Knowing where to stay, eat or play when planning a vacation can be overwhelming. As locals, we can give you the inside scoop and save you a lot of headaches before and during your stay in our wonderful mountain town.
Below are details on our favorite places to stay, where to eat, and activities to consider while visiting Oakhurst, California, minutes away from Bass Lake and Yosemite National Park.
Lodging Recommendations:
Tenaya at Yosemite
Nestled among majestic pines, Tenaya at Yosemite offers a comfortable Four Diamond resort experience. The resort offers three distinct guest experiences: the Tenaya Lodge, the Cottages, and the Explorer Cabins. Enjoy great food, a relaxing spa, and other Four Diamond resort offerings. Tenaya Lodge is located just outside the south entrance gate to Yosemite National Park.
Chateau Du Sureau
Château du Sureau is an elegant nine-acre castle resort tucked away among the green foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, just 16 miles from the majestic Yosemite National Park. This luxury resort features ten graciously appointed guest accommodations and the private two-bedroom Villa du Sureau. With its enchanting gardens, towering pines, and bubbling fountains, this hidden gem’s storybook setting is a haven of tranquility and splendor.
Queen’s Inn by the River
If you want a relaxing stay in the Yosemite Area, Queen’s Inn has the perfect room for you. This newly renovated 12-room Inn offers a beautiful lodging experience providing the customer service of an intimate California Inn. Enjoy their incredible wine bar & beer garden, as well as their winery. Check their events page to see when we have live music and other wine-related events!
The Pines Resort
The Pine Resort is on Bass Lake, minutes from the legendary 007 mountain bike trail network. This full-service resort is located just 17 miles outside of Yosemite’s south gate; the resort is a perfect hub for outdoor adventures and an excellent destination for your family vacation.
Hampton Inn Oakhurst-Yosemite
This new hotel is located on Highway 41 in Oakhurst, directly across the street from Pedal Forward and 13 miles from Yosemite’s south gate. Visitors can access all the wonders of Yosemite National Park while enjoying a reliable, consistent experience back at their hotel, complete with loyalty program perks.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Oakhurst-Yosemite
This new hotel is located on Highway 41 in Oakhurst, directly across the street from Pedal Forward and 13 miles from Yosemite’s south gate. Visitors can access all the wonders of Yosemite National Park while enjoying a reliable, consistent experience back at their hotel, complete with loyalty program perks.
Fairfield Inn & Suites Oakhurst – Yosemite
This new hotel is located on Highway 41 in Oakhurst, directly across the street from Pedal Forward and 13 miles from Yosemite’s south gate. Visitors can access all the wonders of Yosemite National Park while enjoying a reliable, consistent experience back at their hotel, complete with loyalty program perks.
Miller’s Landing – Cabins
Family-owned and operated since 1982! Miller’s is located on Bass Lake. They have an expansive selection of boats and water sports offerings. Their cabins are located in a natural forest of pine trees that cascade down to the water. Most cabins have beautiful views of Bass Lake, and all cabins include TVs with satellite, full kitchens, heating and A/C, charcoal BBQ’s and outdoor fire pits.
The Forks Resort
The Forks Resort, located on Bass Lake, is Family owned and operated for four generations. The Forks restaurant is perfect for grabbing a burger and beer after riding the goat mountain trail. They also have cabins and a marina.
Restaurant Recommendations
Smoke House 41 BBQ
Best BBQ, hands down, and located next door to our shop! Smokehouse 41 is influenced by the great American barbeque traditions of the present and past. They bring together the best BBQ styles from around the country to create something distinctly our own.
South Gate Brewing Company
One of our favorite places to enjoy a delicious meal and delightful locally brewed beer! They have a huge menu and both indoor and outdoor seating. Take advantage of a fantastic meal when visiting the area!
Idle Hour Winery & Kitchen
Idle Hour Winery & Kitchen focuses on single-vineyard designated wines: Pinot Noirs from select Monterey County Vineyards, Sierra Foothills Viognier and Syrah and Clarksburg Tempranillo, Petit Verdot, Tannat, Petite Sirah, and Cabernet Franc. They are open daily for Lunch and Sunday Brunch with our Mediterranean-inspired Kitchen.
