A Postcard From Arnold, California
You will find that Arnold is quiet, sparsely-populated, and charming. It is 14.8 square miles in area, and it is one of the last towns in California that can boast more trees than residents.

  

About Arnold, California
Amid the wildflowers and the lofty pines, there is a small Gold Rush town called Arnold.  The area, commonly known as the Mother Lode region, is serene and the air is crisp, some 3900 feet above the world in the central Sierra Nevada Mountains. Arnold is the perfect city to visit when it is time to unwind and go skiing - or simply enjoy the outdoors.  The town has many vacation rentals and cabins to choose from, and many residents are second home owners. Arnold is situated in Calaveras County, near Dodge Ridge and Bear Valley Ski Areas. Stanislaus National Forest and Calaveras Big Trees State Park are also nearby, allowing visitors and locals alike to enjoy giant redwoods and pines.  There are several lakes and reservoirs around Arnold for Summer recreation.  The landscape and climate in Arnold is perfect for vineyards, and the area is home to several wineries.

An Average Lifestyle in Arnold
The residents of Arnold are proud of their town and living in the privacy of this tranquil area. Visitors will find that people who live in Calaveras County are genuine, hospitable, and outdoorsy. Arnold is home to many retirees, but the vacation rentals bring in a diverse group of tourists. During the Winter months, it is common to meet people from all parts of the United States and from abroad who come to Arnold for easy access to the selection of ski adventures nearby. San Francisco Bay Area and Silicon Valley residents often take long weekends in the mountains to regroup.

Housing
Median house value: $274,866

Many homes in the area are older; Arnold's median home age is 45.6 years. While the median house value is slightly higher in Arnold than other areas of Calaveras County, it is significantly lower than the state average.

Things To Do
There are plenty of activities to enjoy in Arnold year-round. In the Winter, skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and other cold weather pastimes are most popular. The Summer months bring water, sunny weather that is perfect for mountain biking, tennis, fishing, hiking, and camping. New Melones Lake has over 100 miles of shoreline with a campground, a full-service marina, and great fishing opportunities.  There are three lush golf courses within 15 miles to challenge the golfer you know.  There are museums and historical sites to visit, as well as three limestone caverns to explore. There are plenty of antique stores and small, quaint shops to please shoppers who visit. You can even pan for gold in local streams and lakes.

Near-By Excursions
There are a great many wineries around Arnold that offer wine tasting tours; many of these are located in Murphys, a short 11 mile drive away.

The Dodge Ridge Ski Area is located in Pinecrest, CA, just 29 miles from Arnold. Bear Valley Ski Area is in Bear Valley, CA, about 23 miles from Arnold. The Kirkwood Ski Resort is not far away, either. It is located in Kirkwood, 35 miles away.

Stanislaus National Forest, Columbia State Historic Park, and Calaveras Big Trees Park are all located just miles away in Calaveras County.

Closest Cities
Avery, CA (4.2 miles)
Forest Meadows, CA (6.7 miles)
Murphys, CA (10.6 miles)
Twain Harte, CA (15.9 miles)
Modesto, CA (60.4 miles)
San Francisco, CA (about 135 miles)

Cultural Activities
There is never a shortage of plays and musicals to view in or around Arnold. Performing arts are alive and well in the Sierra Nevada Foothills.  Every Wednesday night from June to August, there are free music performances in local parks.
 
In March, Calaveras County holds its annual Celtic Festival.

Getting to Arnold
When traveling by air, the airports closest to Arnold are the Lake Tahoe Airport in South Lake Tahoe, CA (48 miles), the Stockton Metropolitan Airport in Stockton, CA (54 miles), the Sacramento Mather Airport in Sacramento, CA (55 miles), and the Minden Tahoe Airport in Minden, NV (60 miles).

Weather
Unlike coastal California, Arnold has four definite seasons. Spring is usually pleasant with light rain showers and cool temperatures. Summers are hot, sunny, and dry. Average July temperatures range from lows in the 50's to highs in the 80's. Autumn brings cooler temperatures and colorful foliage. Winters are mild with plenty of rain. Snowfall accumulations are minimal in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Arnold is too low to get as much snow as the ski resorts at higher elevations, yet too high to get a great deal of fog.

Population
Population: 5,130
Median resident age: 45.6 years

Economics
Median household income: $44,563

Higher Education
Modesto Junior College - Modesto, CA (61 miles)
California State University, Stanislaus - Turlock, CA (62 miles)
Merded College - Merced, CA (64 miles)
University of the Pacific - Stockton, CA (69 miles)