Calveras County Day Trip Ideas

Discover Calaveras County- Day Trip Planning Ideas

Just 2.5 hours from downtown San Francisco, the Calaveras County offers a wide selection of wine tasting and tours paired nicely with fine and casual dining at restaurants that that are spread throughout town.

Here's some quick wine country trip ideas based on geographic location, "best of" category such as by tasting experience, varietal and more.

The Taste About in Murphys 

Park the car for the afternoon, stretch your legs and take a friendly stroll through a quaint town, sampling fine wines and small bites along a scenic path that everyone will enjoy. Ladies, there's plenty of shopping available along the way! 
Tanner Vineyards Located just on the right as you arrive in "downtown" Murphys, Tanner offers a chance to taste their wines in their small, rustic home that puts the focus on the wines and not the tasting room. Grab a bottle of one of their white wines and get ready for a picnic as your next stop is the bakery.
Recommend making reservations at 11am

Aria Bakery The CellarPass team would move to Murphys just for Aria alone. Leave your car at Tanner and take a walk to the other side of Murphy's and be prepared for the smell of fresh-baked bread, cookies and other delights. Grab a box lunch and head for your next stop, Newsome-Harlow or a local park- there's plenty of them!

Newsome-Harlow What is unique about Newsome-Harlow is their courtyard lounge, "laid back" setting. Whenever we're in town, this is the place to be, as Scott the winemaker is quite the character. Wines are an A++; be sure to take some back with you.
Recommend making reservations at 1pm 

Black Sheep Winery A short walk to the other side of town, rewards you with this cute little tasting room slightly setback from the "bustle" of Murphys.
Recommend making reservations at 3pm



The "Big Reds" Experience

You won't need hiking boots on this one, but you will need an appetite for some award-winning, bold and beautiful red wines such as Cabernet Sauvignons, Zinfandels and more.
Chatom Vineyards On your way up to Murphys, stop and check out Chatom's Esmeralda which rocks right to the top of our list of recommendations from Calaveras.
Recommend making reservations at 11am

Mineral Restaurant A must stop on your trip to Murphys as they tickle your senses by exploring taste, texture and style.
Call (209)728-9743 for reservations!

Twisted Oak Winery On your way out of town, we recommend going to the winery and skip the downtown tasting as the only "Rubber Chicken Forest" is not available to be seen anywhere else.
Recommend making reservations at 3:30pm

The Murphys Wine Tasting Safari

With so many wineries to choose from in Calaveras County, we thought a "wine tasting safari" was in order where you can meet face-to-face with animal-themed wineries. Take your time getting up here as most wineries do not open until after 11am.
Frog's Tooth Vineyards The name may be strange, but this tasting room packs a wallop of a portfolio. Our favorite is the Tempranillo.
Recommend making reservations at 11am 

Firewood Grill Offering a casual place to grab a quick lunch, Firewood offers some hand-tossed pizzas, but we highly recommend sampling the Fish Tacos that they are well known for.
Call (209)728-3248 for reservations!

Black Sheep Winery A short walk to the other side of town, rewards you with this cute little tasting room slightly setback from the "bustle" of Murphys.
Recommend making reservations at 2pm

Grounds Restaurant If you have time to hang out a little longer, which we all know you will once you experience "town", we recommend having dinner at Grounds. We were blown away by their level of presentation and our food was cooked to perfection!
Call (209)728-8663 for reservations!