Yosemite National Park
Plunging waterfalls, stark granite, alpine lakes, pristine meadows, giant sequoia trees, and raging rivers--you'll find them all in Yosemite. From Yosemite Valley's famous waterfalls--three of which are among the tallest in the world--to the towering granite domes and glistening meadows of Tioga Pass, Yosemite is a place that can only be described in superlatives. At 1,200 square miles and 750,000 acres, the park is nearly the size of Rhode Island, and one of the most popular national parks in the United States. Visit www.nps.gov/yose
Wine Tasting
The largest and most popular winery in the area is Ironstone Vineyards in Murphys (209/728-1251 or www.ironstonevineyards.com), a 70-minute drive from the Inn. Murphys is also home to Stevenot Winery (209/728-0148 or www.stevenotwinery.com) and several others. Many more wineries are found closer to the Inn in nearby Sonora, about a 40-minute drive: Gold Mine Winery and Old Stamp Mill Brewery, 209/532-3089 or www.goldminewinery.com; and Laraine Wines/Gerber Vineyards, 209/736-4766 or www.gerbervineyards.com.
Antique Shopping
The main street of Jamestown (known as Jimtown to the locals) is lined with antique shops. You could easily spend a few hours wandering from store to store. Some of our favorites: Main Street Antiques (209/984-6551), Jamestown Mercantile (209/984-5148), and Old Glory Antiques and Collectibles (209/984-3647).
Cave Touring
Moaning Cavern (866/762-2837 or www.caverntours.com) is located between Columbia and Vallecito, about a one-hour drive from the Inn. Moaning Cavern boasts California's largest underground room, accessible via a 100-foot spiral staircase. Mercer Caverns (209/728-2101 or www.mercercaverns.com) is found in Murphys, about 75 minutes from the Inn. Guided tours are offered daily; visitors walk on well-lit walkways through the caves. California Cavern State Historic Landmark (209/736-2708 or www.caverntours.com) in San Andreas offers family walking tours as well as more ambitious trips for adventurous types.
Columbia State Historic Park
(209/532-0150 or 209/532-4301 or www.columbiacalifornia.com). The era of the '49ers comes to life at this well-preserved Gold Rush town, which was once known as "The Gem of the Southern Mines". You don't just look at California history at this living museum; you experience it. Listen to the street musicians, shop in the wonderful stores (handmade soaps and candles, candy, toys, and the like), try your hand at gold panning, or take a stagecoach ride. Admission is free.
RailTown 1897 State Historic Park
(209/984-3953 or www.railtown1897.org). Located about 30 minutes from the Inn in the town of Jamestown, this state historic park features props and sets, as well as the trains themselves, that have been featured in more than 200 Hollywood movies. Vintage steam train rides are offered on weekends from April to October.
Gold Rush Museums
The Northern Mariposa County History Center in Coulterville (209/878-3015) houses some fascinating historic displays, including a gun collection and an old pharmacy. The Groveland Yosemite Gateway Museum (209/962-0300) has rotating historical displays. The Tuolumne County Museum in Sonora (209/532-1317) has pioneer weapons and gun shop exhibits. The Angels Camp Museum and Carriage House (209/736-2963) consists of three acres of historic treasures and one of the finest collections of mining equipment in California.
Local Theaters
Nearby Sonora (40 minutes from the Inn) boasts two year-round theater companies: Sierra Repertory Theater (209/532-3120 or www.sierrarep.org ) and Stage 3 Theater ( 209/536-1778 or www.stage3.org). For lovers of all that Hollywood has to offer, there is also a Signature movie theater, Stadium 10 (209/588-2844). Farther afield, the town of Murphys has the Black Bart Playhouse as well as a concert series at Ironstone Vineyards (209/728-1251 or www.ironstonevineyards.com).
Whitewater Rafting
Both the Tuolumne and Stanislaus Rivers are world-famous for white water. Guided trips are available ranging in length from a half-day to three days. Contact these outfitters for more information: Beyond Limits Adventures (800/234-7238 or www.rivertrip.com), River Journey (800/292-2938 or www.riverjourney.com), Sierra Mac River Trips (800/457-2580 or www.sierramac.com), Whitewater Voyages (800/488-7238 or www.whitewatervoyages.com), and Zephyr River Expeditions (800/431-3636 or www.zrafting.com).
