Calaveras County Profilecalaveraslife.com/fullprofile.pdf · CALAVERAS COUNTY Modesto Merced San...

Calaveras at-a-Glance

Business Vigor

Our Communities

Calaveras County Profile

Reno

CarsonCity

SouthLake Tahoe

YosemiteNational

Park

CalaverasBig Trees

State Park

LakeTahoe

Sacramento

StocktonAngelsCamp

BearValley

Kirkwood

CALAVERASCOUNTY

Modesto

Merced

San Jose

Santa Cruz

San Francisco

Santa Rosa

Napa

Pleasanton

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Calaveras Count y P rof i le i i

Current Opportunities & Future Possibilities

Presented by the Calaveras County Economic Development Company, a 501c4 non-profit organization


Cover photo credits: Left: Photo: Ben Davidson/Calaveras County Visitors Bureau.Center: Old vines of Herbert Vineyard, Newsome-Harlow Wines.Right: Main Street Murphys, Jenny Martin.

Mark Twain illustration supplied by Linda Gough Design.

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Calaveras County ProfilePresented by the Calaveras County Economic Development CompanyThe CCEDC is a non-profit company dedicated to the well-being of Calaveras County

Profile Financial Contributors:

Bear Valley Mountain—Rosie Sundell

Calaveras Lumber & Hardware—Mike Fullaway

Calaveras Telephone—Jim Tower

Castle & Cooke—Dave Haley

Central Sierra Electric Company—Cliff Franklin

Gold Electric—Jim Heryford

Ironstone Winery—John Kautz

Mark Twain St. Joseph’s Hospital—Larry Cornish

Morrisey Ranch—Dr. Jim Morrisey

Rabobank—Ron Aschwanden

Rancheria Del Rio Estanislaus—Bob Brunker

Tuscany Hills Copperopolis—Tom Hicks

Village Mart—John Brucklacher

CCEDC Board of Directors:

Dave Haley, V.P. Div. Mgr. Castle & Cooke —CCEDC President

Larry Cornish, V.P. Mark Twain St. Joseph’s Hospital —CCEDC Secretary

Ron Aschwanden, V.P. Rabobank —CCEDC Treasurer

Jeanne Boyce, Calaveras County Administrative Officer

John Kautz, Chairman Ironstone Vineyards

Mary Kelly, City of Angels Camp Clerk & City Treasurer

Lisa Mayo, Exec. Director, Calaveras County Visitors Bureau

Roger Pitto, Past President, Calaveras County Chamber of Commerce

Paul Stein, Board Member, Calaveras Community Foundation

Profile Consultants & Participants:

Patricia Jones, Patricia Jones Consulting —Profile Project Manager

Jim Klann, President Foothill Printing & Graphics —Profile Booklet Printer

Ellen Baldwin, Foothill Printing & Graphics —Profile Design & Layout

Laura Bowly, Laura Bowly Design—Profile Web Master

Steve Airola, Law Offices of Airola & Airola —CCEDC Attorney

Profile Information and Photography Contributors:

The CCEDC thanks the many Calaveras County Citizens that contributed information and photography to this Profile. The Community at large is the benefactors of their efforts.

Calaveras County Economic Development Information:

Calaveras Chamber of Commerce—Calaveras.org

Angels Camp Business Assoc.—angelscampbusiness.com

Copperopolis Area Business Assoc.—shopcopper.org

Greater Arnold Business Assoc.—greaterarnold.org

Murphys Area Business Assoc.—visitmurphys.com

San Andreas Merchants Assoc.—sanandreasmerchants.com

Valley Springs Area Business Assoc.—valleysprings.com

Calaveras County—calaverascounty.org

City of Angels Camp—angelscamp.gov

Calaveras County Visitors Bureau—gocalaveras.com

Calaveras County Economic Development Company

Calaveras Count y P rof i le i i i


Regional Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv

Message from the Economic Development President. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .v

Why Live and Do Business in Calaveras County? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi

Calaveras at a Glance

History, Culture and Character . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Health Care Facilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Arts, Culture and Entertainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Recreation—On, Above and Below Ground . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Business Vigor

Tourism Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Agriculture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Water, Power, Communications and More . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41

Our Communities

City of Angels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47

Blue Mountain Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51

Copperopolis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Ebbetts Pass Region. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Mokelumne Hill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Murphys. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

San Andreas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

Greater Valley Springs Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71


Table of Contents

Calaveras Big Trees State Park. Photo: Ben Davidson/Calaveras County Visitors Bureau.

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Angels Camp

Jamestown

Groveland

Jackson

MokelumneHill

SanAndreas

Burson

JennyLind

Copperopolis

Population Center

Sonora

Columbia Twain Harte

Vallecito

Murphys

ForestMeadows

Arnold

Avery

Dorrington

Mi Wuk VillageLong Barn

West Point

Wilseyville

Rail Road Flat

Sutter Creek

ValleySprings

Ione

Volcano

to Sacramento

to Lodi

to San FranciscoBay Areaand Stockton

to Modesto

to Mariposa to Yosemite

to Markleevilleand Bear Valley

to South Lake Tahoeand Carson City

to Topaz Lakeand Mono Lake

Wallace

CampConnell

SheepRanch

MountainRanch

CALAVERASCOUNTY

AMADORCOUNTY

TUOLUMNECOUNTY

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Glencoe

Populated Communities in Calaveras, Amador and Tuolumne Counties

Calaveras Count y P rof i le v

Message from the Economic Development President

The Calaveras County Economic Development Company (CCEDC) is presenting this first edition of the Calaveras County Profile. Our intention is to inspire action for achieving economic development that will lead to a prosperous Calaveras County. To achieve action, the CCEDC believes that meaningful information is vital to retain, enhance and attract business.

Information offered in this Profile is designed to provide insights into our County and communities. Stories will highlight some of our history and people; photographs will define our character; graphs will highlight our demographics & trends; and visioning will depict our future.

CCEDC’s goal is to present current opportunities, along with future possibilities. Calaveras County offers a great lifestyle consistent with our beautiful Central Sierra Foothill and Mountain Region. Living and working in Calaveras County is relaxing and fun, while at the same time invigorating and rewarding.

Our wide diversity of character from the lower valley to the high Sierra feature: beautiful wilderness, giant sequoias, granite bluffs, rivers, lakes, rolling hills covered with oak trees, vineyards and gold country towns. We have abundant recreation opportunities, activities, events and scenic wonders; all within a brief drive to San Francisco, one of the grandest cities in the world, and a Northern California population in excess of twelve million.

Each community is unique. Some want to maintain their charming small town feeling; others seek to plan for additional growth while enhancing the character that makes them special. Overall our desire is to retain the country character and vast sparsely populated open-space and natural resources that tie our communities together. Maintaining and attracting business into towns is the key to prosperity.

We hope that you enjoy the journey of our story, and gain a perspective that you will want to embrace. Visit our website to gain additional insights and updates. CCEDC is a non-profit company dedicated to the well-being of Calaveras County.

—Dave Haley President Calaveras County Economic Development Company


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Why live and do business in Calaveras County?Actually the question should be “why are you waiting to live, expand your existing business or start a new business in Calaveras County?”

The County is conveniently located in the center of one of the most beautiful and vibrant states—California. All of the County departments needed for business expansion, startup or relocation are working towards a seamless process. Calaveras County offers the fastest means of communication, and affords easy access to national land and air transportation connections and commercial sea ports—without the road congestion to get there. The County also has a substantial national and international presence due to our celebrated jumping frogs, with the added advantage of extensive local experience and expertise.

Calaveras County communities are geographically dispersed throughout the County and separated by sparsely populated open space. This pattern of population growth provides for unique country-town characters and individual town centers with easy traffic circulation.

The County’s environment has something for everyone—spectacular outdoor recreation, activities, phenomenal access to winter sports, many unique wineries, stunning fall foliage and beautiful golden summers. It offers a safe environment with great opportunities.

Calaveras County is well positioned to enhance our existing businesses plus attract new businesses along with the people who create them. Our County is a wonderful place to raise a family, live as active adults, retire in whatever style you choose or have a business.

Our citizens’ desire for long-range land-use planning will help assure that our County’s character and country lifestyle will not only survive but thrive.

“The community is very friendly toward small-scale farms. That is why I located my business here.” —Bill Vierra, small business owner

Ironstone Vineyards, Murphys.

Calaveras at a Glance

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History, Culture and Character

Educational Opportunities

Health Care Facilities and Services

Safety in the Region

Arts, Culture and Entertainment

Recreation—On, Above and Below Ground

Enter this profile here and find out about some of the wonderful aspects and opportunities afforded by Calaveras County

Calaveras at a Glance • History, Culture and Character 3

“I was young and foolish then— I am old and foolisher now.” —Mark Twain

OverviewCalaveras County is nestled in the central Sierra of California between Yosemite National Park and Lake Tahoe. Its oak-covered foothills are brilliant with wildflowers and lush grasses in the spring that turn a golden hue in the summer. The higher elevations have some of the most spectacular scenery found anywhere. Historic Gold Rush towns dot the hillsides offering a window into old-fashioned hospitality and charm.

The County covers 1,040 square miles1, with the population density of its 45,578 residents being quite low at about 40 people per square mile2. The population tends to center around quaint and defined townships in the lower foothills and the high Sierra Nevada.

The climate, like the elevation is equally variable, and offers something for just about everyone. The lower elevations enjoy a Continental Mediterranean climate of mild winters and warm springs with plenty of rain, and transitions to hot summer days with cool nights. The higher elevations experience cooler summers and

frequent snowy winter days perfect for winter sports.

Calaveras offers an abundance of things to do and see. Calaveras Big Trees State Park, home to two extraordinary groves of giant Sequoia, is located along the Ebbetts Pass National Scenic Byway. Along this same beautiful road, the vast Stanislaus National Forest and the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness Area can be accessed; the scenic byway is the sole winter approach to Bear Valley downhill and cross-country ski resort. At the lower elevations, more than 20 wineries grace the area around Murphys and vary from boutique wineries in historic settings to the stunning Ironstone Winery, gardens and amphitheatre.

History, Culture and Character

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Calaveras Historical Society photo.

44-pound crystalline gold leaf nugget, Ironstone Vineyards Heritage Museum.

1 U.S. Census QuickFacts2 The County is comprised of approximately 663,000 acres, with an average

of 0.07 people per acre

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N The lovely roadways wind through the spectacular foothills and mountains to carry adventurers to treasures including lakes and rivers, caverns, zip lining, golfing, biking, hiking, boating, camping and fishing. The townships offer unique and charming shopping and glimpses into the history of the region.

The County’s charm and hospitality hasn’t been lost on the entertainment industry. As early as 1916, films were shot here and include The Gambler II, Honkytonk Man, and Ishi: The Last of His Tribe. Many television series and specials also found homes in the County and include such well-known shows as Bonanza: The Return, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, and Little House on the Prairie.

Interesting Firsts• Calaveras County is one of the original 27 counties in

California. It was formed in 1850 at the time California gained its statehood. In 1864, Calaveras County granted some of its land to Amador and Alpine counties.

• The Calaveras Chronicle, first published on October 28, 1851, at Mokelumne Hill, was the first weekly newspaper published in California.

• In 1852, A. T. Dowd, a hunter for the Union Water Company discovered the first grove of Big Trees, “Sequoiadendron giganteum,” in California.

• In 1854, the largest gold nugget, found in the United States was taken from the Morgan Mine at Carson Hill. It weighted 214 pounds and eight ounces, Troy.