Plazuelas Mexican Restaurant
Plazuelas is our favorite Mexican restaurant in Oakhurst. The cuisine is delicious, diverse, and authentic. In addition to their fantastic food, they now have a full service bar.
Miller’s Landing Grill
Miller’s Landing Grill, located at Miller’s Landing on Bass Lake, is near the Spring Cove mountain bike trail. You can also ride there from the 007 trailhead. Stop in for breakfast, lunch, or dinner! The food is excellent, and it is served fast and hot.
Ducey’s on the Lake
Ducey’s on the Lake, the original diner at The Pines Resort, was founded in 1941! It’s the perfect location to grab a bit after riding 007. Enjoy great food and lakeside dining.
The Forks Restaurant
The Forks Restaurant, located at the Forks Resort on Bass Lake, is the perfect location to grab a brew and Burger after riding the Goat Mountain trail. In fact, we park at The Forks when we ride Goat Mountain.
The Elderberry House
Choose the Elderberry House if you are looking for a fine dining experience. Dinner at The Elderberry House is a thrill for the senses, showcasing ingredients from local farms that harvest seasonal ingredients exclusively for the Elderberry House culinary team. Elegant surroundings and warm and welcoming service complement your dining experience.
The Cellar at Chateau Du Sureau
With its stone-clad walls and rich wood accents, the cozy Cellar Bar provides the perfect setting to enjoy classic cocktails and inventive beverages. An extensive wine list and lite fare menu enhance the experience.
Activities:
Yosemite Axe Throwing
Located next door to our shop, Yosemite Axe Throwing differs from your typical axe-throwing facility. They are the only Axe throwing company in the world that uses 100% reclaimed trees for their targets. This is how real lumberjacks throw axes! The owner, Nate Hodges, is a great guy and the #2 ranked U.S. Stihl Timbersports Athlete, so he knows his way around an axe.
Miller’s Landing Boat Rentals
Miller’s offers the best boats & best rates on Bass Lake in California, a short distance from Oakhurst, CA. Boats are available hourly, daily, or weekly. Multi-Day discounted rates are available on all boat types, and they can even pick you up from your dock for multi-day boat rentals if you are staying on Bass Lake. Dogs are welcome to ride too!
Idle Hour Winery & Kitchen
Idle Hour Winery & Kitchen focuses on single-vineyard designated wines: Pinot Noirs from select Monterey County Vineyards, Sierra Foothills Viognier and Syrah and Clarksburg Tempranillo, Petit Verdot, Tannat, Petite Sirah, and Cabernet Franc. They are open daily for Lunch and Sunday Brunch with our Mediterranean-inspired Kitchen.
Sugar Pine Railroad
Fun for the whole family! Enjoy a one-hour narrated scenic railroad ride. The train will take you along the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad, and you will see where lumberjacks once felled mighty trees for the nearby town of Madera! They also have lunch options to enjoy while you take in the railroad’s stunning landscape.
Sierra Fly Fisher – Fly Fishing Guides
Escape to a peaceful day of fly fishing with an Orvis-endorsed guide. From Yosemite’s Upper Tuolumne and Merced Rivers south to the San Joaquin, Kings River, and Kaweah Rivers, Sierra Fly Fisher offers the finest guided trips, instruction, and camps in California’s Sierra Nevada. The fly fisherman will enjoy quality fishing conditions on un-crowded waters while angling for wild trout, emphasizing catch and release.
Yosemite Cinema – Oakhurst, CA
If you are tired at the end of the day from riding one of our rental mountain bikes or after joining us on a private guided hike in Yosemite National Park, consider going to our local movie theater. Yosemite Cinema has all the latest movies and darn good popcorn!
River Creek Golf Course
If you love golf, play the beautiful River Creek Golf Course in Ahwahnee, eleven minutes from our shop. In such pristine surroundings, focusing on the golf ball can be challenging. But at River Creek, the beauty of the course matches the majestic terrain, and the challenge of their championship golf course will keep you on your toes.
