Guidebook for Sonora
Sightseeing
Rappel on a 165-foot rope into the cave, go on a 3-hour caving Adventure Trip. Experience the ZIP LINE, and a custom built 32-ft tall Climbing Tower.
Moaning Cave Road
Moaning Cave RoadRappel on a 165-foot rope into the cave, go on a 3-hour caving Adventure Trip. Experience the ZIP LINE, and a custom built 32-ft tall Climbing Tower.
Home to one of America’s still-operating railroad roundhouses. Known as “The Movie Railroad,” Historic locomotives and cars have starred in hundreds of film and TV productions.
100 locals recommend
Railtown 1897 State History Park
10501 Reservoir RdHome to one of America’s still-operating railroad roundhouses. Known as “The Movie Railroad,” Historic locomotives and cars have starred in hundreds of film and TV productions.
Columbia seems to be frozen in the 1800's. Today, Columbia State Historic Park is the best preserved of California gold rush towns.
Racetrack/Jamestown Road station
Columbia seems to be frozen in the 1800's. Today, Columbia State Historic Park is the best preserved of California gold rush towns.
Gateway to one of California’s most breathtaking wilderness areas. Towering granite peaks, long alpine meadows, stunning lakes and abundant wildlife are yours to explore – from the back of a horse!
Crabtree Road
Crabtree RoadGateway to one of California’s most breathtaking wilderness areas. Towering granite peaks, long alpine meadows, stunning lakes and abundant wildlife are yours to explore – from the back of a horse!
One of the first wilderness parks in the US, Best known for its waterfalls, but within its nearly 1,200 square miles, you can find deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient giant sequoias, and much more.
Big Oak Flat Road
Big Oak Flat RoadOne of the first wilderness parks in the US, Best known for its waterfalls, but within its nearly 1,200 square miles, you can find deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient giant sequoias, and much more.
Preserving two groves of giant sequoia trees. It has been a major tourist attraction since 1852, The area was declared a state park in 1931 and encompasses 6,498 acres.
274 locals recommend
Calaveras Big Trees State Park
1170 CA-4Preserving two groves of giant sequoia trees. It has been a major tourist attraction since 1852, The area was declared a state park in 1931 and encompasses 6,498 acres.
World famous for the rare Aragonite flos ferri. Discovered in 1985 Thousands have enjoyed and marveled at this three million year old cave
104 locals recommend
Mercer Caverns
1665 Sheep Ranch RdWorld famous for the rare Aragonite flos ferri. Discovered in 1985 Thousands have enjoyed and marveled at this three million year old cave
The Stanislaus River runs through Lyons Reservoir, a great area for whitewater rafting and fishing. The area contains gorgeous views of the Sierra Nevada Foothills and pines of the area.
21 locals recommend
Lyons Reservoir
The Stanislaus River runs through Lyons Reservoir, a great area for whitewater rafting and fishing. The area contains gorgeous views of the Sierra Nevada Foothills and pines of the area.
The Tuolumne River is known for its Class IV rapids and its population of golden eagles and red-tailed hawks, while the Stanislaus River is more accessible and better for novice rafters.
Sierra Mac River Trips
The Tuolumne River is known for its Class IV rapids and its population of golden eagles and red-tailed hawks, while the Stanislaus River is more accessible and better for novice rafters.
Few people have discovered New Melones Lake, the fourth largest man-made lake in California, By 1982, the lake was filled and on its way to becoming the wonderful recreational spot that it is today.
51 locals recommend
New Melones Lake
Few people have discovered New Melones Lake, the fourth largest man-made lake in California, By 1982, the lake was filled and on its way to becoming the wonderful recreational spot that it is today.
Many great shops, restaurants, and wineries. Rich in charm and character, Named "One of the Top 10 Coolest Small Towns in America" by Frommers, Murphys is a truly unique and memorable destination.
211 locals recommend
Murphys
Many great shops, restaurants, and wineries. Rich in charm and character, Named "One of the Top 10 Coolest Small Towns in America" by Frommers, Murphys is a truly unique and memorable destination.
Gold mining trips on Woods Creek (the richest creek in California) are guided by experienced gold miners. These guided tours are fun, educational and exciting.
10 locals recommend
Gold Prospecting Adventures
18649 Main StGold mining trips on Woods Creek (the richest creek in California) are guided by experienced gold miners. These guided tours are fun, educational and exciting.
Located in Pinecrest just 30 miles east of Sonora off all-weather Highway 108. Dodge Ridge is by far the closest, most accessible, winter sports area to the Central Valley and Bay Area
215 locals recommend
Dodge Ridge Ski Resort
1 Dodge Ridge RdLocated in Pinecrest just 30 miles east of Sonora off all-weather Highway 108. Dodge Ridge is by far the closest, most accessible, winter sports area to the Central Valley and Bay Area
Visit wonderful llamas. An experience you’ll not forget. Learn as you play with these gentle creatures. Over 50 llamas to enjoy.
7 locals recommend
Llamas of Circle Home
15301 Tuolumne RdVisit wonderful llamas. An experience you’ll not forget. Learn as you play with these gentle creatures. Over 50 llamas to enjoy.
A glaciated landscape of scenic beauty. Dominated by volcanic ridges and peaks; and granitic ridges interspersed with numerous lakes and meadows. Great hiking trails!!!!
