About Calavera County, California

Located in the eastern-central valley of California, encompassing the foothill and mountain terrain of the western slope of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, Calaveras County is a paradise of western gold rush history and scenic beauty. Famous writers such as Mark Twain and Bret Harte lived a short while here and wrote about the events of Calaveras County. Mark Twain's "Jumping Frog" made Calaveras famous and the tradition continues to this day during the Calaveras County Fair & Frog Jump Jubilee (always the 3rd weekend in May). Joaquin Murrieta and Black Bart played havoc along the county's early day settlements and highways. The same cell where Black Bart was held can be seen in San Andreas today.

Small highways run through the towns and climb up the Sierra Foothills to Ebbetts Pass, which at over 8,000 feet elevation, has much to offer the seeker of good things: Quaint historic towns, the biggest trees on earth, swimming holes along the Stanislaus River, a dazzling high country of granite rocks, lakes and pines, and a fine summer festival of music at Bear Valley in August.

Nearest Airports:

Sacramento International Airport (SMF)
6900 Airport Blvd. Sacramento, CA 35835

Oakland International Airport (OAK)
1 Airport Drive, Oakland, CA 94621

Directions to the Resort:

From Sacramento: Take Rte 99 south to Rte 12 east. Go to Rte 88/Alt 12. Continue east through Clements. Continue on Rte 12 east to Rte 49 south. Follow 49 through Angels Camp to Rte 4 east. Go east through Arnold 1 mile. Turn right on Moran Road (not the Moran Road in Avery). Go 1 mile to the Mt. Retreat sign on left. Turn left Follow signs to resort (next 2 righthand turns).