So, now is a perfect time to visit Yosemite and Sugar Pine Ranch. No crowds and plenty of cool fresh air.

This is why so many people visit. This is why so many people who have been here time and again come back. This is why you might want to take a little more time to see and experience for yourself nature’s most remarkable cathedral.

The Yosemite area of the Sierra Nevada Mountains is ideally suited as a venue for a variety of private events. The west side of the mountain range offers excellent opportunity due to longer periods of fair climate, and a wide diversity of beautiful landscape locations. Access to these venue locations is easy, and generally within the range of travel for attendees. Additionally, the Yosemite area supports the many needs of large groups and the services, equipment and supplies required.

Sugar Pine Ranch is preparing for weddings, birthdays, reunions, club outings and events, movie productions, individual private bookings, as well as group travel bookings. SPR has been the site for local weddings and reunions as far back as the early 1940s. As you can see from our Web site photos and descriptions, we are a great outdoor location, blessed with historic remnants of the past, in addition to easy access for guests and equipment.

Sugar Pine Ranch scenic landscapes create the perfect atmosphere. Our pool comforts and size are particularly suitable for parties, and catering. The lawns surrounding the 1860s ranch and historic guest house are a great place for events and gatherings. Also, guest vehicle parking space is more than ample.

Please give us a call for details, and for the opportunity to partner in hosting a unique and successful event.

Sugar Pine Ranch is an ideal get-a-way for unwinding, refilling the spirit with fresh new thoughts and inspirations; thinking through life’s challenges, and escaping for a brief time from today’s complex life style. Being in a simple place, like Sugar Pine Ranch, invites opportunity for peace of mind — away from many daily interruptions all competing for control. Being with nature – the trees, animals and mountains – seeing how they live in balance — with each other, helps you find balance and harmony inside yourself. Of course, relaxing in the fresh mountain air around the pool, swimming or floating about won’t hurt you either.

In just a short time, resting and relaxing in nature, with a little help from a few modern conveniences, and you’re ready to reengage the fast-paced, hectic track of city living when you return home. Or if you are fortunate to already live a relaxed and tranquil life style, a change of venue, and time to dream, will refill creative inspiration, passion for new adventure, and show the path to new achievements.

Sugar Pine Ranch is ideally suited for exploring the California “Gold Rush” Motherlode, and the great outdoors of the Sierra Nevada Yosemite region. We are also a great place to stay on the way to, or when returning from, a scheduled event or adventure, such as river rafting, mountain climbing, or a cattle drive; or for attending meetings in YNP, local festivities, bringing children to camp, checking out local real estate opportunities, conferences, or joining up with friends and relatives.

Our facilities are uniquely suited to visitors with gear, equipment, trailers, larger vehicles, (in the future horses), and friends who just want to hang out with guests. We have the space, comfort, picnic areas, swimming, and trails to walk along with friends and companions, and to share peaceful moments together between excursions.

Sugar Pine Ranch is centrally located to near and far points of interest and recreational events. It is an ideal place to return to, to recoup and plan your travel to the next to-do on your must-see list. Sugar Pine Ranch offers an easy to access and safe harbor from which to look around, explore, and learn about a truly unique, historical, and rich array of activities and places to visit — a home base for personal development or for pursuing a hobby, like painting, photography, writing, rock collecting, or building physical fitness.

Without a doubt, the Las Vegas, San Diego, Los Angeles, California coast, Carmel, Monterey, San Francisco, Yosemite National Park (YNP) and Death Valley journey is an internationally acclaimed road trip adventure. Even local Californians take the time to visit YNP while on business or just getting away. On such trips, California State Highway (Hwy) 120 is the most direct or logical roadway from or to San Francisco. Hwy 120 connects with Hwy 41 to or from Sequoia National Park, and to Hwy 140 connecting with many Central Valley agricultural centers, the California Information Center in Merced, and with coastal areas such as Monterey and Carmel.

During winter, after first snow, the Yosemite area mountain pass, Tioga Pass in YNP, is closed to through traffic. There is no way to cross the Sierra Madera Mountains without using highways far to the north or south. However, Hwy 120 is open to YNP Valley all year – except for rare and brief closures due to winter weather, traffic accidents, or forest fires. Highway 120 is the quickest, most frequently used, well maintained, and scenic route for Yosemite area road trip adventures.

