Area Attractions

Calaveras Big Trees State Park

Calaveras became a State Park in 1931 to preserve the North Grove of giant sequoias. This grove includes the "Discovery Tree", the first Sierra redwood noted by Augustus T. Dowd in 1852. This area has is considered the longest continuously operated tourist facility in California. In addition to the popular North Grove, the Park features South Grove, a five mile hiking trip through a spectacular grove of giant sequoias in their natural setting.

For more information, visit Calaveras Big Trees website.

California Caverns

This location is California's first show cave, delighting visitors since 1850, features an enchanting trail with beautiful crystalline formation in historical and recently discovered pristine areas. School groups can experience an underground tour, gem mining, a self-guided nature trail, a unique visitor center, and even geode cracking.

To learn more, visit www.caverntours.com.

Dodge Ridge Ski Resort

Offering 33 groomed runs and 3 terrain parks, Dodge Ridge offers excellent skiing and snowboarding opportunities for beginners and experts alike.  Full service rentals, several dining options and lessons for all ages, Dodge Ridge is a great place for winter fun.

To learn more, visit www.dodgeridge.com.

Historic Columbia

This town is a State Historic Park. Take an afternoon to walk into the rich history of the gold rush era. Columbia has the same streets and many of the buildings as it did more than 100 years ago. You can ride the stagecoach, pan for gold, or just enjoy all the interesting shops. Movies and TV footage have also been filmed here.

Want to find out more? Go to www.columbiacalifornia.com.

Leland High Sierra Snowplay

At 6300 feet, this beautiful & natural setting is another world away. It is remarkably accessible though. Located in Tuolumne County, in the heart of Gold Country, Leland High Sierra is 39 miles east of Sonora on Highway 108, 3 hours from the San Francisco Bay Area and 2 hours from most Central Valley cities. We are your closest snow to home.

Professional snowcats assure well groomed snow. Family owned and operated, Leland High Sierra retains that cozy Alpine feeling but, with 12 acres of Snowplay fun is large enough to accommodate any sized group. We've saved the best news for last. The biggest & best snow play facility in the sierras is also the most affordable!!!

To learn more, visit www.snowplay.com.

Mercer Caverns

Known as the “Showplace of the Sierras.” In Mercer Caverns, you will see at very close range an enormous variety of beautiful and unusual natural crystalline formations. You will be dazzled by the superb artistry which nature, through the centuries, has lavished upon this magnificent subterranean wonderland. The caverns are open daily Memorial Day through September and weekends and holidays October through May 31.

For an online tour, visit www.mercercaverns.com.

Moaning Caverns

Moaning Cavern holds the largest vertical chamber in a public cavern that you can see in California. In fact, it's so big, it could hold the entire Statue of Liberty! These caverns were first explored by gold miners in 1851. Strange shapes and figures adorn the ceiling and walls, making this a treasure house of natural statuary.

To learn more, visit www.caverntours.com.

Mountain Springs Golf Club

Mountain Springs Golf Club is ideally located above the fog and below the snow in historic Sonora, California. Play this scenic 18-hole Robert Muir Graves designed championship course while enjoying the Gold Country and the scenic beauty of the Sierra Nevada foothills.

Mountain Springs provides a full service restaurant, fully stocked golf shop, driving range, putting greens, and four sets of tees to accommodate golfers of all abilities!

For more information, visit www.mountainspringsgolf.com.

Pinecrest Lake

Pinecrest Recreation Area is located at Pinecrest Lake, a 300-acre lake owned and operated by Pacific, Gas and Electric Company. It is located 30 miles east of Sonora on State Highway 108. The Recreation Area lies in a timbered setting at an elevation of 5,600 feet. The California Department of Fish and Game regularly stocks Pinecrest Lake with rainbow trout. Groceries and other services are available at the Pinecrest commercial center.
 

To learn more, visit http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/stanislaus/visitor/pinecrest.shtml.

Railtown 1897

The Sierra Railroad Roundhouse was built to connect the mines and lumber mills of Tuolumne County with the rest of the world. Today you can take a walk through a century of railroad history. Try the Roundhouse Tour that offers and educational and entertaining walk into America’s past. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy on the Green. Be sure to call ahead for their schedule of events and rides on their real steam locomotive.

Go to www.csrmf.org/railtown for more information.

Sutter Gold Mine

Sutter Gold Mine is a modern hard rock mine located on historic Highway 49 just north of Sutter Creek, south of Amador City at the site of several historic mines. These include the Lincoln Mine from which Leland Stanford made his fortune enabling him to found Stanford University and to partner in financing the Central Pacific Railroad. Although originally developed for gold extraction in the late 1980s, the mine is now open exclusively for one hour underground tours deep into the heart of the Motherlode.

More information is available at www.caverntours.com.

Yosemite National Park

The Yosemite area has something for everyone. From pristine Yosemite Valley and the Giant Sequoias to the spectacular panoramas and mountain vistas at Glacier Point or Tuolumne Meadows; the Yosemite experience is alive with natural beauty and a strong sense of American history. The valley floor can be reached in a 2 hour drive. Spectacular scenery, hiking trails, and waterfalls are part of a memorable adventure.

Plan your visit at www.nps.gov/yose.

Sierra Repertory Theatre

Sierra Repertory Theatre is a growing professional non-profit theater located in California's beautiful Sierra Nevada Foothills. Since 1980, Sierra Rep has focused on its original mission: to present audiences with a broad range of theatrical literature at the highest production quality possible; to pay artists and staff a living wage and to make a vibrant contribution to our community's economy, culture and spirit.

Plan your visit at www.sierrarep.org.