Enjoy Pinecrest Lake in the Sierra Nevada Mountains Above Sonora
Boating, water skiing, and swimming are major activities during the summer high season. Thousands of campers and picnickers enjoy the beaches, cabins, resorts and near by campgrounds.
Once the higher mountain passes are closed by snow, there is a short period until the winter sports enthusiasts start arriving to enjoy the cold weather sports. Dodge Ridge Ski area is located nearby. There is an indoor ice skating rink in Long Barn.
Pinecrest is located off of Hwy. 108 about an hour or so above Sonora. Most of the motels in the area are located in or near Sonora but there are some in Twain Harte and Mi-wuk also. There are many cabins to rent everywhere in this region. As I write this, a girlfriend and her extended family are camping at a campground near Pinecrest Lake.
Summer temperatures range from mid 70’s to low 80’s in the daytime and it drops to the 60’s at night. If you’re renting a cabin you may find yourself using the fireplace!
The Pinecrest Chalet is close to the lake with a myriad of options for accommodations – non-kitchen cabins, mini chalets, town houses and studios. From this location it’s an easy drive to the lake, stores and restaurants.
The MiWuk Village Resort is set up to hold conferences on the premises. They also have jetted hot tubs in some of the rooms, a spa and heated pool. I remember an excellent Prime Rib dinner across the street – but don’t recall the name of the restaurant.
Don’t forget the B and B’s. Cute, charming, small, medium size – this area has a large selection of Bed and Breakfast accommodations to choose from. There are many fine restaurants in the area from cafes and diners to fine dining. I’ve not eaten at the Steam Donkey in Pinecrest, but with that name it’s sure to be an interesting place to visit.
Sonora and Twain Harte are about 20 to 25 miles from Pinecrest. If you have a free Sunday, stop and enjoy brunch at the Epperson House in Twain Harte. Their Sunday brunch is marvelous and the dinners are also very good. Don’t forget to have a fuzzy navel – that was “our” drink after a day of doing craft shows in the area. In mid-July there is a great craft fair held right on the grounds of the Epperson House.
It’s worth a drive to Twain Harte (6-7 miles above Sonora on Hwy. 108) on Friday or Saturday nights to enjoy the bands which play on week-ends at the Twain Harte Inn. (I don’t suggest staying there – the rooms used to be in pretty bad shape; I’m not sure they have rooms for rent any more.) The food was also very good in their dining room.
Black Oak Casino is also nearby and Chicken Ranch Bingo to just below Sonora a few miles.
If you’re camping in the area, or renting a cabin, you can buy your groceries at the great grocery store (butcher shop, deli & bakery) in Twain Harte. It’s off to the left of the highway as you drive through town. Be sure and go through the drug store – great gifts, crafts, even antiques and clothing. (It’s been a few years but I think it’s all still there.)
Have a terrific trip.
