Top 10 List for Summer Fun
1. Tubing at Natural Bridges Swimming Hole
Swim-through cavern at Natural Bridges swimming hole
This 2-mile roundtrip hike can be deceptively more intense than you were expecting with hot, squealing children (“Are we there yet?”). But it is soooooooo…. worth it. At the bottom of the trailhead, you will find a swimming hole graced with vaulted limestone caverns, just dark enough and long enough to feel like you are doing something really special, without anyone getting actually terrified they might drown in a cave. The main caverns are right at the end of the trailhead and highly recommended if you have kids in tow. If you want to brave poison oak, a marginal path, and God knows what all, take a left at the bottom of the trail and hike to the secret cavern, super cool but not as user friendly as the main cavern (and probably not worth a meltdown or divorce).
2. Caving & Ziplining at Moaning Caverns
Moaning Caverns—the Spiral Tour
If you grew up in California, you probably had a school field trip to Moaning Caverns. Which doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it again! You most likely did the Spiral Tour—tame. If you want to push it, try the Expedition Crawling & Spelunking Tour, billed as “an experience you will remember for the rest of your life! THIS IS NOT AN EASY, WALKING TOUR! Most areas of this tour are undeveloped parts of the cave which means there are no lights, stairs, or walkways. Instead, visitors daringly explore by climbing and belly crawling with lighted helmets find their way!”
3. Stagecoach & Candy at Columbia State Park
Stagecoach at Columbia State Park
I grew up taking roadtrips to Columbia State Park. In one of my family’s less politically correct and more inexplicable moments, my Mom dressed me up as Uncle Sam and put me in the Fourth of July Parade here. My cousins were Sacagawea and the Statute of Liberty. I was four. And…the 80s were wild. I remember that day with actual terror (I was shy), but I do have a very cute picture of my Grandma wiping away my tears while trying to get a cotton beard to stick onto my tear-drenched face. Childhood aside, Columbia always draws me back for the stagecoach ride and candy store. Nothing says summer like getting held up by a toy gun and gorging yourself with face-sized lollipops and fresh fudge.
4. Picnic & Kayaking at Lake Alpine
A rocky beach at Lake Alpine
This lake is so pretty and user-friendly. Pack a cooler, a picnic blanket, and your floatie of choice, and plan to stay all day. You will not regret it. Paddle to the island in the middle of the lake and jump off boulders into the glacial water. Take a nap under a tree. Watch the clouds float by. This is summer.
5. Paddleboarding at Fly-In Lake
Just another beautiful day at Fly-In Lake
Fly-In Lake is one of Blue Lake Springs’ two private lakes. Snowflake Lake is arguably more of a pond, but Fly-In Lake is big enough to paddle-board. It’s kind of just the right size. Paddle. Picnic. Play. Repeat. For a bit of an adventure, duck under the walking bridge into the reeds and look for birds nests, frogs, and turtles.
6. Whitewater Rafting the North Fork of the Stanislaus River
Technical Class IV rapids on the North Fork of the Stanislaus River
We have not tried this yet, but we really want to. Rumor has it this is a fast and furious adventure, with five miles of technical Class IV whitewater rafting.
7. Live Music & Wood-Fired Pizza at the Lube Room
The Lube Room—classic food, fun, and music for all seasons
The Lube Room is our favorite spot for dinner and drinks after a long day of snowboarding. It is just as fun, but completely different, in the summer, when the back lawn becomes an outdoor venue for local live music, and wood-fired pizzas and strong drinks make the perfect picnic fare for a laid-back evening with family and friends.
Lube Room music line-up for Summer 2025
8 Sipping Spirits at Hinterhaus Distillery
A flight of spirits at Hinterhaus Distillery in downtown Arnold
Hinterhaus gin is good, really good, especially if you like spirits with an herbal finish. With a tasting, you get to try a little bit of everything—whiskey, bourbon, vodka, and gin, and maybe even a cocktail or two. Meet the people behind the magic of this impressive local distillery.
9. Pool Parties at Snowflake Lodge
The pool at Snowflake Lodge—calm before the pool party storm
Our HOA hosts pool parties all summer long with a DJ and pool toys. The kids love it. With lifeguards on duty, there is nothing wrong with staking out a lounge chair and chillaxing for a minute. You’ve earned it!
10. Discover Murphys
Historic downtown Murphys
Explore nearby Murphys, a historic town with wine-tasting, cute boutiques with handmade local products, and a haunted hotel. Stay tuned for more on Murphys, including a ghost hunt scheduled for the end of the month.