California Cities
Angels Camp, CA Travel, Photos Information and News
Angels Camp is a quaint California Gold Country city with an amazing history. If you love the stories and lore of the Old West, you'll find no better place to visit and explore on a road trip.
Angels Camp still captures the essence of the Gold Rush of the mid 1800's, while offering modern amenities that tourist want such as Starbucks Coffee shops, and name brand pharmacy chains. The hotel offerings in California Gold Country are not plentiful mainly because the region and its residents have sought to maintain and control growth as not to lose the memory of the past. Read about Angels Camp history.
That said, the accommodations are suitable, normally providing affordable and comfortable rest during your Gold Country trip.
Angels Camp is well known for its annual event that celebrates author Mark Twain, with a Jumping Frog Jubilee each year at the local fairgrounds. Mark Twain look-alikes read from his fictional books, and the region swells to thousands of visitors who hear about and clamor for old-fashioned fun, such as entering their pet frog into the jumping competition.
Kids dress up like their favorite characters from Tom Sawyer novels and enter contests with prizes for their attire.
Every year since 1928 when Angels Camp first paved its main street (except 1933 during the great depression,) the Jumping Frog Jubilee has been held in Angels Camp. In 1938 the County Fair and the Jumping Frog Jubilee were combined. Frog Hop of Fame--The winner receives a trophy, cash prize and a plaque honoring the jockey and his or her frog is embedded into the sidewalks of downtown Angels Camp. World record holders receive special recognition. The current world record is 21' 5 3/4".
Be sure to stop in Angels Camp at the historic downtown shopping area to see the jumping frog statue, and the plaques in the sidewalks listing the names of winners of past jumping frog contests. It's a lot of fun.
Events:
Last Saturday In July Mother Lode VW Show and Swap Meet
Third Weekend in May Calaveras County Fair & Jumping Frog Jubilee
Last Sunday in August Fireman's Fun Day
Tree Lighting Ceremonies and Christmas Parade
Attractions:
Calaveras Big Trees State Park with two groves and 1,000 of the world's biggest trees.
The Giant Gold Nugget at Ironstone Vineyards in Murphys
Calaveras Big Trees State Park, Columbia State Historic Park and Railtown 1897 are three California State Parks in the Gold Country region and High Sierras.
Getting to Angeles Camp, California: 2 1/2 hours from the Bay Area on Highways 49 and 4. Approx. 2 hours South East of Sacramento.