Little Arnold A-frame
COVID Update: The cabin is available for shared households or social bubbles. We kindly ask that guests follow California face covering and physical distancing protocols in local businesses.
Our classic 1970s A-frame cabin offers a simple space of retreat with lovely light, view of the trees and uncluttered decor. Great for couples and also solo travelers! Please note
COVID Update: The cabin is available for shared households or social bubbles. We kindly ask that guests follow California face covering and physical distancing protocols in local businesses.
Our classic 1970s A-frame cabin offers a simple space of retreat with lovely light, view of the trees and uncluttered decor. Great for couples and also solo travelers! Please note there is a 2 night minimum on weekends (if overlaps with a Fri or Sat) and a 3 night minimum for holiday weekends.
We're well-located for a weekend getaway (~2.5 hours from the East Bay and ~3 hours from SF) and as a base for your adventures in the Sierras. There's lots to explore nearby with Big Trees State Park and Stanislaus National Forest within minutes, lakes, skiing, mountain towns and wine-tasting, or just relax at the cabin and take in the view.
The cabin is on a small parcel in a quiet neighborhood, removed but close to town. We're a 5-minute walk to the Stanislaus National Forest/Arnold Rim Trail (we provide a custom map for nearby hikes), 10-minute drive to Big Trees State Park, 15 minutes to the town of Murphys (great wineries, pubs and dining), 40 minutes to Bear Valley Ski Resort, 10 minutes to White Pines Lake, 45 minutes to Lake Alpine and Utica and Union lakes. We’re happy to recommend our favorite spots for hiking and swimming. If your trip is taking you farther afield, we’re ~2 hours from Yosemite's Big Oak Flat entrance, and 2.5 hours from Lake Tahoe via the less-traveled Highway 4 in warmer months.
We do our best here to strike a balance between simple amenities and comfort. A reminder that we are in the country, so the cabin is best suited to those who like a more rustic getaway.
There is no AC, television, or microwave. We've gone without a TV and landline, but WiFi means you can stream to your own devices and make WiFi calls on your cell. If you have a laptop you can hook it up to our projector (adaptors for thunderbolt 2, DVI-D, mini DV). We have loads of board games and puzzles.
The kitchen has pots/pans/kettle, toaster, mini waffle iron, Brita pitcher, and rice cooker. For coffee drinkers, we have a coffee grinder, french press and pour over dripper. Help yourself to organic coffee and tea!
The cabin is mainly heated by a gas fireplace (looks like a wood stove, but does not need wood). We recommend bringing layers and slippers in the winter while the cabin warms up. Like most cabins in the area, there is no AC, but we provide room fans. Cell reception is unreliable throughout the Sierras except for Verizon, however at the cabin, WiFi calls are available through all carriers --to make calls, enable the setting on your cell phone.
The cabin comfortably fits 4 people, with 1 bedroom, a sleeping loft (no door) and 1.5 bathrooms. The downstairs bedroom has a queen bed, and the loft has a full-size mattress and its own half bathroom.
We have a flat parking pad instead of a driveway, which makes things easier in the winter months.
The rental rate covers a professional cleaning fee and linens and towels!
- Check in: After 4PM
- Check out: Before 11AM
- Cancellation policy: Super Strict
- On arrival: Go straight to camp
- Minimum nights: 2
- Accepts bookings: 3 months out Weeknight discount: 8% off
- Response time: Within 6 hours
- Response rate: 100%
Activities
Offered on the Host's property or nearby.
Biking
Mountain biking at Arnold Rim Trail.
Boating
There are great canoeing, kayaking, and paddle boarding spots at nearby lakes! You can rent kayaks locally.
Fishing
Try White Pines Lake or Lake Alpine!
Hiking
Arnold Rim Trail and Big Trees State Park.
Horseback riding
Check out Arnold Rim Trail.
Paddling
Try White Pines Lake or Lake Alpine.
Climbing
Check out the Bear Valley Area near Spicer Reservoir.
Snow sports
Bear Valley Ski Resort is 40 minutes away.
Swimming
Lake swimming at White Pines (there is also a beach there) or Lake Alpine. We can point you in the direction of river access fo...Read more
Whitewater paddling
Check out: https://www.oars.com/adventures/stanislaus-rafting-calaveras-big-trees-state-park/
Terrain
Natural features you'll find at Little Arnold A-frame in California.
Beach
The beach at White Pines Lake is great for families!
Cave
Mercer and Moaning Caverns are 25 minutes away.
River, stream, or creek
Nearest is Stanislaus River.
Swimming hole
Your host can share access points for Stanislaus River and tips for lake swimming.
The vibe at Little Arnold A-frame
Places to see near Arnold A-Frame
39 Reviews
I absolutely loved the A-frame. It was the perfect weekend retreat for my boyfriend and I — just 3 hours from San Francisco so it's feasible in a weekend, but far enough that you feel that you can fully disconnect and unwind. The lack of cell service was an added bonus which allowed us to unplug (although rest assured, there is wifi if you need it.)
The cabin was clean and perfectly decorated. While minimalistic, it had all of the things we needed: the kitchen was stocked with what we needed to cook a meal, the 2 bedrooms and bathrooms was more than we needed, and the cozy living room with the fireplace was the perfect compliment for a chilly winter weekend. They even had a projector if you're interested in a movie night!
Andria was so kind as to leave plenty of suggestions of things to do in the area. At her recommendation, we explored the town of Murphys (which was on our way to the cabin) about 15 minutes away. The main street was adorable, chock full of wine-tasting shops, restaurants, and stores. We went for a 6 or 7 mile hike on the Arnold Rim Trail which can be accessed just a short walk from the cabin. We also explored Calaveras Big Trees State Park, just a short drive away. Before heading back to the city we stopped at The Red Apple for the best hot apple cider and apple cider donuts I've ever had.
All in all, we had a great stay and hope to be back someday! Thanks Andria!




