11 Awesome Stops for your Tuolumne County Road Trip

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Tuolumne County makes the PERFECT stopover on a street journey from San Francisco to Yosemite.

Filled with historical past and heritage, epic landscapes and many simply accessible nature, Tuolumne County is a improbable street journey vacation spot all by itself.

However it additionally occurs to be the gateway to Yosemite: house to greater than half of the Nationwide Park – together with one of many fundamental entrances. So it’s an awesome vacation spot to go to for a number of days in your solution to discover Yosemite.

Tuolumne County may be divided into three fundamental areas. First is Gold Rush Nation, stuffed with historic, Outdated-West cities based through the well-known California Gold Rush. Subsequent, the mountainous Excessive Sierras – good for mountain climbing and nature days – and eventually the Yosemite space.

Quick on time? There’s a brief overview of the street journey itinerary and all of the stops on the very backside of the web page. In any other case, preserve studying for all the small print that you must plan the right Tuolumne County Highway Journey. Joyful travels…

READ MORE: 7 Causes to Go to Tuolumne County California

Why Go to Tuolumne County in your San Francisco to Yosemite Highway Journey

Yosemite Nationwide Park has 5 entrances to select from, relying on the place you’re approaching from and the place you wish to go to.

Two of those are in Tuolumne County, together with the favored Massive Oak Flat Entrance on Freeway 120, which supplies quick access to the Yosemite Valley loop. So driving via Tuolumne County in your San Francisco to Yosemite street journey simply is smart!

Plus, greater than half of the Nationwide Park falls into Tuolumne County, together with many lesser-known areas. So it’s straightforward to flee the crowds and have a slice of nature all to your self. Learn extra in my submit about why you need to go to Tuolumne County.

11 Awesome Stops for your Tuolumne County Road Trip — The Yosemite Valley Loop is in straightforward attain of Tuolumne County

4 Day Tuolumne County Highway Journey

Beneath is my really helpful itinerary for driving via Tuolumne County on the best way to Yosemite. I like to recommend spending a minimum of two days in San Francisco first, since that’s such a cool metropolis (I’ll be publishing a separate information quickly).

Day 1 – San Francisco to Sonora
Day 2 – Discover Gold Nation: Jamestown, Columbia State Park and extra
Day 3 – Discover the Excessive Sierras: Pinecrest Lake and Stanislaus Nationwide Forest
Day 4 – Discover the Yosemite space: Groveland, Hetch Hetchy, and surrounds.
Day 5 – Drive into Yosemite Nationwide Park

Tuolumne County Highway Journey: Gold Nation

Your Tuolumne County street journey begins in Gold County. Uncover historic cities, Outdated West structure, classic railroads, and extra….

Emily standing with her hands in her pockets in front of a wooden covered bridge with a US flag hanging from the top of it and trees on either side. Emily is wearing a long red dress and a blue denim waistcoat and has her long hair loose. Covered bridge at Indigeny Reserve in Tuolumne County California — Lined bridge at Indigeny Reserve (Cease 5)

1. Sonora

The most important city in Tuolumne County, Sonora makes an awesome base for exploring Gold Nation. It was based in 1850 by miners who hailed from the Mexican state of Sonora and retains a lot of its Outdated West appeal.

The historic downtown space, particularly, is stuffed with stunning previous buildings just like the gorgeous Crimson Church (St. James Anglican Church). In-built 1859, it’s one of many oldest within the state.

exterior of a red painted saloon in Sonora Califoria with a wooden awning over the sidewalk and pot plants in front. the wooden hanging sign reads "Servente, grocery, liquor since 1926 & Saloon."

Immediately, many of those enticing previous buildings are house to unbiased eating places, bars, and cute boutiques. For drinks, don’t miss the fashionable new Sonora Brewing Firm for craft beers, or the historic Servente’s Saloon the place the ceiling is roofed in crumpled greenback payments (an previous mining custom).

I used to be additionally a giant fan of The Armory, an excellent cool bar and restaurant with wonderful cocktails, nice meals (particularly the tacos), and a mixture of indoor and outside seating.

Prime tip: Sonora makes an awesome base for exploring the remainder of Gold Nation and the Excessive Sierras. You would spend 1-2 nights on the town and take day journeys to the locations talked about under.

