4 Day itinerary to explore Tuolumne County during the winter months

​Planing a family vacation, specially during the holidays is not easy. After a lot of research and help form Toulumne County, we put together an awesome trip during Thanksgiving and I have to share the itinerary with you, because if you are ever in the area, you want to get the most of your days there.

Always check weather conditions when visiting the area to make sure you don't need snow chains for your car and also if there is going to be rain. You can always move the days around depending on the weather.

Day 1

Begin your day by exploring ​ Columbia State Historic Park just north of Sonora. Take a quick trip back to Gold Rush Days. You can  take a step back in time in this charming living history town.  Take a ride on the stagecoach, go gold panning or just walk around en enjoy some antique shopping.

Next, continue your day by beating the cold staying inside doors and having fun at Black Oak Casino Resort, ​where adults can gamble and kids can have fun at the arcade. They also have a recently renewed bowling area. If it is raining or cold, staying inside having fun is always nice.

Day 2

Wake up to the sounds of birds and enjoy breakfast at ​​the Sportsman in Twain Harte, they offer great breakfast options and home-made sausages and salsa.

After breakfast take a stroll by Twain Harte and all its antique shops. So many cute souvenirs available. 

Then visit the Twain Harte Tree Farm, this season is great to pick up a Christmas Tree. Enjoy walking with the family looking for the perfect Christmas tree, grab some ornaments at the gift shop and take advantage of the complementary hot apple cider

Continue your afternoon exploring Indigeny Reserve, an apple orchard set in the breathtaking hills of Sonora, California.  They make hand-crafted hard cider, apple brandy aged in oak barrels, and fruit-infused vodka.

Spent your evening in Downtown Sonora, walk around town. Enjoy the souvenir stores, ice cream shops and nice restaurants. Don't forget to visit the "Red Church"

Day 3

Devote day three to exploring Yosemite National Park. Drive from Sonora area, take the Highway 120 to Yosemite. Once you enter the park head towards Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias near Crane Flat. Hike down and up, take pictures, enjoy the scenery. The hike is around 1.5 miles each way. 

After your hike head over to Evergreen Lodge and grab some lunch. Their menu includes delicious food such as Bison Burgers, Bison Chile and they have a bar where you can get some good drinks.

​Then visit  Hetch Hetchy Reservoir in Yosemite National Park where you can see the Wapama Falls and Kelowna Rock. Iif you are up for more walking, take a five-mile round-trip hike to Wapama Falls and get up close and personal with the cascading falls.

Then head back to Sonora area for some dinner.

Day 4

Check out from the hotel and head towards ​Railtown 1897 State Park in Jamestown. Depending of the time of your visit, you might be able to ride the train, otherwise you can just enjoy a tour of the railroad station.

​You have pretty much cover the area and are ready now to head back home with a trip full of great memories and beautiful pictures. I hope that if you decide to travel and follow our itinerary recommendation you share with us by tagging us in social media (@monicazyoung).


If you would like more information please visit Tuolumne County website. They have helpful information about weather, deals, etc