Retreat with Views and modern comfort near Kirkwood Ski, wineries, gold country
House in Calaveras County, CA
10 guests · 4 bedrooms · 3 baths
Reasons to book
Guests love it hereGuests give this property a top rating
Free cancellationFull refund if you change your mind
Includes essentialsKitchen or Kitchenette, Air conditioner, Internet / Wifi and more
About this house rental
Get away with sweeping views of pine and valley from the comfort of your living room and bedrooms. Enjoy a newly re-modeled modern interior in a cabin atmosphere. Bear Family Ranch is only a 2 hour drive from the Bay Area but feels a world away. And oh, the stars at night! You must see it to believe it.
From the Ranch, you can continue uphill 30 minutes to reach alpine lakes for boating and fishing. Or drive downhill 10 minutes to go caving at Black Chasm Cavern and enjoy the Gold Rush town of Volcano, once 5000 miners strong. Drive downhill an additional 20 minutes to Sutter Creek and Jackson for wine tasting and antique hunting. Want to have a lazy day instead? Take a stroll on the hiking trails directly on our property and relax while watching deer, woodpeckers and birds of prey. Get cozy in front of the signature fireplace or fire up the 70” TV for a movie night to be remembered.
Bear Family Ranch can accommodate 2-3 families comfortably:
* 4 bedrooms, 3 baths
* Three rooms with queen beds and views, one room with two twin beds, sleeps 8 total
* Panoramic windows in the living room
* Fireplace
* 70” flat screen with Chrome-cast, DVDs provided
* Free high speed internet
* Gourmet kitchen with granite counters
* Large wrap-around deck
* Yoga room adjoining the Master bedroom, with deck access
In the winter, easily reach the ranch on a Friday night without having to drive through heavy snow. The ranch is located just above the snow line and gets 2-3 inches of snow, so roads to it are always open. The next morning when the traffic subsides, roads clear, and the sun is shining, make the drive up to Kirkwood for awesome boarding and skiing. The non-boarders and non-skiers in your party can enjoy the sweeping views and all that Gold Country has to offer.
In the summer, live in the center of outdoor activity. Stay on the ranch for short hikes, lazing around and stargazing; or drive 30 min uphill to alpine lakes for fishing, boating, hiking and kayaking. Caving is only 10 minutes away, while within 30 minutes you can find whitewater rafting on the Mokulumne (self-guided), historical tours of gold country, wine tasting and shows at the Jackson Rancheria Casino Resort.
Tips about the rooms:
There are three levels. The main level has the wrap-around deck and views, kitchen, fireplace, living room, master bedroom, twin-bed bedroom, and two bathrooms. One of the bathrooms is shared between the twin-bed bedroom and the bedroom upstairs, which has the best view but can be colder in the winter and warmer in the summer. A space heater and many blankets are provided.
The lower ‘walk-out basement’ level enjoys the view as well, and has a living room with a wood stove and 70” TV, a bedroom and an adjoining bathroom. The couch is a pull-out.
From the Ranch, you can continue uphill 30 minutes to reach alpine lakes for boating and fishing. Or drive downhill 10 minutes to go caving at Black Chasm Cavern and enjoy the Gold Rush town of Volcano, once 5000 miners strong. Drive downhill an additional 20 minutes to Sutter Creek and Jackson for wine tasting and antique hunting. Want to have a lazy day instead? Take a stroll on the hiking trails directly on our property and relax while watching deer, woodpeckers and birds of prey. Get cozy in front of the signature fireplace or fire up the 70” TV for a movie night to be remembered.
Bear Family Ranch can accommodate 2-3 families comfortably:
* 4 bedrooms, 3 baths
* Three rooms with queen beds and views, one room with two twin beds, sleeps 8 total
* Panoramic windows in the living room
* Fireplace
* 70” flat screen with Chrome-cast, DVDs provided
* Free high speed internet
* Gourmet kitchen with granite counters
* Large wrap-around deck
* Yoga room adjoining the Master bedroom, with deck access
In the winter, easily reach the ranch on a Friday night without having to drive through heavy snow. The ranch is located just above the snow line and gets 2-3 inches of snow, so roads to it are always open. The next morning when the traffic subsides, roads clear, and the sun is shining, make the drive up to Kirkwood for awesome boarding and skiing. The non-boarders and non-skiers in your party can enjoy the sweeping views and all that Gold Country has to offer.