13 locals recommend
Emigrant Wilderness
A glaciated landscape of scenic beauty. Dominated by volcanic ridges and peaks; and granitic ridges interspersed with numerous lakes and meadows. Great hiking trails!!!!
Great hiking trails. The serpentine soils provides habitat for more than 250 species of native plants, some rare and sensitive. The area gets its name from the iron-rich red soil
Red Hills
Great hiking trails. The serpentine soils provides habitat for more than 250 species of native plants, some rare and sensitive. The area gets its name from the iron-rich red soil
“Gateway to the Emigrant Wilderness,” providing horseback riding, camping, hunting, fishing, hiking and backpacking. It is a principle trailhead for the Emigrant Basin Wilderness Area.
8 locals recommend
Dardanelle
“Gateway to the Emigrant Wilderness,” providing horseback riding, camping, hunting, fishing, hiking and backpacking. It is a principle trailhead for the Emigrant Basin Wilderness Area.
For 150 years, visitors have enjoyed the unique delicate beauty of the cavern's crystalline formations. Some speleothems, are very rare. Others are so numerous as to be spectacular.
24 locals recommend
California Cavern State Historic Landmark
9565 Cave City RdFor 150 years, visitors have enjoyed the unique delicate beauty of the cavern's crystalline formations. Some speleothems, are very rare. Others are so numerous as to be spectacular.
Founded in 1848. The home of Mark Twain's famous Jumping Frog Jubilee. Many of the original buildings still line Main Street, from the mid-1800s bearing thick stone walls and iron shutters.
38 locals recommend
Angels Camp
Founded in 1848. The home of Mark Twain's famous Jumping Frog Jubilee. Many of the original buildings still line Main Street, from the mid-1800s bearing thick stone walls and iron shutters.
This lake provides a variety of outdoor adventures including swimming, boating, camping, fishing, and hiking.
51 locals recommend
Pinecrest Lake Resort
421 Pinecrest Lake RdThis lake provides a variety of outdoor adventures including swimming, boating, camping, fishing, and hiking.
Arts & Culture
164,000+ square feet of gaming and entertainment. 1200 Slot Machines, 24 Table Games, five Bars, four Restaurants, a 24 Lane Bowling Center. The Lounge hosts Live Entertainment 3 nights a week.
155 locals recommend
Black Oak Casino Resort
19400 Tuolumne Rd N164,000+ square feet of gaming and entertainment. 1200 Slot Machines, 24 Table Games, five Bars, four Restaurants, a 24 Lane Bowling Center. The Lounge hosts Live Entertainment 3 nights a week.
Every Friday and Saturday evening during the summer The Hurst Ranch Wranglers perform their famous stage show immediately following serving up some of the tastiest BBQ for your evening super.
Hurst Ranch Feeds & Fencing
17415 CA-108Every Friday and Saturday evening during the summer The Hurst Ranch Wranglers perform their famous stage show immediately following serving up some of the tastiest BBQ for your evening super.
Presents 10 main-stage shows per year, Producing dramas, musicals and comedies.
31 locals recommend
Sierra Repertory Theatre
13891 Mono WayPresents 10 main-stage shows per year, Producing dramas, musicals and comedies.
Food Scene
This is the spot if you are looking for a great value, good food and super nice staff. This is not an upscale, fancy place. The decor is country. The portions are huge and prices low.
Jeb's Hill Country Cooking
This is the spot if you are looking for a great value, good food and super nice staff. This is not an upscale, fancy place. The decor is country. The portions are huge and prices low.
Great place to eat, good food, like you are sitting in a restaurant back in the 1800’s. We eat there when in Jamestown.
Willow Steakhouse & Seafood Grill
Great place to eat, good food, like you are sitting in a restaurant back in the 1800’s. We eat there when in Jamestown.
Mountain lodge atmosphere, which features a stone fireplace for winter, a nice sunny deck for the fall, spring and summer months. Live entertainment all year round
120 locals recommend
The Rock of Twain Harte
23068 Fuller RdMountain lodge atmosphere, which features a stone fireplace for winter, a nice sunny deck for the fall, spring and summer months. Live entertainment all year round
A fun, casual restaurant that features craft beers, primarily from California, Oregon and Colorado. And great food too!
50 locals recommend
The Standard Pour
19040 Standard RdA fun, casual restaurant that features craft beers, primarily from California, Oregon and Colorado. And great food too!
From the outside, it looks like a somewhat upscale restaurant; however, it is a sports bar environment. Features a wide selection of appetizers, salads, sandwiches, pastas and dinners.
20 locals recommend
The Peppery
13494 Mono WayFrom the outside, it looks like a somewhat upscale restaurant; however, it is a sports bar environment. Features a wide selection of appetizers, salads, sandwiches, pastas and dinners.
Drinks & Nightlife
Sangiovese, Merlot and Zinfandel varietals are grown on the estate. Enjoy free wine tasting. This area was laden with vineyards dating back to the 1800's.
Mt. Brow Winery
10850 Mountain Brow RdSangiovese, Merlot and Zinfandel varietals are grown on the estate. Enjoy free wine tasting. This area was laden with vineyards dating back to the 1800's.
Shopping
The place to shop for all your needs: apparel, banking, groceries, restaurants, pets, toys, health food, etc,
Junction Shopping Center
Mono WayThe place to shop for all your needs: apparel, banking, groceries, restaurants, pets, toys, health food, etc,