Angels Camp, CA…Enjoy browsing unique shops in our historic downtowns, maybe catch some small town Christmas spirit, and savor time with friends and family. Simply enjoy being in Calaveras.  Heading to a specific town? Follow these links: Murphys Shopping | Angels Camp Shopping | Arnold Shopping | Copperopolis Shopping | Valley Springs Shopping | San Andreas Shopping | Mokelumne Hill Shopping

Holiday Shopping Guide: Murphys.  Murphys, CA | Jenny Martin

 

Murphys is the first stop in our Calaveras Holiday Shopping Guide. There’s a reason Frommer’s called Murphys one of the top ten small towns in America.

Murphys is a town made for shopping, with its pedestrian-filled streets and gastronomical boutiques. Whether you’re looking for gifts for kids, four-legged friends, bikers, vintage and antique collectors, or something for that special someone in your life – Murphys has something for everyone.

Visit the independent local bookstore, Books On Main for great reads for all ages–as well as crafts and gifts. Find flavors from around the world at The Spice Tin, taste unique olive oils and balsamic vinegars at Marisolio Tasting Bar, and satisfy your sweet tooth at Nelson’s Candy Kitchen and Joma’s Ice Cream, find stocking stuffers at Creative Cookware, and of course, Main Street is lined with wine tasting rooms and restaurants to help diversify the browsing experience.

Looking for something for the crafty person in your life? Don’t miss Serendipity. where you can find carefully curated and beautiful selections of arts and craft supplies plus check out their very cool yarn wall!

Yarn Wall at Serendipity

Discover more local artisanal and hand made treasures with a trip to Moon Alley Candles. Their candles (made locally) look more like functional works of art and are renowned for their unique colors and elegant designs.

Moon Alley Candles: Inside the store

Independent Mercantile sells an earthy blend of handmade body care products, as well as clothing and jewelry by owner Linda Trent.  Stop by the Murphys Village Toy Store to feel like you’re taking a trip to Santa’s workshop. When you’re ready for a break, stop in at Gold Country Roasters for award-winning coffee and baked treats.

Lavender Ridge wine & cheese tasting

With more than two dozen wine tasting rooms in historic downtown, you will find that each offers its own unique retail experience. For instance, La Folia Winery can hook you up with not only award-winning wine, but also the perfect fedora or other hat or step into Bodega Del Sur for locally grown, Spanish varietals with a Latin flair. Lavender Ridge offers daily wine and cheese pairings at the bar and maintains a large selection of local and internationally renowned artisan cheeses, a specialty food market, and full lavender boutique. Stop in to pick up a the perfect holiday gift or great addition to your next holiday get together. Want a unique vineyard tasting experience? Three miles east of town is one of Murphys’ longest established businesses, Quyle Kilns, with a deep selection of pottery and ceramic art made on site with local clay. Located on the same property as Brice Station Vineyards, you can make it an art and wine outing with so many great gift ideas (maybe a little something for yourself, too)! Locke Vineyards right on Highway 4 just outside of Murphys is stocked with lavender and floral bouquets for a beautiful farmhouse feel.  Ironstone Vineyards, a mile from downtown is a destination in itself. The jewelry store with collections featuring bullet casings and gold-bearing quartz (a shout out to their spectacular 44lb gold nugget on display there) are unique offerings unlikely to be found elsewhere. So, even if you’re not a wine aficionado, it’s worth checking out their gift shops.

Hand-crafted pottery from Quyle Kilns

It’s easy to find good eats here (or great wine for that matter), so when you’re ready to take a load off your feet, look here for a delicious selection of Murphys restaurants.  For more places to shop in Murphys, just click here!

Holiday Shopping Guide: Angels Camp

Angels Camp, CA

CHARMING SHOPS AND QUAINT EATERIES WITH ORIGINAL OLD WEST ARCHITECTURE

Historic downtown Angels Camp will take you back to the old west with its authentic Gold Rush architecture and eclectic shops – making a unique holiday shopping experience.

For a different interactive experience, head over to the Angels Camp Museum and Carriage House, about a quarter mile from downtown Angels Camp for an exploration of Gold Rush history. Be sure to check out their history inspired toys and gift items in their gift shop. The gift shop also features Calaveras-made items from shirts, jewelry, one-of-a-kind blacksmith creations to chocolates, coffee, and olive oil.  Find out here “what’s with the frogs” with their new Frog Jump History Exhibit, and see if you can jump as far as Rosie!

Angels Camp Museum Gift Shop

You’d be hard pressed to find a more authentic Western wear shop than Turner’s Wild West in downtown Angels Camp. Classic brands like Pendleton, Carhartt and Wrangler are here for work and casual apparel, along with the kind of friendly customer service you might expect in a small town.