In the summer, live in the center of outdoor activity. Stay on the ranch for short hikes, lazing around and stargazing; or drive 30 min uphill to alpine lakes for fishing, boating, hiking and kayaking. Caving is only 10 minutes away, while within 30 minutes you can find whitewater rafting on the Mokulumne (self-guided), historical tours of gold country, wine tasting and shows at the Jackson Rancheria Casino Resort.
Tips about the rooms:
There are three levels. The main level has the wrap-around deck and views, kitchen, fireplace, living room, master bedroom, twin-bed bedroom, and two bathrooms. One of the bathrooms is shared between the twin-bed bedroom and the bedroom upstairs, which has the best view but can be colder in the winter and warmer in the summer. A space heater and many blankets are provided.
The lower ‘walk-out basement’ level enjoys the view as well, and has a living room with a wood stove and 70” TV, a bedroom and an adjoining bathroom. The couch is a pull-out.
Amenities
Air conditioner
Kitchen or Kitchenette
Internet / Wifi
Fireplace
Parking
Balcony or Patio
Dishwasher
TV
Wheelchair accessible
Gym or Fitness Center
Family friendly
Map of Calaveras County, CA
££££
Ratings and reviews
10.0 / 10.0
The house was fantastic, tons of space, very secluded and private. Connie was awesome and very responsive with all of our inquiries. We can’t wait to return to The Bear Family ranch…
8.0 / 10.0
The house has a “quirky” floor plan but is comfortable and provides everything you need in the kitchen and baths. What was uncomfortable, given our current fire season, was the over grown landscape. The house is surrounded by tall dry grass and has an abundance of fuel in pine cones and needles, old outbuildings and dying trees.
10.0 / 10.0
Great views, close to the dance grounds
10.0 / 10.0
This was a cozy and comfortable home with amazing views. We enjoyed big kitchen and outdoor eating.
10.0 / 10.0
The Bear Family Ranch house was fantastic and perfect for our group. Everything was as advertised and the communication with the owners was great whenever a questions did come up. Our group of eight fit snugly yet spaciously into the space and we truly enjoyed our time there.
My only critical feedback would be that the kitchen items need a serious update. There weren't any wine glasses or really many glasses at all so we were drinking out of coffee mugs, and most of the good kitchen equipment was locked away in an "Owners Only" cabinet. As a big cooking group, we were sad to not have access to these items. I suggest a run to Costco or Ikea and a few dollar spent on some kitchen wares. The takeaway-If you are really into cooking and somewhat local, bring the times you wish to have along with you.
Overall, the property was perfect we certainly hope to be back!
10.0 / 10.0
I am the teacher at a small outdoor/nature school made up of homeschooled kids. We wanted to take our 7 fifth graders on a Gold Country field trip, but our group is too small for conventional school trips. This was the perfect house for our needs! We had 7 kids ages 10-11 and 3 adults. We were able to cook and prepare all of our meals in the house, and comfortably sleep everyone, as well as have plenty of space for rest and relaxation, and fun! It even snowed on our 2nd night. So magical! The hosts were very responsive and we could not have asked for a better stay! I may bring my own grown kids back for a stay at some point and explore the area.
10.0 / 10.0
Love this plave
Our family loved staying at your house. The kids loved all the different bedrooms and playing games on the TV downstairs. We loved the open backyard and hiking in the area. We wished it snowed but the kids had so much fun at the house, they didn’t want to drive to the snow. Only negative was we wished there was a washer/dryer. Other than that, it was a great place to go.
10.0 / 10.0
An out of the way stay
Extended family stayed here for several days to get out of the house and take in some new scenery. Had a good time.
10.0 / 10.0
The Views are Amazing
Very nice property and the house is clean
10.0 / 10.0
great views, great property, great hosts!
This property is located on top of a ridge with just fabulous views. It was very smoky the weekend we were there, but were able to enjoy it anyway.
There is plenty of room for everyone with an open floor plan so everyone can still interact. Excellent kitchen with a nice big island.
And Connie and Eric responded really quickly to every email, wanting to make sure all is perfect! I highly recommend this property, and we will definitely be coming back!
10.0 / 10.0
Great experience, amazing home and views!
The photos really don't do this place justice. The setting was absolutely incredible with amazing views. The house itself was very comfortable and spacious with plenty of room. All of us had an amazing time. Connie and Eric were very responsive and helpful. Thanks again for everything!
