Happy Lake Chalet Near Big Trees & Murphy, Dog OK!
Entire home in Arnold, California
- 8 guests
- 4 bedrooms
- 7 beds
- 2 baths
Rated 4.77 out of 5 stars.78 reviews
Hosted by Heather
- 10 years hosting
Listing highlights
In Blue Lake Springs, Arnold
Walk to a private lake and the Blue Lake Springs recreation center with pool and courts
Updated kitchen for group meals
A full kitchen with stainless appliances and a wrap-around bar for cooking and gathering
Attentive, responsive hosts
Several guests highlight how responsive and helpful the hosts are throughout the stay
This happy retreat is ideally located for exploring the Sierras. Take a short stroll to a private lake or a short drive to Bear Valley Ski Resort, the Stanislaus River, the Calaveras wine trail, Big Trees, Murphys, or Columbia State Park. With 3 bedrooms, a loft, and 2 full bathrooms, you'll have plenty of room to unwind and reconnect with loved ones. Make meals in the open kitchen, relax around the woodstove, or dine on the deck in the fresh mountain air. We welcome families, kids and pets.
The space
Welcome to Happy Lake Chalet! This joyful family cabin was inspired by our grandparents who could make even the humblest adventure memorable, magical and fun. Nestled in wine country, gold country, and the majestic Sierras, there is no better place to experience the magic of old California.
Enter into a casually stylish, open-concept living/dining/kitchen area with high ceilings and filtered, forest light. A cozy living room with wood-burning stove has a Smart TV for movie nights, a chess table for games and a reading nook for cuddling. The upgraded kitchen with stainless appliances and a wrap-around bar has everything you’ll need to whip up a meal for your favorite people. Dine indoors or outdoors on our spacious dining tables with extra bar seating, or venture into historic Murphys for fine food and local wine. Watch the stars come out from the deck before playing board games, spinning records, or swapping tales around the fire. The WI-FI is consistently high speed, and there is a desk/workstation for guests who work remotely.
During the daytime, adventure calls. Happy Lake Chalet is in Blue Lake Springs, a vacation destination with a resort-style recreation center that is just a short stroll away. Between Labor Day and Memorial Day, you’ll be able to use the resort’s swimming pool, tennis, basketball, badminton and pickleball courts, shuffleboard, and a snack bar. Enjoy family-friendly activities like outdoor movies, theme bingo and campfires. We also have two private lakes for fishing and swimming and the beautiful Sequoia Woods Golf Course and Country Club. One of the lakes, the recreation center, and the golf course are within walking distance, making it easy to take a quick dip or paddle, enjoy lawn games, or play a round of golf. (Resort fees apply.) Minutes away are world-class attractions that draw visitors from all over the world, like Calaveras Big Trees, the Arnold Rim Trail, Bear Valley Ski Resort, Lake Alpine, the Calaveras wine trail, historic Murphys, the restored gold rush town at Columbia State Park, New Melones Reservoir, caverns, ziplining, mountain biking and hiking trails, pristine mountain lakes for kayaking and paddling, fishing and swimming holes on the Stanislaus River, white-water rafting, and winter playgrounds for snow play and sledding. If you're in the mood for a road trip, you can even take a longer day trip to Yosemite National Park.
When it’s time to rest, you’ll find comfortable beds with quality mattresses and linens. Downstairs, there are three bedrooms, with 2 kings and 1 queen, and a large master bath with a shower/tub combo. Upstairs is the kids’ loft, with 4 twins, another bathroom with a shower, and a fun zone with a Smart TV, PlayStation, and a convertible sofa for lounging. While this is our family home and not a fancy hotel, we’ve added the special touches that we love when we travel, like board games, extra blankets and plenty of pillows.
Happy Lake Chalet is perfect for families—up to 8 people. One well-behaved dog is also welcome, though you should consider that we have only a small fenced run outdoors, unattended pets are not permitted indoors, and our private lakes do not allow dogs. Nearby White Pines Lake is a good alternative if you’d like to swim, hike, or boat with your pet.
If you’re looking for a comfortable, family cabin, near everything but with a “miles away from it all” feel, you've found it. Families are especially welcome, and we offer discounts to repeat guests. Our grandparents would have loved it here! We’re looking forward to sharing Happy Lake Chalet with you.
