Stepping into Woodhaven, you enter the light-filled main living area combining the living room, kitchen, dining room, and breakfast bar. As you’re settling in, open the sliding glass door to the large deck and breathe in the fresh mountain air.

Consider beginning your stay at Woodhaven by stepping out onto the deck and basking in the sun as you sip a glass of wine. If you’ve come unprepared, you’ll find a small, complimentary bottle of California chardonnay in the refrigerator for you.

Restless nights are unheard of here. This stylishly furnished master bedroom has an ever-so-comfortable bed, quality linens, down pillows and duvet. And the bedroom curtains have blackout backing for sound nighttime sleeping – and daytime napping!

One of the things we love about Woodhaven is that it’s in the middle of a sunny open glade, completely surrounded by trees.

You’ll love lounging on the soft sandy beach at the lake. Don’t worry about bringing water toys. There’s free access to kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, paddle boats and inflatable devices – and shuffleboard, ping pong, horseshoe and a basketball court

You’ll probably notice right away that this small, cozy cabin doesn’t actually feel so small. It’s got a cozy, yet roomy feeling. The high, warmly-stained cedar ceiling with recessed lighting contributes to Woodhaven’s sense of openness.

It’s about the details here. Like the locally-roasted, award-winning coffee and hand-made local chocolates that greet you. We do our best to anticipate your needs. If there’s anything else we can do to ensure your wonderful stay, please let us know.

You’re surrounded by trees outside the master bedroom too. So, when you look out the window, that’s all you’ll see looking up the hill.

We hope you enjoy Woodhaven’s casually sophisticated, comfortably chic furnishings. The haunting water color was done by an artist friend from Oakland. You can charge your phone or other devices in the docking station at the back of this nightstand.

The binoculars on the table are a French antique. They work. If you’re in the mood for birding, which is fun up here, please feel free to use them. We got them from a dear friend’s shop on an island off the coast of Maine where we go every summer.

You’ll find plenty of nice, quiet moments to relax in Woodhaven. Those moments are especially nice after a day of exciting adventures in Calaveras County – the 14th highest-ranked county in the U.S. (That’s well above Napa’s ranking. Just sayin’.)

The curtains are made from antique WWI French army bed linens. (Yes, soldiers slept in them. But no worries, they’ve been cleaned!) They’re hung from curtain rods hand-crafted by a woman blacksmith in Oakland. These details make Woodhaven unique.

The console at the entryway contains an extra set of Woodhaven keys, as well as tags and permits you’ll need for the lake. They’re in the top right drawer. The framed picture is an old painted photograph of Yosemite, which is just 78 miles away.

Are you like us and enjoy cooking? You’re in luck with the Bosch duel-fuel stove. That means the stove-top is not electric like most cabins up here, it’s gas – which, if you like to cook, you know is best. The oven is electric and great for baking.

Weary travelers often need a snack when they arrive. We’ve got them. The kiddos might enjoy a cup of Ghirardelli hot cocoa. You’re welcome to join them. Besides coffee, you’ll also find a large selection of Taylors of Harrogate Teas to choose from.

As you’re mulling over your plans for a nice evening and dinner in Murphys, pull out the book of menus from restaurants we’ve assembled for you. If you’re wanting to stick closer to Woodhaven, there are plenty of local eats in Arnold to choose from.

Good luck figuring out where to sit and relax when you’re visiting! One of our friends recently said, “You know, there are just so many wonderful places to sit here, I simply can’t decide!”

Mooo! You’ll find plenty of empty drawers in the bedroom dressers and nightstands for all of your belongings. This is strictly a vacation home, so you won’t discover any old socks in drawers. This dresser is a French antique we found.

The second bedroom has two twin beds. If there’s a little one – or two – with you, there’s a nightlight in the room. You’ll also find an electric, inflatable twin mattress in the closet that sleeps an additional person.

At dinnertime, you may choose to stay in and cook. Sitting around the big inviting dining table, gazing at trees, sharing food and wine certainly makes for a lovely evening. (If you’ve got a little one with you, the booster seat will come in handy.)

If you do decide to stay in an cook, the grill on the deck might come in handy. There’s nothing like summertime grilling – whether it’s vegis or meat! (And the grill has a direct gas line so you never have to worry about running out of propane!)