10.0 / 10.0
Wonderful getaway with friends
What a wonderful location! Short drive into the adorable, teeny town of Volcano, and just the right spot for drives into surrounding areas. We LOVED hanging out on the deck together, lounging around in the front room, and having our own bedrooms. What a help it was to have AC during this hot summer! We loved every moment of our stay.
10.0 / 10.0
Awesome view and location
Great place to go for enjoying the peace and quiet. Really could never get tired of the view. And the hosts are very engaged and easy to reach
10.0 / 10.0
Rooms with Views
This was a wonderful get away for our 15th annual girlfriends trip. The view, quiet and peaceful surroundings was just what we were hoping for. The surrounding property was perfect for watching hawks to hummingbirds, lots of deer and the surrounding farm animals were fun to watch. The wrap around porch, with a patio table and chairs was perfect for many hours of listening to music and friendship time. The house is clean and very comfortable, including the beds.
10.0 / 10.0
Relaxing Getaway
The house was clean, cozy, and easily accommodated our group of 7 adults. The home was perfect for beautiful mountain/forest views and wildlife sightings (deer, birds, etc.). Communication was clear, consistent, and smooth. Thank you for a wonderful stay. We enjoyed our visit and hope to return some day soon!
10.0 / 10.0
Peace and quiet with an unforgettable views
Amazing property, great location for a big family getaway. Hosts we're super helpful in communication and with recommendations. We loved everything! Do pack a sleep mask as there is so much light it's hard to stay asleep ;) and at night you get magnificent sky. Pack a binoculars and go explore!
5.0 / 10.0
Thank you so so much for sharing your lovely home amidst the Amador Pines full of peace and beauty. Your property is stunning and many other commenters and previous guests are right - photos do no do justice to this amazing home and the location.Beds & Bathrooms were very comfortable. Thanks for the Master bedroom Toto toilet luxury, warm seats are great!Thanks also for keeping baths with basic toiletries - that was a pleasant nice warm surprise to see easy to dispense Costco size containers vs the small ones in our travel cases/hotels. Nice touch. The beds were super comfortable and we had a great restful time on the deck and in the house.Instructions on getting away to nearby places, grocery stores, and history of the home and land was so fun to read about.Again, thanks for sharing, we hope we can definitely come back.
8.0 / 10.0
We had a great time with family.
Very fun.
10.0 / 10.0
Son's 17th Birthday Stay while skiing in Kirkwood
Thank you so so much for sharing your lovely home amidst the Amador Pines full of peace and beauty. Your property is stunning and many other commenters and previous guests are right - photos do no do justice to this amazing home and the location.
Beds & Bathrooms were very comfortable. Thanks for the Master bedroom Toto toilet luxury, warm seats are great!
Thanks also for keeping baths with basic toiletries - that was a pleasant nice warm surprise to see easy to dispense Costco size containers vs the small ones in our travel cases/hotels. Nice touch. The beds were super comfortable and we had a great restful time on the deck and in the house.
Instructions on getting away to nearby places, grocery stores, and history of the home and land was so fun to read about.
Again, thanks for sharing, we hope we can definitely come back.
5.0 / 10.0
Absolutely fabulous property. Spacious, clean, stunning views, lots of privacy, very positive attentive owners. Walked over 2 miles just meandering on the trails on the property. Met the friendly neighbors (donkeys) and enjoyed relaxing on the big deck listening to all the birds.My three kids loved exploring. My only minor suggestion is to get a full size coffee pot for those of us with big caffeine addictions. I definitely would rent here in a heartbeat! Thank you for a fabulous weekend!
10.0 / 10.0
Slice of heaven in Volcano
Absolutely fabulous property. Spacious, clean, stunning views, lots of privacy, very positive attentive owners. Walked over 2 miles just meandering on the trails on the property. Met the friendly neighbors (donkeys) and enjoyed relaxing on the big deck listening to all the birds.
My three kids loved exploring. My only minor suggestion is to get a full size coffee pot for those of us with big caffeine addictions. I definitely would rent here in a heartbeat! Thank you for a fabulous weekend!
5.0 / 10.0
I turned 70 in December and threw myself a slumber party with my daughter and several “old” girlfriends. We had a wonderful time and this property and home were perfect for my party. We played lots of games, hiked, cooked, watched movies, and had a blast!Thanks
10.0 / 10.0
Old Gals Slumber Party
I turned 70 in December and threw myself a slumber party with my daughter and several “old” girlfriends.