GOOD TO KNOW:
DRIVEWAY/PARKING. Happy Lake Chalet has a flat, circular driveway for up to three cars and is just a few blocks from the highway for easy access. Keep in mind that it can snow here from October to May. You may need 4WD or chains.
NO ROWDY GATHERINGS OR PARTIES! This is NOT a party house. We’re in a quiet, residential neighborhood where sound travels, everything shuts down between 8 p.m. and 9 a.m., and the neighbors are watchful. If you have a party or stay out late, talking loudly on the deck, we will hear about it and have to take action out of respect for our neighbors and community. Quiet hours are between 8 p.m. and 9 a.m., so that everyone can enjoy the natural sounds of quiet evenings and mornings in the mountains. Parties, loud music and rowdy gatherings are not tolerated. Noise, parking and occupancy violations are cause for immediate removal without refund. We charge $150 plus any fines charged to our cabin by the HOA and our local cohost for verified noise complaints. We monitor noise and occupancy with smart technology and have a local co-host who keeps an eye on things.
PETS. We are happy to offer a cabin where your dog is welcome, but we ask that you respect our house and neighborhood by keeping in mind the following rules:
1) Only non-violent breeds without a bite history and with all shots and immunizations are allowed;
2) Do not let your pet onto the furniture and linens;
3) Do not let your dog bark frequently or for extended periods;
4) If your pet sheds, please use the vacuum cleaner in the middle bedroom to clean up before you leave;
5) Never leave your dog unattended indoors or outdoors;
6) If you use the small dog run adjacent to the back deck, clean up your pet’s waste before you go;
7) Keep your dog on a leash at all times when walking in Blue Lake Springs, keep your pet off private property, and clean up after your dog, even in natural areas; and
8) Report any accidents so that we can ensure proper clean-up.
RECREATION CENTER / PRIVATE LAKE FEES. Our HOA guest card (found on the bulletin board in the kitchen) gives you access to Blue Lake Springs’ private facilities for an extra fee. Check the Blue Lake Springs HOA website for up-to-date information about fees and guest access.
Please take good care of our guest card and put it back on the bulletin board before you check out. If the guest card is not back on the bulletin board when our housekeeper cleans the house, you will be charged a $50 replacement fee. Do not use our white towels outside the house. Please bring your own beach towels.
If you'd prefer not to use the private facilities, you have plenty of other options nearby. We are just a few minutes from White Pines Lake, a beautiful lake with trails, fishing, paddling, swimming, BBQ facilities and a playground. We also love the Sourgrass Recreation Facility on the Stanislaus River for fishing, picnicking and swimming when the river is not too high and Lake Alpine for stand-up paddling. Calaveras Big Trees and the Arnold Rim Trail are just up the road with access to the Giant Sequoias and miles of hiking, mountain biking and trail running. Reach out if you'd like additional suggestions. We're happy to help you plan an itinerary tailored just for you.
CLEANING. Our housekeeper sanitizes the house between guest, cleans linens and make beds, but we do not have maid service. You are expected to leave the cabin as you found it. Please make time to wash and put away any dishes that you use, put the games and game cabinet back in order, move furniture back into place, leave the deck area tidy, and clean the grill. We will pass on extra cleaning fees to you--$10/load of dishes, $25 to organize the game closet, and $25 to clean the grill. Typical garbage/recycling use is 1 bag of each per every 2 days. All garbage/recycling must be stored in the locked bear box on Tuesday night for Wednesday morning pick-up. Extra garbage is $10/bag. If garbage is left out and gets scattered around, our HOA charges a fine plus $35+/hour to clean it up.
FURNITURE. If you stain, break, or otherwise leave our furniture in disrepair, we will charge you what it costs us to replace the furniture with a similar item. Please keep pets off the furniture, and treat our home as you would your own. The grill and outdoor furniture are seasonal. Depending on weather, they may not be there between November and May.
BEARS. Our cabin is in a forest where there are wild animals, including bears. Remove all food or things that smell of food from your car; never leave pet food outdoors; secure the cabin doors at night; and never leave garbage outside (only in the bear box). Keep you pet leashed and with you at all times and mind small children. If you encounter a bear, identify yourself by talking calmly so the bear knows you are a human and not a prey animal. Remain still; stand your ground but slowly wave your arms. Help the bear recognize you as a human. It may come closer or stand on its hind legs to get a better look or smell. A standing bear is usually curious, not threatening.
