Community Overview                                                      

Why live in the Sierra Nevada Foothills?     

The Sierra Nevada foothills have long been known for their role in the California Gold Rush, the timber industry and more recently as a popular vacation destination. With the glories of Yosemite National Park and Half Dome  only an hour's drive away,  water sports on Pinecrest Lake, New Melones Dam and Lake Don Pedro, snow skiing at Dodge Ridge and Bear Valley, exploring our famous mining tradition at Columbia State Historic Park or enjoying the abundance of vineyards offering excellent local wines,this area has it all.  In town, go to the movies or enjoy some of our excellent local theatre! You'll never run out of things to do in Sonora,California.

          

Columbia, California        Half Dome at Yosemite          Fishing at New Melones

Towns Around Sonora,Ca.

New to the Mother Lode? It will be useful to have a general overview of the different communities that make up our Sonora area. Below is a short description to help you decide which areas might suit you best as you search out homes for sale.

Sonora, 95370	Named for Sonora, Mexico, our Sonora wears the crown as "Queen of the Southern Mines". Washington St. in Sonora dates back to the 1800s with many restored buildings, metal shutters,wrought iron work and a long history as a gold rush town. Modern day Sonora is our cultural and business center located along HWY 49. Sonora boasts excellent local theatre, eating establishments, and unique shops as well as being  a center for local government. Fantastic summer and winter recreational opportunities on our doorstep. Altitude:1,825  Temperatures range from 40 degrees in the winter to 100 in the summer.
East Sonora,95370	East Sonora was originally considered a separate town 'up the hill' from Sonora however over the years, the growth of the community has merged the two.  Close to the logging and the up hill side of town, East Sonora is on the way up HWY 108 to Twain Harte.
Columbia,95310	Columbia is famous for the Columbia State Historic Park- an 1850 main street which is wonderfully restored and full of life. Shops, restaurants, hotels, a theatre, even a stage coach all contribute to the atmosphere of a Gold Rush mining camp in modern day Columbia.  The town is easy access to Sonora for major shopping, has good schools and is close to Lake New Melones for recreation. Altitude: 2,100 feet. Temperatures range from 59 degrees in the winter with the occasional sprinkling of snow to the 90's in the summer.
Jamestown,95327	In June of 1848, gold was discovered in Woods Creek. The deposits were so rich, it was said that miners could pry nuggets our of the rocks with hunting knives. The following year, Colonel George James arrived with a load of supplies and a fresh crop of miners and after treating everyone to champagne, the locals named the town after him. Today, Jamestown has a charming victorian main street and an excellent Railway Museum. The surrounding area is ranching country with all major shopping in Sonora but a good little local grocery store in town.   Altitude: 1,927  Temperatures in James town are a little hotter than Sonora while the winters hover in the 40s with little snow.
Soulsbyville,95372	Soulsbyville is a little town East of Sonora on HWY 108. Also a mining town, it was originally founded by Ben Soulsby who owned the lumber mill. Ben's son found gold in the creek and that started a gold rush in the little town. Soulsbyville is proud of it's victorian buildings, and its accessibility to both Sonora and the upper elevation of Twain Harte.  Altitude: 3,000 feet  Temperatures range from 32 degrees in the winter to the 90's in the summer. Snow sticks at this level for about 3 weeks a year.
Tuolumne,95379	Tuolumne City was a logging town. When the Westside Lumber Mill closed down, the community struggled to find an economic base. In recent years, the Tuolumne Band of Mi-Wuk Indians have given new life to the community with the building of a Casino in town. New improvements include a new medical clinic and library. Plans for a golf course and hotel are moving forward. As a town, Tuolumne is a good base for hiking and fishing while maintaining its quaint style and optimism for new developments near by. Altitude 2,592   Temperatures range from the 30s in winter and the 90s in the summer.
Twain Harte,95383	Named for Bret Harte and Mark Twain, Twain Harte is both a summer and winter vacation community. On the transition between oak woodlands and pine forests, Twain Harte is a wonderful escape from the heat of the Central Valley. Residents enjoy a lake and many festivals and open air activities including music and movies in the park during the summer  Altitude 3,648  Temperatures hover in the 30s in the winter months with snow on the ground. Summers reach the 80's .