2. Columbia State Historic Park

two historic white clapboard buildings on a street with several trees in front, the closest building says Columbia Gazette on the sign, under a clear blue sky at Columbia State Historic Park

For a extra historic facet of Gold Nation, don’t miss a visit to Columbia State Historic Park. That is an precise city, relationship from the 1850s, which was declared a state park in 1945 and has been preserved as a form of “dwelling museum”.

You’ll be able to wander the streets to admire the historic structure, go to a working blacksmiths, and even strive your hand at panning for gold.

There are additionally a number of traditional-style outlets to discover, together with an old style candy store, a number of garments outlets, and a images studio the place you possibly can have a photoshoot in interval costumes. I beloved Ebler’s Leather-based & Saddlery Emporium, stuffed with cowboy boots and western apparel (I couldn’t resist selecting up a Pendleton denim waistcoat!).

emily walking across a road in front of a red brick single storey building with a white sign that says St Cjharles Saloon. Emily is wearing a long red dress and a blue denim waistcoat and has her long hair loose.

For “vittles”, head to St Charles Saloon – an unique gold rush saloon with a stunning beer backyard. Alongside drinks, they serve the most effective pizzas on the town (possibly in all Tuolumne). And DON’T miss the tater tots, served with a facet of Beer Cheese Fondue.

3. Railtown 1897 State Historic Park

Emily sanding on the steps of a yellow Diesel engine leaning on one of the rails. Emily is wearing a long red dress and a blue denim waistcoat and has her long hair loose. At Railtown in Tuolumne County California

Calling all practice and movie followers (and anybody who can’t resist a tacky photograph op!). Don’t miss a visit to Railtown 1897 State Historic Park when you’re exploring Tuolumne!

This quirky state park is house to an enormous assortment of classic steam trains and previous railway buildings.

It’s also called “The Film Railroad” as a result of tons of of films and TV exhibits have been filmed right here – most notably, Again to the Future 3 (one among my all-time favourites)!

The park can also be house to the Sierra Railway. Hop aboard a practice pulled by a historic diesel locomotive for a 6-mile spherical journey via Gold Nation.

4. Jamestown

closeup of the front of the Jamestown Hotel, a brick building with a verandah on the ground floor and a wooden balcony on the top floor. Large white letters saying HOTEL are on the roof.

When you’re visiting Railtown, don’t skip Jamestown itself. Like Sonora, that is one other fantastically preserved Gold Rush city that’s stuffed with beautiful previous buildings.

Strolling down the excessive road feels a little bit like stepping again in time – or wandering via an Outdated West film set! The historic Jamestown Lodge, relationship from 1859, appears just like the form of place you may see the likes of Buffalo Invoice or Butch Cassidy wandering out of – though in actuality, the lodge was extra in style with Spanish miners.

There are many cute unbiased outlets and vintage shops to discover alongside the excessive road – and don’t miss a visit to the Jamestown Frosty. This small retro diner is an area establishment, recognized for its epic shakes and ice lotions.

5. Indigeny Reserve

orchard with rows of small apple trees. there is a forest behind and blue sky above.

cellar with 3 rows of wooden cider barrels on either side beneath an arched wooden roof.

One final must-visit cease when you’re exploring Tuolumne’s Gold Rush nation… make sure you swing by Indigeny Reserve.

This scenic, 160-acre protect is house to a improbable cider distillery. Go to for a tour of the distillery and the possibility to style the newest ciders (normally with some nice names like “grannies gone wild”).

You’ll want to think about time to calm down on the attractive grounds overlooking the orchard. There are some nice mountain climbing and biking trails on the protect, too – and the picket lined bridge on the entrance makes an awesome photograph op!

Tuolumne County Highway Journey: Excessive Sierras

6. Pinecrest Lake

wooden jetty on a large flat lake with mountains and pine forest on the far side reflected in the lake under a clear blue sky - Pinecrest Lake in Tuolumne County California

This was one among my favorite stops on our Tuolumne County street journey. Surrounded by mountain peaks and pine forest, Pinecrest Lake is a dream vacation spot for mountain climbing and water actions.

There’s a mountain climbing path throughout the lake. It’s a comparatively flat and fairly straightforward stroll – and crosses the dam and the Stanislaus River en route for some beautiful views.

Throughout summer time, you possibly can rent motorboats and kayaks to discover the lake. That is additionally an effective way to achieve the far facet, from the place you possibly can decide up one other nice mountain climbing path: the hike to Cleo’s Tub.

view from the top of a large granite cliff of a large pine forest alongside a grey rocky peak under a clear blue sky — Climbing as much as Cleo’s Tub

This one is extra of a problem – following the river over uneven floor and thru the pines. The ultimate half mile includes scrambling over boulders and a few fairly steep climbs (comply with the blue arrows) – ultimately reaching a pure pool on the high of a waterfall. The views again throughout the forest to Pinecrest Lake from up listed here are insane – but it surely’s not for the faint-hearted!