Little Arnold A Frame was all I hoped for it to be, and more! Andria styled the cabin perfectly, and we had everything we needed for a cozy long weekend. My favorite parts were the wonderful fireplace, the gorgeous view out the windows, and an unexpected morning of waking up to snow - it was so magical! The little cabin is situated near (or possibly in??) Stanislaus, and we took a little 10 minute drive through the snow to Big Trees Calaveras State Park, which was such a delight. I can't wait to book another trip to the A-Frame, we'll remember this one forever!



I stayed at the Arnold A-Frame for four nights and it was a perfect getaway for some relaxing down time. There's a lot of outdoorsy stuff to do around there but I opted to just relax and go into Murphys for a massage, coffee and food. It's perfectly decorated and has pretty much anything you might need for a short stay. The loft was a great place to wake up because of the view but the downstairs bedroom had one of the best mattresses I've ever slept on. I would TOTALLY go back there.

Thanks, Karen. We're so glad you found the cabin relaxing. We'd welcome you back anytime!
This place is awesome!! Everything about the house is really well done with so many thoughtful touches. The decor is beautiful, and there is really everything you could want for a weekend in the mountains: a great speaker, puzzles and games, a gas fireplace, sleds, a projector for watching movies, hiking trails nearby, and an overall really relaxing atmosphere. We were there during a very heavy snow weekend where we got over 2 feet of snow, and this house was the perfect cozy place to hang out. The host was exceptionally awesome and considerate, giving us great recommendations on activities in town, coordinating with the plower, and checking in during the storm to make sure we still had power (which we did). Because of the snow we didn't get much of a chance to explore the nearby towns, but we still could not have asked for a better weekend, and will definitely be back!

Thanks for being lovely guests. Would love to have you back at the cabin!
Beautiful cabin for a weekend retreat from the city! We had a blast exploring the surrounding area. Thanks!

Thank you, Lisa! We hope to host you again.
What an incredible place! Andria was so sweet, communicative, clear, and helpful. The A-Frame was everything and more I could have wished for! The location is amazing with so many activities and places to explore, and Andria was incredibly helpful in providing a list of suggestions. The cabin was absolutely perfect! It was two of us couples celebrating my birthday weekend - we had plenty of space, a beautiful dining area to cook and share meals together, fun game nights, and the most amazing natural light coming through the windows. We all felt so peaceful and rejuvenated. I absolutely recommend the A-Frame cabin and hope to be back!

So happy to hear. Thanks for the kind review and please come visit again!
We had the best time! What a lovely place to stay to experience Arnold and all the beauty around it. It was pretty much a winter wonderland while we were there. Just walking around the neighborhood was fun, but the Arnold Rim Trail is also just a five minute walk away. We rented snowshoes and trekked around and then also took them to the Big Tree Park. Amazing! The Little Arnold A frame is so cozy and has everything you need. We had just as much fun staying inside taking in the beauty right out our window. We enjoyed not having a TV and just listening to music, playing board games, cooking meals and drinking wine. We just got back yesterday and am missing it already. Andria was the best host and had great suggestions and was just a text message away if we had any questions. I can't recommend this place enough!





These are great photos, Julie! Thanks for sticking it out through the big snow storm.
We absolutely adored everything about our stay at the Little Arnold A-Frame. We arrived just after a few days of snow storms, so the drive up was perfectly easy, and the cabin was covered in several feet of snow.
The place heated right up and was perfectly cozy. We had everything we needed in the kitchen, cooking both dinner and breakfast in.
We chose to sleep in the loft, as it was a bit warmer from the stove and we enjoyed waking up with the view.
The decor is just perfect. Clean, stylish, cozy. I was imagining the fun Andria’s had putting the place together. Her taste is fantastic.
In the morning, we drove to Sierra Nevada Adventure Co to rent snowshoes ($12/pair, such a deal), then to Big Trees to explore, then to Murphys for lunch in my new favorite town!
Regrets: not staying longer, not bringing more friends (although, it was an exceptionally quiet and relaxing night away from the city life).




A great, cozy yet spacious, scenic and fully equipped cabin (including laundry) that’s the perfect getaway and so close to town (including a nice grocery store) and with lots to do/see from snow sports to Big Trees National Park and the quaint town of Murphy’s nearby.
May be tricky to access the cabin when snowing (and steps are covered in 2 feet of snow), but doable for those who are adept/comfortable with that. Highly recommend for 2-4 people!
Awards
- Property
- Arnold A-Frame
- State
- California
- Country
- United States
- $215/night
- 1 Site
Jenna, thanks so much for the sweet review. We hope to see you here again!