Golfing
Pine Mountain Lake Country Club is only 15 minutes away (209/962-8620 or www.pinemountainlake.com). Mountain Springs Golf Course in Sonora is 40 minutes away (209/532-1000 or www.mountainspringsgolf.com). Saddle Creek Golf Club in Copperopolis is 45 minutes away (209/785-3700 or www.saddlecreekgolf.com). Phoenix Lake Golf Course and Driving Range in Sonora is 45 minutes away (209/532-0111 or www.phoenixlakegc.com).
Flying
Springfield Flying Service at Columbia Airport (one hour from the Inn) offers open cockpit biplane tours and scenic tours of the Mother Lode and Central Sierra in a Cessna. 209/532-4103.
Mountain Biking
Stanislaus National Forest surrounds the Blackberry Inn on three sides. The forest has miles of service roads and trails for the experienced and novice alike. Ask your innkeepers in advance to map and mark a trail for your enjoyment.
Swimming
Check out the local swimming hot spot just three miles from the Inn.
Wondering what there is to do in Yosemite in winter? Here is a list of Blackberry Inn favorites:
Ice Skating
From early November through March, weather permitting, Curry Village's outdoor ice skating rink is open daily (209/372-8341). Where else can you practice your figure-eights with a head-on view of Half Dome? Sessions are held in the afternoons and evenings on weekdays and from morning until evening on weekends ($7 adults; $5 children). Ice skate rentals are available for $3-4. If you find yourself falling down more often than you are performing graceful pirouettes, head for the warming hut's fire pit and snack stand and treat yourself to a cup of hot chocolate. The skating rink has a long history in Yosemite Valley. It was first constructed in 1928 by the Yosemite Park and Curry Company.
Snowshoeing
No experience required--it's as easy as walking. Snowshoe rentals are available from the Blackberry Inn, Curry Village Mountain Shop in Yosemite Valley, and various establishments in the town of Groveland. There is almost always plenty of snow near the Big Oak Flat entrance to Yosemite (a mere 20-minute drive from the Blackberry Inn). Our favorite close-by snowshoe trails include the Merced Grove of Giant Sequoias, the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias, the Crane Flat Fire Lookout, and Carlon Falls. If you'd like to snowshoe in Yosemite Valley, the best chance of good snow is in the canyon beyond Mirror Lake. A four-mile loop can be made from Mirror Lake up Tenaya Canyon. And at Badger Pass Ski Area, snowshoers share the trails with cross-country skiers to scenic destinations such as Dewey Point.
Cross Country or Downhill Skiing or Snowboarding
Numerous cross-country ski trails are located 20 minutes from the Inn at Crane Flat. Badger Pass Ski Area is located in the southern region of Yosemite, a little more than an hour away from the Inn. Considered to be California's oldest ski resort, Badger Pass offers family-style skiing and snowboarding, with five lifts and 85 acres of slopes. All skiing and snow play equipment, including snowshoes, can be rented at Badger Pass. For an update on ski conditions, phone 209/372-1000 or visit www.badgerpass.com . If you don't want to drive all the way to Badger Pass on snow-covered roads, leave your car in Yosemite Valley and take the shuttle bus that departs Yosemite Lodge every morning, then returns in the afternoon.
Hiking
A hike in winter? What about all that snow? Well, with elevations in the park ranging from 4,000 to 10,000 feet, there is almost always some place to hike where there is no snow on the ground. For a few short, easy strolls, head to Yosemite Valley and walk to the base of Bridalveil Fall or Lower Yosemite Fall, or head up to Mirror Lake. For something more ambitious, make your way to Vernal or Nevada Falls or ascend all or part of the trail to Upper Yosemite Fall. Or, ask your innkeepers about the wide variety of hikes right by the Blackberry Inn in Stanislaus National Forest. Many of these trails are snow-free year-round.
Hang Out At The Ahwahnee
Think you have to be rich and famous to be a welcome presence at the Ahwahnee Hotel? Definitely not. The Ahwahnee's public rooms are just that - open to the public, not just to people who are staying at the hotel. Bring along a good book and find a soft chair near one of the massive fireplaces in the Great Lounge. Or, get yourself a drink or some appetizers at the Ahwahnee Bar (for a fraction of the price of what you'd pay at the Ahwahnee's famous restaurant) and listen to the piano player tickle the ivories.
Take A Guided Tour
Y explore Yosemite Adventures- Professionally Guided Hiking Tours and Photography Workshops in Yosemite National Park. Custom Tours in Yosemite National Park are available to Individuals, Families, and Groups of all ages and experience levels at all times throughout the year. They guarantee smaller group sizes for a more custom experience.
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