The good ‘ol summertime is here and while there’s a heat wave rolling across the country doesn’t going to a lake or river sound refreshing?
Pair this with wine tasting, a music festival and other exciting activities and you have an ideal vacation destination for a long weekend getaway or a full week. Here is a rundown of things to do this summertime in Calaveras County, CA, home of the famous jumping frog contest.
LAKES AND RIVERS
New Hogan Lake
LOCATION: Part one of the Valley Springs tri-lake area, 30 miles east of Stockton.
ACTIVITIES: New Hogan Lake is the perfect place for camping, water sports, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Note: there is no marina or fuel service, so come fueled and ready to go.
LOCALS TIPS: Grab a bite at one of Valley Spring’s outstanding restaurants including craft beer and burgers at Brew’Gers or Hawg Dawgs Bar and Grill. Work up a sweat at La Contenta Golf Club, before you cool down at this luscious lake. Boat-in camping is available at Deer Flat Campground—just one of New Hogan’s three idyllic campgrounds.
DOG FRIENDLY: Yes, while on a leash no longer than 6′ and attended at all times.
WHAT’S BITING: Stripers, Bass, Trout, Crappie, Catfish, Bluegill.
Lake Camanche
LOCATION: Part two of the Valley Springs tri-lake area, Lake Camanche has 54 miles of shoreline and 7,700 surface acres of water.
ACTIVITIES: Camping at Lake Camanche can be done all kinds of ways. There is tent, RV, group, equestrian, cottages, and vacation home rentals. Fishing, boating, and even weddings all happen at this beautiful lake.
LOCALS TIPS: Get your boat and gear rental at the Marina Stores located on both the North Shore and South Shore of Lake Camanche. Load up on grub in Valley Springs at The Parlour Pub or La Contenta Golf Club Bar & Grill.
DOG FRIENDLY: Dogs are welcome on a 6′ leash and must be attended at all times.
WHAT’S BITING: Rainbow trout, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Bluegill, and Spotted Bass
New Melones
LOCATION: Glory Hole Recreation Area or Tuttletown Recreation Area off of Highway 49 three to five miles south of Angels Camp, CA
ACTIVITIES: Boat launches, Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Swimming
LOCALS TIPS: Rent any and all sizes of boat and watercraft at New Melones Lake Marina. Grab a sandwich to go at The Pickled Porch Cafe or the Red Ridge Restaurant in downtown Angels Camp.
DOG FRIENDLY: Yes!
WHAT’S BITING: Rainbow and Brown Trout, Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Bluegill, Kokanee Salmon, and Channel Catfish
White Pines Lake
LOCATION: Located of Blagen Road in Arnold, CA, this sweet little mountain lake is a great place to bring the whole family to fish, picnic, and swim.
ACTIVITIES: Fishing, non-motorized watercraft, swimming, beach picnics
LOCALS TIPS: In the summer, check out the Sierra Nevada Logging Museum and let the kids play on the playground by the lake. The Arnold Rim Trail is right here for great hiking, mountain biking, and equestrians. Check out Bistro Espresso for coffee to go or head to Giant Burger for a to-go lunch at the lake.
DOG FRIENDLY: Yes!
WHAT’S BITING: Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass
Lake Alpine
LOCATION: Highway 4 just past Bear Valley
FEATURES: Shoreline fishing, non-motorized, small watercraft like canoes, kayaks and paddleboards. These can be rented at the Lake Alpine Resort right on the lake or at Sierra Nevada Adventure Company in Arnold.
DOG FRIENDLY: Yes, on a leash no longer than 6′ and attended at all times
WHAT’S BITING: Rainbow Trout
Spicer, Union, and Utica Reservoirs
LOCATION: Each reservoir is located about an hour and a half from Angels Camp. Take highway 4 east from Angels Camp for each reservoir and each reservoir is about a half hour off the highway. There are plenty of small streams along the way you might want to check out, as well.
FEATURES: Great for camping, boating, swimming, and fishing. Spicer has the best options for boat ramps, Union has a small, unimproved boat ramp for small boats, and while Utica does not have a boat ramp, it is popular for small water crafts like canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards. Small watercraft can be rented at Sierra Nevada Adventure Company in Arnold, CA.
