Press Releases

04/08/2024 - Tuolumne Historical Railroad Weekend

The weekend of April 20-21 is a special time for historical railroad fans and those who treasure our local and regional heritage. The sights, sounds and romance experienced when “riding the rails” is dependent on preservation, restoration and regularly scheduled maintenance. THRA is one small cog in that important and ongoing effort and is dedicated to education, collaboration and fundraising support. READ MORE >

03/15/2024 - Fourth Annual Tuolumne County Art Week combines two major art shows and community-wide exhibitions and offers, April 13-21, 2024

The Fourth Annual Tuolumne County Art Week, April 13-21, 2024, celebrates creative excellence with the 37th Annual InFocus Competition, Exhibition and Sale, the 69th Annual Mother Lode Art Association Juried Fine Art Show and Exhibit, and more than a dozen special exhibitions and offers throughout the county. READ MORE >

05/10/2023 - Visit Tuolumne County Grows Travel Spending in Tuolumne County

SONORA, Calif.- May 9, 2023- Visit Tuolumne County, the private, non-profit, destination marketing organization is celebrating its 40th anniversary along with National Travel and Tourism Week. For the past forty years, Visit Tuolumne County has been working to market Tuolumne County’s tourism assets regionally, nationally, and internationally. Their market success is projected through the thriving tourism economy in Tuolumne County as well as year-over-year growth in tourism spend. READ MORE >

08/09/2022 - Visit Tuolumne County Pinecrest Lake Clean Up Day

SONORA, Calif., August 9, 2022-- Visit Tuolumne County (VTC) hosted their first Clean Up Day of the year at Pinecrest Lake on Friday July 29th, 2022. The goal was to help remove trash that is left behind on the beach, paths, and picnic areas as this is a great concern to residents and visitors. Pinecrest is a very popular summer destination loved by locals and visitors. VTC wants to help… READ MORE >

08/05/2022 - Visit Tuolumne County Hosts First Post-Pandemic International Travel Tour Operators

This past June for the first time since the US border re-opened due to the global pandemic, Visit Tuolumne County (VTC) welcomed three travel and trade representatives from the UK to tour Tuolumne County. Each representative works for three of the top travel selling companies in the UK, including Virgin Atlantic Holidays, Flight Centre and Travel PA. READ MORE >

06/07/2021 - Visit Tuolumne County Launches ‘Trail Heads’ Program to Encourage Outdoor Recreation

Trail enthusiasts can earn digital badges as they complete trails. READ MORE >

05/06/2021 - Visit Tuolumne County Partnered with Young Destination Stewards to Plant a New Grove of Giant Sequoia Saplings

PINECREST, Calif., May 6, 2021 – In honor of Arbor Day on April 30, Visit Tuolumne County partnered with Pinecrest Expedition Academy, whose students planted a new grove of Giant Sequoias at the iconic Kennedy Meadows Resort & Pack Station nestled in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. READ MORE >

10/05/2020 - Northern California’s Tuolumne County Welcomes New Business

Many new businesses in Tuolumne County have navigated their way through the process of opening during a global pandemic and they are booming with success. Located just 133 miles east of the San Francisco Bay Area, Tuolumne County’s new businesses are representative of their surrounding areas, Yosemite National Park, Gold Country, and the High Sierra. With safety guidelines in place, these businesses are ready to welcome guests. READ MORE >

06/23/2020 - Visit Tuolumne County Launches 'Wander Freely' Campaign as it Reopens to Visitors

Visit Tuolumne County (VTC) in Northern California is pleased to announce the launch of its newest brand campaign ‘Wander Freely’ as the destination safely welcomes back visitors to the area. The goal of the multi-phased campaign is to inspire family and friend getaways primarily focused on the region’s many outdoor experiences, wide-open spaces and charming towns. READ MORE >

06/10/2020 - Visit Tuolumne County Launches Tuolumne County Healthy Pledge

Visit Tuolumne County (VTC) introduces the “Tuolumne County Healthy Pledge” program, Tuolumne County’s local business commitment to creating and providing a clean, safe, and healthy environment for residents and visitors as businesses and organizations begin to reopen following COVID-19 restrictions. READ MORE >

05/29/2020 - Railtown 1897 Exterior Grounds & Museum Store have Safely Reopened to Welcome Visitors Back to the Prized Park

JAMESTOWN, Calif. – In compliance with all state, city, and county guidelines related to outdoor museums, the exterior grounds and on-site store at Railtown 1897 State Historic Park (SHP) have reopened for visitors to experience and enjoy. Perfect for leisurely self-guided tours, bring-your-own-picnics on the sprawling Roundhouse lawn, and shopping for unique rail-related items and memorabilia (perfect for Father’s Day gift ideas), the grounds and store are now open daily… READ MORE >