FIRES & SMOKING. This is wildfire country. No open fires, candles, or smoking are allowed at our cabin, INDOORS or OUTDOORS. If you smoke on our property, you will be charged a minimum fine of $250 plus clean-up and loss-of-use costs. The only fire that is allowed is a small fire in the woodstove, if you are familiar with the use of a woodstove and can use it safely. Please bring your own firewood.
REPORT PROBLEMS. We hope your stay is trouble-free. Please keep in mind this is a family cabin and not a fancy hotel. Our housekeeper has asked us to remind you that she does her absolute best, but she is “only human.” If you arrive and see that something is not as you expected, please let us know immediately and we will try to make it right. If you wait to tell us about a problem that we could have fixed for you, please do not expect a discount or refund.
POWER OUTAGES & WEATHER. Our cabin is in a mountainous, forested area where there are storms year-round, snow in the winter, the occasional heat wave, and power outages due to weather events and rolling black-outs. We provide a “power outage kit” with flashlights and headlamps above the refrigerator and a wood stove for warmth when the central heating goes out. We do not have air-conditioning. During the winter, we provide plow service in the driveway, but you may need to shovel the walkway and stairs to get into the house and shovel out your cars as needed. Please plan your stay accordingly. We do not provide refunds for power outages and issues related to the weather.
We comply with all local rules and regulations regarding short-term rentals:
Business License #BL-0019481
TOT-0342
Guest access
We offer parking for up to 3 cars in our flat, easily-accessible driveway. Our immediate neighborhood is walkable or accessible by bike, but you will need a car to explore the greater area.
Other things to note
Please purchase travel insurance for unexpected events, like wildfires, earthquakes, medical emergencies, and such. We follow the refund policy as written on AirBNB. If you'd like additional protection, travel insurance is recommended.
The space
Welcome to Happy Lake Chalet! This joyful family cabin was inspired by our grandparents who could make even the humblest adventure memorable, magical and fun. Nestled in wine country, gold country, and the majestic Sierras, there is no better place to experience the magic of old California.
Enter into a casually stylish, open-concept living/dining/kitchen area with high ceilings and filtered, forest light. A cozy living room with wood-burning stove has a Smart TV for movie nights, a chess table for games and a reading nook for cuddling. The upgraded kitchen with stainless appliances and a wrap-around bar has everything you’ll need to whip up a meal for your favorite people. Dine indoors or outdoors on our spacious dining tables with extra bar seating, or venture into historic Murphys for fine food and local wine. Watch the stars come out from the deck before playing board games, spinning records, or swapping tales around the fire. The WI-FI is consistently high speed, and there is a desk/workstation for guests who work remotely.
During the daytime, adventure calls. Happy Lake Chalet is in Blue Lake Springs, a vacation destination with a resort-style recreation center that is just a short stroll away. Between Labor Day and Memorial Day, you’ll be able to use the resort’s swimming pool, tennis, basketball, badminton and pickleball courts, shuffleboard, and a snack bar. Enjoy family-friendly activities like outdoor movies, theme bingo and campfires. We also have two private lakes for fishing and swimming and the beautiful Sequoia Woods Golf Course and Country Club. One of the lakes, the recreation center, and the golf course are within walking distance, making it easy to take a quick dip or paddle, enjoy lawn games, or play a round of golf. (Resort fees apply.) Minutes away are world-class attractions that draw visitors from all over the world, like Calaveras Big Trees, the Arnold Rim Trail, Bear Valley Ski Resort, Lake Alpine, the Calaveras wine trail, historic Murphys, the restored gold rush town at Columbia State Park, New Melones Reservoir, caverns, ziplining, mountain biking and hiking trails, pristine mountain lakes for kayaking and paddling, fishing and swimming holes on the Stanislaus River, white-water rafting, and winter playgrounds for snow play and sledding. If you're in the mood for a road trip, you can even take a longer day trip to Yosemite National Park.
When it’s time to rest, you’ll find comfortable beds with quality mattresses and linens. Downstairs, there are three bedrooms, with 2 kings and 1 queen, and a large master bath with a shower/tub combo. Upstairs is the kids’ loft, with 4 twins, another bathroom with a shower, and a fun zone with a Smart TV, PlayStation, and a convertible sofa for lounging. While this is our family home and not a fancy hotel, we’ve added the special touches that we love when we travel, like board games, extra blankets and plenty of pillows.