While you’re barbequing, you might like to invite your guests to sit on the deck in the dappled light of the late afternoon sun and sip a glass of wine.

You’ll find a kitchen with drawers and cupboards stocked with what you might be needing for cooking even gourmet meals. This includes plenty of utensils, quality pots and pans, a set of German Wüsthof forged steel knives – and cook books, of course.

The wall art is imported from Rue Sonoma Wine Country Home Décor and Design. It’s happy to reside now in this Calaveras wine-country home.

When you’re back at Woodhaven and ready to freshen up, you’ll find a newly updated, casually-sophisticated bathroom. Gaze out at the woods while you shower with the shampoo and luscious, local hand-made goats’ milk soap we’ve provided for you.

Plush towels and luxurious bathrobes are just part of the bath amenities. You’ll also find a hair dryer and complimentary toiletries, including shampoo, cotton balls, Q-tips, razors, shaving cream and individually wrapped toothbrushes and toothpaste.

The local hand-crafted goats’ milk soap we provide you is from Seven Sisters Soap & Candle Co. in Columbia State Park – worth a visit. Speaking of cleanliness, thanks to our Co-Host, Chellsea, who keeps Woodhaven sparkling clean for our happy guests!

Our mascot.

As the sun sets, you’ll probably want to head out to the meadow in the back to the fire pit for a beautiful nighttime fire outside. Don’t forget the marshmallows!

My contractor and builder, Jimmy, and I designed the deck and stairs. I love the way the stairs flow and how they coax you down into the glade at the back of the house. They’re also a lovely place to sit with a cup of coffee in the morning.

If you need extra sleeping space, the living room sofa folds out to become a surprisingly comfortable queen size bed. It’s actually quite a sweet spot to relax, read a book and sip a cup of hot chocolate as the warm fire next to you slowly dies out.

Slip into your comfy cotton bathrobe, curl up with a good book (we’ve got one, if you don’t) and a nightcap as you drift into a cozy, restful night of sleep.

Waking up in the morning, you’ll look up at this painting by a Bay Area artist. Like the morning sun streaming through the East-facing windows at the back of Woodhaven, it will excite you into embracing the new day after your restful night of sleep!

In the morning, if you’ve got some bread, help yourself to the miniature jars of Bonne Maman assorted preserves we provide in the frig. It’s a great way to start the day – especially with a cup of our Murphys’ Blend coffee from Gold Country Roasters!

Don’t have pasties? No worries. You’ll find cereal, oatmeal and preserves to start your day. And of course, the fresh, delicious, and award-winning locally-roasted coffee waiting for you to brew. Just choose the coffee maker, filter or French press.

Speaking of morning sun . . . Most of the homes in Lakemont Pines are shaded under trees. Part of the charm of Woodhaven is that it’s nestled in an open, sunny little glade but still surrounded by trees.

One of our furry neighbors visiting Woodhaven. We’ve got lots of them. Please respect them as primary residents in the neighborhood.

It’s a sweet little stroll to the lake. Just step out the door of Woodhaven and head down the road. It’s just a little over 1,000 feet to the lake.

There’s no shortage of fun to be had at the lake. Guests have access to all kinds of amenities provided by the Lakemont Pines Lake and Recreation Facilities, including kayaks, paddle boards, paddle boats, and beach and water toys for the kiddos.

The lake enveloped by the Stanislaus Forrest.

Interested in a vessel for traversing the lake? There are many to choose from – all available to you as part of your stay when you book at Woodhaven.

A quiet moment on the lake.

Some of the outdoor seating at the lodge. There are also picnic tables and barbecues for cooking at the lake.

Shuffleboard on the lake…

Ping pong on the lake…

Kids’ playground on the lake…

And for bigger kids, basketball on the lake…

Summer is divine. But it’s also very magical when winter finally settles in on the lake.

Speaking of winter… When you visit Woodhaven in winter, be prepared for mountain weather. You might need 4WD or tire chains for access. Be sure to carry chains (and snow shoes?) and be prepared to put them on. 2019 brought unusually heavy snowfall!

