With some awesome day trip options in the surrounding area, renting a car makes good sense. Without one, it’d be much harder to enjoy everything that Arnold, 19 miles away, has to offer. Bear Valley Ski ought to be at the top of your to-do list here. Lake Alpine and Bear Valley Cross Country and Adventure Company are fantastic attractions too. Locals are also likely to point you in the direction of Sonora, 20 miles away. If you only have time for one thing here, let it be Columbia State Historic Park. (But we’re also big fans of Stanislaus National Forest and Sierra Repertory Theater.)