Historic hotel, a goth-mystic saloon, a great drive-thru coffee, and the small-engine shop the rest of the 4 actually uses.
2,800 ft
Avery sits on Highway 4 at 3,389 feet, about 10 minutes west of Arnold and 15 east of Murphys. Tiny CDP, population 636. The Historic Avery Hotel (built 1851, oldest continuously operating hotel in Calaveras County) and Howard's Mystic Saloon are the headline stops, with Day-O Espresso for the morning and JC Power Equipment quietly running the small-engine repair for the whole corridor.
Avery is a CDP, not a town in the city-hall sense. Population 636, ZIP 95224, named after George J. Avery, the first postmaster (post office opened 1885). It's the last named stop before you hit Arnold, which is why old marketing copy calls it the gateway to Calaveras Big Trees. Locals just call it the stretch with the hotel and the skull bar. There are a few more reasons to know it than that, though.
The Historic Avery Hotel started life as a family home in 1851, became a hotel in 1853 under Peter and Nancy Avery, and was known for decades as the Half Way House because it sat midway between the Murphys gold fields and the giant sequoias. The Gotelli family bought it in 1992 and renovated heavily. Today it sleeps 23+ overnight and handles events up to 150, with two bars, a billiards room, a formal dining room, and a wood stage. Call (209) 517-2465 to check what's on the calendar before you assume anything.
Howard's Mystic Saloon at 4529 CA-4 is the other anchor. Curt and Tana Howard lease the old Avery Saloon building and run it in a black goth / mystic style year-round, not just at Halloween. Skull chandeliers, themed decor, table shuffleboard, pool tables, a juke box, and occasional live music. Drinks only, no food. Worth a stop and a drink for the vibe. People behind the bar are friendlier than the decor suggests, and it photographs better than any other bar on the corridor.
Two more things people miss about Avery. Day-O Espresso at 68 Avery Hotel Rd is a drive-thru coffee hut that punches above its weight, and the fancy toasts are the real move (cinnamon toast on thick bread). And JC Power Equipment, opened January 2019 by Jim and Nancy Conway, is the small-engine repair shop the whole corridor relies on for weed eaters, snowblowers, generators, and chainsaws. They also sell ethanol-free fuel. When the power went out the first time, Jim said, people were lined up.
It’s karaoke night at The Mystic Saloon! The stage is yours! Get on the mic and be the star you are! It’s always a fun time at The Mystic Saloon! 21+ 9pm-Midnight
This is one of the best cover bands out there! Come dance and party to all of your favorite songs from the 80’s and 90’s!!! 🖤🖤⚡️⚡️ More details on the Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/848469071638548/
One email Thursday morning with what's coming up in Avery and the rest of the corridor. No spam, no ads.
Four anchors: The Historic Avery Hotel (lodging, dining, events, 1851), Howard's Mystic Saloon (drinks and goth-mystic vibe, no food), Day-O Espresso drive-thru for coffee and the fancy toasts, and JC Power Equipment for small-engine repair. Beyond those, Avery is a pass-through. For groceries, gas, or wineries, you'll be driving 10 to 15 minutes either direction.
Avery is about 10 minutes east of Murphys on Hwy 4 and 10 minutes west of Arnold. The Avery Hotel sits roughly halfway between the two, which is exactly why it was called the Half Way House in the 1850s.
Yes. The Historic Avery Hotel accommodates 23+ overnight guests across the property and handles events up to 150. Call (209) 517-2465 to check availability. It's the oldest continuously operating hotel in Calaveras County, renovated by the Gotelli family in 1992.
No. The black goth / mystic decor is permanent, year-round. Skull chandeliers, table shuffleboard, pool tables, juke box, occasional live music. Drinks only, no food, so eat before you come. Curt and Tana Howard run the bar at 4529 CA-4. Check mysticsaloon.com or Instagram for show schedules.
It's marketed that way because it's the last named community before Arnold, where Big Trees sits 4 miles northeast. In practice, Arnold is the actual gateway town with the lodging, groceries, and trailhead support. Avery is the stop you pass through on the way.