• In 1864, Mark Twain wrote his first successful short story, “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County.”

• The first three-story building erected in the interior of California was in Mokelumne Hill.

• Renowned bandit Black Bart held up his first stagecoach (1875) and his last stagecoach (1883) at the same spot, on Funk Hill near Copperopolis, in western Calaveras County.

History of the CountyThe earliest residents

Some archaeological studies suggest the presence of people in Calaveras County as long as 12,000 years ago. However, more abundant evidence exists for the relatively recent descendents of ancient Great Basin tribes occupying the area during the last 2,000 to 3,000 years. Approximately 500 to 1,000 years ago the Northern Mi-Wuk Indians arrived in the area. They intensified use of the acorn as a staple food and utilized milling stations with multiple grinding holes. Great examples of these are found in Indian Rock State Park near Pine Grove in neighboring Amador County. The Mi-Wuks lived in tribal groups identified by family lineages, and moved seasonally through elevations in their territories.

The first major contact between the Mi-Wuks and outsiders, other than the occasional trapper, occurred in the latter half of the eighteenth century when Spanish explorers and missionaries arrived. Several decades later, those Mi-Wuk

Charles E. Boles, gentleman bandit, aka “Black Bart” circa 1883.

Calaveras County Historical Society photo.

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still living in their traditional territory were overrun by gold seekers and settlers, who appropriated their hunting grounds and limited their access to other resources.

Although many among the general public today assume that the Mi-Wuk were an ancient people who “passed from the scene,” they are, in fact, alive and well, and working to maintain as much as they can of their cultural and religious traditions. Today the Calaveras Mi-Wuk community is centered on the area around West Point, on the ridge that separates the North and Middle forks of the Mokelumne River.

The Gold Rush

The Gold Rush helped define many of the townships of Calaveras County, and the museums in these towns tell the colorful and rich history of that era. As an example, one can find out about Mokelumne Hill, which was founded in 1848. It was among the richest of the gold mining regions. It was so rich that mining claims in some areas were confined to as little as sixteen square feet. San Andreas, the current County Seat, was settled by Mexican Gold Miners in 1848, and by 1850 more than 1,000 tents occupied the hillsides of the area. Two infamous names from the Gold Rush often tied to San Andreas, are Black Bart and Joaquin Murrieta. In the early years of the Gold Rush, several good strikes were made in

Angels Camp by early miners and within the year over 4,000 miners were working the surface gold. The source of gold played out quickly but hardrock mining kept the gold industry flourishing. The town is honeycombed with tunnels from the many successful mines.

Calaveras County is famous for its lode and placer mines, and for many years it was a principal copper producing county in California. Cement production from its vast limestone deposits became one of the County’s major industries in past years.

Photo: Rick E. Martin/Calaveras County Visitors Bureau.

Captain McKenzie standing next to some bedrock mortars and pestles near the Rich Gulch Hotel. Photo taken October 1906, courtesy Calaveras County Archives.


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What is Calaveras like now?The County offers a diversity not seen in many other areas. The small towns each have unique charm and beauty. The housing is affordable and available from small lofts in the towns to spectacular estates in the countryside. Opportunities abound for entrepreneurs who want to live and work in one of the most beautiful and unspoiled regions in the state.

Population3

The 2010 Calaveras County population is estimated to be approximately 45,600. In the past few years, the population has stabilized. This is the same trend that is seen in neighboring counties. Previous County growth was generally attributed to migration into the County and peaked in 2003.

Calaveras County’s births and deaths have also remained fairly stable. The County’s population skews towards an older demographic, with an estimated 28% of the County’s population being 65 or older. This is high compared to the 12% of the state in that age bracket.

Median Household Income (2008)

County/State Income

Calaveras $52,850

Amador $53,951

Tuolumne $49,151

California $61,017

Source: U.S. Census QuickFacts

Income

The 2008 median household income for Calaveras County was similar to its neighboring counties and lower than the state in general.

Tuolumne

Calaveras

Amador

60,000

50,000

40,000

30,0002000 2002 2004

Year2006 2008 2010

Population by County

2010 Estimated Percent Population by Age

Calaveras CountyState

30

20

10

00–5 6–17 18–34 35–49 50–64 65–84 85+

Age

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21

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24

12

17

3 CA Dept. of Finance 2010 Census

Copperopolis Town Square.

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Voter Registration By Party

County/State Democratic Republican Decline to State Other

Amador 35% 45% 16% 5%

Calaveras 33% 43% 17% 7%

Tuolumne 34% 42% 18% 5%

State Total 45% 31% 20% 5%

Statistical Comparison of Calaveras, Tuolumne and Amador Counties

Statistic Calaveras Tuolumne Amador

Total Current Population (2010 Census) 45,578 55,365 38,091

Total County Acreage 662,791 1,457,531 387,875

Total Assessor Parcels 43,369 43,180 23,945

Percent Public Lands 21 77 22

Percent Private Lands 79 23 78

Private Lands Acreage 523,833 335,232 303,692

Private Assessor Parcels 42,510 34,847 23,658

Percent Registered Who are Eligible to Vote in 2010

65

70

75

80

85

Amador Calaveras Tuolumne State Total

Perc

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84

72

Land Use

Calaveras offers great opportunity for private land use. Although it is between its neighboring counties in size, it offers greater acreage and a greater number of private parcels than either Tuolumne or Amador Counties.

4 California Secretary of State

North Fork Stanislaus River. Photo: Dick James.

Sequoia Woods Country Club, Arnold.

Politics4

As evidenced by voter registration, Calaveras County residents tend to be more politically active than the residents of the state. Unlike the state, Calaveras County residents tend to register as Republicans more so than with other parties.


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Total Min Max Parcels Acres Acres Acres

Commercial Office 695 1,070.5 0.00 28.7

Commercial-Recreation 32 1,057.9 0.00 199.2

Community Center-Historic 253 144.9 0.01 22.2

Community Center-Local 1472 8,794.2 0.00 1,530.0

Community Center-Regional 620 2,014.4 0.00 372.8

Industrial 131 2,074.2 0.00 473.3

Parks and Recreation 202 2,865.3 0.00 602.4

Public/Institutional 211 3,356.7 0.00 318.6

Residential-High Density 178 206.9 0.01 25.2

Residential-Low Density 15435 10,522.3 0.00 126.4

Residential-Medium Density 2231 1,431.9 0.00 38.5

Residential-Rural 6403 21,054.3 0.00 1,718.6

Resource Management 882 151,216.0 0.02 3,913.0

Resource Production 11250 426,122.4 0.00 1,560.6

Right of Way 1388 3,678.3 0.01 164.8

Working Lands 2080 27,193.2 0.01 261.7

Angels Camp. Photo: Rick Harray.

Photo: Ian Andreae.

Calaveras at a Glance • Educat ion 9

We have great schools in Calaveras County! We have very dedicated teachers, administrators and support staff who go above and beyond for all students. We work hard to provide an engaging and safe learning environment for all students. As County Superintendent I’m very proud of our schools.

—Kathy Northington, County Superintendent for Calaveras County

OverviewEducational opportunities are plentiful in and around Calaveras County. This is true of at all levels of schooling, and in all disciplines. The public education institutions pride themselves on being safe and supportive. The schools and class sizes are small compared to urban areas. The students are taught by well-trained, experienced and well-educated teachers. Many of the educators are drawn to the County from densely populated areas of the state in search of the rich and supportive educational environment that the County offers.

Education

Calaveras County School graduates excel beyond the County and State borders, including being accepted to such renowned schools such as Harvard, Yale, Georgetown, Princeton, and many more.

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Altaville Schoolhouse, built in 1858, in a rare snowfall. Photo: Rick Harray.


A concerted effort is made throughout the County to connect children and families with their schools. The teachers and staffs know their students and families. The students are further supported by skilled counselors and peer-counselors.

Calaveras County School graduates excel beyond the County and State borders, including being accepted to such renowned schools such as Harvard, Yale, Georgetown, Princeton, and many more.

The County is also exceptionally well-located for post-secondary educational opportunities and advanced job training. For example, more than 80 major colleges and universities are within a few hours drive. Moreover, numerous trade and technical schools, and other workforce training options are located in the County or within an easy commute.

The County is not new to great education. In fact, Albert Abraham Michelson, the first American to receive the Nobel Prize in the sciences, grew up in the Calaveras County town of Murphys, and in Virginia City, Nevada. An elementary school in the County is named for him.

Early Childhood Education and ServicesLike any healthy community, Calaveras County values early childhood development and the central role of families in helping young children succeed. Illustrating this, the vibrant community-based Resource Connection’s Children and Families programs offer multiple opportunities to support children’s growth and development. These include:

• Preschool programs

• Infant and toddler programs

• Parent support

• Child care information

• Services for child care providers

California High School Exit Exam (CAHEE) Results for Tenth Grade

State/School Passing Rate

Language Arts

California Average 79%

Bret Harte High School 93%

Calaveras High School 85%

Math

California Average 80%

Bret Harte High School 95%

Calaveras High School 90%

Source: Calaveras County Office of Education

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Public School Education—Kindergarten through High SchoolClass Size

About 6,500 students attend school in the five Calaveras County School Districts. In the 2008 to 2009 school year, the average school-wide class size was 20.4. This is significantly lower than the state average of 25.4 students per teacher.

Educational Performance

One measure of academic achievement is the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE). In addition to attendance requirements, course completion and credits earned, passing the CAHSEE is a requirement for receiving a high school diploma. Students first take the test in spring of the tenth grade.

Calaveras County students perform exceptionally well in the CAHSEE, and significantly surpass the state averages.

Calaveras at a Glance • Educat ion 11

Higher Education OpportunitiesCommunity Colleges

Community colleges are publicly supported and locally-oriented colleges. They provide programs that assist students in transferring to a four-year college, pursuing career education programs, taking remedial or “catch-up” programs, and offering coursework for cultural growth, life enrichment, and skills improvement. Enrollment at these colleges is increasing as they often offer smaller class sizes and lower tuition than four-year or technical colleges.

Three community colleges are within 40 miles of Calaveras County. Columbia College is closest with its main campus just 14 miles from Angels Camp. Together with Modesto Junior College, Columbia College is in the Yosemite Community College District.

Columbia College offers classes in Calaveras County, and has received funding to expand and form a permanent educational center in Calaveras County. Several other community colleges are also in the planning stages to locate campuses in the County.

Modesto Junior College and San Joaquin Delta College are both larger community colleges than Columbia and are within pleasant commutes to the Central Valley.

California State Universities (CSU)

The twenty-three CSU campuses offer more than 200 degree and certificate programs. Their faculties excel in their fields, and are committed to teaching and being involved with students. More than 400,000 students are active on their campuses and in their communities.

Almost half of the California State Universities are within 150 miles of Calaveras County, with the Stanislaus and Sacramento campuses being located within about 50 miles.

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Tamarak building—Columbia College.


University of California (UC)

The University of California includes nine undergraduate campuses throughout the state—Berkeley, Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, Merced, Riverside, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz. UC San Francisco offers professional and graduate programs in the health sciences.

