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After much of the U.S. dealt with frigid cold winters, springtime is essentially an open invitation to explore the great outdoors.
We all know California is one of the best states for an awesome beach getaway, but it also boasts some of the best national and state parks in the nation, such as Joshua Tree, Yosemite, and, most notably for this particular article, Sequoia National Park.
Home to unbelievably towering trees and some of the prettiest scenery I’ve personally ever seen in the Golden State, Sequoia draws crowds from all over the U.S.
But why not visit a place that’s nearly identical with fewer tourists, spacious trails, equally pretty photo-ops, and nearby wineries to cap off a much-needed relaxing escape in nature?
You can do so in far lesser-known Calaveras Big Trees State Park, an underrated state park that undoubtedly lives up to its name, and visitor satisfaction is through the roof!
Reaching Calaveras Big Trees State Park
Word to the wise – Whichever state park you decide to visit this spring; don’t do like I did at Sequoia by renting a cheap Toyota Yaris only to deal with the anxiety of wondering whether it will make it up a rocky hill or if I’d soon be calling AAA for assistance in the middle of nowhere.
Needless to say, a little extra engine oomph goes a long way.
Obviously, you will need a vehicle to explore Calaveras as it’s located roughly 2 hours away from the nearest airport, Sacramento, which is also worthy of spending some time before venturing off into the woods as California’s trending capital city is breaking tourism records.
From Sacramento, you’ll head through some of NorCal’s hidden gems, such as Lodi, before you weave through the western slopes of the Sierra in what’s hopefully not a Toyota Yaris before ultimately reaching this nearly century-old state park.
Day-use passes are $10. Before planning your trip, there are some notable closures to vehicles to be aware of:
- Walter W. Smith Parkway (until May 1, 2025)
- Scenic Overlook
- Lava Bluffs
- Stanislaus River
- South Grove
- Bradley Grove
- Beaver Creek
Emphasis On ‘Big Trees’
A visit to Calaveras is all the more enjoyable without dozens of tourists lined up to take the same selfie you’re trying to take like you might find at Sequoia National Park.
Until you witness Calaveras’ staggering Sequoia trees in person, you won’t believe how huge they truly are.
There are ample trails to taking you deep into the park under canopies of giants that are often thousands of years old.
The South Grove may be off-limits for vehicles for now, but here you’ll find at least 1,000 towering trees, while the North Grove is home to roughly 100.
One of the most popular sites is the “Father of the Forest” a fallen behemoth thought to stand as tall as 400 feet in its heyday and like Sequoia, there are carved-out trees to pass through for the perfect Instagram shot.
Calaveras Holds A Perfect TripAdvisor Rating
Visitors have truly fallen in love with Calaveras and the proof is in the pudding. Park guests have ooh-ed and ahh-ed about their experiences ranging from the cozy on-site cabins, ‘breathtaking trees’, to being the highlight of an entire California road trip.
Calaveras Big Trees State Park holds a perfect rating on TripAdvisor. I repeat, a perfect rating.
Do you know how hard that is to do in a world where everyone seems to feel they can say anything hidden behind their screens?
It truly speaks volumes by how much of an enjoyable hidden gem Calaveras truly is, and spring is a great time to plan a trip as the sun shines bright throughout consistent 60 to 75-degree days in April and May.
Murphys, California: A Blip On The Map Teeming With Relaxing Wineries
If you thought Napa was the only place to sip California’s finest wine, think again! There are numerous inviting wine destinations spread across California; some more popular than others.
The tiny town of Murphys may not have been on your 2025 Bingo card until now, but it should be.
With over 20 family-owned wineries, this charming small town is a far cry from what some might say is overly curated Napa.
Additionally, after a long day exploring Calaveras’ vast wilderness, there’s no better way to reward yourself with sinfully delicious eats than a top-rated V Restaurant, Bistro & Bar.
There are many wineries to choose from along the town’s main strip like fun-to-say Frog’s Tooth Winery or the oldest family-owned winery, Milliaire Winery.
For more space and pretty scenery, there are multiple wineries and vineyards away from the quaint townscape, such as Locke Vineyards, Ironstone Vineyards, and Indian Rock Vineyards.
One recent visitor to Murphy’s Ironstone Vineyards may have put it best by saying, “Basically, Murphy’s is now one huge wine tasting room. The wines on the main street are hit and miss, but when we skipped town and came here, we hit the jackpot”.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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