Sonora Gold Country California Vacations, Escapes and Business Trips

Sonora in California Gold Country is one of the best preserved towns that exemplifies the gold rush and post-gold rush eras. From the beautiful, brick red church built in 1860 sits along Snell St. atop a hill as you enter the main shopping district along Washington Street. The church has an 8 sided steeple with white trim and architecture you seldom see, offering a reminder of the past, much like the shops in downtown with their time capsule memories of history. Sonora combines both old and new, however. Apart from the old town area with the Saturday farmer's market held each summer, you can drive a short distance and be shopping at Walmart, eating at Applebees and drinking Starbucks. Modern conveniences make this city highly desirable, and you can see it in the traffic that passes along Washington Street in constant flow, especially on weekends and during rush hours. Washington Street is best enjoyed on foot as you wander, take photos and enjoy sitting on park benches to admire the historic buildings that line the street.

During your trip to this Tuolumne County gold town, be sure to take a look at the church we mentioned, Street Morgan Mansion built in 1896, Sonora City Hall - 1939, Tuolumne County Courthouse built in 1898, Sonora Memorial Hall - 1932, and Tuolumne County Museum built in 1892 as the County Jail. These are merely a few highlights of this gold country destination well worth visiting.

In addition to these main attractions, there are some shops and businesses that you'll enjoy in the region, such as a drive-thru mile-high apple pie bakery, a maple nursery that holds more maple trees than nearly any place in the world and a grass-fed beef ranch where you can buy the healthiest meat and olive oil grown on the ranch.