At the foothills of the Sierra Nevada you'll find the town of Murphys. This town has a population around 2000 and is often called "the next Napa". A stopping point for snow seekers in the winter, as they head to Bear Valley, this town is a hidden gem in the summertime, offering beautiful views, lakes filled with snow runoff and lots of activities that remind you that you are in Gold Country.
This pre-planned package includes the following:
The best way to get to the cute town of Murphys would be by car. You'll need to rent a car if you don't already have one. Let your Plangaroo agent know when booking. Expect about 2.5-4 hours to get there depending on traffic. You're almost at the Sierra foothill just 8 miles away from Stanislaus National Forest, an entry point for lots of wilderness backpacking and snow sports in Bear Valley.
An early start is best as you'll have quite a bit of driving this day. We'd suggest you get snacks for the road at the local grocer before you head towards Murphys. Once in town, head directly to the very artsy tasting room as you're probably parched. Come evening, check into your cute hotel and head to the local grounds for some grub.
Wine and Art in this tasting room.
Cute B&B in Murphys.
Scrumptious Dinner.
We suggest a local spot for some breakfast before heading to the Vallecito for an activity packed day. There are so many things to do here at this resort, from gold panning to underground canoe tours to a high speed zipline. Not possible to do all as there are some logistics involved to get to different sites, so this itinerary is only limited to the underground tour and zip lining. Let your Plangaroo agent know your preferences when we personalize this trip for you.
Asian Fusion for breakfast.
Get a tour through Moaning Cavern.
Twin Zip Line at the park.
Summer is the best time to visit. It snows here in winter, and a lot of the wineries and the most of the activites at the cave tours operator will be closed. Of course there are other appropriate things you can do in winter such as snowshoeing cross country and winter sports in Bear Valley.