Many visitors plan to see all of YNP, as if they could, in one day. They do not think about the distances involved, or the slower, scenic nature of mountain driving; they do not realize how spectacular the views are, or how much time attractions take to enjoy.

ONE-DAY STAY OVER

A nice, but limited number of experiences are possible during one day. Time will be limited to the afternoon before – the whole day in Yosemite – and the morning after on the road to the next destination.

Sugar Pine Ranch (SPR) is a direct 20 minute route to YNP. It is another 55 minutes to the Valley floor – approximately 2.5 hours round trip. Sunrise is usually 6:00 a.m. in the summer, and sunset at 8:45 p.m. If you arrive at SPR 4:00 p.m. the day before, you can get to the Valley floor, and back, with 2 hours remaining for sight seeing. One of the most spectacular views is Glacier Point, especially at sunset. It will take 1 hour from the Valley floor to get there and back, leaving about 1 hour for Glacier Point. Adding 20 minutes to travel the one-way road half way around the Valley (sorry, but necessary on your way back) you will arrive back at SPR between 8:30 and 9:00 p.m., in time for dinner in a local restaurant – such as the Groveland Hotel Cellar Door Restaurant.

Your full day in the Park will be in the Valley floor. What you choose to do depends on your interests, and when you leave SPR. Plan about 1 hour for breakfast, between 7:30 and 9:00 a.m., at the Groveland Hotel, included with your room.

There are many places and wonderful views on the trip around the Valley. There is one turnout on Hwy 120 before reaching the Valley. A majestical overlook (just past the third tunnel) – a view across the deep Merced River canyon facing the giants El Capitan and Half Doom in the distance. Stop when inspired – always. There is no time later. Your first stop is Bridalveil Falls. 20 minutes to walk and shoot photos. Head to Fresno on Hwy 41 a few hundred yards only, and  stop in the parking lot before the tunnel – another great photo op – 15 minutes. Head back to the Valley to Curry Village, and park. From here you walk or take the shuttle. The shuttle affords the greatest opportunity to get around, and to see most everything in the Valley. Your best options are:

For stretching your legs, go to Happy Isles (there is the Nature Center nearby), take Mist Trail along the east bank, heading up stream of the Merced River about 1 mile to the bridge crossing the river. From the bridge gaze up to Vernal Falls. About 2 hours round trip from Happy Isle. Optional, add 2.5 hours total to the top of Vernal. The path to the bridge climbs in elevation about 500 feet; the second climb to Vernal about 1,000 feet. At the top is a beautiful Emerald pool, and a great place for a take-along sack lunch. The first part is fitting for families and adults – many seniors. The climb to Vernal is twice as hard. Take a light rain jacket or water resistant wind breaker on the upper part – it’s misty.

On the shuttle tour, stop at Yosemite Village. Visit the gift shop, Ansel Adams Gallery, the Park Information Center & Museum, the Indian Village behind the Museum and the theater to see a great film about Yosemite. And have lunch – if you skipped Emerald Pool atop Vernal Falls. All total, about 2-3 hours.

Take the shuttle to the Yosemite Falls stop. Take the walking path through the trees to the bridge below the falls. About an hour. Pick up the shuttle again, and either return to Curry Village or finish the Valley tour, before returning to Groveland. About 1.5 hours on tour.

Departure day: On your way from the area, to your next destination, you will want to visit some key spots. Which ones depends on your route.

Death Valley bound on 120, or onward to Las Vegas, there are several opportunities. Tuolumne Big Trees just past Crane Flat – add 1.5 hour excursion time. Olmsted Point – 15 minute look. Tenaya Lake photos – 15 minutes. Sugar Pine Ranch to Crane Flat to Tioga Pass, down to Hwy 395 road time – 2.5 hours, plus stops. For the best ghost town adventure ever, plan about 4 hours round trip north to Hwy 238 to Bodie. Yes, the road turns to dirt, about 5 miles in, but it is easy traveling, just slower. Just before 395/120 junction returning from Bodie, stop at the Mono Lake Information Center – you won’t believe the ecology; a 30 minute fascination with the unusual. Back at the 395/120 junction, just 3 hours to Death Valley; plus 3 hours to Las Vegas – a very long day. Or plan to lodge on the way.