In just over a century, UC built an international reputation for academic excellence, with undergraduate education as one of its highest priorities. UC has outstanding academic programs, faculty, libraries, and research facilities, and its graduates enjoy high acceptance rates at graduate and professional schools. They also compete successfully in the job market with graduates of other top universities and colleges. Many graduates become leaders in their fields. Five of these outstanding institutions are a commute of about 100 miles or less from Calaveras County. They are

• UC Merced

• UC Davis

• UC Berkeley

• UC San Francisco

• UC Santa Cruz

California Independent Colleges

California’s independent colleges and universities are an excellent choice for many students. More than 75 nonprofit, independent colleges and universities are in the state. Unlike the University of California or the California State University systems, each California nonprofit, independent college and university has its own governing board. This independence allows for a diverse set of college opportunities in California.

Twenty-two of these excellent colleges and universities are within a 100-mile or shorter commute from Calaveras County. They include such well-known schools as

• Stanford University

• University of San Francisco

• Mills College

• Santa Clara University

• University of the Pacific

• St. Mary’s College

Tech and Trade Schools and Job Training

Workforce training is offered through many venues in Calaveras County. A few of these include the community colleges and the One-Stop job training centers. Additionally, private post-secondary educational institutions offer certificated and credentialed programs. These are located conveniently throughout the Central Valley and the San Francisco Bay Area. Apprentice programs are located approximately 50 miles from Calaveras County in Stockton and Rancho Murrieta.

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UC Merced.

Calaveras at a Glance • Health Care Fac i l i t ies 13

“I have found that Mark Twain St. Joseph’s Hospital provides excellent support and communication between the medical staff, nursing and administration. Our hospital remains a vital part of our community.”

—Ryan Thompson, M.D., Family PracticeMark Twain St. Joseph’s Hospital

OverviewCalaveras County offers an excellent local hospital and many outstanding geographically-dispersed family medical centers and urgent care clinics. Additionally, its central location offers access to some of the best regional hospitals and healthcare facilities in the country.

HospitalsCalaveras County is fortunate to have a critical access hospital, Mark Twain St. Joseph’s Hospital; part of the Catholic Healthcare West system. The hospital opened in 1951 and since then has provided the highest quality health care. They offer expert staff and state-of-the-art equipment to meet the growing needs of the County.

The hospital personnel pride themselves on the quality of care and on their commitment to patient satisfaction. In 2008, the hospital received a national award for exceeding patient expectations; in 2009 Mark Twain St. Joseph’s Hospital received the Perfect Care Award for cardiac care in ten critical areas established by federal standards.

Mark Twain St. Joseph’s Hospital has general acute care beds and licensed intensive care beds. The hospital services include 24-hour

Health Care Facilities

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Mark Twain St. Joseph’s Hospital, San Andreas. Photo: Bob Lima.


emergency care, and the other hospital services associated with critical access hospitals such as full-service clinical lab, radiological imaging, and surgery. Additionally, it offers a Nurse Call Center, cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, occupational health, and physical and respiratory therapy.

Birthing centers, dialysis and cancer treatment are accessed locally in neighboring counties. Sonora Regional Medical Center is located in Sonora, a few miles to the south; and Sutter Amador Hospital is a short drive to the north in Jackson. Eighteen larger and specialized medical facilities are located in the Central Valley. These are generally reached by personal transportation. However, when necessary, professional medical ground and air transportation is available.

The closest children’s hospitals are UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, Children’s Hospital of Oakland, and Children’s Hospital of Merced. Nineteen of the 50 largest hospitals in California are found within 150 miles of the County. Two Veterans Hospitals are available within a few hours drive.

Family Medical Centers and Urgent Care CentersThe region’s hospitals and Mariposa-Amador-Calaveras-Tuolumne Indian Healthcare staff excellent family medical centers and urgent care centers. They are located throughout the County, and offer same-day appointments for people wishing to see primary care, and in some cases, specialty physicians. The services in the centers vary and can include occupational health, sports medicine, general imaging, occupational and physical therapy and laboratory draws. A new Veterans Clinic recently opened in neighboring Tuolumne County.

Senior Care CentersCalaveras County and Amador County each offer one skilled nursing facility; Tuolumne County offers three. All three counties offer licensed residential care facilities. Adult Day Health Care is also available locally.

Opportunities in the Health Care FieldOpportunity exists for facilities construction and management, service delivery and allied health care professionals.

Facilities Development Opportunities

• Skilled Nursing Care Facilities

• Assisted Living Facilities

• Dialysis Facility

Services-Based Opportunities

• Home Health

• Hospice

• Women’s Health

Health Care Professionals Opportunities

• Behavioral Health

• Epidemiologists

• Family Practice / Primary Care

• Nurses

• Obstetrics / Gynecological

• Pediatrics

• Pharmacists

• Urologists

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Photo: Bob Lema.

Calaveras at a Glance • Safety 15

”We encourage business development and want to be involved in assisting in every way we can.”

—Captain Jim Macedo, Calaveras County Sheriff’s Department

OverviewFeeling safe at home, work and play is essential to enjoying a great quality of life. Calaveras law enforcement personnel pride themselves on knowing their community and working well with individuals, businesses and other organizations in creating the safest environment possible. They are very active in safety and crime prevention in neighborhoods, schools and the business community.

How safe is Calaveras County? Calaveras County has lower crime rates than the state.1 And, as shown in the state as a whole, Calaveras County experienced a decrease in violent crimes in the past decade.

The Uniform Crime Reporting is a state system that provides data on local and statewide safety. The reports are based on statistics submitted by local law enforcement. It is not unusual to see crime escalate as the population increases and as economic times become difficult. Although Calaveras County, as with much of the state, experienced both of these situations recently, the amount of crime has not substantially changed. In fact, even with the increase in population since 1999, the total number of violent crimes was lower in 2008 than it was a decade before.

Safety

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Violent Crime Rate per 10,000 Residents1

5 Office of the Attorney General, Crime Statistics


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What is being done to keep the County safe?The Sheriff’s Department Community Services Assistant and others in the department work closely with the community to promote safety and crime prevention.

For instance, the Sheriff’s Department offers Business Watch. This is a program of organized business people working in concert with the Sheriff’s Department to suppress crimes against businesses and crimes that occur in commercial areas. It does this through providing commercial security survey, crime prevention and workplace violence training. The program also provides training in detecting fraud, bad checks and counterfeit currency; prevention of shoplifting, robbery, burglary and internal theft; and job site and personal safety.

Other ways that law enforcement works with the community in preventing crime includes:

• Neighborhood watch—a program used throughout the nation where neighbors look out for each other

• National Night Out—a National Event held annually

• Farm Watch Program—Farm items are marked for identification

• Identity Theft Prevention Classes—training on how not to become a victim

• School-Based Programs—Officers visit schools to make presentations on crime prevention, safety training and avoiding drug use

• Tourist-Related Policing

• Search and Rescue

What else is being done to promote a safe business environment?The Sheriff’s Department strongly supports local businesses and business development. They respond to all calls. In the case of a crime, they assist the business owners with insurance reporting and with receiving restitution. To help businesses, they actively investigate identification thefts.

For businesses interested in expanding and re-locating, the sheriff’s department assists with safety planning to help prevent crime.

Law enforcement personnel in Calaveras County are engaged and visible in the community. They actively partner with local business organizations, and participate on business-based boards. They work with well with other public agencies, departments and with non-profits.

The law enforcement community is well-trained and experienced. They excel in hazardous material management and response. They even offer ongoing support to the television and film industry on explosive ordinance dispatch.

What are the opportunities in the Safety Field?At the time of publication, Calaveras County was in the final planning stages for building a new Law and Justice Center. This will include an expanded jail—from 65 to 240 beds—as well as new facilities for the Sheriff Department and the courts.

The County is seeking locally-based construction companies to work on the project. Also, with time, the County will be seeking additional qualified persons to staff the new facilities.

Calaveras at a Glance • Art , Culture & Entertainment 17

“I love Calaveras County. It has the best weather that you will find anywhere in California. And the people and businesses here work together as partners. We all share in our success.”

—John Kautz, Founder, Ironstone Vineyards

OverviewCalaveras County has something for everyone…lively performing arts, spectacular special events, vibrant visual arts, interesting museums, a strong writer’s community and much, much more.

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

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Ironstone Amphitheatre, Murphys. Venue for Sugarland, Russian National Orchestra and many more.


Calaveras County Fair & Jumping Frog Jubilee, Angels Camp. Photo: Jeff White.

Great Variety in Performing Arts & Special EventsWhat do ZZ Top, Faith Hill, Willie Nelson, Sugarland, Sheryl Crow, and REO Speedwagon have in common? They are just a few of the incredible acts that grace the stage at the Ironstone Amphitheatre. The amphitheatre is part of the Ironstone Vineyards, California’s largest winery entertainment complex. The winery is nestled against the Sierra Foothills, in the heart of California’s scenic Gold Rush Country. The Kautz family, who own and operate the Ironstone Winery, created a “homesite,” a winery and visitor’s center that exemplifies their family commitment to excellence, and provides an environment that reaches beyond the world of winemaking to support all of the cultural arts. In addition to the summer concert series, the winery offers a fall Concours d’Elegance car and club show, a culinary center, wine tours, a museum and jewelry shop, and even silent movies accompanied by the Alhambra Theatre pipe organ.

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Ironstone Concours d’Elegance, Murphys.

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Calaveras at a Glance • Art , Culture & Entertainment 19

The King and I. Photo: Sierra Repertory Theatre, Sonora and Columbia.

Di Wu, Van Cliburn finalist. Photo: Bear Valley Music Festival.

And that is just the beginning of the lively performing arts venues in Calaveras County. The very active Calaveras Arts Council offers a summer “Music in the Park” series in Calaveras County parks—featuring a variety of fine musical artists. In the winter, the Arts Council offers the “Ovation Series” with top-notch performers from throughout the West to perform at the 350-seat Bret Harte Theatre in Angels Camp. This can include symphony, ballet, as well as individual performing artists.

A few of the other local special events include “A Taste of Calaveras” which offers tastings of vintages from local wineries, gourmet food showcasing the County’s bounty, live entertainment, plein aire artist demonstrations; the “Bear Valley Music Festival” which presents a full symphony orchestra, international soloists, legendary entertainers, and renowned opera stars in a unique mountain setting; and more than 20 local wineries offer vintner’s wine tastings.

The County and the region also support many theatres. Calaveras County hosts four repertory theatres. Additionally, its neighboring counties of Tuolumne and Amador offer excellent quality performing arts theatres and open air concerts.

Even larger theatre venues are a short drive away. The newly opened Gallo Center for the Arts in Modesto and the Mondavi Center in Davis are but two examples.


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Angels Camp Museum. Photo: Lisa Mayo/Calaveras Visitors Bureau.

Vibrant Visual ArtsCalaveras and its neighbors to the north and south offer great opportunity to enjoy and purchase original works from local visual artists. Artist’s studio tours allow a personal look into the studios, with a unique opportunity to meet the artists and learn about their processes. Additionally, galleries are filled with works from local potters, painters and sculptors. Many offer elegant receptions as the collections rotate.

And so much more…Arts and culture are pervasive and prized throughout the County. For example, Writers Unlimited formed the Manzanita Press and has its 6th volume of local poetry, prose and arts ready for publication. Arts programs in schools flourish with assistance from specially trained artists. Agri-tourism is popular in all three neighboring foothill counties. Furthermore, numerous museums dot the County showcasing its vibrant history of the MiWuk Indians, the Gold Rush, Mark Twain, logging and more.

Top: Bambi Papais—watercolor painting; Bottom: James Aarons—ceramics.

