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<\/a><\/p>\nValley Springs served as a stagecoach stop for gold seekers from Stockton heading to Jenny Lind, Paloma, and San Andreas to seek their fortunes. In 1885, the Sierra Nevada Railroad reached Valley Springs (you can still see the original station at the four corners), opening up the Gold Country and Calaveras County even more for visitors and fortune hunters. Rich in natural resources and known for outdoor adventure and beauty at the three surrounding reservoirs, Valley Springs sits right at the crossroads of Highways 12 & 26 as a gateway to western Calaveras County. Come play in Valley Springs if you enjoy bird and wildlife viewing, boating, fishing, and a variety of geographical features. Pull over, stretch your legs, grab a bite to eat, and maybe even stay the night.\u00a0 Here are some great reasons why Valley Springs is one of Calaveras\u2019 best playgrounds\u2026<\/p>\n An Abundance of Trails \u2013 Hiking & Biking<\/p>\n Especially nice in the winter and spring when the temps are mild and you want to get outside minus your snow gear, there is no shortage of hiking and mountain biking opportunities near Valley Springs.\u00a0 Try the\u00a0Mokelumne Coast to Crest Trail<\/a>, the China Gulch Trail at\u00a0Lake Camanche<\/a>\u00a0or \u201cThe River of Skulls\u201d nature trail at\u00a0New Hogan Reservoir<\/a>\u00a0located below the dam at the Monte Vista Recreation Area. Check out the intermediate Coyote Point Trail at New Hogan Reservoir at\u00a0mtbproject.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n An Abundance of Fish<\/p>\n Check out the other two reservoirs \u2013\u00a0Lake Camanche Resort\u00a0<\/a>\u00a0that includes a multi-award winning campground with year-round recreation and fishing, 54 miles of shoreline, and 7,700 surface acres of water, all for your outdoor recreational activities.\u00a0 The lake features family and group camping by the lake shoreline, cottages, RV sites, hiking, boating, fishing, swimming, kayaking, equestrian trails and equestrian camping. Lake Camanche is also a popular venue for outdoor weddings, festivals, and corporate events. Although it\u2019s best known for great bass fishing, it is also a favorite of trout anglers. 60,000 lbs. of trout are planted every year between October and May with each weighing at least a pound up to trophy sized eight (8) pounders.\u00a0\u00a0Pardee Reservoir<\/a>\u00a0is in one of the most beautiful settings in the Mother Lode, it\u2019s an easy drive from valley and Bay Area locations. It\u2019s the perfect outing for day or weekend of picnicking, camping, fishing, RV\u2019ing and relaxing with the family. The peace and quiet here is perfect for seniors and families. About 90 percent\u00a0of Pardee Lake anglers fish for trout, both from the shore and from boats. Other available species include Brown Trout, Kokanee salmon, Black Bass, and three kinds of catfish.\u00a0Children will particularly enjoy the fast-paced fishing for crappie, bluegill and sunfish.<\/p>\n World Class Golf<\/p>\n Honored by\u00a0Golf Digest\u00a0and around for more than 35 years,\u00a0La Contenta Golf Club<\/a>\u00a0is considered one of Northern California\u2019s best courses. A Richard Bigler course set in the rolling foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, La Contenta Golf Club challenges you with \u201cout-of-bounds stakes lining fourteen holes and water hazards coming into play on nine holes. Be ready to hit plenty of blind shots as well as approach shots from off side hill lies. The layout affords outstanding vistas of the surrounding area on virtually every hole\u201d.<\/p>\n This public\/semi-private golf club also serves delicious breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the\u00a0La Contenta Bar and Grille<\/a>, overlooking the 1st and 9th holes. Enjoy a peaceful view from the restaurant patio with friendly staff and a chef\u2019s menu focused on using in farm fresh ingredients for the homestyle recipes and in-house prepared brisket burgers.<\/p>\n Disc Golf<\/p>\n Disc golf is popping up all over Calaveras County, but it\u2019s the course at New Hogan Reservoir that takes the cake for being the best of the best.\u00a0 This\u00a018-hole disc golf course<\/a>\u00a0with rolling hills, gorgeous oaks and great views of the lake offers challenging play for the die-hards out there, but provide plenty of family-friendly play too.<\/p>\n One of the Best Bakeries in the Foothills<\/p>\n Speaking of cake, your sweet tooth will thank you when you stop at\u00a0Mo\u2019s Devil Food.<\/a>\u00a0 But that\u2019s not all, because this real bakery (that means fresh daily) not only specializes in exquisitely decorated cakes for every occasion, it also pleases with yummy breads, bagels, pies and pastries. Everything is made from scratch, using freshly squeezed juices, locally sourced produce that is garden grown with no use of pesticides, and food grade essential oils. Why not have lunch too? Mo\u2019s has delicious wraps, paninis, and quiches.\u00a0 \u201cCakery magic and custom sweet evils. No fondant required\u201d at Mo\u2019s Devil Food!<\/p>\n Good Food!<\/p>\n Yup, right where you wouldn\u2019t expect it.\u00a0Fusion Grill<\/a>\u00a0has brought Mongolian BBQ to the Foothills.\u00a0 And it\u2019s good.\u00a0 Grab a bowl, pick your meats and veggies, add a little sauce, hand it over to the good folks behind the grill, and you\u2019ve got yourself a meal perfectly suited to your liking.\u00a0 A great place to take the family since you build your own bowl. Then, there\u2019s legit Thai food.\u00a0 Don\u2019t take our word for it, even the folks on Yelp are raving about the food at\u00a0Thai House<\/a>\u00a0in Valley Springs.\u00a0 They serve up all the favorites and then some.\u00a0 Like it spicy? They will deliver the heat, just ask.\u00a0Brewgers<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Hawg Dawgs<\/a>\u00a0both serve up your favorite pub food and beer on tap.\u00a0 Perfect after a day on the lake or the golf course.<\/p>\n Unique Shopping<\/p>\n Small towns mean one-of-a-kind shops \u2013 items you won\u2019t find anywhere else. The\u00a0Motherlode Co.\u00a0General Store<\/a>\u00a0offers locally sourced goods, farm-fresh produce, pantry essentials, and handmade products from across California. From fishing gear to Wranglers to cowboy boots,\u00a0Oak Savanna Clothing & Supply<\/a>\u00a0will get you decked out and suited up for your next adventure. You never know what you will find at\u00a0This and That Discount Store<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 flooring, home appliances, & a TON more!<\/p>\n Need a Place to Stay?<\/p>\n Check in to the cute and cozy\u00a010th Green Country Inn\u00a0<\/a>(rooms overlook La Contenta Golf Course). The 10th Green Inn is the perfect getaway close to fishing and boating at New Hogan Lake, in addition to great golf at La Contenta. All rooms are non-smoking, and 8 of out the 10 rooms have a golf course view. Enjoy a complimentary continental breakfast before you begin your adventure in Valley Springs!<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>
\nMountain Bike Trail at New Hogan Lake Valley Springs tri-lake area I Courtesy of Daniel Arbuckle<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>
\nThe fairway at La Contenta<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nLa Contenta Bar and Grille<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nDisc golf at New Hogan<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nMo\u2019s Devil Food in Valley Springs<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nPad Kee-Mow with Beef<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>
\n10th Green Inn | Barbara Steinberg<\/p>\n