Angels Camp in April?
 

I'd appreciate any info on area and weather end of April for this area.
Thanks!

We drove through Angles Camp in April on our way to Yosemite and thought the area was so beautiful, green and blooming. So much better than the heat of the summer and the dryness of the fall. Thought it was warm enough for shorts and a t during the day.

A couple of fun things ot do are go to the caverns and check out Big Trees State Park

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_ID=551

I live twenty miles from Angels Camp and can attest to the fact that the weather will be very pleasant with only a very slight chance of any rain at all. The town of Murphys is just above Angels off of highway 4 and there are twenty or more wineries in the Murphys area that produce some great reds if you are into wine. Both the town of Angels Camp and Murphys are fun to just walk around as they are both gold rush era towns.

April/early May is probably the very best time of year for visiting the general Amador/Calaveras/Tuolomne county areas. The green hills are amazing . . . . . .

thank you all!

Looks like we will be flying in to San Jose (using air miles) and then driving to Angels Camp. Anything special along the way to see or do?
Thanks!

Nope - nothing much. You'll be crossing the central valley and through Stockton. You definitely don't want to stop in Tracy or Stockton. There are some wineries near Livermore - but I wouldn't stop. There are lots more in more scenic settings in Amador and Calaveras counties which are near Angel's Camp.

Just get in your car and drive straight through. If you land around breakfast or lunch time - I'd eat in San Jose before setting out.

Thanks!
"You definitely don't want to stop in Tracy or Stockton." have never been here so curious why you suggest not stopping?

There is no THERE there

There are things to do and places to see, but not the best or worthwhile for your precious vacation time. Angel's Camp and the foothills will be more interesting, scenic and fun!

MY

&quot;<i>curious why you suggest not stopping?</i>&quot;

When you get there - you'll know ;)

It is even more than merely &quot;There is no THERE there&quot; - even some of &quot;there&quot; that is there, you don't want to see . . . . . :D

Just trust us

There are lots of great things to see/do in that general part of the State -- Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta, wineries, Benicia, Sacramento, but none are on/near your route and most aren't worth a significant detour when you are trying to get from SJ to Angel's Camp. Nothing on your route is worth stopping until you get into the foothills east of Stockton, and by then you are practically &quot;home&quot; in Angel's Camp.

Great! we are always anxious to get to our destination anyway!

If you hit it right, the tulips and daffadils will be in bloom. Ironstone Vineyards in Murphys has hundreds of them. It is my favorite time to visit there.

Have fun, you are in for a treat.

Me again-- the Friday before we head home -we are staying near SJ airport as we fly out early the next morning. Should we drive to SF on Friday from Angels Camp for the day and then to SJ for the night? Is this reasonable to do and if so what should / could we do in one day in SF?
Thanks!

bwg - Why are you going to Angel's Camp if you have never been to San Francisco? And what about Yosemite?

"<i>Why are you going to Angel's Camp</i>" I suspect the OP is staying a week in a resort that is in Angels Camp . . . Besides there are LOTS of great reasons to visit the foothills w/o going to SF.

bwg: It is a pretty long drive from Angels Camp to SF to SJ. If you leave early in the AM you will hit the horrendous bay area commute mess which lasts till nearly 10 AM So leave later and try to get to SF by about 11 a.m. Then you'd have the rest of the day and can drive to SJ after dinner. What you can do -- there is soooooo much possible and you'd have just a few hours. What sorts of things do you enjoy.

thank you , janisj! I guess with the limited amount of time we would want to see some hilights- bay area, bridge , etc. Not a musuem.
Thanks for the tips!
and yes we are staying at a resort in Angels Camp to enjoy all the area has to offer and going to Yosemite

what are your favorite wineries in Murphys area ? we like dry reds and whites
Thanks!

Ironstone in Murphey's is one of the larger wineries and with lots to offer. Here is a link to Calaveras County wineries:

http://www.calaveraswines.org

The resort will probably have rec's also for wineries.

MY

thank you --I do have that link
I was looking for if anyone has actually been to the wineries. For example I read somewhere about Ironstone-they liked the winery better than the wine :(

I haven't been to Ironstone, but my DH has and says it is a beautiful place. Like any winery, some of their wines are better than others. I am a big believer in drinking what YOU like, not what others tell you what is good or bad. Ironstone is not high end, but mid-range. They are in the premium market - below $20/bottle for most of their stuff. They really promote their Symphony as their signature wine.

I will ask my DH if he can recommend some other places. I am familiar with French Hill and Solomon. Their wines are OK.

Maybe you will discover your own favorite place.

MY

thanks! much appreciated!

Ironstone is the most visited winery in the area because of its size and expansive visitor offerings. They make a wide variety of wines but most are from grapes from the Lodi Region, not the area around Murphys.

For a look at some smaller wineries in Murphys, check out Chatom Vineyards and the Black Sheep Winery.

http://www.chatomvineyards.com/

http://www.blacksheepwinery.com/

thank you for the suggestions!

DH did not have any other recs. Let us know how your trip is and which wines you like:)

MY

I know the Jumping Frog contest is controversial, but it is fun to walk along the main street in Angels Camp and look at the plaques in the sidewalk honoring the winning frogs, the Frog Hop of Fame.

http://www.angelscamp.gov/index.php?...nity&Itemid=15