Calaveras at a Glance • Recreat ion 21

“I collect caves.” —Stephen Fairchild, owner of Moaning Cavern, California Cavern & Black Chasm Cavern

Anyone who loves recreation will love Calaveras County. The opportunities abound, the environment is beautiful and the area is unspoiled. The County is bordered north and south by major rivers, and it is the home to many spectacular public lakes. Calaveras has a state park, a national forest and several wilderness areas. It even offers underground experiences with a variety of large caverns open to the public, and above ground zip-lining. Yosemite National Park and Lake Tahoe are short drives away as are many other stunning recreation venues for all seasons and all interests.

Recreation—on, above & below ground

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Photo: Calaveras Enterprise.

Ziplining at Moaning Caverns, Vallecito. Photo: Rick E. Martin/Calaveras County Visitors Bureau.

OverviewWhat can someone do who loves to be active?

Backpacking

Camping

Caving

Cycling

Golfing

Hiking

Horseback Riding

Water sports

Winter sports

Zip Lining


On the Ground Backpacking

The novice as well as the well-seasoned backpacker will be thrilled with experiencing the Calaveras County high country. The Ebbetts Pass Scenic Highway offers easy access to the Stanislaus National Forest and the Carson-Iceberg and Mokelumne Wilderness Areas. Other entry points are equally spectacular; for instance, the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness Area can be accessed by kayak, canoe, or by foot through the Stanislaus National Forest.

The neighboring foothill and mountain counties offer access to even more parks, wilderness areas and national forests—drawing backpackers from around the world to their beauty and serenity. Some of the most well-known and breathtaking backpacking experiences can be found in Yosemite National Park, the Lake Tahoe Basin, the eastern slopes of the Sierra and the Emigrant, Hoover and Ansel Adams Wilderness Areas.

Camping

Camping opportunities are plentiful in Calaveras County. The range of rustic tent camping to full-service RV resorts exists in the County. One can camp among thousand-year old redwoods in Big Trees State Park or experience more rustic camping in the National Forest; equally accessible are full-service RV parks and cabins throughout the County, many geared to accommodate persons of all abilities. The Gold Country and Sierra region is rich is camping opportunities on lakes and rivers, in national parks and national forests, and in all-inclusive outdoor luxury resorts.

Photo: Sierra Nevada Adventure Company.

Photo: Aaron Johnson/Mountain Adventure Seminars.

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Arnold Rim Trail. Photo: Arnold Rim Trail.

Saddle Creek Golf Resort, Copperopolis.

Cycling

Some of the best mountain and road biking anywhere can be found in Calaveras County. Undemanding level terrain to steeper more demanding mountain bike trails are available. Group-led road bike excursions for all levels of experienced cyclists are available for general touring and for wine country touring. The Calaveras County Visitors Bureau has a plethora of information on clinics, bike rentals, cycling races and favored rides highlighting low traffic, historic mining towns and beautiful scenery.

Golfing

Golfing doesn’t get much better than in Calaveras County. It has six courses including a private course and several public courses. One of the courses is a nationally rated championship course. In case six courses aren’t enough, the neighboring counties have beautiful and challenging courses as well. Calaveras County courses are: Forest Meadows, Murphys; Greenhorn Creek, Angels Camp; La Contenta, Valley Springs; Meadowmont, Arnold; Saddle Creek, Copperopolis; and Sequoia Woods, Arnold.


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Copper Valley Trail Company, Copperopolis.Photos: Bear Valley

Mountain.

Hiking

Calaveras County is hiking heaven. Hundreds of miles of trails traverse the 150,000 acres of public land. The hikes are as diverse as the elevation and offer the hiker everything from cool, dense forests to open vistas of distant snow-covered mountains and wildflower covered foothills. One can even take a short 2-mile round-trip hike in the heat of summer to enjoy a float on a creek through a cooling limestone cavern.

Horseback Riding

Calaveras offers everything from guided horseback trail rides and riding lessons to BYOH (bring your own horse). The area features indoor arenas, miles of equestrian trails, horse boarding for day-trippers and overnight guests as well. Calaveras also offers a premiere equestrian venue, the Bridlewood Equestrian Center. It attracts top-rated clinicians across all disciplines including Olympian and Master Centered Riding instructors as well as a Natural Horsemanship Guru.

Winter sports

Skiers, boarders, snow-shoers and snow-mobilers choose Calaveras County for its easy access to “steep and deep.” Excellent downhill skiing, boarding and telemark skiing are available at Bear Valley Ski Resort—just over the county line in Alpine County. This High Sierra environment offers beautiful, un-crowded slopes in a friendly ski resort setting. Once in the Sierra, the winter adventurer can travel north and south for more of the best winter sporting anywhere. The ski resorts and high country surrounding Lake Tahoe are resplendent with opportunities, as are the eastern and western Sierra slopes to the south of Calaveras. Ice skating in Yosemite, snow shoeing in Mammoth and skiing in Kirkwood offer the winter sports enthusiasts unlimited fun.



Photo: Tracy Barbutes/O.A.R.S.

On the WaterWater sports

Calaveras boasts many pristine streams and two major rivers—the Mokelumne on the northern boarder and the Stanislaus on the southern border. Numerous public access lakes offer hundreds of miles of scenic shoreline. Some of the best white water rafting anywhere is found in Calaveras and its neighboring counties.

Fishing

Excellent bass fishing is found in low-elevation lakes and remote mountain streams. Alpine lakes and steams are abundant with rainbow, brown and brook trout offering enjoyable adventures for bait and fly fishing alike.

From mild to wild, water sports include

House-Boating

Flatwater or River Kayaking and Canoeing

High-Speed Boating

Jet Skiing

Water Skiing

Wake Boarding

Class IV White Water Rafting

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Moaning Cavern, Vallecito. Photo: Peter and Ann Bosted/Moaning Cavern.

Photo: Aaron Johnson/ Mountain Adventure Seminars.

Above and Below GroundCaving

Ancient subterranean worlds are hidden underground at several caverns throughout Calaveras County. Visitors can experience total stillness and dazzling crystalline formations. They can also explore winding passageways and underground lakes on guided adventure trips; and even opt for a 165-foot cavern rappel.

Zip Lining

Above ground adventures soar in Calaveras County as well. After visiting the underground splendor, visitors can fly through the foothills on 1,500 foot zip lines.

Opportunities in the Recreation FieldBusinesses opportunities serving the many recreation visitors are as diverse as the activities Calaveras County has to offer. Certainly, there is always a great need for guided tours of this spectacular region.

Business Vigor

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Tourism

Agriculture

Water, Power, Communications

Transportation

Chatom Vineyards.

For those interested in expanding or locating business in Calaveras County, the profile delineates many of the wonderful opportunities, as well as describing the infrastructure needs.

Calaveras County

The Central Sierra Outdoor Adventure

Featuring Wilderness, Rivers, Lakes,

Activities and Gold Country Towns

Business Vigor • Tourism Business 29

“With thousands of annual visitors enjoying our rich history, spectacular environment and wonderful culture, Calaveras County is the perfect place to operate a successful tourist-related business.”

—Lisa Mayo, Executive Director, Calaveras County Visitors Bureau

OverviewIt is no surprise that people love to visit Calaveras County. It offers the best in wine tasting, a full range of outdoor activities including hiking, water sports, camping, winter activities, and golf. Calaveras also draws tourists from all over the globe to its cultural events and to treasure the small town ambiance. Because of its attraction to visitors, the tourism business is thriving, and it is one of the major growth industries in the County.

Tourism Business

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Calaveras Big Trees State Park. Photo: Ben Davidson/ Calaveras County Visitors Bureau.

Utica Lake. Photo: Dick James.


Tourism is Calaveras County’s largest industry by far, exceeding second place agriculture by seven times.

Calaveras County is well positioned to capture visitor-related business. Several million visitors travel throughout the region each year and Calaveras County is in the center of this Central Sierra Regional location. Visitors seeking outdoor adventure featuring wilderness, rivers, lakes, activities and gold country towns find our region a very attractive place to spend their leisure time and money. One of the more exciting outdoor activities that is special to our County is the natural river water slides on both the Stanislaus and Mokelumne Rivers.

The Calaveras County Visitors Bureau actively promotes tourism and offers helpful information on their website, through their promotional materials, and at the Angels Camp office.

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Natural water slide, Mokelumne River, Tiger Creek. Photo: Ron Pickup.

Photo: Linda Gough/ Calaveras County Visitors Bureau.

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Business Vigor • Tourism Business 31

V Restaurant & Bar, Murphys.

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Victoria Inn, Murphys. Photo: Rick E. Martin/

Calaveras County Visitors Bureau.

Where do visitors spend their time and money?Tourism is a vibrant business in Calaveras County. The amount of tourist revenue, shown in millions of dollars on the visitor spending chart, continues to grow as more people find out about the casual nature and beauty the County affords.

As one would expect, visitors spend the most on the wonderful food and tranquil lodging. Additionally, tourists reap great value from the quaint shops, lively arts, and

CA Travel Data, Dean Runyan & Associates

CA Travel Data, Dean Runyan & Associates


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N recreational opportunities. Calaveras County offers numerous opportunities in tourist-related business. The tourist industry is expected to expand at a rapid pace due to the abundant natural resources of Calaveras County along with its location in the center of California.

In addition to the customary businesses that offer goods and services to the tourist industry, agriculture-tourism plays a key and growing role in the vibrancy of Calaveras’ travel industry. Farms are diversifying to educate consumers about their products while consumers (visitors) want to learn with a hands-on approach. Some examples of agri-tourism in Calaveras County include visiting an alpaca farm, touring through vineyards by horseback, browsing a farmers market and tasting olive oil produced from local olive orchards.

Ironstone Vineyards, Murphys. Photo: Ian Andreae.

Photo: Chantal Freeman/ Calaveras County Visitors Bureau.


Business Vigor • Agriculture 33

“Agriculture-friendly....absolutely true.” —Talibah Al-Rafiq, co-owner, California Cashmere Company

in Mokelumne Hill,one of the largest cashmere ranches in the U.S. and probably the only one in the world

to produce cashmere from the“goats to coats.”

Calaveras County is “farm friendly.” The County is graced with large open-range cattle ranches interspersed with goat and sheep ranches. It is the home to historic and beautiful vineyards, lovely orchards and a host of other farms and ranches—everything from cashmere to (worm) castings, and from rainbow trout to llamas. Because of this diversity and beauty, agri-tourism is an important and growing part of the local economy.

Agriculture

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Overview2009 General Farm Stats

Acres

Total Land Area 662,791

All Farm Land 201,026

Rangeland 188,300

Land in Agricultural Preserves 141,467

Government Land 105,311

Land in Timber Preserves 77,300

Water 16,300

Irrigated Pasture 2,000

Source: Calaveras County Report of Agriculture 2009; some acreage is listed under multiple use


What does Calaveras County offer farmers and ranchers?Calaveras County offers many advantages to those who are interested in farming and ranching in the County. One important advantage is that land is available and reasonably priced. Other advantages include varied soil, abundant water, great growing climates and a locally supportive community.

Varied Soil and Abundant Water

The County is fortunate to have varied soil strata. This allows for a wide variety of crops to be grown.

Abundant and clean water is highly desirable for various types of agriculture. The County is an originating water source area from snow melt that flows through the two major rivers that border the county. These rivers provide the major source of water along with access to the water that flows through its mountains and foothills.

Great Growing Climate

Most of the County basks under a Continental Mediterranean climate. Other than the cooler high-elevation regions, the County experiences mild winters and warm springs with plenty of rain, and transitions to hot summer days with cool nights. This climate offers a magnificent environment for growing wine grapes, fruit trees, vegetables, grains, olives and a wide variety of other commercial and residential crops.

