Explore Tuolumne County in 4 Days

Tuolumne County has so much to do and see, and you don't want to miss any of it. Set out on this 4-day getaway to explore Yosemite, Gold Country and the High Sierra.

Yosemite

Day 1

• Early morning – Head to Yosemite Valley early!  Stop in Groveland for a breakfast and a boxed lunch.  Pick up your Park Pass at the Visitors Center in Groveland (seasonal).
• Head to Valley Floor, for those iconic views of Yosemite Falls, Vernal Fall, Bridalveil Fall, Half Dome, El Capitan and the Merced River.
• On your way back out, take a short walk to see the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias near Crane Flat. 
• Grab an overnight stay along Highway 120 where you have your choice of bed and breakfast inns, RV Campgrounds with cabin options or a classic trailer. 

Day 2

• Visit a Hetch Hetchy Reservoir in Yosemite National Park where you will see incredible Wapama Falls and Kelowna Rock.  Ready for more?  Take a five-mile round-trip hike to Wapama Falls and get up close and personal with the cascading falls. 
• Head to Groveland for a round of golf, a horseback ride or biking adventure.  Rent your bike right in town and head to the trails or book a rafting trip down the wild and scenic Tuolumne River.
• In the afternoon, visit California’s longest continuously operating saloon on Main Street for a step back in time and cold brew.
• Stay the night in a historic hotel or B&B or head to Jamestown or Sonora for Gold Country exploration and a hearty dinner at a local historic hotel.

GOLD COUNTRY

Day 3

• Begin your day in Jamestown for a glimpse into old time Hollywood.  Take a stroll along Jamestown’s Walk of Fame to learn about the many movie and television shows filmed in Tuolumne County before you board the steam train at Railtown 1897 State Historic Park (operating on weekends) that was featured in over 300 movies and television shows.  
• Explore the many antique stores in Jamestown, go wine tasting, sample a cigar at Stogies or book a gold panning outing on Woods Creek.
• Head to Sonora for lunch and eclectic shopping at fun one-of-a kind shops and boutiques.  Don’t miss the Tuolumne County Museum housed in the historic jail.  If you enjoy hard cider, take a short drive to Indigeny Reserve for a tour of their distillery and sample their cider.
• From here head to Columbia State Historic Park where you will take a step back in time in this charming living history town.  Take a ride on the stagecoach, go gold panning, help yourself to some treats at a 5th generation candy store, take an old-time photo or visit the blacksmith.  There are plenty of places to grab a bite to eat including a tea shop, a historic hotel and an ice cream parlor for dessert.  You can stay in Columbia or head back to Sonora for an overnight stay.  
• In the evening, dine in one of several one-of-a-kind restaurants in Jamestown or Sonora before catch a live theatre production at one of Sonora’s three theatres or head to one of the two casinos.

HIGH SIERRA ADVENTURES 

Day 4  

• Stop at Sierra Nevada Adventure Company to gear up for your High Sierra adventure then head up Highway 108. Stop by the Summit Ranger Station for detailed information on hiking trails, fishing spots, or OHV adventures.  
• You can go swimming, fishing (ADA fishing dock available), boating and hiking at Pinecrest Lake (paddleboard yoga offered most mornings in the summer – paddleboard rentals available on your way up the mountain).  Want to take a horseback ride? Head to Aspen Meadows Pack Station on Crabtree Road located near Pinecrest Lake.
• For excellent fly-fishing head to Kennedy Meadows where you can also rent a cabin, eat lunch or dinner, ride a horse into the high country or hike into the Emigrant Wilderness.  
• Clark Fork Meadow is located in a river canyon off of Highway 108.  Clark Fork Recreation Area offers great hiking trails, campgrounds as well as several popular fishing spots.  
  
• As you head back down Hwy 108 stop at Donnell Vista for a gorgeous view of the reservoir and river canyon. 
• Go to Twain Harte and grab a bite at a local pub and play a round or two of mini-golf.  In the summer Music and Movies in the Pines are plentiful and great way to get the local vibe before you relax and get a good night’s rest in your cozy Twain Harte cabin or well-appointed B&B.