. It lies in a timbered setting at an elevation of 7,300 feet and covers 180 acres. Summer visitors enjoy swimming, boating, hiking, camping, fishing, picnicking, biking, and interpretive programs. In winter, the lake becomes part of the Lake Alpine SNO-PARK. Visitors can enjoy snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. See the Lake Alpine SNO-PARK page for more information.
One of our favorite places in Arnold to base your family-friendly high-sierra play is pretty White Pines Lake with its disc golf course, sandy beaches, picnic tables, children’s playground area and basketball court. You can’t go wrong with a picnic lunch here followed by fishing, hiking, kayaking, paddle-boarding or swimming. At one end is the fascinating Sierra Nevada Logging Museum, which also serves as the trailhead for the Arnold Rim Trail. Just 5 minutes east is Calaveras Big Trees State Park.
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White Pines Park
Blagen RoadOne of our favorite places in Arnold to base your family-friendly high-sierra play is pretty White Pines Lake with its disc golf course, sandy beaches, picnic tables, children’s playground area and basketball court. You can’t go wrong with a picnic lunch here followed by fishing, hiking, kayaking, paddle-boarding or swimming. At one end is the fascinating Sierra Nevada Logging Museum, which also serves as the trailhead for the Arnold Rim Trail. Just 5 minutes east is Calaveras Big Trees State Park.
Sourgrass Day Use
Wonderful ski resort area and only 30 miles from our cabin!
Bear Valley is a friendly and relaxing High Sierra escape located in the beautiful Central Sierra Mountains. Nestled off Scenic Highway 4 in the spectacular Stanislaus National Forest, this year-round destination offers activities from relaxation to extreme adventure in every season. Whether you’re looking to get your heart racing or to just slow down and savor the Sierra, Bear Valley is the perfect destination to enjoy the outdoors as Mother Nature intended.
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Bear Valley
Wonderful ski resort area and only 30 miles from our cabin!
Bear Valley is a friendly and relaxing High Sierra escape located in the beautiful Central Sierra Mountains. Nestled off Scenic Highway 4 in the spectacular Stanislaus National Forest, this year-round destination offers activities from relaxation to extreme adventure in every season. Whether you’re looking to get your heart racing or to just slow down and savor the Sierra, Bear Valley is the perfect destination to enjoy the outdoors as Mother Nature intended.
As the western end of the Ebbetts Pass National Scenic Byway, Arnold is part of a spectacular road coursing its way over the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Every part of this beautiful terrain is incredibly scenic and well worth e. This byway is particularly enjoyable by motorcycle.
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Ebbetts Pass
As the western end of the Ebbetts Pass National Scenic Byway, Arnold is part of a spectacular road coursing its way over the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Every part of this beautiful terrain is incredibly scenic and well worth e. This byway is particularly enjoyable by motorcycle.
The Arnold Rim Trail was entirely developed by community volunteers and is a testament to local love for outdoor spaces. The trail currently comprises 17 miles winding through old-growth forest, down into shady canyons and up onto rocky outcroppings overlooking the central valley. A non-motorized system, the trail was designed for hikers, bikers and equestrians and is a beautiful asset for residents and visitors alike. Dogs are allowed on the trail if they can be brought to heel if wildlife, other dogs or people are encountered.
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Arnold Rim Trail Head
The Arnold Rim Trail was entirely developed by community volunteers and is a testament to local love for outdoor spaces. The trail currently comprises 17 miles winding through old-growth forest, down into shady canyons and up onto rocky outcroppings overlooking the central valley. A non-motorized system, the trail was designed for hikers, bikers and equestrians and is a beautiful asset for residents and visitors alike. Dogs are allowed on the trail if they can be brought to heel if wildlife, other dogs or people are encountered.
The Sierra Nevada Logging Museum is situated at one end of White Pines Lake and gives a fascinating look into the history of logging that was so important in the Sierra Nevadas for many decades. Creative exhibits bring this history to life and honor those who lost their lives in the industry. It is also the site of one of the trail-heads to the Arnold Rim Trail.
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Sierra Nevada Logging Museum
2148 Dunbar RdThe Sierra Nevada Logging Museum is situated at one end of White Pines Lake and gives a fascinating look into the history of logging that was so important in the Sierra Nevadas for many decades. Creative exhibits bring this history to life and honor those who lost their lives in the industry. It is also the site of one of the trail-heads to the Arnold Rim Trail.
Food scene
El Vaquero
925 CA-4Surprisingly good Mexican food!
Excellent Italian food (reservations are recommended during peak season(s).
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Sarafina's Italian Kitchen
794 CA-4Excellent Italian food (reservations are recommended during peak season(s).
Typical pizza joint - but if you are in town and have the urge for pizza and need free Wi-Fi - THIS is the place!
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Round Table Pizza
2182 CA-4Typical pizza joint - but if you are in town and have the urge for pizza and need free Wi-Fi - THIS is the place!
Best and one of the few places in Arnold for (Starbucks-is coffee and snacks) They also make great full breakfast and lunches!
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Bistro Espresso
1225 Oak CirBest and one of the few places in Arnold for (Starbucks-is coffee and snacks) They also make great full breakfast and lunches!
Giant Burger
846 CA-4Good quick food - Burger spot
Bistro Creamery
1232 Oak CircleIce cream parlor if you (and the kids!) need a sweet treat!
This place is not one you probably would stop at unless nothing else is open (like we did) - however they have surprisingly GREAT quick Mexican food that a lot of 'local' stop at for lunch and its a quick stop on your way up/down to and from Arnold!
Mary's Taco Truck
300 North Main StreetThis place is not one you probably would stop at unless nothing else is open (like we did) - however they have surprisingly GREAT quick Mexican food that a lot of 'local' stop at for lunch and its a quick stop on your way up/down to and from Arnold!
THE market in town - and has everything you would need in terms of groceries including a bakery & deli - only about 5 minutes from our cabin and open until 8a-8p daily
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Big Trees Market
25020 Shake Ridge RdTHE market in town - and has everything you would need in terms of groceries including a bakery & deli - only about 5 minutes from our cabin and open until 8a-8p daily
Tipps für Reisende
Verkehrsmittel
4x4 and/or chains may be required at times in winter months
Snow and ice may be present on roadways at various times during the winter months