As you head out for adventure, you’ll definitely want to consult our Guidebook. It’s an extensive resource about the myriad local adventures . You’ll receive it when you book. In the meantime, the following photos show some of the fun you’ll have…

YOUR HAND-MADE GOAT’S MILK SOAP IN THE CABIN . . . it’s from Seven Sisters Soap and Candle Company, located in the historic gold rush town of Columbia State Park. It’s a GREAT place to visit . . .

At Seven Sisters you can make your own soaps or candles. Just want to learn? Stop by to see the process of both candle- and soap-making daily. Just buying? They have the largest selection of soap and candles in the Mother Lode, and all hand-crafted.

YOUR CHOCOLATES . . . they’re from Nelson’s Columbia Candy Kitchen, also in historic Columbia – since the 1800s. Can’t visit Columbia where the candies are made? You can find these delicious candies at their shop on Main Street in downtown Murphys.

WOODHAVEN COFFEE IS FROM GOLD COUNTRY ROASTERS. This award-winning coffee roasting company has a café and retail shop in Murphys a half block off Main St with seating inside or out and free Wi-Fi. We hope you enjoy this cup of joe as much as we do!

WINE TASTING? The area has over two dozen family-owned and operated boutique wineries. Many have tasting rooms right on Main Street in Murphys, within comfortable strolling distance of one another – perfect for a walking wine-tasting tour.

SPEAKING OF MURPHYS, it was named “One of the Top 10 Coolest Small Towns in America” by Frommers. It’s a unique and memorable destination for shopping, eating, wine-tasting and more. (Don’t miss JoMa’s Artisan Ice Cream – even in the winter. Yum!)

“COOL” OPTION FOR A HOT SUMMER DAY . . . The area has amazing caves and caverns, all open to the public with tours. The closest to Woodhaven are Mercer Caverns in Murphys and Moaning Cavern and Adventure Park in Vallecito, just southwest of Murphys.

MORE CAVES? California Cavern State Historic Landmark is worth the 45-minute drive. With a long cavern system, it’s one of the few U.S. caves with expeditions 45-80 minutes long. A memorable one takes you and your kids with only cave helmet lights.

FEELING MORE ADVENTUROUS? Grab a zip line at Moaning Cavern and Adventure Park. Kids over 70 pounds can zip alone. If you’ve got smaller kiddos, those under 70 pounds can zip tandem with a parent as long as the combined weight is under 270 pounds.

HUG THE BIGGEST TREES IN THE WORLD? Just 3 miles from Woodhaven, surely you’ll want to experience the jaw-dropping magnificence of the gigantic Sequoia trees in Big Trees State Park. The North Grove’s nearly level 1.5 mile loop is family-friendly.

EUREKA!! There’s a great place to take kiddos gold panning. You ARE in gold country, after all! Hidden Treasure Gold Mine is located in Columbia State Park. No kiddos? That’s okay. This is a fun destination for the gold miner in every one of us!

SNOW FUN! Just 35 minutes away from Woodhaven is Bear Valley, with world-class snowboarding and downhill or cross-country skiing. There’s also alpine and cross-country skiing on either groomed or back-country trails, as well as snowmobiling in town.

NO SNOW? NO WORRIES! With low traffic Bear Valley rock climbing is pristine. Lessons available. Box Canyon’s great for beginners or intermediate climbers. Hell’s Kitchen’s a bouldering playground and local fav. Advanced climbers like Spicer Terraces.

WINE TASTING TOUR? It’s a scrumptious way to explore the local foothills, home to 30 hand-crafted family-owned wineries and 24 tasting rooms that showcase the beautiful terroir. Murphys, Angels Camp and Mokelumne Hill also have lots of tasting rooms.

ANOTHER PLUG FOR COLUMBIA. You gotta visit this State Historic Park for an up-close view of California’s 1800s gold rush. With museums, tours, theater, events and shopping, you’ll learn lots about the fascinating history of this period in California.

GOLF? LET’S START BY ASSUMING YOU DON’T. If so, that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying a great meal at the restaurant at Sequoia Woods Country Club in Arnold! The menu changes seasonally, and includes an enticing assortment of local foothill wines.

NOW, IF YOU DO GOLF… there are several great public golf courses nearby, including a 9-hole course in Murphys – Forest Meadows Golf Club – and three regulation par-72 courses. Meadowmont Golf Course, in Arnold, is a 9-hole course with 2,931 yards.