Going to Sequoia National Park, take 120 to Hwy 41 in YNP Valley (1 hour). 40 minutes later stop in Wawonna, and shuttle to the Mariposa Big Trees (2 hours), unless time is limited – Sequoia big trees, after all, are the giants. A quick stop at the Sugar Pine Railroad (45 minutes), about 20 minutes before Oak Hurst in Fish Camp, is a great 20 minute break. If a layover in Oak Hurst is acceptable, reservations for a evening barbeque, moonlight train ride and camp fire sing-a-long is a must. It is great fun.

Traveling to Silicon Valley or San Francisco, stop at Knights Ferry Park, and take a stroll over the Stanislaus River by covered bridge – the best, and maybe the only New England style bridge this side of the Mississippi River.

Want a leisure and scenic ride along the Merced river, into Mariposa (2.5 hours) take the Hwy 140 turn-off in Yosemite Valley. While in Mariposa, be sure to visit the California Mine and Mineral and the Mariposa Historical Museums – about 1 hour each, and both excellent. From there, head to Merced, Hwy 99 south towards Fresno, to Hwy 152 (and keep a sharp eye out for exit #166 to Gilroy). Continuing west, you are off to the beautiful California coast and towns of Monterey and Carmel. In total this is a long, all day road trip.

TWO-DAY STAY OVER

Two days is better for seeing many of the iconic parts of Yosemite. Although far short of the time needed to experience the rich history and breath taking sites of the Yosemite area, you will be amazed by how much more pleasure an extra day brings.

How your visit is organized will depend on the weather, your interests, and your desired pace. The one-day agenda above is good, but you may want to acclimate to the altitude upon your arrival at SPR before heading into Yosemite. Groveland is 3200 feet in elevation. During your visit you will travel through 4000, 6000 and even 9000 feet – up and down, over and over again. A good nights rest is smart. An afternoon dip in our resort pool, and a lounge beneath the pines, is also a good way to acclimate.

For some additional sites, activities and time required on location (check with staff for travel times to and from destinations): (See Yosemite Road Trips Gallery for attractions.)

• The famous and controversial Hetch Hechy Reservoir – THE OTHER YOSEMITE (TOY) – 1-5 hours
• Take the time to really see Glacier Point, with its great view of the Valley 2000 feet below, Half Dome, Vernal and Merced Falls, and the crest of the Sierras as far as the eye can see. Fast food available – 2 hours
• Visit Groveland’s Museum, 1860s Jail, and shops – 2 hours
• A raft float trip down the Merced in Yosemite Valley – 2 hours
• An all day hike to Merced Falls, up Mist Trail and down the John Muir Trail – take lunch & snacks
• Visit the Ahwahnee Hotel, by the Village, famous for its setting & architecture. Have lunch. 1 hour
• Tuolumne Meadows in the high country – 5 hours
• Rainbow Pool and water fall, our local swimming hole – 20 minutes to view, hours of swim fun.

EXTENDED STAY

Yosemite and beyond. Time to immerse in the spirit and culture of the Sierras, the history of bygone times, lost cultures, and sacred environments? Time to live and feel the power of a wilderness oasis extending your stay affords? How about some time for golf, horseback ridding, wine tasting, a zip line ride, or caving?

Suggestions for an extended stay: (Ask our staff about seasonal attractions.)

Visit and ride authentic 19th century trains at Railtown 1897 State Park, in historic Jamestown – 2 hours

Short hike to explore Carlon Falls and ancient American indian grinding holes – 3-5 hours

See our calender under Events for scheduled cultural, fun entertainment and educational activities

• How about touring a living, authentic and preserved gold rush town, Columbia State Park – 3-5 hours
• Check out the local fishery in Moccasin – 30 minutes
• Boat on Lake Don Pedro – 2-8 hours
• Hike to the top of Yosemite Falls in Yosemite Valley – 6 hours
• Ski at Dodge Ridge 60 minutes away, or snow shoe at Crane Flat in YNP – all day
• Plan ahead for an exciting river rafting trip down the Class IV Tuolumne River – 1-2 days
• Gaming and excellent food at the Mi Wok Black Oak Casino – how lucky do you feel?
• 18-hole professional golf & country club dinning at Pine Mountain Lake – half a day
• Horseback guided trail ride, 2 hours, or bring your own saddle horse for a day in the forest
• On motorcycle, tour Cherry Lake, Andersen Valley, high mountain passes (Tioga, Sonora or Ebits), Mono Lake Basin and Bodie.

Price range

Jan-April $195May-Dec $225

Price range

Jan-April $145May-Dec $175