Need some fresh inspiration, out of the box ideas, or a different way to say “national park travel”? Tuolumne County (“Too-All-O-Me”) has rich Gold Rush history, arts and culture, adventure, and the scenic glam to inspire any journalist, blogger, photographer, or influencer interested in covering this treasure trove of travel ideas. Tuolumne County invites journalists planning a San Francisco or Wine Country visit to add this area to the itinerary:
- Stargazing- With no city light bleed, this dark Northern California sky showcases millions of stars—a rarity in most cities. Outfitters provide guided stargazing hikes and tours with high-powered telescopes for planet tours.
- Millennial Travel- California's Gold Country was named a top millennial travel destination for its rich history, Instagram able locations, and selfie-worthy backdrops. Tuolumne County is the heart of Gold Country where millennials geek out in historic locations like Columbia, Jamestown, or Downtown Sonora, beef up their Instagram accounts with shots from Yosemite and High Country, and take the best selfies in an apple orchard or winery.
- Road Trips- The road trip to epic scenery and living history is in Tuolumne County. Venture along Highway 120 for the “front door” entrance to Yosemite National Park from the San Francisco Bay Area. Must-sees here are Hetch Hetchy Reservoir and the Tuolumne Grove of giant sequoias. The next stretch of road is Highways 120 to 108 leading to Jamestown for a glimpse into old-time Hollywood. Next, Highway 108 to Highway 49 will have road-trippers feeling like they opened a time capsule at Columbia State Historic Park. Then, head back up Highway 108 and get high (in elevation) at 9,600 feet. Hike, take in the views, fish, boat, or go horseback riding and end the day stargazing on the Sonora Pass.
- Glamping- Love the idea of wilderness and outdoors but still need rustic elegance? Glamping is the answer--from the outskirts of Yosemite, to the rivers of the High Sierra, there is a wide selection of cabins, entire guest ranch homes, bed and breakfasts, Airbnb rentals, yurts and tents – both permanent as well as pitched by an awesome guide who also makes Starbucks coffee from the stream every morning. Some are more rugged while others pull out all the stops. The options are endless and can be tailored to any adventure. Glampers can get down and dirty with hiking, biking, boating, or fishing, and get the payoff with wine or cider tasting, California cuisine, and S'more making on an open campfire.
About Tuolumne County, California
Tuolumne County rhymes with “Follow Me,” located 133 miles/200 km east of San Francisco, is a pristine, scenic expanse reaching into the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Gold was discovered in Tuolumne County in 1848, setting off the major gold rush of 1849. The main highways leading to the picturesque drive from the San Francisco and East Bay Area are Highways 108 and 120 from the west and Highway 49 from the north. The State Highway 120 entrance to Yosemite National Park is considered the “front door” of the park for the San Francisco Greater Bay Area. The Stanislaus National Forest, Yosemite National Park, and other surrounding areas provide natural vistas and settings for hiking, water skiing, horseback riding, rafting, camping, snowmobiling, boating, snow skiing, fishing and other outdoor activities. Seven restored historic hotels, four golf courses, numerous and varied dining establishments, historic saloons, five wineries and hard cider distillery, train rides, casino, seven museums, two state historic parks, five live theaters, and many bed-and-breakfast inns are among the many other attributes that make the county a year-round vacation destination. www.visittuolumne.com
# # # #
Contact: Katie Kirkland, Communications and Tourism Manager, katie@gotuolumne.com, 209-533-4420