Happy Lake Chalet is perfect for families—up to 8 people. One well-behaved dog is also welcome, though you should consider that we have only a small fenced run outdoors, unattended pets are not permitted indoors, and our private lakes do not allow dogs. Nearby White Pines Lake is a good alternative if you’d like to swim, hike, or boat with your pet.
If you’re looking for a comfortable, family cabin, near everything but with a “miles away from it all” feel, you've found it. Families are especially welcome, and we offer discounts to repeat guests. Our grandparents would have loved it here! We’re looking forward to sharing Happy Lake Chalet with you.
GOOD TO KNOW:
DRIVEWAY/PARKING. Happy Lake Chalet has a flat, circular driveway for up to three cars and is just a few blocks from the highway for easy access. Keep in mind that it can snow here from October to May. You may need 4WD or chains.
NO ROWDY GATHERINGS OR PARTIES! This is NOT a party house. We’re in a quiet, residential neighborhood where sound travels, everything shuts down between 8 p.m. and 9 a.m., and the neighbors are watchful. If you have a party or stay out late, talking loudly on the deck, we will hear about it and have to take action out of respect for our neighbors and community. Quiet hours are between 8 p.m. and 9 a.m., so that everyone can enjoy the natural sounds of quiet evenings and mornings in the mountains. Parties, loud music and rowdy gatherings are not tolerated. Noise, parking and occupancy violations are cause for immediate removal without refund. We charge $150 plus any fines charged to our cabin by the HOA and our local cohost for verified noise complaints. We monitor noise and occupancy with smart technology and have a local co-host who keeps an eye on things.
PETS. We are happy to offer a cabin where your dog is welcome, but we ask that you respect our house and neighborhood by keeping in mind the following rules:
1) Only non-violent breeds without a bite history and with all shots and immunizations are allowed;
2) Do not let your pet onto the furniture and linens;
3) Do not let your dog bark frequently or for extended periods;
4) If your pet sheds, please use the vacuum cleaner in the middle bedroom to clean up before you leave;
5) Never leave your dog unattended indoors or outdoors;
6) If you use the small dog run adjacent to the back deck, clean up your pet’s waste before you go;
7) Keep your dog on a leash at all times when walking in Blue Lake Springs, keep your pet off private property, and clean up after your dog, even in natural areas; and
8) Report any accidents so that we can ensure proper clean-up.
RECREATION CENTER / PRIVATE LAKE FEES. Our HOA guest card (found on the bulletin board in the kitchen) gives you access to Blue Lake Springs’ private facilities for an extra fee. Check the Blue Lake Springs HOA website for up-to-date information about fees and guest access.
Please take good care of our guest card and put it back on the bulletin board before you check out. If the guest card is not back on the bulletin board when our housekeeper cleans the house, you will be charged a $50 replacement fee. Do not use our white towels outside the house. Please bring your own beach towels.
If you'd prefer not to use the private facilities, you have plenty of other options nearby. We are just a few minutes from White Pines Lake, a beautiful lake with trails, fishing, paddling, swimming, BBQ facilities and a playground. We also love the Sourgrass Recreation Facility on the Stanislaus River for fishing, picnicking and swimming when the river is not too high and Lake Alpine for stand-up paddling. Calaveras Big Trees and the Arnold Rim Trail are just up the road with access to the Giant Sequoias and miles of hiking, mountain biking and trail running. Reach out if you'd like additional suggestions. We're happy to help you plan an itinerary tailored just for you.
CLEANING. Our housekeeper sanitizes the house between guest, cleans linens and make beds, but we do not have maid service. You are expected to leave the cabin as you found it. Please make time to wash and put away any dishes that you use, put the games and game cabinet back in order, move furniture back into place, leave the deck area tidy, and clean the grill. We will pass on extra cleaning fees to you--$10/load of dishes, $25 to organize the game closet, and $25 to clean the grill. Typical garbage/recycling use is 1 bag of each per every 2 days. All garbage/recycling must be stored in the locked bear box on Tuesday night for Wednesday morning pick-up. Extra garbage is $10/bag. If garbage is left out and gets scattered around, our HOA charges a fine plus $35+/hour to clean it up.
