Twain Harte CA ~ A Great Vacation Spot

[mothermayi]

If anyone is looking for a place to spend a couple of days, a week, or even longer I would like to suggest you check out Twain Harte, CA.

It is a quaint little town located in Sierra Nevada mountains. We happen upon it just by shear luck (I was looking for a cabin to rent on VRBO.com).

Our time there was spent during the summer months. There are some areas within the gold country that can get pretty warm during the summer yet Twain Harte's elevation kept it several degrees cooler than most but it was still in close proximity to many great sightseeing adventures.

There were some wonderful little eateries and shops located there. We went to the Twain Harte Summer Arts and Wine (Street) Festival that was really fun, and they have outdoor concerts in the park too. Twain Harte also has a lake, a public pool, a golf course, and don't leave town until you've played a a round at the miniature golf course.

Just some of the other things that we did while in the area:

Plenty of fishing

Columbia State Historical Park (Columbia California - Columbia State Historic Park - Gold Rush Country)

Swam in several of the creeks in the area

Pinecrest Lake (Stanislaus National Forest - Recreational Activities)

Beardsley Reservoir (Stanislaus National Forest - Recreational Activities)

Railtown State Historical Park (Railtown 1897 State Historic Park - Welcome)

Visited a couple of Apple Ranches (Cover's Apple Ranch)

Yosemite

(we spent a week there and would have gladly stayed longer)

I spent most of my life in CA and have been to just about every part of the state there is. Yet I had never heard of Twain Harte? It turned out to be one of our best vacations.


Twain Harte Area Chamber of Commerce
GOLD COUNTRY

[dragonmaster]

Great vacation ideas in the mother lode- I have never visited them.
Like all east coast mice- I love coastal California-

[BayBreeze]

MM....this is a very nice thread! I've never been to California, but have heard so much bad about the state. So, thanks for enlightening me! Sounds wonderful!

[dragonmaster]

I have been to the San Francisco Bay area 10 times, LA 2 times- San Diego 2 times, the central coast 2 times

The wine country 10 times, as silicon valley---so much to see and enjoy.

[mothermayi]

You know there really is a lot to do in California.

The only problem is there's just way to much traffic and way to many people. You fight traffic to get out of town, only to find yourself fighting the crowds once you arrive at your destination.

We got to a point where we would not even bother to take weekend trips any longer (to much stress - it just wasn't worth it).

I did not realize how I had become so accustomed to crowds until shortly after moving to SC. There was a local festival that was to start at 10am. We had the family ready and out the door and at the festival an hour before start time (which would have been on the late side in CA). We were shocked as we were the only ones there (there wasn't even anyone there setting up yet). So there we sat until the event started at 10am (first and last time we arrive early anywhere).



But with that said, if you can find locations (such as Twain Harte) that are a tad off the beaten track (and not your typical vacation destination spots) I highly recommend the area (and check out vrbo.com for cabins).

[1doglady]

I know what you mean by having to plan ahead in Ca. We lived only 45 minutes to Santa Barbara and 20 minutes to Ventura yet we seldom would go there because of the back up of traffic to and from. Same for going toward Los Angeles to museums or major shopping. Got sick of staying in our pretty little bubble so here we are in pretty little New England.

Yosemite is one of my most favorite places in CA. We stayed in a nice cabin one time as a family and another in the amazing Awanhee Inn. Thanksgiving Dinner there is the best and usually sold out a year in advance. Otherwise, the Central Coast and Northern Ca. are the best and less hot in the summer.

[BayBreeze]

All good information here. Sounds like a place I'd like to visit!

[isabel]

Also, Big Trees National Park. Up past Murphy's. I posted pics here before of the park. It is beautiful. Most places up Hwy 88 are pretty. Pics of there also on this site...in the CA section.

Don't forget the Frog Jumps in Angels Camp every year...I think it is in May. A very big event for the foothills of CA. They have a website. Will try and post link to it later. Although I think I have already done that in the past...in the CA section.

Izzy