Calaveras Big Trees Day Tour: Sequoias, Caves, Gold Country
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This a journey back in time.
We’ll visit the 3-acre Angel Camp Museum, a perfect place to start our day learning about the area’s mining history. At the museum, you can experience one of the most comprehensive collections of artifacts from the California gold rush era in the entire state.
Afterward, we’ll head over to Calaveras Big Trees State Park for a leisurely 1.5-mile walk through a forest of giant sequoia trees.
Next is a 1.5-hour stop in the old miner's town of Murphys. You have many options for lunch spots, including the historic Murphys Hotel. (Mark Twain, J.P. Morgan, and Ulysses S. Grant have stayed there!) This is your free time to roam, eat, and shop on your own.
Our last stop of the day is Mercer Caverns, where you descend into another world, one that sparkles with stalactites, stalagmites, and more. For those who can’t physically make the journey down the stairs and into the caves, don’t worry: We’ve set up wine tasting for you in Murphys to enjoy.
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Angels Camp Museum and Carriage House, 753 South Main Street, Angels Camp, CA 95222
Arrive at Angel Camp Museum and Carriage House, where we cover the admission to explore exhibits, a gift shop, and activities such as gold panning. The 3-acre property sits directly on the mother lode vein of the California Gold Rush of 1849 that turned some miners into millionaires. We’ll be sure to check out the large Carriage House with some of the most well-preserved wagons and carriages in the entire United States.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Calaveras Big Tree National Forest, California, USA
Next we get outside for a spectacular look at the giant sequoia trees of Calaveras Big Trees State Park. We love Yosemite, but this is definitely for the visitors who want to go beyond the famous sights to see some really big trees and learn the entertaining history of how they were discovered. The wheelchair- and stroller-accessible path makes it easy for the whole family to enjoy some spectacular California nature — you’ll be amazed by the sheer size of these trees. We’ll be sure to tell you the story behind the Discovery Tree.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Murphys, Murphys, Calaveras County, California
After working up an appetite, it’s time for lunch (own expense) and some free time to shop and relax in the beloved town of Murphys. It’s a favorite spot for Bay Area locals who want to escape the city for the quaint charm of a gold rush town. We recommend lunch at the Murphys Historic Hotel, where famous guests included Mark Twain, Ulysses S. Grant, and J.P Morgan. You’ll have 1.5 hours to enjoy the town on your own.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Mercer Caverns, Sheep Ranch Road, Murphys, CA
Our last stop of the day is Mercer Caverns, situated in the Sierra foothills of Calaveras County. It has been an attraction since its discovery in 1885, and you can have fun looking through the guest book that dates back to its first visitors. The caverns are equipped with steep staircases that drop you about 14 stories underground to see otherworldly stalactites, stalagmites, and more.
Please note: This is a strenuous activity that requires you to be in good health. Those in your group who cannot do this part of the tour will get to do a wine tasting activity that we’ve coordinated on your behalf in Murphys.
Duration: 1 hour
Additional Information
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Infants must sit on laps
- Infant seats available
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 14 travelers
- Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
- Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
- Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
- Guides required to regularly wash hands
- Proof of COVID-19 vaccination required for travelers
- Admission to attractions
- Hotel Pickup and Dropoff (select San Francisco hotels)
- Entry/Admission - Angels Camp Museum and Carriage House
- Entry/Admission - Mercer Caverns
Exclusions
- Gratuities
Departure Point
Traveler pickup is offered
Hotel pickup time in the following zones:
Fisherman's Wharf/Lombard Street Corridor: 6am - 6:20am
Union Square/SOMA: 6:20am - 6:40am
Departure Time
07:00 AM
Duration
12 hours
Voucher Info
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
The tour identified in this promotion is made available through Viator. Groupon is not affiliated with or sponsored by the Best Bay Area Tours Llc in connection with this deal. Please contact Groupon customer service for all inquiries related to this offer. Inquiries placed to Viator will be directed back to Groupon.
This offer is not eligible for promo codes.
Need To Know Info
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
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