FURNITURE. If you stain, break, or otherwise leave our furniture in disrepair, we will charge you what it costs us to replace the furniture with a similar item. Please keep pets off the furniture, and treat our home as you would your own. The grill and outdoor furniture are seasonal. Depending on weather, they may not be there between November and May.
BEARS. Our cabin is in a forest where there are wild animals, including bears. Remove all food or things that smell of food from your car; never leave pet food outdoors; secure the cabin doors at night; and never leave garbage outside (only in the bear box). Keep you pet leashed and with you at all times and mind small children. If you encounter a bear, identify yourself by talking calmly so the bear knows you are a human and not a prey animal. Remain still; stand your ground but slowly wave your arms. Help the bear recognize you as a human. It may come closer or stand on its hind legs to get a better look or smell. A standing bear is usually curious, not threatening.
FIRES & SMOKING. This is wildfire country. No open fires, candles, or smoking are allowed at our cabin, INDOORS or OUTDOORS. If you smoke on our property, you will be charged a minimum fine of $250 plus clean-up and loss-of-use costs. The only fire that is allowed is a small fire in the woodstove, if you are familiar with the use of a woodstove and can use it safely. Please bring your own firewood.
REPORT PROBLEMS. We hope your stay is trouble-free. Please keep in mind this is a family cabin and not a fancy hotel. Our housekeeper has asked us to remind you that she does her absolute best, but she is “only human.” If you arrive and see that something is not as you expected, please let us know immediately and we will try to make it right. If you wait to tell us about a problem that we could have fixed for you, please do not expect a discount or refund.
POWER OUTAGES & WEATHER. Our cabin is in a mountainous, forested area where there are storms year-round, snow in the winter, the occasional heat wave, and power outages due to weather events and rolling black-outs. We provide a “power outage kit” with flashlights and headlamps above the refrigerator and a wood stove for warmth when the central heating goes out. We do not have air-conditioning. During the winter, we provide plow service in the driveway, but you may need to shovel the walkway and stairs to get into the house and shovel out your cars as needed. Please plan your stay accordingly. We do not provide refunds for power outages and issues related to the weather.
We comply with all local rules and regulations regarding short-term rentals:
Business License #BL-0019481
TOT-0342
Guest access
We offer parking for up to 3 cars in our flat, easily-accessible driveway. Our immediate neighborhood is walkable or accessible by bike, but you will need a car to explore the greater area.
Other things to note
Please purchase travel insurance for unexpected events, like wildfires, earthquakes, medical emergencies, and such. We follow the refund policy as written on AirBNB. If you'd like additional protection, travel insurance is recommended.
Where you’ll sleep
1 of 2 pages
What this place offers
Mountain view
Kitchen
Wifi
Dedicated workspace
Free parking on premises
Select check-in date
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4.77 out of 5 stars from 78 reviews
Overall rating
- 5 stars, 83% of reviews
- 4 stars, 12% of reviews
- 3 stars, 4% of reviews
- 2 stars, 1% of reviews
- 1 stars, 0% of reviews
Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars for cleanliness
Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars for accuracy
Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars for check-in
Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars for communication
Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars for location
Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars for value
Guest reviews mention
Where you’ll be
Arnold, California, United States
This listing's location is verified and the exact location will be provided after booking.
Neighborhood highlights
Happy Lake Chalet is in a friendly neighborhood with a peaceful, low-key vibe. Our cabin is surrounded by families and retired folks, so the expectation is that our guests will be quiet and relaxed, not loud and rowdy. Blue Lake Springs has an amazing recreation center, swimming pool, private lakes, tennis courts, a golf course and more--basically everything you need for summer fun. In the winter, we are near Skyline Bear Valley Resort for snowboarding, skiing and snow play. Calaveras Big Trees and the Stanislaus River are just next door. Historic Murphys with wine, food and shopping is less than 15 minutes away. This is a great home base for your Sierra adventures.
Meet your host
My work: Attorney
Speaks Spanish
We are a traveling family, always on the lookout for a new adventure. We take pride in being good hosts and guests, and love to create happy, beautiful places to share and enjoy.
Host details
Response rate: 100%
Responds within an hour
To help protect your payment, always use Airbnb to send money and communicate with hosts.
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