03/18/2020 - How to Visit Northern California's Tuolumne County Virtually

SONORA, CALIF.—March 18, 2020— Visit Tuolumne County is monitoring the COVID-19 situation closely and following the best practices from our travel and tourism leaders at a state and national level. In an effort to contain COVID-19, many are sheltered at home. During this time, we would like to share the many ways visitors can still connect with us and be part of Tuolumne County.Explore Tuolumne County at Home:Watch these movies… READ MORE >

02/24/2020 - Yosemite Gateway Counties and Yosemite National Park Honored with Inaugural Visit California Poppy Award for Excellence in Destination Stewardship

Yosemite National Park, Calif. (Feb. 24, 2020) – Visit California honored tourism destinations and attractions across California for excellence in tourism marketing at the organization's biennial Poppy Awards, held Feb. 11 in San Diego. Yosemite National Park along with Yosemite Gateway Counties- Mono, Tuolumne, Mariposa, and Madera are proud to announce that they were selected as the winner in a surprise inaugural category. The Excellence in Destination Stewardship recognized the destinations… READ MORE >

02/07/2020 - Live Life in Full Bloom in Northern California's Tuolumne County

Feb. 7, 2020, Sonora, CA- Spring is blooming throughout the rolling hills of Gold Country, the meadows of Yosemite National Park, and the peaks of the High Sierra. Warmer weather melts the snow, making for amazing waterfalls. Flowers start to bloom on mountainsides and in vast meadows, painting the landscape with vibrant shades of yellow, blue, purple, and orange. The days are extended with lasting sunshine that gives adventurers more… READ MORE >

02/03/2020 - Visit Tuolumne County to Host First Agritourism Summit

Visit Tuolumne County is pleased to host their first Agritourism Summit at Hurst Ranch on Thursday, February 20 from 8:30 AM- 3:00 PM. Sierra Pacific Foundation is a contributing sponsor of the Agritourism Summit. The public is invited to come and learn about the opportunities of leveraging Tuolumne County's Agricultural Resources. Agenda topics will include: Understanding the visitor experience with guest speaker Melyssa Laughlin from Visit Vacaville, insurance liability issues… READ MORE >

01/02/2020 - Visit Tuolumne County Showcases Culinary Scene with Restaurant Week, January 19-25, 2020

Fill travel desires and tantalize taste buds too in Northern California's Tuolumne County during Restaurant Week, January 19-25, 2020. Tuolumne County is a traveler's playground and a foodie's paradise. Dine and play in Yosemite National Park, Gold Country, and the High Sierra.In conjunction with California Restaurant Month, Visit Tuolumne County will host Tuolumne County Restaurant Week, a celebration of local cuisine, chefs, wine and cider makers, and food producers. During… READ MORE >

12/26/2019 - Tuolumne County's Yosemite Trending in 2020

SONORA, CALIF.—December 26, 2019—In an everchanging world where growth offers more for visitors to see and do, Northern California's Tuolumne County is keeping up with the latest trends. New and expanding businesses and new attractions increase the adventures that await travelers in Tuolumne County. Travel just 2.5 hours east from the San Francisco Bay Area to freshen up old stories or create new ones in Tuolumne County's Yosemite National Park,… READ MORE >

12/02/2019 - Tuolumne County Film Commission Launches Online Resource Guide

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDecember 2, 2019Contact: Bethany Wilkinson, Film Liaison, 209-533-4420; Katie Kirkland, Communications & Tourism Manager, 209-533-4420The Tuolumne County Film Commission is keeping up with industry trends by launching an online Film Tuolumne County Resource Guide. The guide will provide production companies extensive insight into what Tuolumne County has to offer as a premier location for filming. Bethany Wilkinson, Tuolumne County Film Liaison, is gathering information from local film-friendly partners… READ MORE >

11/06/2019 - Power Up the Season- Shop Tuolumne County NOW

Nov. 5, 2019, Sonora, CA- As the evenings get longer and the leaves start falling, the shopping season starts calling. Travel to Tuolumne County (Too-All-O-Me) where shopping small means giving big. Why save small-town shopping for one day a year- when there is a whole season of small-town shopping just 2.5 hours east from the San Francisco Bay Area. It is time to Power Up the Season and Shop Tuolumne County… READ MORE >

09/05/2019 - Fall is the New Summer- Experience the best of Summer in Fall with Tuolumne County's Yosemite

SONORA, CALIF.—September 5, 2019- Orange is the New Black, 30s are the new 20s and guess what? Fall is the new Summer. Summer trends brought road trips, RVing, and hiking adventures. What if these beloved trends didn't have to end on Labor Day Weekend? What if there was a place where in fall, road trips to the High Sierra are filled with foliage, Gold Country had lakes still warm enough… READ MORE >

08/06/2019 - Visit Tuolumne County Receives High Accreditations from Destinations International

Visit Tuolumne County has received the official Destination Management Accreditation Program (DMAP) seal of recognition from Destinations International at their annual convention held last month in St. Louis, Missouri. At the same convention, Lisa Mayo, President & CEO of Visit Tuolumne County received her Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) certificate.Destinations International is the world's largest resource for destination marketing and management organizations. Their goal is to inspire, educate and build… READ MORE >