Oakhurst has all you need. You'll find yourself in a rustic mountain town with quaint shops and winding roads, but all the amenities required for a modern stay. Here is our personal guide to the places we frequent and love.
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Grocery Shops/Farm Stands
Grocery Shops/Farm Stands
We have two grocery stores that are well stocked for any of your food needs: Von's and Raley's. Both are good and carry similar items—including fire wood and other mountain needs—and can be found in Oakhurst Town Center, about 12 minutes from Fox & Bear Ridge. (Raley's is a bit more spacious, but it's honestly a toss up between the two.)
If you just need fresh fruits, veggies, or eggs, stop by Oakhurst Fruit Stand (40842 Hwy 41) midway between town and Fox & Bear Ridge. Fresh and straight from their farm. Insider tip: it's cash only.
Restaurants (in alpha order)
Restaurants (in alpha order)
Aroma Bistro & Buffalo Bar: looking for a great prime rib, generous drinks, and friendly staff—Aroma Bistro at the Narrow Gauge Inn is your spot. Warm and inviting, it's a great place to tuck in for the entire family. Small menu. but big on flavor (It's next to Sugar Pine Railroad, in between Yosemite's South Gate and The Ridge.)
Bee's Bakery Cafe: kitschy spot for sandwiches, burgers, and bakery items. The food is super yummy and the service is friendly. It's a order-at-the-counter kinda place, but there's plenty of seating and they bring the food out super hot. (It's a new family favorite spot.)
El Cid: just down the way from The Ridge, El Cid offers yummy Mexican food and a super friendly staff. The margaritas are cold and perfect.
Mountain Oaks Cafe: pretty new in town, this diner-equse place has friendly service and food for everyone. The portions are very generous and breakfast is served all day.
Oakhurst Grill & Whiskey 41 Bar: Classic food with friendly service! Something for the whole family and tasty to boot.
Reimer's Candies: next to El Cid, this is the perfect post-meal stop. Handmade chocolates, ice creams, sorbets, and other sweet treats are a favorite in the area. (The gift shop next door is also a great stop for souvenirs.)
Smokehouse 41: midway between The Ridge and downtown Oakhurst, this joint offers flavorful BBQ made fresh daily. They're open until they sell out, which happens early on weekends. Everyone has their favorites at this spot—you can't really go wrong.
South Gate Brewing Company: locally-crafted beers and modern pub fare, this joint is always rockin'. Good burgers and sandwiches, but make sure to try the beer cheese and pretzel appetizer. (You can now make reservations via Open Table.)
BASS LAKE
Ducey's: The Pines resort offers two dining spots: Ducey's on the Lake and Ducey's Bar & Grill. Ducey's on the Lake is the more upscale of the two and features generous portions of prime rib and other crowd favorites. Ducey's Bar & Grill is more laid back and offers classic American grub sure to please any palette.
The Forks: all the spots on Bass Lake are really good, but this one stands out above the rest. Good service, well-stocked shop, boat/fishing rentals. The locals say it's the best burger around (try them on sourdough) and we at The Ridge agree. (Note: closed in winter.)
Miller's Landing: set at the far end of Bass Lake (see section below), this spot offers good grub along with boat/fishing rentals. It's a great place to refuel the body after a day on the lake. (Note: closed in winter.)
Bass Lake Boat Rentals in Bass Lake Village, this spot has thatched umbrellas, fresh food, and cold drinks.
Area Attractions
Area Attractions
Here's the local events calendar.
Coarsegold Historic Museum: a free museum (though donations are appreciated) focusing the area history from prehistoric to historic times.
Fresno Flats Historic Village and Park: open for self-guided tours from dawn 'til dusk. Call to schedule guided/building tours.
Sugar Pine Railroad: Take an old logging train down into the valley below and listen to knowledgable guides tell you about the area's history. They also have some fun activities for the littles onsite as well as a pretty darn good BBQ.
Visitor Center: handy spot to pick up brochures and learn about the area. The website is full of info as well. (40343 Hwy 41, Oakhurst)
Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad: fun little train ride through the Sierra National Forest with the conductor sharing interesting history, native plant information, and other tidbits along the way. Also a great place to grab a snack or pan for gold.
For more, here's another list of places to give you someone else's perspective.
Sometimes you just don't want to go all the way into the park. Not to worry, there are local hikes that give you some High Sierra amazingness without the commute.
Ahwanhee Hills Regional Park (2.7 miles round trip): a rambling loop in a public park, this is an easy hike for families or furry friends (on lead, of course). Highly recommend starting by the road and walking clockwise. There's some climbing to start, but then it's downhill. If you go the reverse (start by the bathrooms and head counterclockwise) you'll be in for a tough uphill climb at the end.
Hite Cove (2 - 4 miles round trip for flower peeping; 9 miles round trip to Hite Cove): A moderate hike, but worth it in the spring to see the area's abundant and colorful wildflowers.
Lewis Creek (~4 miles roundtrip): super popular trail in the area just up the 41 from The Ridge. Highly recommend getting there early to grab a parking space and avoid the crowds.
Frenso Dome (1.5 miles roundtrip): about 45 minutes from The Ridge, this is an easy trail suitable for the family. The road to the trailhead is not paved, so make sure you are comfortable bringing your vehicle that way. Only accessible in late Spring and until the first snowfall.
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