Sinking into my comfy designated role of “passenger” seat, I sit back and prepare myself for the great vacation that lies ahead. Ahh, the High Sierras… Evergreen air. Clean water. Miles of trails.

I buckle my seat belt and begin skimming through the wine tasting options on the drive up to Calaveras County. Yes, that’s right, wine and good eats are on the menu for this trip, and Murphys California is the absolute best place to start. (Recently voted one of the “Top Coolest Small Towns in America” by Frommers)

Only a 2-3 hour sojourn from most Bay Area locations, Calaveras County supplies visitors with beauty and solitude that only the Sierras can provide. Miles of open space awaits you in the Carson Iceberg Wilderness and Stanislaus National Forest, which is home to Big Trees State Park and some of the largest (greatess mass – not to be confused with the taller coastal redwoods) Giant Sequoia’s in the entire Sierra Mountain range. Hiking, biking, kayaking, sail boating, rock climbing, fishing you pretty much name it…one has physical adventures galore to choose from. Recreation ranges from easy to difficult, but rest assured the scenery at any pace will never leave you disappointed.

Now it goes with out saying that a key part of my vacation is the culinary aspect. To balance all the great physical activity, I recommend rewarding your tired muscles with a much deserved break of food and wine exploration. Enter Murphys, California – home to dozens of small and mid-size family wineries, locally-owned shops and unique restaurant offerings. Wine tasting is easy, relaxed, inexpensive and just plain entertaining.

Two tasting rooms I highly recommend:

Lavender Ridge Winery provides great wines at affordable prices. Their charming tasting room is located in a quaint historic building in downtown Murphys. Beyond tasting great wines with excellent service, Lavender Ridge offers additional gourmand options including special wine and cheese pairings and fine chocolate making classes. Anyone searching for quality picnic items, search no further… gourmet cheeses from Petaluma, Humbolt County, Sebastopol, Vermont and France are all available to kick-up your picnic basket’s game from ordinary – to memorable. Gourmet chocolates, fragrant olive oils and fresh herbs grown from the vineyard property are yours to behold. Having purchased some tasty charcuterie from Il Rifugio a nearby Italian deli, I assemble a luxurious picnic basket for our special upcoming hike.

Wines Happily Consumed: Vin Doux and Cotes du Calaveras

Favorite Local Product: BeeLoved Wildflower Honey

Twisted Oak Winery grabs you from the moment you enter the premises of their downtown tasting room. Visitors enjoy a farm house style tasting room that is warm and hilariously entertaining. From the smart and provocative wine list to the friendly and attentive staff, I cannot help but smile as I basque in a room adorned by hundreds of their famous yellow rubber chicken mascots. So moved by the witty humor and delicious wines, I commit to joining their Twisted Few wine cabal. Tasty wines with a fun atmosphere, what’s not to love?

Wines Happily Consumed: Viognier, the Spaniard, and Pig Stai port.

Favorite Local Product: the yellow rubber chicken, of course!

Good Eats

• Alchemy Market and Wine Bar Cafe: Gourmet pit stop.
• Aria Bakery: Freshly baked breads and pastries, yummy……
• V Restaurant: Boutique inn and small upscale restaurant
• Mineral: Stylish raw and vegan restaurant.
• Grounds: Locals favorite. Serving tasty breakfast & lunch.
• Peppermint Stick Ice Cream Shoppe: Old fashion ice cream bar.
• Nelson’s Candies: Handmade confections, to die for peanut brittle, approach with caution : )

High Country Artisan & Speciality Shops

• Moon Alley: Hand crafted candles, works of art.
• Spice Tin: Got spice? They do, from old favorites to the exotic.
• Sustenance Books: Locally-owned and operated bookstore.
• Creative Cookware: Speciality cookery shop

Check in, sit back and relax . . .

Along with the great sites of Murphys, Arnold California and the greater Big Trees area is a outdoor paradise. Hikes to the Stanislaus river, and treks up near the bluffs of Lake Alpine provide the soul with some much needed reflection time. Exploring Inspiration Point trail above lake Alpine provided us with a 360 degree view of the Sierras. One cannot help but be moved by the expansive quietness of the wilderness. This is a hike not to be missed.

Now depending on the time you have, Gold Country antique day trips in Angels Camp are worth a visit. Rummaging through the various booths you never know what treasure you might discover. There is also a World Mercantile store completely volunteer run selling local goods and sustainable artisan jewelry. I picked up an exquisite Brazilian bio-jewel necklace from Tribus, a cooperative of some 8,000 native artists from Northeast Brazil. Prices are very reasonable for the craftsmanship and quality. My favorite product of the day besides the necklace was my hemp soap from Filthy Farmgirl…..oh, la, la . . .

But no matter what your interests are, or the amount of time you have to explore, this weekend getaway offers a multitude of stimulating and pleasurable experiences. So seriously consider the last precious days of your summer getting to know the “Queen of the Sierras,” I profess it will be a worthwhile expedition!