The environment is excellent for organic farming. This is because the County does not have a long history of intensive agriculture; therefore, much of the soil is pristine.

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Ironstone Vineyards, Murphys.

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Supportive Local Government

The County Board of Supervisors is protective of agricultural land and openly encourages a robust agricultural base. This is evident by the inclusion of an agriculture/forestry element in the general plan. Additionally, the County government is zoning-friendly to agriculture. As further evidence of public sector support, the County actively enforces the Right to Farm Ordinance.

The Agricultural Commissioner is also very active in the community. The Commissioner’s office works closely with the agriculture community, the Farm Advisor and other agencies. The Commissioner was also instrumental in forming an Agriculture Coalition. This highly respected group, which often speaks in one voice, is composed of representatives from the four major agricultural organizations. They meet frequently to discuss common concerns and to successfully problem-solve issues facing them and their industry.

Supportive Local Community

The local residents are proud of their agricultural businesses and appreciate the importance of the industry to the County’s identity and economy. The residents, businesses and tourists support the industry by buying locally. They also encourage active and vibrant agricultural tourism.


Livestock and Poultry

Year Number of Head

Total Value

2009 11,300 $ 5,766,000.00

Cattle & Calves 2008 11,500 $ 6,122,000.00

2007 12,000 $ 6,702,300.00

2009 1,000 $ 88,700.00

Sheep & Lambs 2008 1,000 $ 91,300.00

2007 1,000 $ 90,500.00

2009 $ 3,192,000.00

Poultry 2008 $ 3,102,000.00

2007 $ 3,012,000.00

Source: Calaveras County 2008 and 2009 Reports of Agriculture

Visitors from all over the globe enjoy wine-tasting at the more than 20 wineries scattered throughout the foothills. Additionally, several of the local communities offer seasonal, certified farmer’s markets; no limit on the number of farmer’s markets was placed by County ordinances at the time of publication, and no farmer’s market administrative use permit fees were assessed.



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Newsome-Harlow Wines, Murphys.

Mineral Restaurant, Murphys. Photo: Ian Andreae.

How Does the Region Support Agriculture? In addition to the support from highly functioning local agricultural associations, and from local vendors and the community, the agricultural community benefits from being adjacent to California’s Great Central Valley. According to the Great Valley Center, this region is the “most productive agricultural region in the country…” Thus, there is great access to agricultural supplies, and regional farm labor contractors. The Central Valley offers expert advice from public agencies, private organizations, and educational institutions. One example is the University of California at Davis which has large and small animal veterinary schools and hospitals. They also excel in plant breeding, are known for their outstanding viticulture and aquaculture courses, and offer extensive outreach to the agricultural community.

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What does Calaveras County produce?In 2009, 631 farms covering more than 200,000 acres dotted the landscape. The leading farm commodities are cattle and calves, poultry and wine grapes.

Leading Farm Commodities

2008 2009

Cattle & Calves $6,122,000 $5,766,000

Poultry $3,102,000 $3,192,000

Grapes (wine) $1,287,000 $3,360,000

Walnuts $630,000 $876,000

Nursery Products $300,000 $300,000

Christmas Trees $112,500 $110,000

Sheep and Lambs $91,300 $88,700

Apiary $82,300 $91,400

Pistachios $63,000 $147,800

Olives $49,000 $79,800

Source: Calaveras County 2008 and 2009 Reports of Agriculture; Calaveras County Environmental Management Agency

Newsome-Harlow Wines tasting room, Murphys. Photo: Ben Davidson/Calaveras County Visitors Bureau.


What are the opportunities in the Agricultural Business?Local agri-business leaders identify several opportunities for expanding or locating businesses in the County.

Farming and Ranching Opportunities

• Dry land hay farming

• Goats, sheep and other small livestock

• Increased diversity in agricultural crops

• Expanded irrigated pasture and crops

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Support for agriculture industry

• Farm supply

• Agricultural specialists

• Viticulture specialists

• Agricultural brokers and marketers for products

• Agri-tourism programs and services

• Service sector and retail that supports the industry

James H. Tower, President of Calaveras Telephone Company, continues to lead Calaveras County in hi-tech communications technology.

Business Vigor • Water, Power, Communicat ions and More 39

OverviewThe mantra for the Calaveras County is “We are service oriented. We want to be progressive and proactive in supporting planned and vibrant growth and successful business.” This attitude is important, because when looking at a place to move to or expand in, communication and utilities are significant considerations. Access to high speed quality communications is often essential to quality of life and to business vitality. Affordable and available services such as utilities, water and sewage are also important issues. Calaveras County won’t disappoint.

Water, Power, Communications and More

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Spicer Lake. Photo: Dick James.

4 0 Calaveras Count y P rof i le • ca laverascount yeconomicdeve lopment .com

CommunicationAccess to high speed quality communications is incredibly important. In mountainous, rural areas, this can be a challenge—and one that Calaveras County is taking very seriously. The County offers access to high speed quality

communications in and near all the populated regions and is working diligently with regional providers and funders to expand the best service to the “last mile.”

Wireless is available throughout the County. However, the signal will occasionally be blocked by a beautiful stand of redwoods or an incredibly scenic mountain. Broadband is available through the cable company and other local providers. It is generally available within at least three miles of the population centers of Angels Camp, Arnold, San Andreas, Valley Springs, Murphys, Wallace, Copperopolis, Jenny Lind and West Point.

The communication providers continuously work together to assure the best coverage for the County by using the latest technology and by working with private, non-profit and government agencies to fund the progress.

UtilitiesCalaveras County offers highly competitive electrical rates. Additionally, several purveyors offer natural gas and propane for alternate sources of power. And, with an average of 260 sunny days a year, it is an ideal spot for solar power generation at any scale.

Several independent water and sewer companies serve Calaveras. Water is abundant and clean, and the companies are ready for growth.

Recycling Calaveras County prides itself on its robust recycling efforts. It offers safe and responsible waste management and recycling to residents and businesses.

Environmentally friendly goats are used to “mow” and clear shrubs over the 60 acre spray waste field. Photo: City of Angels.

Overview of part of the 13 million dollar waste water treatment facilities. Photo: City of Angels.O

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OverviewOne thing that people notice when they first visit Calaveras County is that they don’t hear traffic reports on the morning or evening news. That is because Calaveras County doesn’t have traffic jams. The roads are not congested and are well-maintained. In fact, one can travel wide expanses of road without even encountering stop signs or stop lights.

However, the County is well-served by four state highways and numerous ancillary roads. For commercial transport, the uncongested roads offer easy access to the major state and interstate freeways including highways 5, 50, 80, and 99, and to commercial and cargo airports, and large container shipping ports. Convenient and efficient parcel pick-up and delivery is available through multiple, reliable vendors throughout the County.

Highways and bywaysState highway 49 is the main north-south artery in the County. It meanders through the foothills and connects the quaint Gold Rush towns of the Mother Lode region. State highway 4, the main east-west artery, along with highways 12 and 26 carry people and goods from the higher elevations to the Central Valley and the San Francisco Bay Area. These roads lead to large international and commercial airports, north-south and east-west interstate highway systems, large warehousing, rail transportation, and several of the larger container shipping ports in the United States.

The Calaveras County highways and byways also offer some of the most spectacular scenery and unspoiled environments anywhere. For example, a 61-mile section of State Highway 4 starting in Arnold and extending into the high Sierras was honored with “National Scenic

Transportation

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“We have the best location in California…it is beautiful, out of the traffic, and located right in the middle of the state.”

—Kathy Zancanella, Calaveras County Airport Manager


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N Byway” status by the U.S. Department of Transportation; one of 7 such in the state. Whether on a pleasurable daytrip in a car, on a motorcycle, or on foot, the changing seasons and elevations can take the casual traveler to unsurpassed snowy vistas, fields of wildflowers, small farms with exotic animals, isolated lakes, streams and rivers, lovely vineyards and more.

Miles from Angels Camp

Sonora 16 San Francisco 130

Jackson 27 Lake Tahoe 135

Modesto 51 San Jose 140

Stockton 52 Mammoth Lakes 165

Sacramento 75 Monterey 210

Yosemite 85 Los Angeles 350

Napa 110

Photo: Dick James.

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Air TransportationCalaveras County is well-served by air as well as roads. Fifty airports/ heliports of various sizes and capacities are within fifty miles of Angels Camp. And four major international airports, Sacramento (SMF), Oakland (OAK), San Francisco (SFO) and San Jose (SJC), are within a few hours drive from the County.

Additionally, several of the smaller metropolitan airports, such as Modesto City-County Airport (MOD), offer connecting flights to the larger international airports or flights to other less busy airports out of state. This can be very convenient as parking is inexpensive or free, the airports are not crowded, and the experience is calmer, thus making the start and end of long trips easier, and closer to home—generally with no traffic.

Calaveras County operates its own general aviation airport, Calaveras County Airport/Maury Rasmussen Field. It has hangars, tie downs, and aircraft maintenance services. It is located between San Andreas and Angels Camp at an elevation of 1,325 feet. The runway is 3,600 feet long and will

accommodate 95% of general aviation aircraft; small jets land at the airport. The airport is active and popular because it is well-located in the center of the state, has very reasonable fuel prices and is in a beautiful setting. It is open all year and has two FAA designated examiners available for license testing. This airport offers a gateway to skiing, hiking and water sports.

Columbia Airport (COA) in Columbia and Westover Field Airport (JAQ) in Jackson are two other General Aviation Airports in the area. Columbia Airport, fourteen miles south of Angels Camp is located within walking distance of the historic town of Columbia in the Sierra Nevada foothills. It offers jet and other aviation fuel, general support services and is at a slightly higher elevation than Calaveras County Airport, of 2,118 feet. Columbia Airport has a lighted 4,650 foot paved runway and a 2,600 foot irrigated turf runway; both of which are well-maintained by the airport staff.

The Westover Field (Amador County Airport) is located approximately 15 miles northwest of Calaveras County in Jackson. It, too offers general support services and fuel. The runway is 3,400 feet; the airport is at a 1,690 foot elevation.

Calaveras County Airport/Maury Rasmussen Field.


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N Calaveras County, Columbia and Amador County airports all have GPS approaches.

Other nearby airports with instrument procedures:

• Oakdale Airport (027)—24 nm S

• Pine Mountain Lake Airport (E45)—28 nm SE

• Lodi Airport (CL11)—29 nm W

Cargo air transportation is available through the larger international airports, and also through airports specializing in commercial and cargo flights. These include the Stockton Metro Airport (SCK), in south Stockton, and Mather Airport (MHR) near Sacramento.

Stockton Metro recently launched a $10 million improvement program with air cargo in mind. The primary enhancement is an expanded air cargo ramp area encompassing approximately 10 acres. It also offers warehousing and cold storage facilities, low landing fees and access to the region’s highway, rail and port systems.

Mather Airport, a converted military air base, is a full service, fixed-base operator airport with one of the longest runways in California.

Additionally, the City of Angel Camp is a United Parcel Service regional hub. This affords great access to a national and international cargo shipping.

Deep Water PortsTwo major deep water ports, Stockton and Oakland, serve the area for container shipping. The Port of Stockton is located 75 nautical miles (120 km) east of the Golden Gate Bridge and is on the Stockton Deepwater Ship Channel. It is one-mile from Interstate 5, and close to all other interconnecting major highway systems in the central valley. Rail service is provided by two transcontinental railroads, Union Pacific and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe.

