New tours & activities, events and updates on new Yosemite reservation system 

SONORA, Calif., April 20, 2022 – Tuolumne County is where outdoor fun awaits. Located just 2.5 hours from the San Francisco Bay Area, experience adventures in the High Sierra, California Gold Rush history and enjoy the less crowded half of Yosemite National Park this season. Here's what's new in Tuolumne County this spring. 

New Tours & Activities:  

• Tuolumne County launched a new Craft Beverage Trail this past March for visitors to experience the region's artisanal wine, beer and cider from almost a dozen businesses from Sonora to Yosemite. Two of the participating locations have recently opened—boutique vineyard and winery, Arthur Michael  Vineyards & Winery and Bear Tent Brewing Co., a small-batch brewery known for their cream ales.
• The Sonora Armory is expected to open this spring under new ownership. The property is more than 14,000 square feet with indoor and outside space and is located at 208 S. Green St.

Upcoming Spring Events:  

• The Mother Lode Rodeo and Parade will kick off with the Mother Lode Round-Up Parade, one of the longest-running parades in California, on May 7 at 10 a.m in Downtown Sonora. Following the parade, the two-day Rodeo will commence at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds. Sunday will feature a special  Mother's Day Brunch from 8 a.m.-12:00 p.m. 
• Westside Tribute Band Brew Fest returns May 21 from 1-6:30 p.m. With unlimited tastings from more than 40 breweries and live music, the festival is a fundraiser for the Summerville Bears  Quarterback Club. 
• The 16th Annual Wine Tasting Cruise on Pine Mountain Lake will be held on Saturday, May 21 from  3-7 p.m. Water taxis will charter guests from Lake Lodge to seven different lakefront homes for wine tastings and appetizers from local restaurants and caterers. 

Yosemite Reservations Update:  

• If you weren't aware, reservations are required to enter California's Yosemite National Park from May  20-Sept. 30 between 6 a.m.-4 p.m. If you didn't get a reservation, here are some alternative ways to  enter Yosemite through Tuolumne County: 
  • First things first, let us remind you—you can still enter the park prior to 6 a.m. or after 4 p.m. any day of the week without a reservation. 
  •  No reservations are needed to enter the Hetch Hetchy area, Yosemite's lesser-known entrance located in Tuolumne County. Avoid the crowds and enjoy a peaceful visit to the spectacular  Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, a true Yosemite hidden gem. Arrive early; parking is limited and an entrance fee is required.
  • No reservations are needed for visitors entering the park on Yosemite Area Regional  Transportation System (YARTS). The public transportation service operates between  Tuolumne County and Yosemite. Tickets can be reserved ahead of time through the YARTS  online reservation system. (Insider tip: if you haven't found lodging yet, there are convenient stops located along the way at Rush Creek Lodge and other accommodations in Groveland).
  •  Only 70% of reservations were released on March 23, and the other 30% will be released a week in advance - meaning you can still try and get a reservation 7 days before your visit. 
  • You can also bypass the reservation by booking a guided tour. It's a great option to see so much more of the park and its environment. Echo Adventure Cooperative offers guided hiking, fly fishing, backpacking and sightseeing adventures in Yosemite. Lasting Adventures offers guided day tours, multiple-day backpacking, camping and lodging packages, as well as a youth summer camp. Mother Lode Adventures Charter Services offers tailored tour planning and packages with customized transportation services to fit your needs. Yexplore Yosemite Adventures offers custom guided tours every month, including photo workshops, nature walks, birding, and Half  Dome Hikes. 
  • Finally, and most importantly, plan ahead! Any savvy traveler knows the best way to experience a national park to the fullest is to visit outside peak season. There are no reservation requirements from October through April. 

For a full list of things to experience in Tuolumne County this winter, lodging properties, outdoor activities,  restaurants, shopping and more, go to VisitTCToday.com. 

ABOUT VISIT TUOLUMNE COUNTY 

Visit Tuolumne (“to-all-o-me”) County (VTC) is the official destination marketing organization for Tuolumne  County in Northern California with a mission to increase visitation, travel spending and overnight stays.  Tuolumne County is just a 2 1/2-hour drive east of the San Francisco Bay Area. The destination is known for its 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 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  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, four wineries, a hard cider distillery, train rides, casinos, seven museums, two state historic parks, two live theaters, many bed-and-breakfast inns and a variety of Airbnb accommodations are among the many other attributes that make the county a year-round vacation destination.  For more information, go to VisitTCToday.com. 

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Media Contact: 

Katie Kirkland  

katie@gotuolumne.com