Temperatures drop, snow covers the High Sierra Mountain peaks, Jack Frost kisses the rolling hills, and streets are bright with holiday lights as Tuolumne County in Northern California (“Too-All-O-Me”) transforms into the most magical holiday destination. Sonora is filled with hospitable shopkeepers and holidays shoppers who take the time to slow down and wish passersby a Merry Christmas, the smell of hot cider and fresh candy canes wafting out to the streets in Columbia, and in Jamestown, trains whistle as passengers climb aboard the Polar Express™. You're invited to come celebrate nearly 30 days of Christmas in Northern California's Gold Country and enjoy more than 100 events, festivals, celebrations and old-fashioned holiday cheer, only 133 miles from San Francisco.

Columbia State Historic Park, http://www.visitcolumbiacalifornia.com/

On the first day of Christmas is a nod to history: A Miners Christmas with cider by the fire, handmade crafts and, Santa Claus. A Miners Christmas event is a holiday classic celebrated annually with visitors of all ages enjoying the trip back in time in this 1850s Gold Rush town. After filling up on hot cider, settle into a street-front seat and watch the annual Equestrian Christmas Parade. Claimed to be the largest non-motorized parade in Northern California, horses, mules, donkeys, and ponies adorned with glitter and fine holiday attire trot down Main Street.  

Step into Nelson's Candy Kitchen for a sweet treat. This fifth-generation family-owned candy store fills their shop with the taste, site, and smell of authentic Christmas as their store is stuffed with giant candy canes, hand-dipped chocolates, and holiday classics like marzipan and divinity. What makes this candy store unique is the lottery they hold every season for groups of 15 to win a candy cane-making class. Winning a slot has big odds, but visitors can still watch through the windows or purchase their own giant candy canes. Visit http://www.columbiacandykitchen.com/ for more information on the candy cane lottery.

Warm the heart with the true meaning of Christmas at the Las Posadas Nativity Procession. Luminaries light the way for the re-enactment procession of Mary and Joseph and their donkey, three Wise Men, tax collector, the innkeeper, miners, musicians and other costumed townspeople. Visitors are invited to light a candle and join in on the procession.

Downtown Sonora, http://www.sonoraca.com/visit-sonora/events/

The second day of Christmas in Tuolumne County is in a glass at Indigeny Reserve. Sip on hard apple cider and enjoy the scenic views of the surrounding apple orchards. Indigeny reserve has annual holiday events including corn mazes, pumpkin patches, and hay rides.

Downtown Sonora transforms the streets into an enchanted experience for the Christmas Parade. The store-front windows are painted with delightful Christmas images and street lamps are dressed in wreaths as all the townspeople, their families and visitors line sidewalks to watch the decorative floats, school bands, firetrucks, and even Santa himself march through the town. Handmade gifts add a little extra meaning and warm the heart, so pick some up for loved ones at the Annual Sonora Christmas Craft and Musical Festival, https://www.fireonthemountain.com/general-information-apm9o.

 Historic Jamestown

The third day of Christmas Tuolumne County can get ugly. Inner Sanctum Cellars Tasting Room hosts their annual Christmas Open House and there is no need for holiday attire – this event's dress code is ugly pajamas, https://www.innersanctumcellars.com/Events.  

 Railtown 1897 State Historic adds to the holiday festivities with Polar Express™ Train Rides. Once aboard, passengers enjoy hot cocoa and delicious cookies as they take a trip to the North Pole. Once there they will be greeted by Santa himself who gifts each passenger with a silver sleigh bell. Learn all about the Polar Express Train Rides at https://www.railtown1897.us/.

 Nurse those holiday overload hangovers with the Classic Brunch served at 1859 Historic National Hotel on New Year's Day. With specialties like eggs Benedict, freshly-squeezed orange juice Mimosas, and fresh homestyle potatoes, this Brunch menu is a sure way to wind down the holiday season, http://www.national-hotel.com/our-calendar.html.

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 

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Contact: Katie Kirkland, Communications and Tourism Manager, katie@gotuolumne.com, 209-533-4420