The Port of Stockton has berthing space for 17 vessels, 1.1 million square feet (102,000 sq. meters) of dockside transit sheds and shipside rail trackage, and 7.7 million square feet (715,000 sq. meters) of warehousing for both dry bulk and general cargoes, including steel. Each warehouse is also served by rail.

Stockton’s deepwater channel has an average depth of 37 feet (11 meters) at average low tide (35 feet MLLW), and an average depth at high tide of 40 feet (12 meters)—PANAMAX.

The Port of Oakland is the fourth largest container port in the nation. It is a hub for goods movement and international trade for much of Northern California, loading and discharging containerized goods. Like the Port of Stockton, Oakland’s port made substantial investments to add storage yards and cargo-handling capacity and extend railroad lines. The port handles about 2.2 million 20-foot containers of cargo compared with 1.5 million seven years ago and has grown to eight terminals from four during the same period.

Port of Stockton.

Our Communities

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City of Angels

Blue Mountain Region

Copperopolis

Ebbetts Pass Region

Mokelumne Hill

Murphys

San Andreas

Greater Valley Springs Region

Grounds Restaurant, Murphys. Photo: Rick E. Martin/Calaveras County Visitors Bureau.

Calaveras County is composed of many unique communities interspersed throughout the rolling foothills and towering mountains. The communities described in this next section include those listed below.

COPPEROPOLIS

LakeCamanche

PardeeLake

New HoganLake

Salt SpringsValley Lake

LakeTulloch

New MelonesLake

Spicer Lake

Salt Springs Lake

Union &Utica Lakes

LakeAlpine

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Vibrant Community Environments • City of Angels 47

City of AngelsAngels CampAngels CampAngels CampAngels CampAngels Camp

COPPEROPOLIS

LakeCamanche

PardeeLake

New HoganLake


LakeTulloch

New MelonesLake

Spicer Lake

Salt Springs Lake

Union &Utica Lakes

LakeAlpine

What is the City of Angels like?The “real” City of Angels is also well-known as Angels Camp. It is perfectly situated at about 1,400 feet elevation, which keeps it above the valley fog and below most of the winter snow. The summers are resplendent with blue skies and warm weather.

Angels Camp is named after Henry Angel, a shopkeeper from Rhode Island, who opened a trading post here in 1848—a short time before placer gold was discovered. During the first few years after the discovery of gold, as many as 4,000 miners worked the surface gold of Angels.

Photo: Rick Harray.


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N In 1864, Mark Twain wrote his first successful short story, “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County.” The Jumping Frog Jubilee and Calaveras County Fair is a fun event held annually the third week in May.

The town has kept the allure of the Gold Rush era alive with many of the 19th century buildings housing great eateries and unique shops. In fact, visitors today can stay in the same hotel that Mark Twain/Samuel Clemens stayed when he visited Angels Camp in the 1800s.

Where is it?Angels Camp is located at the south-eastern edge of the County. It is near Moaning Caverns, a cave large enough to hold the Statue of Liberty, and a short drive from the giant Sequoias. The city is surrounded by golden foothills that host a beautiful golf course and wonderful places to wander. Additionally it is only 20 minutes from one of the largest bodies of water in California, New Melones Lake. In addition to its scenic beauty the lake offers uncongested water sports of boating, water skiing and fishing plus great camping sites.

Photo: Rick Harray.

Larry the Cable Guy jumps a frog at the Calaveras County Fair and Jumping Frog Jubilee for “Only in America” on The History Channel.

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Vibrant Community Environments • City of Angels 49

What are the Transportation routes?The picturesque Highways 4 and 49 connect the City of Angels to the rest of the County and on to major transportation routes throughout the state. Thus, it is conveniently located near unlimited recreation in the foothills and mountains, and close to larger areas of commerce.

How does the community envision the City of Angels in the future?The City of Angels’ residents envision their community being a gateway to the Sierra and all the magnificence it has to offer. They also place great value on preserving and enhancing the city’s rural character and its natural, cultural and scenic resources.

What does the Community envision for Economic Development?If you are looking for a business location that has the largest regional customer draw, Angels Camp is it. Angels—located at the crossroads of Highways 4 and 49—is centered between Tuolumne County to the south, Amador County to the north, and all directions within Calaveras County. This three-county resident customer base is 140,000, plus several million visitors that pass through the central Sierra region each year.

The community wants to grow the city’s economic vitality by expanding and attracting businesses to the downtown area; targeting businesses that promote moderate-wage jobs and that enhance the city’s natural, cultural and esthetic resources. It envisions four distinct commercial districts, namely (1) historic, (2) community, (3) shopping, and (4) visitor.

Additionally the City wants to continue to grow its successful tourist business by enhancing the opportunities that draw people to enjoy all the splendors that the area affords.

New Melones Lake. Photo: Dick James.

CAMPS Restaurant at Greenhorn Creek.


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How can the residential character of the City of Angels be described?The housing in Angels Camp is a charming mix of well-maintained Victorian homes, newer neighborhoods and larger homes on acreage. The community envisions the development of affordable housing near areas of employment and a mix of combined residential and commercial buildings in the downtown area.

What does the Community want to be known for?Angels Camp adheres to a community identify known as the “Healthy Community Concept” which is characterized by:

• Fostering commitment to place

• Promoting vitality

• Building resilience

• Acting as a steward

• Forging connections

• Promoting equality

To this end, the community has designated Angels Camp as “Base Camp for Mountain Sports in the Central Sierras.”

Angels Camp is also host to one of the finest and largest Gold Rush era museums.

Photo: Rick Harray.

Photo: Hal and Clay Dillashaw.

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Vibrant Community Environments • B lue Mountain Region 51

Blue Mountain Region

Blue MountainRegionBlue MountainRegionBlue MountainRegionBlue MountainRegionBlue MountainRegion

COPPEROPOLIS

WILSEYVILLE

LakeCamanche

PardeeLake

New HoganLake


LakeTulloch

New MelonesLake

Spicer Lake

Salt Springs Lake

Union &Utica Lakes

LakeAlpine

What are the communities like?The Blue Mountain region is characterized by a pleasing blend of quaint townships in a rural section of Calaveras County. The townships are rich in Native American, gold-mining and timber history, and are enhanced with historic

structures. The people of the region prize the rural environment typified by peace and quiet, clean air, low population density, diversity of landscape, and lots of open space.

The landscape is comprised of heavily timbered foothills and low-elevation mountains that are interspersed with steep river gorges. Frequently, the area is graced with beautiful sunlit valleys and meadows. Spring and fall are particularly beautiful seasons.

Some of the colorfully-named townships in this section of Calaveras County include Railroad Flat, Sheep Ranch, Wilseyville, West Point and Mountain Ranch.

A prime example of the rural nature of the region is the town of Sheep Ranch. Here the sheep roam the streets of town and graze almost anywhere they want.

Mokelumne River. Photo: Ron Pickup.


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Where is it?The Blue Mountain communities are sprinkled throughout the north-central and northeastern region of Calaveras County. As one resident aptly defined the region “…if you’re going somewhere you would not be likely to travel through our towns. If you were looking for a nice country drive, you would.”

What are the transportation routes?The main road that leads to the region is State Highway 26. Other, well-maintained local roads connect the Blue Mountain communities to each other and to the larger commercial areas in and around Calaveras County.

Photos: Rick E. Martin/Calaveras County Visitors Bureau.

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Vibrant Community Environments • B lue Mountain Region 53

What are the predominant land uses?Most of the area is open space with large regions of timberland interspersed with prime agricultural and ranching areas. One can see a large buffalo herd, a sheep ranch, and properties with attractive ponds and old barns all within a short drive. The region has little commercial activity.

What does the area envision for economic development?In general, the communities envision most of the economic development happening in other regions of the County. Commercial development welcomed by the residents would be commensurate with the rural nature of the area, complement its history, and offer services to its residents.

One example of this type of commercial development is in the Railroad Flat area. Here, the residents envision recreational services and facilities. This would be especially inviting if the plan to complete the Mokelumne Coast to Crest Trail continues. Projected for the area are opportunities for outdoor outfitters, stables, equestrian facilities, and overnight facilities to cater to hikers and riders of the trail.

Another example is in Wilseyville where residents envision a small chipping plant and reviving the old mill, but on a small scale where outdoor furniture, fence posts and pickets, and other wood-based products could be milled commercially. These endeavors would blend with the history of timber industry in the area and would benefit from using the products of local forest thinning.

The entire region also sees a future in growing small cottage industries and in agriculture. Small technology-based businesses are able to thrive in the area as high speed fiber optic is available through Volcano Telephone Company. This company has invested heavily installing infrastructure throughout its service region, and many small businesses are moving from the high-density population areas to take advantage of this high-speed internet capability and to escape the congestion of urban living.

Mokelumne River, Licking Fork. Photo: Ron Pickup.


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How does the community envision its future? The Blue Mountain communities envision the rural life they now enjoy continuing without much change, other than encouraging the growth of regional parks. They want to retain a place that values self-reliance, self-sufficiency and independence.

How can the residential character be described? The region is not characterized by a distinct housing style. And, while several subdivisions exist, most all of them are well off the road and not visible to the visitor driving on the back country roads. The visible housing stock is composed mainly of modest homes built close to the road. Additionally, travelling down private roads and driveways, one will find some distinctive custom homes with beautiful grounds and vistas.

What does the area want to be known for?Local residents are proud of their mining, timber and Native American history and wish to keep that memory alive. And most importantly, they also value their location on “the road to nowhere.”

The retention of the rural atmosphere and natural beauty is their highest priority. The Blue Mountain region is a remote and rather undeveloped area; and that fact is the reason many settle there.


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Vibrant Community Environments • Copperopolis 55

CopperopolisCopperopolisCopperopolisCopperopolisCopperopolisCopperopolis

LakeCamanche

PardeeLake

New HoganLake


LakeTulloch

New MelonesLake

Spicer Lake

Salt Springs Lake

Union &Utica Lakes

LakeAlpine

What is Copperopolis like?Copperopolis, known locally as Copper, is a country town nestled amongst rolling hills covered with oak trees. The climate is temperate at an elevation of 1,000 feet that is above the valley fog and below the winter snow. The historic area, which was vibrant in 1861 when copper was discovered, and the Town Square define the community. Open-space areas throughout the community, along with Lake Tulloch, enhance the character.

Copperopolis Town Square.


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Where is it?Copperopolis is located in the Copper Valley, the southwestern part of Calaveras County. The town is a 2-hour drive from San Francisco and the Silicon Valley. It is the western entry point from the Bay Area to the Central Sierra recreation wonderland. The City of Angels is a 20-minute drive east of Copperopolis.

What are the Transportation routes?Highway 4 is the regional connection to the Bay Area to the west and to Bear Valley Ski Resort to the east. O’Byrne’s Ferry Road provides easy access to Tuolumne County to the south, and on to a short 90-minute drive to Yosemite National Park. Also close by is the Gold Chain Highway 49 connecting several other historic gold rush era towns. The planned local collector roads will include cycling lanes along with separated meandering walkways.