We had a wonderful time and this property and home were perfect for my party.
We played lots of games, hiked, cooked, watched movies, and had a blast!
Thanks
10.0 / 10.0
Family Vacation.
My experience at the rental property was great! The owners are very nice and excellent at communicating with us. The place is beautiful and the view is amazing too. We had a great time vacaying here with the family. Will definitely come back again sometime next year. Thank you so much for letting us stay at your property!
10.0 / 10.0
Perfect Place
Enjoyed the time at Bear Family Ranch. Wish we could have had more time actually on property. Love the area with it's historical importance to the Gold Rush of 1849!
10.0 / 10.0
Great Family Home
The views are incredible and if you're in to walks the trails are great. Kitchen is a dream and accomodates many cooks.
10.0 / 10.0
Fantastic mountain retreat in Gold Country
Our family had a great time at bear family ranch. The property is as described on the rental listing. It was spacious for the 8 of us including 3 young kids. The property has all the amenities we needed including stocked kitchen and bathrooms. The house is very clean. The views from the deck as breathtaking and make this place unique. The hosts were easy to communicate with. The location is great - secluded in the mountains but still close to Sutter Creek and Jackson. And lots of wineries. We visited Black Chasm Cavern and Indian Grinding Rock, both of which were good for kids.
Overall, a great option in Gold Country!
10.0 / 10.0
The perfect view
My family and I are so grateful for you to have shared your space with us. We were together, watched the amazing view adapt from dawn till dusk, cooked, hiked, and felt so at home here. Thank you for everything.
10.0 / 10.0
Beautiful Home and Property. Great Location
Thank you for a lovely stay at your home. We enjoyed everything from your home's layout and amenities to the beautiful property and location to tasting rooms. We would love to come back. Thanks again!
10.0 / 10.0
Spacious home with a great view
We spent the weekend as part of a skiing trip to Kirkwood. The house was clean and comfortable with plenty of room. We'd definitely stay there again.
10.0 / 10.0
Great vacation home and location!
We loved the property location and its beautiful views. The home was very comfortable and clean. Helpful and kind neighbors made our stay memoriable. The driveway was undriveable due to record snow fall, and we had more than 1 car stuck . Thanks to the neighbors we were able to free our cars , and to top it off get invited to sled in their back yard!
10.0 / 10.0
Perfect for family gatherings!
We very much enjoyed our stay at Bear Family Ranch. The house worked perfectly for our family gathering.
10.0 / 10.0
Charming, Serene, Secluded
So happy we picked this spot. We had a large group of ten and we were all super comfortable everything was clean, in working order and the view was spectacular! We wanted to spend all our time on that deck on the morning. Not to mention the stars at night! We go river rafting in Coloma once a year or so. We're definitely coming back!
10.0 / 10.0
Fabulous property!
We loved the house, which was set on a beautiful, large piece of land, with cow pastures and trails. The view from the deck of the house was gorgeous. The house itself was beautiful inside, everything was neat and clean and all details were considered. We particularly appreciated that the owners were environmentally conscious and made every effort to use eco-friendly products including soaps, and light controls. Would highly recommend it!
10.0 / 10.0
Our new found getaway home in the mountains.
The home was an excellent description from the VROB website. My wife and I enjoyed the wrapped around deck with the awesome views of the trees and stars in the evening. We would go back in a second!!. My sons had a great doing some local fly fishing and waking up to the sound of the cows on the ranch. Connie and her husband were outstanding hosts. We plan to make this a favorite for us when we visit again in the future. Love the home.
8.0 / 10.0
Big house with a nice view needs a little more details
The house was spacious and tidy. We also enjoyed with a great view and huge backyard. Our suggestion is to give guests heads up about the conditions of entrance door. It took for a long time for us to figure out that the door was tight and the locking system opens and closes each time we entered the code. We didn’t receive any assistant for it from you in time. There was no extra bath tissues, so we had to share. Downstairs are much colder than the rest of the house. We enjoyed there overall.
10.0 / 10.0
Peaceful, serene, and updated home.