♪ ♩ ♫ ♩ ♪ MUSIC LOVER? Ironstone Vineyard in Murphys has an awesome summer concert series featuring big names – classical and contemporary. The concerts are in a beautiful vineyard and award-winning amphitheater, voted one of the world’s top 100.

MORE MUSIC?? Of course! Just head up to the Bear Valley Music Festival mid- to late-summer. It’s nearing its 50th year of eclectic line-ups of musicians, Broadway, opera and chamber music. Enjoy it daytime or evening, listening to some of the best.

MOUNTAIN BIKING JUST OUTSIDE THE DOOR . . . The Arnold Rim Trail is a very popular mountain biking trail – and it goes right through Lakemont Pines! Others trails in Arnold include Bear Bottom, Calaveras Big Trees/South Loop, and Top Of The World.

DON’T BIKE, HOW ABOUT A HIKE? A short stroll from Woodhaven, the Arnold Rim Trail is a beautiful 17-mile trail system for hikers, equestrians and bikers. You’ll find panoramic views, streams, shaded old-growth forests, a waterfall, wildlife and more.

NORTH FORK OF THE STANISLAUS RIVER — Just 20 minutes southwest of Woodhaven, the north fork of the wildly scenic Stanislaus River features spectacular swimming and tall trees, as well as great opportunities for kayaking, river rafting and fishing.

AND SPEAKING OF RIVER RAFTING… Outdoor Adventure River Specialists offer an incredible Class IV whitewater rafting adventure on the Stanislaus River North Fork beginning just 3 miles from Woodhaven! For ages 14 and up, this shouldn’t be missed!

PREFER SOMETHING A LITTLE TAMER? How about some fishing on the Stanislaus River. It’s become increasingly popular, boasting beautiful scenery and large numbers and varieties of fish. The North Fork is home to rainbow and brown trout.

TIMMBBEERR!! The Sierra Nevada Logging Museum offers a great overview of the logging industry founding Arnold. It also hosts the Sierra Nevada Logging Jamboree family event on Labor Day weekend with amateurs and pros competing in all things logging.

If you’re an art lover, there’s no shortage of art to be seen and enjoyed near Woodhaven. To get you started, GoCalaveras.com provides you with a great online gallery guide here: https://www.GoCalaveras.com/Art-Gallery-Guide-Calaveras/

SOURGRASS RECREATION AREA — It’s just 20 minutes from Woodhaven on the north fork of the Stanislaus River. Besides its beauty, it has a rich history. For over 2,000 years, the Miwuk people lived here seasonally gathering food and fishing the river.

FEEL LIKE A LEISURELY ROAD TRIP? The 61-mile drive along the Ebbetts Pass National Scenic Byway is a spectacular and intimate high-country experience – with fun stops, since it’s surrounded by national forest and wilderness areas. Begins in Arnold.

AND WHILE YOU’RE ON THE BYWAY… be sure to stop at Alpine Lake, just 40 minutes northeast of Woodhaven. The 4-mile hike around the lake offers a great tour of the area. The trail begins at the road’s end near Pine Marten Campground and go clockwise.

READY TO COOK? Big Trees Market has you covered. Just a mile from Woodhaven, you’ll find it’s as well-stocked as any big-city grocery store –and with small-town friendliness. Deli, meat and fish counter, bakery, organic and local produce and herbs.

And when you’re downtown Arnold, stop by Fine Things – especially if you like to shop. In has home decor, unique gifts, accessories, jewelry, cards, candles, art, women’s clothing. You’ll find something for yourself – or that hard-to-shop-for friend.

And just a couple of doors down from Fine Things, you’ll find Peddlers Market. They have some great items. We’d call it rustic shabby chic. Their eclectic collection includes hand-painted furniture, and vintage, antique, and hand-made stuff.

MISSING THE GYM? Big Trees Fitness is located right in Arnold. In addition to the gym, you also have access to their pool (during the summer months). It’s only $7 a day for individuals or $20 for a family. THAT’S a deal!

Be sure to consult the Guidebook we provide for more details and other adventures you can enjoy in the area!