Victoria Inn

Calaveras-trees

Calaveras County Wheelchair Travel Guide

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From historic museums to wine tasting, and even a grove of giant sequoias, there’s a definite diversity in California’s Calaveras County. And if you’d like to spend a night or two, there’s also a good selection of comfortable inns and lodges. The good news is, many of the lodgings, attractions and trails are excellent choices for slow walkers and wheelchair-users. So pack your suitcase, gas up the car and check out this Calaveras County Wheelchair Travel Guide for a fun weekend in the California Gold Country.

Attractions

Calaveras County Museums Worth a Stop

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From an old courthouse to vintage logging equipment, and even a stagecoach or two, there’s lots to see and do in these immersive museums.

Calaveras Big Trees for Wheelchair-Users and Slow Walkers

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Explore an accessible trail through a giant sequoia grove, linger on a meadow boardwalk or roll on down to the river at Calaveras Big Trees State Park.

Wheelchair-Accessible Murphys Wine Tasting

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Take a wine stroll through downtown Murphys. And stop and enjoy some of the old time storefronts along the way.

Visit Ironstone Vineyards

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Ironstone Vineyards offers much more than a tasting room. Take a tour of the wine caverns, enjoy the beautiful grounds, or check out the giant gold nugget in the museum.

Calaveras Frog Jump

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A top pick on the Calaveras County Wheelchair Travel Guide, this Angels Camp competition takes a page from one of Mark Twain’s short stories. Come and see who takes home the grand prize.’

Spend The Night

Victoria Inn

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Located on the main drag in Murphys, the Victoria Inn is just steps from a few favorite wine tasting rooms. And it offers a wheelchair-accessible room in a small cottage near the main building.

Black Bear Inn

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Set amongst the pines, this five-room lodge includes an expansive great room, a comfortable patio and the wheelchair-accessible Calaveras Suite.

Enjoy the Courtwood Inn While Touring California Gold Country

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This tennis-themed inn includes the wheelchair-accessible US Open Room, which includes a spacious bathroom with a roll-in shower.

Logistics

Check Out These Five Calaveras County Picnic Areas

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Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy your meal al fresco at one of these Calaveras County wheelchair-accessible picnic areas.

Park Your Car and Ride the Calaveras Hopper

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The wheelchair-accessible Calaveras Hopper runs on Saturdays, and connects Angels Camp with the Murphys tasting rooms as well as Ironstone vineyards.

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Visit Ironstone Vineyards in the California Foothills 

Visit Ironstone Vineyards in the California Foothills 

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Located in the Sierra Nevada foothills, just 133 miles east of San Francisco, Calaveras County is the perfect spot to slip away for a weekend wine tasting getaway. The pace is slower than some of the more famous California wine regions, and the winemakers are unpretentious and happy to chat about their wines. It’s a relaxing and refreshing experience. And although there’s no shortage of tasting rooms in the area, Ironstone Vineyards tops the list for location, variety and wheelchair access

Ironstone Vineyards

Vineyards at the Ironstone Winery

Getting to Calaveras County is easy. From the Bay Area head east on Interstate 5 to Stockton, then continue east on Highway 4. As you leave the city you’ll feel the stress melt away while you cruise along this country byway. About an hour down the road, just outside of Murphys, make a left on 6 Mile Road. Ironstone Vineyards (www.ironstonevineyards.com) is about three miles down the road — you can’t miss it.

There’s plenty of accessible parking at this popular winery, with level access over to the tasting room. Owned by the Kautz family, this vineyard grows a variety of fruit, including Cabernet Franc, Symphony, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Visitors can choose five tastes from the daily menu, to see what strikes their fancy. There’s also a store, a lakeside park, a museum , and even an amphitheater in the complex. And access is good throughout the complex, with elevator access to all floors, level thresholds and paved pathways.

Estate tours are also available, and most of the stops on this walking tour feature level access. And if you can’t manage the walk, golf cart transportation is also available. Highlights of the tour include the 44-pound gold nugget in the Heritage Museum, the 1,200-pipe organ in the Alhambra Music Room and the spectacular seasonal flower gardens. Ironstone Vineyards is definitely more than just a winery.

Flower Gardens at Ironstone Vineyards

And although this makes a pleasant day trip, if you’d like to linger on in Calaveras County, then spend the night at the Victoria Inn in Murphy. Mae’s Room is wheelchair-accessible. (emerginghorizons.com/spend-the-night-at-the-murphys-victoria-inn/).

The Victoria Inn in Murphys, California
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Six Wheelchair-Accessible Picks for a Valentine’s Day Getaway

Six Wheelchair-Accessible Picks for a Valentine’s Day Getaway

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February is the month of love, and many folks celebrate it with a Valentine’s Day romantic retreat with their sweetheart. And although most chain hotels have at least minimal wheelchair access, that can’t always be said for quaint inns, rustic lodges and cozy cabins. With that in mind here’s a selection of some unique wheelchair-accessible picks that will simply wow your sweetie this Valentine’s Day.

Black Bear Inn

 

The Black Bear Inn in Arnold, California

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Located in the logging town of Arnold, this Central California mountain lodge is surrounded by the forest. The accessible Calaveras Suite is furnished with a comfy king-sized bed and includes a spacious bathroom with a roll-in shower. Add in a cozy fireplace in the gathering room and you have the perfect romantic package.