How does the community envision Copperopolis in the future?Copperopolis is envisioned as a prosperous well-balanced country town with a casual lifestyle. The population is expected to grow to be the largest residential and commercial community in Calaveras County and the three-county region with an estimated 40,000 population. This expansion provides great opportunity while preserving the small town character of less than one person per acre average. The focus is outdoor recreation, anchored by Lake Tulloch and a planned access to New Melones Lake. Additional golf courses, parks and trails are planned, including a 10-mile walking and cycling trail along the beautiful Little Johns Creek. The trail starts at Lake Tulloch and extends north to Copper Town Square. Several equestrian ranches, along with Bridle Wood, a state of the art equestrian center, enhance the country character.

Lake Tulloch.

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Vibrant Community Environments • Copperopolis 57

What does the Community envision for Economic Development?The Copper citizens along with its development community are committed to enhancing the character, amenities and quality of life while the expected growth takes place. Continued demand from the 12 million people who live within a two hour drive, including many baby boomers seeking a country life style, will drive this expansion.

Opportunities will exist for hotels, office, restaurants, local and destination retail, medical, education, light industry, and recreation-oriented business generated from golf, water, equestrian, and other outdoor adventure businesses. Senior-living villages will add additional economic opportunities.

To facilitate the economic development, state-of-the-art communication technology is a major key to achieving success. Calaveras Telephone Company (CalTel) established in 1895 and headquartered in Copperopolis, is dedicated to providing Western Calaveras County with the latest communication technology available. From its inception,

CalTel has been locally owned and operated by the Tower family. Today Copperopolis has fiber optic cable, broadband, ultra high speed internet access, 100% digital, as well as other state-of-the-art communication capabilities. This provides the residents and businesses with instant communication anywhere in the World. CalTel’s founder, James A Tower who was known affectionately as “Barbed Wire Jim” used barbed wire fences as the first phone lines, and had his first contract with Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone. This creative spirit and can-do attitude is alive and well today.

Cruisers Ice Cream, Copperopolis Town Square.

Saddle Creek Golf Resort.


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How can the residential character of Copperopolis be described?The residential character of Copper is diverse and has much to offer. Living styles range for lake front homes, large & small lots, golf communities, cluster homes, senior living communities, attached living, ranches from 5 to 40 acres or larger, and several gated neighborhoods. Workforce housing is being planned adjacent to commercial centers. The goal of residential living in Copper is to have a blend of a wide range of lifestyles. The vast open-space character, temperate climate, and recreation-oriented living, provides great opportunities for any desire.

What does the Community want to be known for?Copperopolis had its share of gold mines, but it became known for its copper mines. Once copper was discovered, during the Civil War union soldiers were stationed in the Copperopolis Armory to protect the copper for its munitions. The Armory still stands today and is used for community events. Before the copper mines were closed, they remained a valuable U.S. asset for years, as they supplied a substantial amount of the U.S. copper needs during World Wars I & II.

The Copper community recognizes its potential as is very excited about the future, that is, to become known as one of the finest country settings and lifestyles.

Livery buildings, historic area.

Saddle Creek.

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Vibrant Community Environments • Ebbetts Pass Region 59

Ebbetts Pass Region

Ebbetts Pass RegionEbbetts Pass RegionEbbetts Pass RegionEbbetts Pass RegionEbbetts Pass Region

COPPEROPOLIS

LakeCamanche

PardeeLake

New HoganLake


LakeTulloch

New MelonesLake

Spicer Lake

Salt Springs Lake

Union &Utica Lakes

LakeAlpine

What are the communities like?The region is surrounded by the breathtaking scenery of the Stanislaus National Forest. It offers a wide variety of outdoor activities including hiking, bicycling, off-road adventures, golf, fishing, and first-rate winter recreation. It is home to fine dining, historic lodging and unique boutique shopping. The region also stages live music concerts, and arts and crafts festivals.

The approximately 12,000 citizens who live in these communities appreciate the natural beauty of the mountains, forests, and streams. They value being situated in the midst of rich coniferous forests, and small streams and creeks. Calaveras Big Trees State Park, home to at least 1,100 Giant Sequoias, is located nearby.

Stanislaus River in Calaveras Big Trees State Park. Photo: Dick James.


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Where is it?The Avery-Hathaway Pines Community is approximately 13 miles northeast of Angels Camp and 30 miles southwest of the Bear Valley/Mt. Reba ski area. Arnold is approximately 20 miles northeast of the City of Angels and Highway 49. The area ranges in elevation from just over 2,000 feet north of Murphys to more than 7,000 feet at the Alpine County line.

What are the transportation routes?The Ebbetts Pass National Scenic Byway covers about 35 miles of State Highway 4 in the northeastern part of Calaveras County. It begins at the northern edge of the Murphys area and traverses through the Avery-Hathaway Pines and Arnold communities to the Alpine County line. Local roads connect residential and commercial areas.

What are the predominant land uses?In the southern part of the Ebbetts Pass area, between Murphys and Arnold, most parcels are residential use of 5 acres or less. Above Camp Connell, the predominant parcel size exceeds forty acres, with a few pockets of smaller parcels near the community centers. The area above Camp Connell to the Alpine County line is characterized by larger parcels that are privately owned or are part of the National Forest.

Near Calaveras Big Trees State Park, the major land holdings are divided between the Stanislaus National Forest and private timber companies. Public lands held by the Stanislaus National Forest are leased and contracted by the Federal government.

Outside the community centers of Arnold and Avery-Hathaway Pines, land uses in the area include large-lot residential (5- to 40-acres per parcel), commercial logging activity, State or Federally-owned lands, recreation, and recreation-oriented commercial including campgrounds, boat rentals or storage, and camping equipment sales or rental.

Big Trees State Park. Photo: Ben Davidson/

Calaveras County Visitors Bureau.

Photo: Rick Harray.

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Vibrant Community Environments • Ebbetts Pass Region 61

What does the area envision for economic development?The economic vision for the Ebbetts Pass region is to provide a village atmosphere in the commercial areas, providing services for locals and tourists. Additionally, the residents envision selective commercial and residential intermix in certain areas. The residents value open space in combination with appropriately planned development, and a region that prioritizes the natural environment when change or growth is proposed.

The area’s economic base incorporates several basic themes—tourism, construction and related industries, public agencies, retirement incomes, timber, and support businesses for local residents. Opportunities for economic development can benefit from the planned expansion of the nearby Bear Valley Ski Resort, a retired population, and a strong tourism base. Specifically, the area could profit from increased boutique shopping options near the towns, commercial and industrial development off Highway 4, increased entertainment businesses, health care facilities, and senior housing. An existing supply of vacant commercial parcels offers entrepreneurs the built-in opportunity to serve residents and tourists.

How does the community envision its future? The community values its rural and forested character and the fact that they remain unincorporated. They want to encourage development infill on existing vacant land, and to maintain the recreation and tourism industries. To continue to attract permanent and seasonal residents, they want to ensure sufficient utilities availability and maintain Highway 4 as the “main street” of the area.

Photo: Bear Valley Snowmobile.

Photo: Arnold Rim Trail.


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How can the residential character be described? Much of the core of existing housing was created in residential subdivisions from the 1940s to 1950s. Since then a significant slowdown in the establishment of subdivisions has occurred.

Most of the residences are single family dwellings located in moderately dense subdivisions accented by tall timber between the houses. Not surprisingly, because of the recreational attractiveness of the area, about 60% of the homes are second homes.

Blue Lake Springs is one of the main residential developments and it reflects the serenity and recreation access offered by the region. The development includes a golf course, swimming pools, tennis courts, basketball courts, and ready access to open space.

What does the future hold for housing opportunities in the area?Based upon the projected population increase, between 1,750 and 3,500 full-time units would be required to meet the demand. The community wants to encourage new lower-density residential development and to provide senior housing.

What does the area want to be known for?The region values the alpine nature of the area and strives to maintain that unique charm as home to the Calaveras Big Trees State Park and the biggest trees in the world.

Photo: Doug and Carrie Shinn.

Meadowmont Pond. Photo: Dick James.

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What is Mokelumne Hill like?Mokelumne Hill’s well-preserved historical architecture, narrow streets, and small size make the community a unique and livable place. It is perched on the edge of the Mokelumne River Canyon, with an elevation ranging from 1,200 to 1,700 feet. The approximately 1,000 residents enjoy the terrain that is generally hilly, interspersed with ravines, gulches, and occasional flat hilltops.

Where is it located?The Mokelumne Hill Community Plan area encompasses about 5 square miles in the north central part of the County. It is approximately 9 miles north of San Andreas, 12 miles east of Valley Springs, and 8 miles south of Jackson.

Vibrant Community Environments • Mokelumne Hi l l 63

Mokelumne HillCopperopolis

Mokelumne HillMokelumne HillMokelumne HillMokelumne HillMokelumne HillLakeCamanche

PardeeLake

New HoganLake


LakeTulloch

New MelonesLake

Spicer Lake

Salt Springs Lake

Union &Utica Lakes

LakeAlpine

Photo: Bob Lema.


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What are the Major Transportation RoutesState Highways 26 and 49 provide the major transportation routes. Other local roads connect residential and commercial areas.

How does the community envision Mokelumne Hill in the future?The Mokelumne Hill Community Plan provides for orderly growth in a manner that retains the small town character, historical and cultural assets and protects the community’s scenic, recreational, agricultural, and natural resources.

How can the residential character of Mokelumne Hill be described? The area is predominantly single-family residential. The community encourages mixed residential / commercial development projects that reflect the town character.

What does Mokelumne Hill envision for economic development?The community is enriched and supported by a thriving business community that has embraced the historic structures and ambiance. Future plans seek to find a balance between conservation of the community’s historical legacy and the need to accommodate growth. They plan to do that by promoting and facilitating infill within the existing Community Plan area, especially with land already served by public sewer and water.

Opportunities include augmenting the limited number and diversity of retail shopping services, new mining activity that is compatible with existing land uses, and agricultural production within and near the community.

What does Mokelumne Hill want to be known for?Mokelumne Hill is a small community that has retained and enhanced its rich historic and cultural assets. It is home to Randy Sparks of The New Christy Minstrels. Mokelumne Hill prides itself on its investment in and commitment to youth and their engagement in the future of the community. It is a place where multi-generational involvement and social interaction, trust, and connectedness are key community values.

Hotel Leger. Photo: Rick E. Martin/Calaveras County Visitors Bureau.

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Vibrant Community Environments • Murphys 65

MurphysMurphysMurphysMurphysMurphysMurphys

COPPEROPOLIS

LakeCamanche

PardeeLake

New HoganLake


LakeTulloch

New MelonesLake

Spicer Lake

Salt Springs Lake

Union &Utica Lakes

LakeAlpine

What is Murphys like?Nationally recognized as the “Queen of the Sierra”, Murphys is a picturesque and charming gold rush era town. Murphys has also been recognized as one of the top ten coolest small towns in America. The town is a mix of quaint historic structures and refurbished newer buildings in keeping with the gold rush architecture. Boutique shops of specialty retail are blended with many restaurants, wine tasting shops, old-timers museum, several inns and entertainment venues. President Ulysses S. Grant once stayed at the Murphys Hotel.

Murphys Community Park. Photo: Rick E. Martin/Calaveras County Visitors Bureau.


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Where is it?Murphys is located between the town of Angels Camp, ten minutes to the west, and Arnold, fifteen minutes east, and is in the south/central area of Calaveras County. The communities of Douglas Flat and Forest Meadows golf resorts are nearby. A 2,000 foot elevation creates a year-round comfortable climate of mild summer evenings and light snow that rarely lasts more than a couple of days. The setting is country character with a blend of oak & pine trees and an abundance of open-space.

