We're staying in Arnold, CA first week in Sept. and want to explore Ebbetts Pass. It's just two of us, celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary. We've visited the website and it looks beautful, but would love to hear from any of you that have driven or hiked or kayaked there.

Advice? Need hiking boots or will good sneakers do? Any other recommendations for restaurants, etc. near there?

Flying in/out of Sacramento and looking for a nice B&B near the airport. Any recommendations there?

Thanks again!

"Flying in/out of Sacramento and looking for a nice B&B near the airport. Any recommendations there?"

I'd guess you haven't been through SMF before There are no B&Bs anywhere near the airport. May I ask why you want to stay near SMF?

As for whether you need hiking boots really depends on if your are doing some real hiking. Are you just planning some less strenuous walks - or more long-ish distance hikes/climbing?

Nope, not familiar with CA at all. We live on the east coast, near DC.

Reason we're looking for a B&B is that our week stay is in a timeshare and we're looking to spend one night in a more romantic setting. It could be anywhere between Arnold and Sacramento, I guess.

We figured with flights not-so reliable anymore, we'd stay night before we leave CA instead of night of arrival.

As for the hiking, we're up for hiking. Not sure what to expect on the Ebbetts Pass trails. We wouldn't mind up to a 1/2 day hike.

Is Ebbetts Pass anywhere near Ebbetts Field???

Waldo: No - it is a pass over the high Sierra.

lookn4adeal: What is your budget?

Ummmm, I believe it's Ahhnold, CA...

To Janicej- You don't know what Ebbetts Field is????

Yes

It was Ebbets by the way . . .

You might look at the Sterling Hotel 13th & H Street in downtown Sacramento. Several great places to eat within short walking distance. It is usually a very busy wedding location, but depending on your dates it would be a great place to stay prior to flying out of Sacramento.

You will be close to Calaveras Big Trees State Park while in Arnold and I would guess the shoe situation will be dependant on your degree of hiking.

You might want to visit Columbia State Park, which is just a few miles back down Hwy 4.

There are also several places to tour underground caverns in the area.

Janisj-DANG! You are correct. Touche.

James: You must not get the Sacramento Bee: Sterling Hotel's last day of operation is August 16!! Slow economy etc. Their sister property, Vizcaya will continue on.

DH & I spent our wedding night and 15th anniversary at the Sterling. We planned on our 20th there next year .... Darn!!!

Lookn: Besides Sacto, try looking at Lodi: Wine & Roses Inn. Shennandoah Valley, Sutter Creek for B & B's.

Good luck

MY

Plan to sto poften on Ebbett's Pass. Can be car sick inducing.

Dear lookn:

Here is a link to a new boutique-type hotel on the river:

http://www.lerivagehotel.com/

Not cheap, but it looks amazing and is easy from the airport down I-5.

Good luck and enjoy Northern Cali.

MY

Ebbetts Pass is beautiful. It is on a narrow, twisting road -- but even I, who am a bit of a scaredy-cat enjoy it. You can continue on to Markleeville, I think you might be able to go kayaking in that area.

You can also continue over to Highway 88. I'm more familiar with that area -- there is lots of good hiking in the Carson Pass area. (There probably is in the Ebbetts Pass area as well, but I'm just not as familiar with it.)

As mentioned before, you will be near Calaveras Big Trees which is a nice place to visit.

The Hyatt and Sheraton Grand are nice Sacramento hotels, but not very intimate or romantic. The Delta King is another option. It is a riverboat that is docked on the river in Old Sacramento. It isn't luxurious and is kind of funky, but it is a fun place. I don't really recommend the restaurant on board, but there are some nice restaurants in the area and Old Sac is always fun to explore.

Happy anniversary!!

thanks, janisj, waldo, michelle, nevermind

We're checking out the hotel and B&B recommendations.

So many places to visit (parks, lakes, trails). We'd better get an itinerary started! Thanks, y'all.

Just found out that the Sterling Hotel is not going to close after all. They got a new operator and they will be staying in bidness. That's awesome. It's a beautiful place - so lovely for a wedding and Chantrelle is a fabulous restaurant.

Suzie: I read that too today about the Sterling. Great! Maybe we can celebrate our 20th anniversary there next year!!

MY

Well if you can't get to HI then OK.

My DD went to the preschool kitty corner to the Sterling. I would see it looking beautiful everyday.

For some day hikes check out:

http://kevingong.com/Hiking/OtherSierraHikes.html

Also do a search for day hikes in Carson-Iceberg Wilderness or Ebbetts Pass or invest in a Sierra day hiking book. There are several on amazon.com or you can buy them in local stores when you get there. The local ranger station can help you too.

For kayaking - Union, Utica, and Spicer lakes are interesting but they are reservoirs and maybe real low this year because of the drought. You would also have to bring your own boats.

There's plenty to do around Arnold. If you are AAA members, get the California Mother Lode Guide.