7. Cowl’s Apple Ranch

slice of apple pie with the apple chunks spilling out between two scoops of white ice cream in a white china bowl

Swing by Cowl’s Apple Ranch for lunch in your approach again down from the Sierras. It’s a quaint little bakery and country-style restaurant on a working farm. They’re well-known for his or her apple pies – so that you HAVE to ensure you order a minimum of a slice – however all the opposite meals we tried was good too.

There’s additionally a small petting zoo the place you possibly can meet the livestock and feed the goats. Plus, there’s a cute little miniature railroad which children (and young-at-heart adults) can experience for views of the ranch and orchards.

Tuolumne County Highway Journey: Yosemite Space

8. Groveland

exterior of the Iron Door Saloon in Groveland, a large buildign with a mural showing a cowboy on a horse on a blue background. There is an empty street in front and blue sky above. Groveland high street in Tuolumne County California

Groveland is the principle “gateway city” for visiting Yosemite through the favored Massive Oak Flat Entrance. It’s one other historic Gold Rush city, centred round Essential Road, the place you’ll discover a lot of enticing buildings.

close up of two sticks of bread with a flight of mini beers behind and a bar out of focus behind that — Beer tasting at Across the Horn Brewing Firm

Groveland highlights:

Iron Door Saloon – The oldest frequently working saloon in California, relationship again to 1852.
Across the Horn Brewing Firm – An excellent microbrewery with a enjoyable vary of craft beers offered on faucet and in cans. You’ll be able to create your personal flight to strive a number of totally different ones – additionally they serve some tasty, seasonal dishes (I HIGHLY suggest the pretzel sticks – served with Round The Horn Beer Cheese).
Mountain Sage Espresso – A brilliant cute little cafe with a stunning backyard. Just a few others in my group headed right here for an early breakfast and had solely good issues to say about it.
Groveland Yosemite Gateway Museum – Should you’re road-tripping to Yosemite, this little museum in Mary Laveroni Park is a must-visit. Study in regards to the area’s indigenous peoples, the Gold Rush pioneers, and the event of the close by Hetch Hetchy Reservoir.

Prime Tip: Groveland makes an awesome base for exploring the Yosemite Nationwide Park and the remainder of Tuolumne’s Yosemite space. You’ll be able to spend 1-2 nights on the town (or close by) and take day journeys into the Nationwide Park or to the locations listed under.

9. Miller’s Off-Highway Adventures

Emily standing leaning on a bright yellow jeep with pine forest behind and clewar blue sky above. She is wearing black leggings and a dark green jumper and has her hair in plaits.

When you’re in Groveland, don’t miss the superior off-roading expertise with Miller’s Off-Highway Adventures. This was simply one of many highlights of my Tuolumne County street journey!

Hop in a jeep and comply with your guides into the Stanislaus Nationwide Forest. Dust roads, tight S-bend curves, and unbelievable views – all miles from the crowds of Yosemite. You may additionally be fortunate sufficient to see some wildlife. We noticed a number of deer leaping away via the bushes.

Should you’re not sure about driving off-road, don’t fear: one among Miller’s skilled drivers can take the wheel for you. I’m a fairly nervous driver, however I gave it a go – and completely LOVED it.

10. Hetch Hetchy Reservoir

large blue lake with grey rocky peaks on the far side and clear blue sky above.

Tuolumne County’s share of Yosemite Nationwide Park has many of those lesser-known (and subsequently a lot quieter) areas. Among the many highlights is Hetch Hetchy Reservoir: an enormous, vivid-blue lake framed by dramatic granite peaks.

The views listed here are pure Yosemite – with a fraction of the crowds. Mountain climbing trails lead across the lake to thundering waterfalls – or out into the broader Hetch Hetchy Valley to hidden meadows and lakes. Click on right here for a map.

Don’t miss the O’Shaughnessy Dam, added in 1923. Look over the sting to look at the water thundering out of the spillway (if it’s open).

Though controversial when it was first constructed, immediately the Reservoir is the first water supply for the San Francisco Bay Space (some 2.7 million residents). Two crops downstream additionally present hydroelectric energy.