Stay on this side of the street for Stories in Stones, which is a must see for anyone intrigued by gems, crystals and the geologic wonders of the world. You may be lucky enough to hear one of the many stories of international rock and fossil hunting by owner Pam Shoemaker while you’re there.

Down the street, be sure to step into Crafty Chicks & Co. for locally handmade goods and carefully curated happy treasures! Check out Raven’s Basket for gorgeous plants and one of a kind gifts and Sourgrass Clothing Co. for beautiful, casual comfort clothing with a touch of western boho mixed with todays fashion trends.

Across Main Street, Paul James Jewelers featuring exquisite jewelry, custom designs, hand engraving and stone setting. Purchase something unique from the store, or have something custom made with gemstones or diamonds carefully selected on-site for your someone special.

For an outstanding collection of women and children’s clothing, jewelry, plants, all things home improvement, and Christmas decorations, head to Calaveras Lumber on the north end of town. This is NOT just any ordinary hardware store!

For Christmas gifts, cards, ornaments and more, stop in to see the friendly folks at Middleton’s Hallmark between the Angels Food Market and Angels Camp Library. So much to see, and so much to do!

Calaveras Lumber Christmas Shop

Ready for lunch or dinner? Try Cascabel for fresh Mexican-style meals with a Tex-Mex twist, the Pickled Porch Cafe or Angels Creek Restaurant for more traditional American fare, or Camps Restaurant at Greenhorn Creek Golf Resort for an elevated dining experience overlooking the golf course, timeless oaks, and rolling Calaveras hills. Also in downtown Angels Camp – Cruscos Ristorante where you can enjoy rustic, old-world Italian cuisine, local Calaveras wine, and a cozy atmosphere. And, make sure to swing by the newest downtown restaurant, The Quarry, for a great burger, beer on tap, local wines, and catch your favorite sporting event! Get the full list of Angels Camp independent shops.

Top off the day by catching a new release or 3-D movie at the Angels 6 Theatres, one of the last few classic downtown cinemas left on the West Coast. Originally built during the silent film era and updated for the 21st century, this theater has all the modern upgrades and comfort of big city theaters like 6 screens, luxurious modern seating, and state-of-the-art sound system.

Holiday Shopping Guide: Arnold

Arnold, CA

 

Billed as the gateway to the High Sierra, Arnold is where you’ll find everything for the outdoor enthusiast on your holiday shopping list in this picturesque high-country town. But don’t overlook the great collection of home décor available as well. Here you’ll find plenty of cozy, cabin themed items that complement the mountain location.

For outdoor enthusiasts, Sierra Nevada Adventure Company is the place for technical outer wear and as they say, “Gear for wild environments,” like paddling, climbing, skiing, and hiking. Head east into Arnold to Ebbetts Pass Sporting Goods if it’s fishing and camping you prefer, as they have an extensive selection of tackle, apparel and they’re also a great resource for the latest local fishing updates. The Trout Spot specializes in everything for the fly fisher. Remember to check road conditions at

Make a day of it and go play in the snow at one of the three sno-parks on upper Highway 4. The Camp Connell Store has everything you need for your outdoor adventures, gifts, snow chains, and most important your parking permit for the sno-parks! Stop in the store and say hello to the ever-friendly and knowledgeable owner, Dan. He will fill you in on the rich history of the area and make sure you have everything you need.

At the Arnold Ace Home Center you can satisfy the quest for not only hardware needs, but also the great indoors, with home furnishings, accents and décor with varied themes of rustic, casual and contemporary. Visit the Cedar Center Plaza for a variety of places to help accent the home, including Fine Things which offers an engaging selection of greeting cards, women’s wear, décor and soaps.

Calaveras Big Trees State Park gift shop children’s area | Lisa Boulton

After all that shopping, you deserve a walk in the park – head over to White Pines Lake for a picturesque stroll, or drive 5 minutes to Calaveras Big Trees State Park to enjoy the giant sequoias. The park’s visitor center has a well stocked gift shop of books and souvenirs. When you’ve worked up your appetite, stop in at one of Arnold’s great restaurants such as El Vaquero, Kalamata, or Sarafina’s Italian Kitchen or pick up some baked goods and coffee from Arnold’s Bistro Espresso. For delicious, hand-crafted beer, stop in at Calaveras’ own Snowshoe Brewery. Find more Arnold shopping options. To really get into the holiday spirit, treat yourself to incredible cocktails and Alpine hospitality at Hinterhaus Distilling where the family crafts rich and vibrant vodka, bourbon, and gins using local, sustainable resources.

