Sonora Attractions
Tuolumne County
Location and origin
The former gold-mining town of Sonora lies near Big Bonanza, the most profitable mine in Mother Lode County, west of Yosemite National Park at the southern end of the CA 49. One year after it was founded in 1848 it had 5,000 inhabitants - more than it has today. The gold-rush had just begun and the district soon turned out to be one of the most profitable. The first gold-miners were Mexican and came from the state of Sonora, after which they named their camp. They were followed by Chileans and Americans, who could not get on with the "latinos" and finally drove them out. A similar thing was happening at the same time in San Francisco, where demobilized soldiers stirred up hatred against the "foreigners".
Mark Twain,
Bret Harte
The town, which stretches over seven hills, was the setting for several tales by the American writers Mark Twain and Bret Harte, both of whom stayed here from time to time.
Location and origin
The former gold-mining town of Sonora lies near Big Bonanza, the most profitable mine in Mother Lode County, west of Yosemite National Park at the southern end of the CA 49. One year after it was founded in 1848 it had 5,000 inhabitants - more than it has today. The gold-rush had just begun and the district soon turned out to be one of the most profitable. The first gold-miners were Mexican and came from the state of Sonora, after which they named their camp. They were followed by Chileans and Americans, who could not get on with the "latinos" and finally drove them out. A similar thing was happening at the same time in San Francisco, where demobilized soldiers stirred up hatred against the "foreigners".
Mark Twain,
Bret Harte
The town, which stretches over seven hills, was the setting for several tales by the American writers Mark Twain and Bret Harte, both of whom stayed here from time to time.
Bradford Street Park
There are Gold Rush period displays in the Bradford Street Park in Sonora, including a stamp mill and pelton wheel. Picnic areas are available.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 |
| Close | Sunset | Sunset | Sunset | Sunset | Sunset | Sunset | Sunset |
Stanislaus National Forest
Stanislaus National Forest covers 900,000 acres on the northern edge of Yosemite National Park. It is a great place for sporting and outdoor activities with 800 miles of rivers and streams. Activities include swimming, camping, picnicking, boating, rafting and canoeing. During winter, there's skiing, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing.
Tuolumne County Museum and History Center
The Tuolumne County Museum and History Center in Sonora is located in an 1866 jail. The museum contains displays from the Gold Rush including arms and mining artifacts. Picnicking is permitted.