After all, you’ll probably wish to discover the traditional Yosemite Valley loop and see the well-known sights first. However I urge you to think about an additional day in your Yosemite street journey to go to a few of these lesser-known spots.

11. Spa at Rush Creek Lodge

large rectangular hot tub set into the ground surroudnedby grey tiles with a rock wall ont he left where a mini waterfall runs into the hot tub. Beyond the tub is a view of pine forest on a sunny day with clear blue sky behind the trees.

Spherical off your time in Groveland with a visit to the unbelievable spa at Rush Creek Lodge.

This stunning mountain resort is only a five-minute drive from the Massive Oak Flat Entrance, so it will additionally make an awesome stop-off on the finish of a day exploring Yosemite (even higher – keep at Rush Creek for the simplest entry!).

interior of a spa with pine wood walls and cielings with a double bed hanging from the cieling on ropes. There is a light grey mattress on the bed. Spa at Rush Creek Lodge Tuolumne County California

The small-but-mighty spa is tucked into the again of the lodge overlooking the forest. So though you’re on a busy resort – it feels such as you’re in the course of nowhere! Services have been impressed by Yosemite’s nature: anticipate heat waterfall showers, aromatherapy Steam Room, Himalayan Salt Sauna and a cool mist room designed to mirror the mist on the base of Yosemite falls.

Exterior, there’s a terrace with beautiful forest views (wildlife sightings aren’t unusual), a big scorching tub, and recliners – together with a dangling day mattress. Pop on among the complimentary under-eye masks, lay again, and RELAX!

The place to Keep in your Tuolumne County Highway Journey

Sonora

Sonora Inn – This cosy inn on Sonora’s charming excessive road was in-built 1896 – so it’s good if you wish to immerse your self in Gold Rush historical past. There are black and white photographs on the partitions, and the inn is rumoured to be haunted.

Once I stayed on the Sonora Inn, the rooms have been presently being refurbished and nonetheless felt a bit drained in spots. However after they’re accomplished, this needs to be a stunning place to remain.

Groveland

interior of a wooden lodge with large windows opening onto a view of a forest. There is a large black leather corner sofa in the lounge in front of a stone fireplace. — Lillaskog Lodge

Lillaskog Lodge – should you’re a giant group, this beautiful Swedish-style lodge a brief drive from Groveland may very well be good. It has 7 bedrooms, 7 bogs and beds for a minimum of 18 individuals. Click on right here to look at my Reel for a full tour of the property.

Rush Creek Lodge and Spa – This must be among the finest locations to remain en path to Yosemite (and even as a base for exploring the Nationwide Park). It’s proper on Freeway 120, a 5-minute drive from the Massive Oat Flat entrance. A giant outside pool, a beautiful spa, a improbable restaurant… what extra may you presumably want?

Evergreen Lodge – Escape all of it at this beautiful resort on the sting of Yosemite, with 88 spacious cabins scattered amongst the woodlands. There’s a pool, a comfy rec centre, an excellent restaurant and a historic 100-year-old tavern.

Tuolumne County Highway Journey: The Fast Model

First day – Discover Gold Rush Nation (stops 1-5)Second day – Head into the Excessive Sierras for mountain climbing and nature (stops 6 & 7)Third day – Discover Groveland and the quieter areas of Yosemite Nationwide Park (stops 8-11). Though this may be squeezed into at some point, two could be higher.

Sonora – cute unbiased outlets and eateries (an excellent base for exploring the world).
Columbia State Historic Park – old-west-style Gold Rush city preserved as a dwelling museum with actual outlets and streets.
Railtown – historic trains and railway buildings, plus a working steam railway.
Jamestown – fairly city stuffed with traditional Gold Rush structure.
Indigeny Reserve – native cider makers.
Pinecrest Lake – boating, kayaking and mountain climbing.
Cowl’s Apple Ranch – an awesome cease for lunch (don’t miss the apple pie!)
Groveland – historic Gold Rush city within the mountains, an awesome base for exploring Yosemite Nationwide Park.
Miller’s Off-Highway Adventures – jeep excursions of the Stanislaus Nationwide Forest.
Hetch Hetchy Reservoir – pure Yosemite landscapes (with approach fewer crowds).
Rush Creek Lodge – unwind at this mountain resort’s gorgeous spa.

READ MORE: 7 Causes to Go to Tuolumne County

Are you planning a street journey via Tuolumne County? Scroll down to go away a remark if in case you have any questions – or any nice suggestions of your personal.