We got so lucky! We needed an extra house for thanksgiving because we were visiting my Dad in Pine Grove. The Bear Family ranch is spacious, with four bedrooms and the kitchen is brand new! We enjoyed sitting on the deck and relaxing. What an amazing view! Connie and Eric were responsive to our questions before arrival and we didn’t need any assistance once we got there. I️ would highly recommend this property for a large family.
10.0 / 10.0
kept us warm and dry during the stormiest weekend
Three families converged on the ranch for a long weekend and Mother Nature threw everything she had at California at the same moment.
The ranch was a wonderful, remote place to hole up during the storms. Eric & Connie have a wonderful location up above Volcano. Deer walked by every day. Despite the rain, wind & hail we all had a great time both indoors and out.
Thanks for making your place available to us!
10.0 / 10.0
Great views and close to snow. Perfect stay for families.
We stayed for 2 nights in December 2016 with 4 adults and 2 kids and had an amazing time. The house is well stocked with essentials and very spacious. There are 3 levels of living space so everyone had their privacy. Cabinets and light switches were labeled so it was easy and quick to get oriented with the place, and the owners left a very detailed rundown of what to do around the area. The wraparound deck had the best view - we were able to see deer wander around, we saw the stars at night and the kids had a blast just running around.
Our goal for this trip was to show the kids snow for the first time and do some low-key sledding. There was no snow on the property, but 25 minutes away was Ellis Rd, which was a snowy hill and exactly what we were looking for! A few other families were there with their own sleds and picnic lunches. It felt like a little secret only locals knew about (which of course was detailed out in the booklet). The house was warm and cozy when we got back and the big screen TV helped settle the kids after all that excitement. All in all, I would highly recommend staying here and are looking forward to coming back.
8.0 / 10.0
Great house in a secluded mountain area
I and my 2 children stayed here for 6 nights in December for a winter break ski trip. We had a great time. The house is very comfortable, with high-speed internet, large rooms, comfy beds, a well appointed kitchen and dining room. The rooms are spread across 3 different levels, so parents and kids, or different couples can easily have some space to themselves. Large patios with beautiful views; I would love to come back during summer and bbq. The property is huge--you could easily hold a large event gathering here. Oh and the TV downstairs is HUMONGOUS. We didn't use it much after the first night, but you could have a great movie night there.
The owners have been super thoughtful about making everything really easy and seamless for guests. All cabinets are labeled so you never find yourself opening several drawers to find the bottle openers. They provide a binder with everything you need to know about the local attractions and directions to get there. The people in the town of Volcano are SUPER nice.
A larger coffee maker and 10 miles closer to Kirkwood would make this place perfect! Some of the rooms don't have closets or dressers for holding clothing, but that was a minor concern for us. I would also get a few more comfy chairs and couch around the main floor fire place. But we had a great time relaxing and roasting marshmallows there anyway. Highly recommend this place for larger families and people seeking secluded, quiet, low key, relaxing getaways.
FAQs
How much does this house cost compared to others in Calaveras County?
The average price for a rental in Calaveras County is £193 per night. This rental is £4 above the average.
Is parking included with this house?
Yes, parking is listed as an amenity at Retreat with Views and modern comfort near Kirkwood Ski, wineries, gold country. For more information, we encourage you to contact the property about where to park.
Is there a pool at this house?
We didn’t find pool listed as an amenity for this house. It may be worth double checking if a pool is important for your stay.
Is Retreat with Views and modern comfort near Kirkwood Ski, wineries, gold country pet friendly?
Unfortunately, this house is not pet-friendly. Try searching again and filter for "Pets Allowed"
What amenities are available at Retreat with Views and modern comfort near Kirkwood Ski, wineries, gold country?
We found 11 amenities for this rental. This includes air conditioner, kitchen or kitchenette, internet / wifi, fireplace, and parking.
Explore similar vacation rentals in Calaveras County
Explore all rentals in Calaveras CountyCalaveras County travel inspiration
Read our blogGuides
Best East Coast Beaches and Getaway Locations You Can’t Miss
Budget Travel
7 Most Affordable Snowbird Destinations for 2025
Guides
Top Activities to Try in Panama City Beach, Florida
Guides
Top Things to Do in Gulf Shores, Alabama: Adventure and Fun Await
Local Culture
Exploring Miami’s Wynwood District: Street Art, Food, and More
Guides
Fun Things to Do in Ocean City, Maryland
Local Culture
A Foodie’s Guide to the Best Dining in Orlando, Florida
Guides
Top Things to Do in Oahu and Honolulu