The drive here is much more involved than Mercer Caverns with more windy and narrow roads. Once you…read moreget closer the space opens up to a large parking lot and shop you meet at. We were the only ones that signed up for the earliest tour that day and were lucky to have a private tour. The tour has informative history about the caverns with landmarks along the way. The most interesting thing we didn't know about is they have caving adventure tours where you shimny through holes and narrow spaces with a guide but our kids aren't old enough to partake. This was the first show cave in California and townspeople lived in them during harsh winters in the 1800s. There was a bar inside and a church and nails were even given to people to carve on the walls. Because of this there are signs of harm everywhere with soot, broken formations, and dirty coloration from human hand oils and even champagne poured on a rock formation. The caverns are huge and beautiful with some jaw-dropoing rooms. The walking tour is very safe though we loved the slight danger and claustrophobic feel of the Mercer Caverns. When you leave the shop has some cool historical items pulled from the caves on display like glass bottles, etc .. that are worth checking out.

What a cool experience. Got there for the 10:00 am tour, and I was the only guest. The walk to…read morethe cave is only about five minutes, but there's no shade so the earlier the better as the temps heat up. Inside the cave is about 50°. I have no issues with claustrophobia, but if you do there is one tight squeeze that might be a problem. Cash, my tour guide, turned off the lights (after asking my permission) and we experienced total darkness for maybe thirty seconds. It felt like two hours, and I hated it , but still neat and recommend trying if offered. Use the hand rails. They are there for your safety.

Came here from a recommendation we got from our hair stylist. It was only an hour away from Manteca…read moreand went really fast. The drive is beautiful and you get to see so many other cute towns. Murphys is so cute. They have a bunch of rentals in the downtown area and have a lot of real estate opportunities. We came for the opening weekend of Anderson Farms and landed in a local Christmas Event at Murphys Park. Can't wait to visit again!

I used to watch California's Gold with Huell Howser on PBS many years ago and enjoyed watching his…read moreshow. He would always showcase a town or place that's off-the-beaten-path with plenty of history lesson to boot. Man, I miss that show and may he rest in peace. Visiting this old, historic town of Murphys reminded me so much of that show. I don't know if he ever visited this town, but this would be the kind of place that he would showcase on his show. From what I know, it's an old mining town dating back to the Gold Rush and it's obviously named after the maker of Murphy's Irish Stout. Of course I'm pulling your leg, but whoever Murphy was, he was definitely of Irish decent with all the four leaf clovers painted all over this town. You won't find any Leprechauns here, but you will find plenty of small wineries, restaurants and small mom-n-pop shops. It has remained a merchant town, much like it has since the Gold Rush days were over. It's a charming, quiet and quaint little town that has plenty to offer and plenty of libations if you are in the mood. The air is clean, the trees are green and it feels like you are in Mother Nature's nest. This town is perfect for a weekend getaway whether you decide to spend a day or two. Murphys is in Calaveras County and approximately a 3+ hour drive from San Francisco. It's on the outskirts of Stanislaus National Forest, North of Yosemite, East of Stockton with Moaning Caverns Adventure Park and Calaveras Big Trees State Park close by.

Came about an hour before closing but they still accommodated us!…read more The staff were super friendly and knowledgeable. The flights and snacks were super delicious. We tasted wines, cheese and crackers that were so unique! Great selection on cheese, snacks, and gifts to take home. Cannot wait to be back!

FOOD/DRINKS: all the cheeses were really good 4.5/5 - 2017…read moreGrenache 4/5 - 2016 Mourvedre 4/5 - 2015 Cotes du Calaveras 3.75/5 - 2015 Syrah 4/5 SERVICE: Our host was welcoming, friendly, and accommodating. 5/5 FINAL THOUGHTS: We would come back. We love a wine and cheese pairing.

Where to begin? Long time Murphys visitors but first time visiting without the kiddos so we had to…read morego wine tasting. We heard and saw so many mentions about Vina Moda we had to stop by. The service was as good as the wine. They have a beautiful history, a deep love of the area and the most welcoming vibe we experienced during our stay. Dre and Andi are absolute gems!! They offer the kind of experience you dream about for a weekend getaway. The aesthetics of the tasting room are beautiful and carefully curated. We felt home within seconds and left with delicious wine (must try the barbera!!!), a fantastic experience and what felt like lifelong friends. My husband and I became Instant fans! Vina Moda became a must-stop for every future visit. 10/10 recommend!

Kesha ( hope spelled right), Kurt server is an awesome personality and knows how to take care of…read morecustomers. Watched her serve inside and out, scan the area each time making sure to say hello to new customers. Wine, very nice and surprisingly tasty. Low tannins comfortable and beautiful

I had a glass of their wine when dining at a local restaurant, and I really liked it. Good tasting…read moremenu, and we liked their Rose, Melbac and petit Syrah. Price is reasonable too. Tasting room is cozy and modern, and inside was very well air conditioned which helped in a hot day. Big outdoor seatings and tables in a shade, and mister is going with huge fan browsing. Do swing by for a good tasting experience!

It was our first time doing wine tasting and did not really know how it goes. We were given a menu…read moreand each wine was brought out to us one by one. Each was explained, what year it was made, how it compares to the other wines. It probably would be nice to be able to sit longer and order some food to go with our wines. Not bad for our first wine testing.

My name is Allan Royce. I am on the Tuolumne Lumber Jubilee committee . This year we were having…read moreproblems securing logs for the show which is June 28. I reached out to local tree services, and Chris at Proper Pruning responded almost immediately. He informed me that he had all of the logs we would need, and that we can have whatever we needed. Chris and his company Proper Pruning is now a cherished sponsor of the 77 th Tuolumne Lumber Jubilee, and we hope to work with him in the future. All of us associated with the Jubilee greatly appreciate his willingness to come to our rescue. I have been in logging all my life and have seen the work done by Proper pruning and would recommend this company to anyone needing tree work.

Proper Pruning never disappoints!!! They are fantastic to work with! Chris & Jolene have always…read morebeen reliable, prompt & provide great service. And not to mention their crew that is always top notch. They clean up after themselves and are great workers! We have been using them since we moved to Arnold in 2020 & have always been impressed!

We visited Ironstone Vineyards to celebrate my daughter's birthday and it was such a beautiful…read moreplace to spend the day. As you drive up, you're greeted by gorgeous landscaping and flowers everywhere -- the setting alone makes you want to slow down and stay awhile. We did a wine tasting and really enjoyed the wines. The Sauvignon Blanc was especially good -- crisp, refreshing, and perfect for a warm day. The Pinot Noir was also a standout, smooth and easy to sip. You can tell they put care into their wines, and there was something for everyone in our group to like. The grounds are spacious and peaceful, with views, gardens, and plenty of spots to wander or sit and relax. It feels more like an experience than just a quick tasting stop. The woman helping us was a bit reserved, but still helpful as we made our selections. Overall, Ironstone is a lovely place to visit if you're in the area -- great wine, beautiful scenery, and a relaxing atmosphere that makes for a memorable outing.

We attended a Willie Nelson concert at the Ironstone amphitheater. The lawn seating was perfect and…read morea great price lots of food options and plenty of restrooms. The only downside was their Wi-Fi. I was unable to pull up my Ticketmaster tickets so after I went through security, I had to get out of line and go all the way over to will call to get printed tickets and go back through security again.