Exploring Gold Country & the Sierras
Outdoor Adventures
Fabulous mountain lake just 30 minutes away. During the summer, rent a boat, fish, swim, or just play on the beach. Summer evenings, the outdoor theater at Pinecrest plays family-friendly freshly-released movies in the best theater ever! Any season, the four-mile hike around the lake is refreshing. If you're up for a longer hike, head on up to Cleo's baths at the far end of the lake.
149 locals recommend
Pinecrest Lake
Fabulous mountain lake just 30 minutes away. During the summer, rent a boat, fish, swim, or just play on the beach. Summer evenings, the outdoor theater at Pinecrest plays family-friendly freshly-released movies in the best theater ever! Any season, the four-mile hike around the lake is refreshing. If you're up for a longer hike, head on up to Cleo's baths at the far end of the lake.
Ridgetop Retreat is part of the Willow Springs Homeowners Association, and you are welcome to enjoy the lake, park, and tennis courts at the entrance to the subdivision. It's about a 1 mile walk from the house if you're up for the uphill trek home. Or, there's plenty of parking. You may fish at the lake without a state license, but please don't feed the ducks and geese.
Willow Springs Drive
Willow Springs DriveRidgetop Retreat is part of the Willow Springs Homeowners Association, and you are welcome to enjoy the lake, park, and tennis courts at the entrance to the subdivision. It's about a 1 mile walk from the house if you're up for the uphill trek home. Or, there's plenty of parking. You may fish at the lake without a state license, but please don't feed the ducks and geese.
58 miles to the entrance--a long day trip, but you can't miss it! Walk/bike/float/watch climbers on El Cap in the valley, or pick a day hike. If you plan in advance, you can hike Half Dome. Visits to Tuolumne Meadow, any of the Giant Sequoia groves, and the Ahwahnee are highlights as well!
995 locals recommend
Yosemite National Park
58 miles to the entrance--a long day trip, but you can't miss it! Walk/bike/float/watch climbers on El Cap in the valley, or pick a day hike. If you plan in advance, you can hike Half Dome. Visits to Tuolumne Meadow, any of the Giant Sequoia groves, and the Ahwahnee are highlights as well!
Gorgeous high country mountain meadow. Horseback riding, hiking, and sitting by the river are top attractions. An hours' drive from Ridgetop Retreat.
17 locals recommend
Kennedy Meadows
Gorgeous high country mountain meadow. Horseback riding, hiking, and sitting by the river are top attractions. An hours' drive from Ridgetop Retreat.
Dodge Ridge Ski Resort
1 Dodge Ridge RdLocal skiing when the snow is good!
New Melones Lake
Boating, swimming, fishing.
Dragoon Gulch Trail Head
680 Woods Creek DrScenic trail through the woods in Sonora.
Moaning Caverns Adventure Park
5350 Moaning Cave RdExplore the caves and/or zipline!
Stately "Big Trees" --short or long walks among the giants. Park provides snowshoes on Saturdays for winter walks through the trees. Check their website.
274 locals recommend
Calaveras Big Trees State Park
1170 CA-4Stately "Big Trees" --short or long walks among the giants. Park provides snowshoes on Saturdays for winter walks through the trees. Check their website.
many beautiful hikes in this vast wild space--just an hour away.
13 locals recommend
Emigrant Wilderness
many beautiful hikes in this vast wild space--just an hour away.
A lovely walk or mountain bike ride along an old railroad bed. beautiful views. Open year-round, but go early on summer days.
14 locals recommend
West Side Trail
West Side Rails: Tuolumne City to North Fork/Tuolumne RiverA lovely walk or mountain bike ride along an old railroad bed. beautiful views. Open year-round, but go early on summer days.
The Ditch & Flumes
24144-24122 Forest Rte 4N01Peaceful walk along historic ditch, among mountain evergreens.
Food scene
Diamondback Grill
93 S Washington StAmerican Fare that always pleases.
Day O Espresso 3
20705 Soulsbyville RdGreat local coffee and smoothie spot.
Sonora Thai Cuisine
51 S Washington StDelicious Thai food.
Legends Books Antiques
131 S Washington StFun spot to browse and grab a big scoop of ice cream
Papa's New Roost
20049 CA-108Local Breakfast and lunch spot.
Gas station serving up good burgers and delicious fries. Gas is expensive, but the food is pretty good. Just down the hill from Ridgetop Retreat.
Outpost
20661 Soulsbyville RoadGas station serving up good burgers and delicious fries. Gas is expensive, but the food is pretty good. Just down the hill from Ridgetop Retreat.