DOG FRIENDLY: Yes
WHAT’S BITING: Rainbow and Brown trout and bull-head catfish
Calaveras Big Trees State Park – Drive into the park to the South Grove that crosses the Stanislaus River. Great place to fish for Rainbow Trout.
Board’s Crossing and Sourgrass
LOCATION: About 4 1/2 miles past Big Trees State Park, turn right onto Board’s Crossing Road to get to the North Fork of the river.
FEATURES: Another great place for Rainbow Trout. There is a day use and camping area available at this scenic river. Watch for rapidly moving water, especially in the spring, and by late summer and early fall the river tends to slow down a little bit.
DOG FRIENDLY: Not advised due to heavy river flow
WHAT’S BITING: Rainbow Trout
Outfitters and Experts
Arnold, Bear Valley, Camp Connell, Dorrington: Ebbetts Pass Sporting Goods
Murphys: SNAC – Sierra Nevada Adventure Company
Copperopolis: Gateway Adventure Company
Valley Springs: Lake Camanche Resort and Marina
Local Fishing Guides:
MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT
Ironstone Vineyards
Enjoy summer concerts at Ironstone Vineyards with a 7,000-person seating capacity. Choose from gorgeous lawn seating on your own blanket or low back chair to VIP front-row seats that include gourmet buffet dinner before the concert. Mild temperatures, easy parking, and excellent Calaveras wine in small-town Murphys make this concert experience a must-do.
Upcoming Concerts:
July 13th – Slightly Stoopid with Sublime
July 22nd – Hank Williams Jr.
August 4th – Patti LaBelle and Gladys Knight
August 5th – Midland with Chris Isaak
September 16th – 80’s Extravaganza with Rick Springfield, The Hooters, John Waite, and Tommy TuTone
Brice Station
There is a concert every Saturday from May 27th-September 15, plus two more concerts on September 16th and 17th.
Calaveras is full of magical places, and Brice Station certainly is one of them. Brice Station Vineyards features the perfect blend of laid back, snob-free culture with award winning art and entertainment. Featuring not only world class outdoor Shakespeare on the Vine performances, but also their annual Hilltop Concert Series. The annual Brice Station Hilltop Concert Series brings a summer full of deliciously eclectic live music in a venue overflowing with rustically earthy ambience. You can’t help but feel instantly at home while enjoying a glass of handcrafted wine, locally sourced food, and spirited music in this relaxing and beautiful environment. Nestled among towering trees on the open lawn; here is your chance to kick off your shoes, unplug, and enjoy live music kissed by a gorgeous sunset view.
Bear Valley Music Festival
Looking for high culture amidst the peaks of the Sierra Nevadas? Look no further than Bear Valley Music Festival. Celebrating the 55th anniversary in 2023, the Bear Valley Music Festival began in 1968. The styles of music range from classical to include Broadway show tunes, contemporary, rock, reggae, folk, blues, country, and opera, however, the core of the event remains rooted in classical. From mid-July through early August, this epic alpine festival brings national and international performers to delight audiences at 7,000 feet in the Sierras. For a quick snapshot of what the Festival is about, watch video coverage here. Look good? Get your tickets online here.
Twisted Oak Winery
Showcasing some great local (Sierra Foothills & Gold Country) musicians, Twisted Oak Winery has always done things their own special way. Gorgeous sunsets, top-notch live music, great wine, and the rubber chicken forest, you can “Twist” the night away at Twisted Oak Winery.
Upcoming Concerts:
June 16th: 99 and One Half Days – Blues Rock
June 23rd: Us4Love – Folk Rock
July 7th: Cali Reblz – Reggae and Ska
Calaveras Fairgrounds
Recently added to the mix, the Calaveras Fairgrounds just added a new country concert, featuring Aaron Tippin, Sammy Kershaw, Collin Rave and Blue Line. Performing on August 12, the venue will offer music, food and merchant marketplace and is located in Angels Camp.
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