Asilomar

The “Stuck-Up” Inn at Asilomar Conference Center

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If you’d prefer a coastal escape, then look no further than Asilomar, which is located near Monterey in Northern California. Two accessible rooms are located in the historic section of this property, and they both include a bathroom with a roll-in shower. It’s not unusual to look out your window to see deer grazing outside; and there’s nothing better than a romantic stroll along the beach on the accessible Dunes Boardwalk.

Jim Bridger Cabins

 

Rooftop deck on Cabin 2 at the Jim Bridger Explorer Cabins

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Located in the northern gateway to Yellowstone National Park, this small complex of nine cabins includes an accessible unit. It features two bedrooms, a small kitchen and living area, and a bathroom with a roll-in shower. Enjoy s’mores around a nearby fire circle or watch the sunset from the accessible rooftop deck. Or just snuggle up next to the fire inside.

Victoria Inn

 

Entry to room 15 at the Victoria Inn

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This California Gold Country Inn exudes a decidedly old world ambiance. The accessible unit is located a short walk from the main building, and has its own private entrance. It’s furnished with a queen-sized bed and the bathroom includes a 36-inch square transfer-type shower. And there’s a cozy front porch where you can enjoy a glass of wine, before you stroll down Main Street for dinner.

Maumee Bay Cabin

 

Cabin 17 at Maumee Bay Lodge

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This northern Ohio cabin is located a short drive from the main lodge. There’s an accessible bedroom with a king-sized bed downstairs, as well as a bathroom with a roll-in shower. Other features include a spacious deck which overlooks the adjacent marsh, and a large fireplace in the great room. Even better, it offers plenty of privacy for a romantic retreat.

Skamania Lodge Treehouse

 

Angels Rest Accessible Treehouse Suite at Skamania Lodge, Oregon

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Last but not least in our Valentine’s Day picks is this romantic treehouse at Skamania Lodge. It’s located in a quiet corner of this Washington property, and it offers ramp access to the front door. Inside, windows line the walls, so you feel surrounded by the forest. It’s furnished with a king-sized bed, and the bathroom includes an oversized roll-in shower. Top it off with a spacious deck and an indoor-outdoor fireplace and you have the perfect romantic retreat. So perfect, that a segment of The Bachelorette was filmed at this property!

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Spend the Night at the Murphys Victoria Inn

Spend the Night at the Murphys Victoria Inn

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The Victoria Inn in Murphys, California

Located on the main drag of the Gold Rush town of Murphys, the Victoria Inn (www.victoriainn-murphys.com/) fits right in with the vintage buildings that line the thoroughfare. And aside from the allure of its decidedly old world ambiance, it also makes a great home base for exploring the area. Not only is the property located within walking distance of many favorite restaurants and tasting rooms, but it’s also just a short hop off of Highway 4, which connects to other Calaveras County must-sees. And although the Victorian Era wasn’t exactly know for its stellar wheelchair access, this namesake property does a nice job accommodating the needs of wheelchair-users and slow walkers.

Finding the Property

Admittedly, finding this property can be a challenge if you are unfamiliar with the area, and are relying on GPS. Granted GPS will technically take you to the front door; however you can’t exactly see the front door from Main Street. The Victoria Inn is located across the street from Murphys Mall, between Murphys Village Toy Store and Shirt Tales Boutique; however the approach to the parking lot is marked “no outlet” and it looks like a private driveway.

Nonetheless, that is the correct spot to turn. If you miss it, then turn on Church Street, go around the block and try again. The small parking lot includes one accessible space that’s usually open, and from there it’s just a short walk to the registration area. There’s no guaranteed public parking with a room reservation, so try and grab the accessible parking space as soon as you can. There’s also some public parking in the lot on Church Street, but if you choose that option, try and drop off any wheelchair-users or slow walkers first.

Spend the Night

Entry to room 15 at the Victoria Inn

There’s ramp access up to the main building of the Victoria inn, and level access through the front door to the registration desk. There’s also barrier-free access to a large room off the front lobby which is furnished with sofas and chairs and has all the essentials for a relaxing stay. There are cookies, water, ice, board games, coffee, cocoa, a microwave and of course the requisite wine glasses available for guest use.

Room 15 (also called Mae’s Room) is located in a small cottage around the corner. Although the accessible parking spot is near the registration desk, there’s paved standard parking in front of the cottage that may be more convenient for guests. There’s ramp access up to the front door, and level access to the room. Access features include wide doorways, lever handles and adequate pathway access.

Inside room 15 at the Victoria Inn

The room is furnished with a 24-inch high queen-sized bed with wheelchair access on the left (as you face it), a chest of drawers and two end tables. The bathroom has a full five-foot turning radius, a tile floor and a pedestal sink. The 36-inch-square transfer-type shower has a slight half-inch lip, and is equipped with a fold-down shower seat (with easy transfer access from the bathroom), and a hand-held showerhead. There’s also a portable shower bench, if needed, The toilet grab bars are located on the back and left walls (as seated).

There’s also a small front porch with two chairs and a table, which can be moved to accommodate a wheelchair. The porch is surrounded by trees and it’s a nice place to enjoy a glass of wine after a long day of sightseeing. It’s a very relaxing and accessible Calaveras County lodging pick.

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