Sonora, Mining heritage city in Tuolumne County, California, United States
Sonora is a city in Tuolumne County in the Sierra Nevada foothills of California, spread across several hills with its historic core following Washington Street. The street is lined with mid-19th-century stone and wood buildings, many still showing their balconies and cast-iron facades.
Mexican miners from the state of Sonora founded this settlement in 1848 at the start of the California Gold Rush. The town grew rapidly and incorporated in 1850, becoming a regional trade center for the surrounding mining camps.
The Sierra Repertory Theatre stages plays year-round in its historic venue, while local museums display Gold Rush artifacts including tools and everyday objects. Visitors can walk along Washington Street and explore antique shops and galleries housed in old storefronts.
The city sits at the junction of Highways 49 and 108, making it easy for travelers to reach from central California or Yosemite National Park. The historic center is compact and walkable, with parking available at several points along Washington Street.
More than 300 films and television shows have been shot here, drawn by the preserved 19th-century buildings and foothill scenery. The town has served as a backdrop for Westerns and historical dramas, with its streets often standing in for Gold Rush-era settings.
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