Holiday Shopping Guide: Copperopolis

Copperopolis Town Square, CA |

 

First stop, check out Calaveras Olive Oil Company for a taste of all things olive, located in the historic part of Copperopolis on O’Byrnes Ferry Road.  They produce a variety of premium, local olive oils, blends, vinegars, sauces, soaps and related olive oil products.

Gateway Adventure Co.

Ready to go Back to the Future? Very few places can claim to have a picturesque town square just like the one in the fictional Hill Valley. The Town Square at Copper Valley has the period clock tower as well as the central park, so if you haven’t stopped by the Town Square as you enter the county from the west, now is a good time. And it’s a fun place to enjoy your holiday shopping.

Griff’s BBQ

Spending the day? Enjoy a dinner at Griff’s BBQ or the family favorite, Gold Dust Pizza. For dessert, stroll over to Copper’s Ice Cream and Candy – it’s great for kids and kids-at-heart! Looking for Italian food on the golf course? Well, step into Verona18 at the Golf Club at Copper Valley for great food and local wines. Mangia!

With beautiful hikes, bike rides, and Lake Tulloch nearby, you could easily spend a whole weekend exploring this playful destination. Stay at the sparkling brand new Gateway Hotel right in the Towne Square. This modern, dog-friendly hotel with great amenities, like the pristine, new swimming pool is an excellent basecamp for all of your Calaveras adventures!

Holiday Shopping Guide: Valley Springs

New Hogan Lake, Valley Springs, CA

 

If you’re heading east into Calaveras on Highway 12, there are a few cool shops right on the highway in Valley Springs worth checking out. Turn left on California Street at the stop sign, and you’ll find The Motherlode Co where you can find locally sourced goods, farm-fresh produce, pantry essentials, and handmade products from across California. Right next door, step into Mo’s Bakery where cakery magic and custom sweets happen. No fondant required.

Back on Highway 12, you’ll find Oak Savanna Clothing & Supply with its large supply of clothes for the whole family from socks and shoes to shirts and pants for the whole family. Need a brand they carry in a different size? Oak Savanna Clothing & Supply is happy to place special orders. Don’t be shy, just ask! And check out This & That Discount Store at 42 Main Street in Valley Springs. They have EVERYTHING from new children’s clothing to Christmas decor and gifts to brand new appliances and flooring. Everything means they have EVERYTHING!

Find a truly special gift for your favorite cigar connoisseur at Wild Bill’s Smoke Shop – a friendly and super cool tobacconist and smoking lounge. Wild Bill’s has a vast selection of premium cigars, and you can even relax in comfort and watch your favorite sports event!

If you have time, check out one of the many Valley Springs restaurants. For a break from shopping enjoy a hike around one of the beautiful tri-lakes: New Hogan, Pardee or Camamche.

Holiday Shopping Guide: San Andreas

San Andreas, CA

Antique lovers can find a wealth of interesting collectibles in the San Andreas Trading Post on the south end of town. You can easily identify the San Andreas Trading Post on Highway 49 by its old west style facade. You’ll appreciate how well organized this store is, with a friendly, helpful staff and their huge selection of antiques. Come on in and find yourself a treasure or two.

Turning off Highway 49 into historic Main Street will take you to The Gallery Store, the flagship of the Calaveras Arts Council, containing the creative handiwork of local artists.

Pop next door into the Calaveras County Historical Museum Complex, open 7 days a week, to see some great exhibits including the former county jail and courthouse, and do a little shopping in their gift shop. Looking for something hand-crafted for the home?

Holiday Shopping Guide: Mokelumne Hill

Mokelumne Hill, CA

If you’re taking Highway 49 south into Calaveras, turn left into historic downtown Mokelumne Hill, a little Gold Rush town so charming that you’ll forgive it for mostly only being open on the weekends. Here, you’ll find some unique shopping spots to enjoy in this picturesque downtown that was once the county seat.

Petroglyphe Gallery is located in a newly renovated building, built in 1858, and specializes in contemporary Californian art and jewelry. Moke Hill Nuts and Moke-A-Java Coffee features nuts, candies, local baked goods, and Calaveras’ own Gold Country Roasters Coffee. Just a few more steps past Shutter Tree Park, explore the beautiful historic architecture and old black smith shop before ducking into the much-loved Main Street library which sells its excess books on its covered deck on the honor system.

Stop in at Renegade Winery for the best stocking stuffer of all, a bottle of wine, before heading over to the historic Hotel Léger with its old western saloon for a delicious lunch or dinner. Ask at reception to borrow their ghost hunting kit if you have the courage. Check out the full list of shopping options in Mokelumne Hill.