Long Barn Lodge - winter play haven!

My son has loved all the winter play choices at Long Barn Lodge in Long Barn, CA.  As a mom, I wish there was a restaurant or a store here so that we had food choices.  It is not necessarily an adult haven as there are no restaurants, adult beverages, spa facilities, etc.  Yet, as I saw my son smiling wildly as he hung on to a bucket and ice skated around the rink in the barn; my heart honestly felt like a child again.  There is a big field area for sledding (bring your own sled!) and making snowmen (bring your own carrots) and having a good old fashioned snowball fight!

Long Barn Lodge
25957 Long Barn Rd.
Long Barn, CA  95335
www.longbarn.com

Bring the following items when you go to Long Barn in the winter:

sledding equipment
all food and drinks
water
carrots for snowmen
hot chocolate and marshmallows
ice skates if you have them for the ice rink
warm clothes, including snow pants jacket, gloves, snow boots, long underwear, hat, sunglasses, etc.


My son had a blast at the Long Barn ice rink, and we also stayed at the Long Barn Motel.  This place is really child friendly in the winter with lots of room for children to make snowmen and sled, also there is even an ice skating rink on site!  In 1925, rancher Warren Beal built the Long Barn Lodge so people driving over Sonora Pass could stop for food and lodging.  Long Barn Lodge is still a fun, historical destination for the whole family.  The ice rink opened November 9, 2012 for the 42nd season.  In the spring, summer and early fall months the ice rink turns into an event center that can hold over 300 guests.  This would be a fun place for a family reunion or wedding!

Here's a picture of the Long Barn ice skating rink (containers of mustard for use with corn dogs, which we don't recommend, in the foreground):

Skating in the Long Barn:

Playing in the snow at the Long Barn Inn:

Snow Man created outside a cabin at the Long Barn Inn:

The pool (not used in winter) at Long Barn:

 Saying goodbye to the snowman:

On the way down the mountain, we stopped off at Andy's Mountain Grill, which is just west of Long Barn (before you get to Twain Harte) as you drive west on Highway 108.  Andy's has great burgers.  REALLY great.  They also have a toy car/hobby shop in the back.  They have a great collection of toy cars, as well as radio controlled cars and helicopters.  We found this old sled in the shop.

Pictures of a small part of the toy car collection:

Outside Andy's:

The drive here was a little hair raising as it was icy. I highly recommend bringing chains for your car in the winter months.  Also, once you drive off 108 to Long Barn, there are no restaurants walking distance from the motel and cabins so I would recommend picking up food and drinks before checking in.  Some of the cabins have kitchens and some do not.  We did not want to go out once we checked in so we ordered some snacks such as nachos and corn dogs (which we do not recommend).

Resources:

Long Barn Lodge and Ice Skating Rink
25957 Long Barn Road
Long Barn, CA  95335
(209) 586-3533
www.longbarn.com/history.php

Long Barn ice skating
www.longbarn.com/iceskating.php