Hot Tub · Sauna · Fire Pit. Yard| 33mi to Yosemite

Spacious, inviting mountain home just 33 miles from Yosemite, the perfect base for adventure and relaxation
Hot tub · Barrel sauna · Gas fire pit
Full kitchen · Coffee Bar Dining for 10 · BBQ under the trees
Lake, pool, swimming, beach, & golf
Trampoline · Play structure · Foosball · Air hockey
Games & toys provided, Swinging deck bed
Wood-burning fireplace, Dogs welcome, Fenced deck & yard
Early arrival /late departure; ask for rates
PML gatehouse fee: $50 per vehicle, community access included

We will answer text within 48 hours.

# THE NEIGHBORHOOD

Deerborn Haven sits among the pines in Pine Mountain Lake, a gated Sierra foothills community about 45 minutes from Yosemite's Big Oak Flat Entrance — and a world away from the city.

What guests notice first is how quiet it is. Pine Mountain Lake is a residential community behind a staffed gate, not a resort. It's a place where mornings are slow, deer wander through, and families have room to settle in.

## A WALK AROUND THE CIRCLE

Deerborn Haven sits on a quiet circle, and walking it is something many guests end up doing every day. It's an easy loop at a small child's pace, with pines the whole way and almost always a deer or two along the route.

Beyond the circle, Big Creek Trail is about five minutes from Deerborn Haven — a shaded walk along the creek on a soft dirt path — and Clinton Road is a favorite local dog-walking route. Miles of additional forest trails run through the community, all within the gates.

## THE LAKE

Pine Mountain Lake has three beaches, swimming areas, a floating swim dock, volleyball, bocce, and kayak, paddleboard, and boat rentals at the Main Marina — plus a lakeside café for milkshakes, iced coffee, and our favorite pineapple soft serve.

The water gets wonderfully warm in summer — warmer than many people expect in the mountains and warm enough for little ones to spend a long afternoon in it.

**Lake Lodge is our beach.** It's the closest to Deerborn Haven and our favorite when we want a quieter lake day. There's a designated swimming area, floating dock, BBQs, easy parking, and a playground right on the sand. Our paddleboards are racked here too and can be arranged through our concierge service.

**Main Marina is lake-day headquarters:** sandy beach, picnic lawn, BBQs, roped swimming area, volleyball, bocce, and boat and kayak rentals, with a lively atmosphere in summer.

**Dunn Court** is Pine Mountain Lake's third beach.

A local tip: during peak summer weekends and holidays, Marina parking is restricted. We often use Lake Lodge and take the free boat taxi across the lake instead. It stops right there, and the ride becomes part of the fun.

## PLAYGROUNDS

Beyond the play structure and trampoline at Deerborn Haven, there are several playgrounds nearby. Our favorite is right on the sand at Lake Lodge Beach, so you can combine playground time with swimming, a picnic, and the paddleboards. Mary Laveroni Park in Groveland also has a large grassy area, playground, and picnic tables.

## INSIDE THE GATES

You don't have to leave Pine Mountain Lake to fill a day.

* **18-hole championship golf course** with a driving range, pro shop, and lessons
* **Seasonal swimming pool** for an alternative to a lake day. Open from 12:00 to 9:00, May to October.
* **Four tennis courts and six pickleball courts**; reservations are made for a small additional cost at the main gate.
* **Equestrian center and horseback riding**
* **Archery range**
* **Shooting range**
* **Fishing**
* **Three lake beaches**
* **Hiking and walking trails** throughout the community

It's one of the things we love most about staying here: you can spend the morning at Yosemite, but you can just as easily leave the car parked and have a full vacation day without ever going outside the gates.

## GROVELAND — ABOUT 10 MINUTES AWAY

Groveland is a small Gold Rush town and our local stop for groceries, coffee, dinner, and ice cream.

Mar-Val is our grocery store and does a great deli sandwich and rotisserie chicken. We love coffee in the garden at Mountain Sage, especially when everything is blooming, and they host community events throughout the warmer months.

For eating and drinking, some of our favorites include craft beer and a pretzel with beer cheese at Around the Horn, wood-fired pizza at Two Guys, Mexican food at Cocina Michoacana, homemade ice cream at The Grove Mercantile, and a drink at the historic Iron Door Saloon.

The Grill at Pine Mountain Lake Golf Course is our pick for a sit-down dinner — fairway views, steaks, seafood, and a relaxed mountain atmosphere. Reserve ahead on busy weekends.

