I love this place to pieces. I have been coming here since I was a young kid and I'm 42 now. The…read morelast two times I came in here, I had the greatest conversations with the owners, and then I went to White Pines and got on some fish based on the suggestions I got from them.

Great little sporting goods store which is perfect for the area. Bill defines the store with his…read moreknowledge and is very friendly if you need any fishing tips. The store mainly has fishing supplies for the nearby ponds to catch trout, bluegill, and bass. There is a small selection for water sports, goggles, snow gear, and swim wear. Yes it's small , but that's the charm and how logistics works when out so far from a local big box store. I've bought fishing licenses here which was not an issue for me. They are able to take debit card with a small fee. Pay with cash and you can avoid fee - just like numerous small business impacted by cc fees from the cc companies. Also picked up a custom Ebbetts Pass sun shirt which honestly is badasś. Support local business there and around town!

Three stars. This…read moreBig 5 has one of the best retail locations in the county. You've got a steady stream of people heading to Tahoe, Kirkwood, Silver Lake, and the rest of the Sierra, plus a community that's packed with youth sports. This place should be absolutely crushing it. Instead, walking through the front doors feels like someone hit pause in 1994 and never came back. I swear I hear grunge music every time I walk in. Not over the speakers... just in my soul. I'm always expecting someone to ask if I need help finding a VCR head cleaner, a new pager clip, or directions to the nearest Blockbuster. If RadioShack and Sports Authority had a baby that refused to acknowledge the last 30 years of retail, it'd probably look like this. The funny part is, this store has so much potential. It should be the place where everyone stops before heading to the mountains because they forgot propane, hiking socks, fishing tackle, snow gloves, or a football mouthguard for Saturday's game. Instead, it has the energy of a retail museum. The only thing missing is a "Please Rewind" sign hanging over the register. The staff has always been friendly, which is why this isn't a one-star review. I just wish corporate would realize they've got a gold mine sitting at the gateway to the Sierra and give this place the glow-up it's deserved for about three decades. Until then, I'll keep expecting to find a stack of Blockbuster membership forms next to the checkout.

Good selection of fun summer stuffread more

Great shop right on Hwy 4, in the middle of Arnold. They open at 8, and Bear Valley opens at 9…read more So get there at opening, and drive the 30 minutes. You can be first in line when the lifts open! There were several families there, but service was fast and efficient, and we were on our way in no time. The equipment was in decent shape. They have full Rossi rental packages. The boots were comfortable if not a little basic. The skis were in good condition. Everything looked fairly new. The poles were a little cheap, but who cares--they're just sticks right? We also got a demo package. Nicer Rossi boots plus Atomic skis. The previous week I tried the premium Rossi skis somewhere else, but these Atomics were hot. After I returned them, he offered to sell me a new pair that were on sale. Not this time, but I was tempted. The staff was friendly and knowledgable, without being overbearing or know it all. The were fast too. They sped us through our paperwork, we paid up front, and returned our stuff by 5:30 day of. Great experience overall!

SNAC is the best! They went absolutely out of their way to help us when we were in a tight spot…read moreduring the recent storms, going way above and beyond to make sure our family was safe. They have the best rental game in town, are so knowledgeable and friendly, and are locals. Hit them up in the winter -- or summer -- if you need gear or some local insight. Could not be more grateful for their whole team!

An artist from another time who has a unique view, but understands his place in history…read more Traditional cane rods using modern techniques to duplicate tapers; and his own pentagonal rods. See his web site. He has made rods that were then engraved by a former employee of Purdy Shotguns. Very special. Keeping a nearly dead art form alive.

From the owner: We specialize in custom, handmade bamboo fly rods. Most of…read moreour rods are built using a pentagonal (5 sided) construction giving them a unique feel and added reserve.

I needed a gift for Father's Day and didn't want to drive all the way to REI. Found something great…read moreimmediately but my husband wanted a long sleeve shirt instead. He was able to return the shirt and picked out a beautiful Patagonia shirt. Mike the owner was helpful both times and even gave us a discount. I definitely will continue to shop here.

I took my husband for a scenic drive to Sutter Creek and we sauntered up and down Main Street…read morechecking out interesting shops along the way. Down at one end we discovered the Sierra Mountain Outdoor store, and on a rack of clothing that was out front on the sidewalk, I found a beautiful plaid shirt that fit him perfectly. Even marked down the prices aren't cheap, but the quality is excellent, and in the case of the Marmot shirt I bought for my husband, it comes with a lifetime guarantee.

Such a wonderful little store in Arnold, California! Anytime I'm up here, I always make a point to…read morestop in. The owner is incredibly friendly, and his wife is absolutely lovely. They are truly wonderful people who provide exceptional service and carry great products. It's always such a pleasure to shop here, and I'm so happy to support a local business with such genuinely kind people behind it. Highly recommend!

This shop is amazing. It's the best knife and firearm shop that I know of the staff is…read moreknowledgeable and super friendly. They also have an amazing inventory. The family that runs it are super personable and always have good conversation. They're the best highly recommend every time. I'm in Arnold, I go there.

A sporting goods store that also serves beer, what could better define the Foothill lifestyle?…read moreSeems like a place where a lot of locals come to throw a few back. They had an outstanding limited release coffe stout from Lagunitas in the bottle that I highly recommend.

I was never so happy we found this bar! The owner, the bartender and the clientele were the best…read moreever! One guy even bought his home grown vegetables (looked absolutely beautiful) to share with the people at the bar. We had so much fun and enjoyed the beer so much, I couldn't wait to go back to get the last two pints of the Orange Cream Machine. Where can you drink beer and shop for a guns, riffles, knives , ammo and many other things. This is one of a kind bar you won't find anywhere else!!!

Cute little store, they carry just about everything you need for hiking/backpacking from high…read morequality brands.

This store is so cool!…read more My boyfriend and I parked a little ways down the street to walk around and look at stores and this place caught my eye because who doesn't love a good outdoor store? And a local business, at that! Lots of cool gear and clothes, and even better sales! They had a lot of winter season sales when we came in so I ended up buying a comfortable jacket with their logo! They literally have everything here. I saw a few books I wanted to buy, but had to stay within my budget :) but I'd love to come back and maybe pick up those books and take them home with me! Honestly, if you're in need for a good outdoor gift or to add to your gear collection, go here.

This is still a great little fly shop. Friendly, knowledgeable, good selection and reasonable…read moreprices. There is another sporting goods shop up the road if you want spinning gear, but The Trout Spot is the go to place for fly tackle.

While scouting out some areas to fly fish near Arnold, I saw this place and decided to stop in…read more The first thing I noticed was a great selection of flies along with anything else you might need to fly fish. The owner had three customers in the store, including myself, with about 15 minutes left until close. He helped everyone out and still had time to suggest several fishing spots in the area. I picked up a few flies I didn't really need, but helping the local shops is important. I also found out he sells online too so I'll keep him in mind when I need something. Last thing he said was, "stop in next time your in the area and I can tell you where the fish are biting!" Thank you!!!