Fresh apples, delicious bakery and cafe (with gluten free options), train , adorable play structure, and farm animals. a perfect outing, especially for families with young children, and just a 10 minute drive from Ridgewood Retreat.
42 locals recommend
Cover's Apple Ranch
19211 Cherokee RdFresh apples, delicious bakery and cafe (with gluten free options), train , adorable play structure, and farm animals. a perfect outing, especially for families with young children, and just a 10 minute drive from Ridgewood Retreat.
Entertainment
Sierra Repertory Theatre
13891 Mono WayHigh-caliber local productions worth booking.
Ironstone Amphitheatre
1894 6 Mile RdLive shows with headliners
Brush & Cork
246 E Jackson StCreative group activity! Private bookings available.
Sightseeing
Stake Historic Park for a flavor of California's Gold Rush. Pan for gold, ride a stagecoach, watch a blacksmith, guzzle some sarsparilla, bowl in a vintage bowling alley (for free), enjoy the museum, and catch some history from a docent. But most of all, make sure you stop by Columbia Candy Kitchen--especially at Christmas-time--to see how giant candy canes are made. Columbia regularly hosts events that are gold country visit highlights. Check their calendar.
217 locals recommend
Columbia State Historic Park
11259 Broadway StStake Historic Park for a flavor of California's Gold Rush. Pan for gold, ride a stagecoach, watch a blacksmith, guzzle some sarsparilla, bowl in a vintage bowling alley (for free), enjoy the museum, and catch some history from a docent. But most of all, make sure you stop by Columbia Candy Kitchen--especially at Christmas-time--to see how giant candy canes are made. Columbia regularly hosts events that are gold country visit highlights. Check their calendar.
Amazing vintage steam locomotives (including some movie stars), and a working roundhouse. Excursion train rides and a Christmastime Polar Express.
100 locals recommend
Railtown 1897 State History Park
10501 Reservoir RdAmazing vintage steam locomotives (including some movie stars), and a working roundhouse. Excursion train rides and a Christmastime Polar Express.
Gold rush town with local shopping, dining, and some fun old buildings. Museum is worth a visit. Don't miss the Motherlode Parade on Saturday of Mother's Day weekend, and the Christmas Parade on the Friday after Thanksgiving.
101 locals recommend
Sonora
Gold rush town with local shopping, dining, and some fun old buildings. Museum is worth a visit. Don't miss the Motherlode Parade on Saturday of Mother's Day weekend, and the Christmas Parade on the Friday after Thanksgiving.
Scenic picnic spot and lookout point along highway 108--about 45 minutes from Ridgetop Retreat. Scamper around the rocks, survey fire damage from the 2018 Dardanelle fire, and view the sparkling Relief reservoir below.
8 locals recommend
Dardanelle
Scenic picnic spot and lookout point along highway 108--about 45 minutes from Ridgetop Retreat. Scamper around the rocks, survey fire damage from the 2018 Dardanelle fire, and view the sparkling Relief reservoir below.
City/town information
Cute town with fun restaurants and shops. Best of all is the park near the library with a shallow creek running through it. Perfect for a warm summer afternoon picnic.
211 locals recommend
Murphys
Cute town with fun restaurants and shops. Best of all is the park near the library with a shallow creek running through it. Perfect for a warm summer afternoon picnic.
Beautiful mountain town just 5 miles from Ridgetop Retreat. Good food, fun shops, golf and disc golf, closest full-service grocery store, a cute park, and possibly the most beautiful tennis courts in the world.
68 locals recommend
Twain Harte
Beautiful mountain town just 5 miles from Ridgetop Retreat. Good food, fun shops, golf and disc golf, closest full-service grocery store, a cute park, and possibly the most beautiful tennis courts in the world.
Food Scene
Delicious, unique Mexican fare, with outdoor seating along an historic gold mining waterway.
9 locals recommend
El Arroyo Cantina & Mexican Kitchen
126 S Washington StDelicious, unique Mexican fare, with outdoor seating along an historic gold mining waterway.
City advice
Don't miss
Summer Farmers Markets
Friday evenings and Saturday mornings
Book before you go
Yosemite
During the summer, passes are required to enter the park. And if you plan to hike Half Dome, you will need a pass as well. Get passes at nps.gov. If you don't have a pass, you may be able to ride the YARTS bus into the park.
Travelling with kids
Don't miss Columbia State Historic park
Check their calendar for special events--but it's always worth a visit.
Don't miss
Second Saturday Art Night in Sonora
Rub shoulders with the locals and enjoy music and art every second Saturday night on Washington Street in Sonora.