## YOSEMITE

Yosemite's Big Oak Flat Entrance is about 45 minutes from Deerborn Haven — 33 scenic miles.

Just beyond the entrance are the trails to Tuolumne Grove and Merced Grove, home to Yosemite's giant sequoias. Yosemite Valley — including Yosemite Falls, Mirror Lake, and the Mist Trail area — is farther into the park, so we recommend getting an early start.

Yosemite entry requirements can change from year to year. Tell me your travel dates and I'm happy to point you toward the current information before your trip.

On the drive toward Yosemite, you'll also pass **Rainbow Pool**, a beautiful natural swimming hole, and **Carlon Falls**, reached by a forest hike to a waterfall and swimming area.

## SPRING ON THE RIVERS

Spring brings snowmelt, waterfalls, and rafting season.

The Merced River offers rafting through a beautiful Sierra canyon, while the Tuolumne offers more challenging whitewater for experienced adventure seekers. Licensed local outfitters offer seasonal trips depending on water conditions.

It's one of the best reasons to experience this part of the Sierra in spring rather than waiting for summer.

## THROUGH THE YEAR

**Spring** is waterfalls, wildflowers, green hills, and cooler days for exploring.

**Summer** is lake season — warm water, beaches, paddleboards, the boat taxi, and long evenings outside.

**Fall** turns the oaks gold and quiets the trails. This is when the hot tub stops being simply nice and starts becoming the point.

**Winter** is the quiet season. Snow often sits higher in the mountains while Groveland remains accessible, making it possible to enjoy a mountain winter without necessarily staying in deep snow. Head higher to find snow play, come home to the hot tub and sauna, and finish the evening with the pellet stove going in the den.

## THE WILDLIFE

The deer come through Deerborn Haven most mornings and evenings, sometimes a whole family of them, right past the porch swing.

Wild turkeys are regular visitors too, and hummingbirds work the flowering bushes around the front deck in the warmer months.

Children who've never seen any of it up close tend to go quiet for a minute, which is its own kind of vacation.

## GETTING IN AND AROUND

A few practical things make staying inside Pine Mountain Lake much easier:

* Everyone enters through the Main Gate, including when returning from Yosemite.
* Pine Mountain Lake currently charges a $50 vehicle access pass, valid for seven days. This is set and collected by the Pine Mountain Lake Association, not by us.
* Send me the drivers' names before you travel and I'll have them submitted to the gate in advance.
* Google Maps isn't always reliable inside the community because some roads are restricted to guests. I'll send you directions from the gate — save them to your phone before you arrive.

## WHEN THE WEATHER TURNS — OR THEY'RE DONE WITH THE LAKE

There's plenty to do beyond Pine Mountain Lake too.

Black Oak Casino Resort has a separate family entertainment center with bowling, arcade games, and casual food.

Mercer Caverns near Murphys offers guided underground cave tours.

Downtown Sonora has a cinema, shops, restaurants, and a historic main street. Closer to home, Groveland has a library and small local museum for an easy afternoon.

## BRINGING THE DOG

Big Creek Trail is close by for a shaded walk along the creek, and Clinton Road is a favorite local walking route.

Dogs are allowed in some areas of Yosemite but access is restricted, particularly on hiking trails, so check the current National Park Service rules before planning your day.

And one mountain-country reminder: ticks can be present in brushy areas. Keep your dog's prevention current and do a quick coat check after longer walks.

## AN EASY ONE WITH SMALL CHILDREN

Little Golden Forest, near the Groveland Ranger Station, offers an easy forest walk when little legs aren't up for a bigger Yosemite day.

It's a good local option when the goal is simply to get outside without turning it into an expedition.

## FURTHER AFIELD

Make a day of exploring Gold Country.

**Columbia State Historic Park** brings the 1850s to life with historic buildings and family activities.

**Railtown 1897 in Jamestown** is the place for steam trains and California railroad history.

**Indigeny Reserve near Sonora** is an apple orchard and cider house with beautiful grounds and seasonal events.

And then there's **Murphys** — a walkable Gold Country town known for tasting rooms, restaurants, shops, and live music.

You can come to Deerborn Haven for Yosemite and discover that there's an entire vacation waiting outside the park gates.



The entire house


Getting around
Bus service to Yosemite.
Large Tesla charging station nearby.