What are the Transportation routes?Highway 4 is the primary regional road with Murphys Grade Road and Sheep Ranch Road providing access to other County towns. Gold Chain Highway 49, a short ten minutes west connects several other historic gold rush era including the town of Columbia twenty minutes south via Parrotts Ferry Road.

How does the community envision Murphys in the future?Understanding that some growth will happen, the community desires that the future architecture and settings will blend in keeping with the existing quaint character of today.


Photo: Dick James.

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Vibrant Community Environments • Murphys 67

What does the Community envision for Economic Development?Future commercial developments will be small-scale venues that complement small town living along with casual tourist-oriented attractions.

Vineyards and wineries are the majority commercial offering. Ironstone Winery is the largest business in Murphys. The Kautz family created and operates one of the finest winery, tourist and entertainment venues emblematic of California’s original wine country. The attractions are many including: state-of-the-art wine production, ageing caverns, tasting room and gourmet delicatessen featuring the monumental 42-foot stone fireplace and historic oak bar, music room with the restored Alhambra Theatre Pipe Organ, and culinary exhibition center for community banquets and events. The heritage museum and jewelry shop showcase fine jewelry and objects d’art, intertwined with a collection of gold rush treasures. The museum is the spectacular setting for the magnificent

forty-four pound Crystalline Gold Leaf Nugget—the largest in the world. All around Ironstone are beautiful landscaped grounds with several park settings, picnic areas, a duck lake for casual strolling or solitary pondering. Topping off this wonderful treasure is the fabulous Outdoor Amphitheatre, which can accommodate 6,000 guests. Many nationally recognized entertainment artists have adorned its stage such as Willie Nelson, Boss Skaggs, BB King, Doobie Brothers, and many more. Ironstone Winery also sponsors the Concours d’Elegance one of the finest classic car shows of its kind.

Ironstone Vineyards.

Photo: Dick James.


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How can the residential character of Murphys be described?The residential character of Murphys ranges from town living, neighborhood homes, ranches, and sparsely populated open-space with a mix of styles including a blend of fabulous architectural homes and settings.

What does the Community want to be known for?The community is extremely proud of one of its own: Albert Michelson the first American to win the Nobel Prize. After attending school in Murphys, he earned his Ph.D in physics. While working at the U.S. Navel Academy in Annapolis, he measured the speed of light—the accomplishment for which he earned his prestigious prize. In later years, Albert Einstein stated that he based his theory of relativity on Michelson’s work.

Murphys residents and merchants are committed to remaining a quaint & charming town symbolic of its identity as the “Queen of the Sierra”.

Indian Rock Vineyards. Photo: Ben Davidson/Calaveras County Visitors Bureau.

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Vibrant Community Environments • San Andreas 69

San AndreasSan AndreasSan AndreasSan AndreasSan AndreasSan Andreas

LakeCamanche

PardeeLake

New HoganLake


LakeTulloch

New MelonesLake

Spicer Lake

Salt Springs Lake

Union &Utica Lakes

LakeAlpine

What is San Andreas like?As the County seat, San Andreas is the center of commerce, education and services for Calaveras County. The Calaveras County Government Center, a number of public agencies and Mark Twain St. Joseph’s Hospital are located in the center of the town.

The town has three beautiful parks and is surrounded by gently sloping oak-covered foothills. It transitions from businesses and homes to rural residential areas, farms, ranches and open space.

St. Charles Street, the main thoroughfare, has a good mix of restaurants, stores, and services. The town also boasts a delightful historic district that captures the charm of earlier eras.

It was named after San Andrés, the patron saint of Spain. Mexicans first discovered gold here, and by the early 1850s between 1,000 and 1,500 miners were working the gullies and washes. In 1854 extensive placer deposits were

discovered in an old riverbed 150 feet below the surface of the earth. Lack of water was a problem, but the Table Mountain Water Company was formed to bring water from 50 miles away. Today most of these historic water ditches still grace the countryside and many are still in use.

Where is it?San Andreas is situated in the golden Sierra foothills near the center of the County just east of the intersection of Highway 12 and Highway 49. It is approximately 9 miles south of Mokelumne Hill, 9.5 miles west of Valley Springs, and 12 miles north of the City of Angels.

Main Street. Photo: Donna Schantz.


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What are the Transportation routes?The scenic, open Highways 12 and 49 connect San Andreas to the rest of the County and on to major transportation routes.

How does the community envision San Andreas in the future?San Andreas residents envision their community being a small, thriving, vibrant foothill town surrounded by rolling oak studded hills. The town heart includes its historic and well-preserved main street with an inviting entrance. This vision is evident in the community motto: Preserve Our Rural Heritage.

What does the Community envision for Economic Development?The community wants to retain its rural charm by creating retail opportunities for residents and visitors in the form of locally-owned businesses that blend with its culture and character. It envisions expanding the number of small retail shops and restaurants while augmenting the rural ambiance with numerous shade trees in a pedestrian and bicycle friendly environment. Being a center for learning and health care is important to San Andreas’ residents; as is being a sustainable community reliant on alternative energy and a rebuild/re-use philosophy. Another advantage that San Andreas has is access to natural gas; this substantially lowers the cost of doing business and of energy generation in general.

How can the residential character of San Andreas be described?Well-established residential areas are located on either side of Highway 49. The community encourages the development of a range of housing types, including multi-use (combined residential and commercial) buildings, for all income levels so that no resident is left behind.

What does the Community want to be known for?San Andreas wants to preserve its rural character with minimum loss of farms, ranches, oak woodlands and open space, while being a vibrant center of commerce, services and education for the County.

Turner Park. Photo: Donna Schantz.

Vibrant Community Environments • Greater Val ley Springs Region 71

Greater Valley Springs Community

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Greater Valley SpringsCommunityGreater Valley SpringsCommunityGreater Valley SpringsCommunityGreater Valley SpringsCommunityGreater Valley SpringsCommunity

COPPEROPOLIS

LakeCamanche

PardeeLake

New HoganLake


LakeTulloch

New MelonesLake

Spicer Lake

Salt Springs Lake

Union &Utica Lakes

LakeAlpine

What is the Greater Valley Springs Community like?The Greater Valley Springs Community is a dynamic region with a unique mixture of sophistication, historic insight and ceaseless energy. The region encompasses the towns of Burson, Camanche Lake Estates, Campo Seco, Jenny Lind, Rancho Calaveras, Scenic Valley Ranchos, Valley Springs, and Wallace along with the neighborhoods that tie the overall community together.

The area offers an abundance of recreation for all ages, like water sports such as fishing, kayaking, water-skiing and sailing at the nearby lakes. An expansive network of bicycle and hiking trails meanders along the three lakes and beautiful rolling hills. Golf at the scenic La Contenta golf course, diverse shopping and fine restaurants add to the appeal for residents and tourists alike. New Hogan Lake.

Photo: Nick Baptista.


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N Located at the 680 foot elevation, the temperate climate is attractive to both retirees and families; many small businesses are drawn to the area because of the quality of life for their employees.

Valley Springs, once called Spring Valley, was a railroad town in the late 1800s. The San Joaquin and Sierra Nevada Railroad connected Valley Springs to Stockton, Sacramento, and San Francisco by rail, making the town a busy business center. This identity contributed to the prestige and importance of the town. Many old buildings, including the historic train depot, are still standing.

Where is it?The Greater Valley Springs Community is located in the western edge of Calaveras County, approximately 45 minutes from Stockton, just over an hour to Sacramento, and approximately two hours from San Francisco and the Silicon Valley.

The Historic town of Murphys is approximately a half-hour drive, and terrific snow skiing at the renowned Bear Valley Ski Resort is less than two hours away.

What are the Transportation routes?State highways 12 and 26 intersect in the center of town. Continuing east on Highway 12 leads to the Gold Chain Highway 49, and this historic highway travels through other gold rush era towns. Traveling to the west on either highway will lead to the San Joaquin Valley, and eventually, the San Francisco Bay area.


Photo: Donna Schantz.

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Vibrant Community Environments • Greater Val ley Springs Region 73

How does the community envision the Greater Valley Springs area in the future?The community of the Greater Valley Springs area values its rural character, and remains unincorporated. Residents want to encourage development infill on existing vacant land, and to foster recreational industries, while utilizing available utilities, and maintaining good traffic flow throughout the community.

In the future, the Greater Valley Springs area expects grow beyond its 8,000 residents by attracting permanent and seasonal residents who enjoy a casual lifestyle. The community wants to allow for sufficient growth with planned development. This type of expansion provides great opportunity, while preserving the small town character with an average population density of less than one person per acre.

The focus is outdoor recreation, anchored by New Hogan Lake, and access to Lake Camanche, and Pardee Lake. Additional parks and trails are planned, including a 10-mile walking and cycling trail along the beautiful Cosgrove Creek. The trail starts at New Hogan Lake, and extends north to the Coast to Crest Trail. Several equestrian ranches, along with a planned, state of the art, equestrian center, will enhance the country character.

What does the Community envision for Economic Development?The economic vision for the Greater Valley Springs Community is to provide a village atmosphere in the commercial areas, providing services for locals and tourists. Additionally, the residents envision selective commercial and residential intermix in certain areas. Also important is open space in combination with appropriately planned development and a region that prioritizes the natural environment when change or growth is proposed

The area’s economic base incorporates several basic themes—recreation, ranching, farming, construction and related industries, public agencies, and support businesses for local residents. The planned development of a community college, a retiree population, and a strong recreation base provide great opportunities for economic development. Specifically, the area could profit from increased boutique shopping options near the town commercial center.

Photo: MyValleySprings.com.


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N Additionally, development of new parks that will support recreation, performing arts, and tourism, are planned for the near future. Plans are also being developed for new health care facilities, affordable and senior housing, and an industrial zoned area that will offer entrepreneurs the built-in opportunity to learn a new trade and start their own business. Opportunities will also exist for hotels, office buildings, restaurants, local and destination retail, and recreation-oriented business associated with golf, water sports, equestrian events, and other outdoor adventure businesses.

State-of-the-art communication technology will be a major key in achieving economic development success. The Greater Valley Springs Community has, in place, the latest communication technology available. Valley Springs currently has fiber optic cable, broadband, ultra high speed internet access, 100% digital, as well as other state-of-the-art communication capabilities. This provides residents and businesses with instant communication anywhere in the world.

How can the residential character of Greater Valley Springs area be described?The core of existing housing in the Greater Valley Springs area was created in residential planned communities. The character of the town is diverse and has much to offer. Living styles range from golf communities with large and small lots, cluster homes, senior living communities, attached living, ranches on 1 to 40 or more acres, and gated neighborhoods.

Workforce housing is in the planning stages, and the goal of the community is to offer a blend of housing, suitable for a wide range of lifestyles. The vast open spaces, temperate climate, and recreation-oriented living appeals to a wide range of people, and will continue to attract new residents.

What does the Community want to be known for?The Greater Valley Springs Community will always be known for its vast recreation opportunities, and will continue to be a wonderful place to both visit and live. The community offers tremendous opportunities for people of all ages, and is a great place to raise a family, operate a business, further education, or enjoy retirement hobbies.

The community wants to be known as a desirable country setting, catering to diverse lifestyles.


Calaveras County

OpportunityFor

Business

This publication was produced by theCalaveras County Economic Development Company,

a 501c4 non-profit organization

100 Town Square Road • Copperopolis, CA 95228209-785-8555 • 209-785-8551 Fax

www.CalaverasCountyEconomicDevelopment.com

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