Granite coves
Glassy water and boulder shorelines, made for paddling and swimming.
The lake below, the Sierra beyond
10 minwalk to the lake
Next doorPincushion Peak hike
15 minTable Mountain Casino
1 hr 15Yosemite south entrance
75 minChina Peak skiing
Close to the house
Drive times from the villa in Friant.
| Place | From the house | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Millerton Lake | About a 10-minute walk | Spend the day on the lake: rent kayaks, a boat or a jet ski, bring lunch, swim and explore the coves. The lake is about a 10-minute walk from the house, and the South Finegold picnic area in Millerton Lake State Recreation Area is close by for picnics and lake days. |
| Pincushion Peak | Starts next to the property | A steep climb of about 2.7 miles round trip and roughly 870 feet of elevation, with a short boulder scramble at the top. The summit looks out over Millerton Lake, the Sierra foothills and on clear days toward Yosemite and Fresno. Starts from the South Finegold picnic area. Pincushion Peak on AllTrails |
| San Joaquin River Trail | Starts next to the property | A rolling trail from the South Finegold picnic area that climbs about 500 feet beneath Pincushion Peak through open oak country, then drops toward the San Joaquin River, with wide views along the way. San Joaquin River Trail on AllTrails |
| Table Mountain Casino | About 15 minutes | Renovated in 2022, with three restaurants, concerts and live events, gaming and 24-hour dining. A quieter place to stay for concert nights. Table Mountain Casino website |
| Eagle Springs Golf and Country Club | About 16 minutes | Fairways in the foothills with a Sierra Nevada backdrop, for all skill levels. Eagle Springs Golf and Country Club website |
| Shaver Lake | About 45 minutes | A mountain lake higher in the Sierra, cooler in summer and snowy in winter. |
| Yosemite National Park | About 1 hour 15 minutes to the south entrance | Giant sequoias at Mariposa Grove near the south entrance, and Yosemite Valley about 1 hour 45 minutes away via Highway 41. Yosemite National Park website |
| China Peak Mountain Resort | About 75 minutes | Winter skiing and snowboarding, popular for kids' lessons and more advanced terrain alike. |
| Fresno and Clovis | About 45 and 36 minutes | Restaurants, full grocery stores, and Fresno Yosemite International Airport. |
Spend a day on the lake
Rent kayaks, a boat or a jet ski, pack a lunch and spend the day swimming and exploring calm coves and granite shorelines, all a short walk or drive from the house.
Calm mornings
Early on, the lake is often flat and quiet. The best time for a kayak or a boat.
Views from above
Short climbs into the hills open up long views over the water.
Green spring hills
In spring the hills turn bright green and the wildflowers come out.
Right outside the gate
Two favorite local hikes start right next to the property at the South Finegold picnic area. Pincushion Peak is a short, steep climb to the best view in the area, with a boulder scramble at the top. The San Joaquin River Trail rolls through open oak country beneath the peak toward the river. In spring the hills turn green and the wildflowers come out; by early summer they are gold.
Bring plenty of water, since there is little shade, and watch for rattlesnakes in warm months. Download offline maps before you head out, because cell service drops off quickly in the hills.
Every season
Spring
Wildflowers on the hills, redbuds in bloom and mild days for hiking, before the summer crowds arrive.
Summer
The lake comes alive with boating, swimming, fishing and kayaking just down the hill.
Fall
Cooler days and golden hillsides, then evenings by the outdoor fireplace or a glass of wine in the cellar.
Winter
No snow on the hill, just mild days and clear nights. China Peak Mountain Resort is about 75 minutes away, so you can ski one day and hike or fish by the lake the next.
Questions about the area
What is there to do near Millerton Lake?
Boating, swimming, fishing and kayaking on Millerton Lake, the Pincushion Peak and San Joaquin River trails that start next to the property, Table Mountain Casino about 15 minutes away, golf at Eagle Springs about 16 minutes away, and day trips to Yosemite, Shaver Lake and China Peak.
How far is Yosemite from Millerton Lake Villa?
About 1 hour 15 minutes to Yosemite's south entrance and Mariposa Grove, and about 1 hour 45 minutes to Yosemite Valley via Highway 41.
Can we rent a boat, kayaks or jet skis at Millerton Lake?
Yes. You can rent kayaks, boats and jet skis for a day on the lake. Bring lunch, find a quiet cove and swim. The lake is about a 10-minute walk from the house.
Are there hiking trails near Millerton Lake Villa?
Yes. Two popular trails start next to the property at the South Finegold picnic area: Pincushion Peak, a steep 2.7-mile round trip with about 870 feet of climbing and panoramic views from the top, and the San Joaquin River Trail, which climbs about 500 feet beneath Pincushion Peak before dropping toward the river. Bring water and watch for rattlesnakes in warm months.
How far is Table Mountain Casino?
About 15 minutes by car. It is a popular quieter place to stay for casino concerts and events.
Can you walk to Millerton Lake from the house?
Yes. Millerton Lake is about a 10-minute walk from the house, which sits on the hill above it with 180-degree unobstructed views of the lake.
When is the best time to visit?
Summer is lake season. Spring brings wildflowers and mild hiking weather, fall brings golden hills and cool evenings, and winter stays mild at the house with skiing at China Peak about 75 minutes away. In early spring you can ski one day and be on the lake the next.
How far is the drive from San Francisco or Los Angeles?
About 3 hours from San Francisco and about 3 hours 50 minutes from Los Angeles.
Make the villa your base
Book direct for lake days, Yosemite trips and quiet evenings on the balcony.