Tuolumne County: Gateway to the Sierras
 
Tuolumne County, in the Central Sierra Nevada with its diverse terrain, has Yosemite National Park, Stanislaus National Forest, Columbia and Railtown 1897 State Historic Parks, and a wide selection of Gold Rush towns like Jamestown, Groveland, and Sonora; the resort community of Twain Harte; and the lumber town of Tuolumne City.
 
History is the backbone of Tuolumne County. Gold rush towns, lumber towns, vintage steam engines, and1800's architecture are a part of its past. More than 300 films have been shot since 1919.
 
Sonora is the County Seat of Tuolumne. Located in the beautiful Sierra Nevada Foothills in the heart of California s Gold Country lies Sonora, named from Sonoran miners who settled the City in 1848. Known as the Queen of the Southern Mines , this pristine City still holds on to its historic charm with many of its existing buildings dating back to the 1800 s. In fact, a walk along just about any street in the City is to reminisce with days gone by, a brick or stone building, a slate wall, an iron shutter or fence, or a historic home nestled in an old fashioned garden.
 
Incorporated in 1851, this hastily established mining camp took on the identity of a town and while gold mining was the driving force of the City it quickly evolved into the retail, cultural, commercial and government center for the region that it is today. With its rich heritage, historic charm and small town hospitality, visitors and locals alike enjoy a relaxing stroll along the City's historic main street
 
Sonora is an easy drive from the San Francisco Bay Area or the Central Valley. State Highways 108 and 49 pass through the City, which, incidentally, is just seventy miles north of Yosemite National Park.

CSAC Snapshot Info