Tuolumne district, California, United States

Places to visit near Sonora

Sonora is a town in Tuolumne district, California, United States, home to about 4,818 people. Within 50 km by road there are 89 places to visit — 32 hill stations & viewpoints, 21 lakes, dams & reservoirs, 5 churches and 12 parks. The must-see places are Sonora United Methodist Church (1 km), Table Mountain (6 km) and Jamestown Methodist Church (6 km).

Updated · Distances are road estimates · Open Sonora on the map

Sonora, California
Sonora, Tuolumne district, California, United States. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Sonora at a glance

Location
Tuolumne district, California, United States
Population
about 4,818
Coordinates
37.9841° N, 120.3821° W
Places within 50 km
89 (22 must-see)
Best time to visit
October to February for cool, clear air for hill stations & viewpoints; August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open for lakes, dams & reservoirs; year-round for churches and parks

Top places to visit near Sonora

Ranked by how worth the drive they are from Sonora: must-see places and the closest well-loved spots first. Open a place for photos, today’s visitor status, timings and directions.

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Things to see near Sonora, by type

Hill stations & viewpoints near Sonora

67 hill stations & viewpoints within 100 km of Sonora. The closest is Bald Mountain (4 km); the best-known is Table Mountain (6 km). Best time: october to february for cool, clear air.

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Lakes, dams & reservoirs near Sonora

53 lakes, dams & reservoirs within 100 km of Sonora. The closest is Phoenix Dam (6 km); the best-known is New Melones Lake (12 km). Best time: august to december when reservoirs are full and gates may open.

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Churches near Sonora

20 churches within 100 km of Sonora. The closest is Sonora United Methodist Church (1 km). Best time: year-round.

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Parks near Sonora

17 parks within 100 km of Sonora. The closest is Coffils Park (1 km); the best-known is Columbia State Historic Park (6 km). Best time: year-round, evenings.

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Museums near Sonora

7 museums within 100 km of Sonora. The closest is Tuolumne County Museum (1 km). Best time: year-round.

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Wildlife, forests & gardens near Sonora

7 wildlife, forests & gardens within 100 km of Sonora. The closest is Altaville State Historic Landmark (24 km); the best-known is Calaveras Big Trees State Park (41 km). Best time: november to march for sightings.

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A one-day trip from Sonora

5 of the best places within 60 km, in driving order so you don’t double back: about 33 km on the road.

  1. Start in Sonora
  2. 1 km Sonora United Methodist Church · church, Tuolumne
  3. 6 km Columbia State Historic Park · park, Tuolumne
  4. 7 km New Melones Lake · lake, Calaveras
  5. 8 km Table Mountain · viewpoint, Tuolumne
  6. 5 km Jamestown Methodist Church · church, Tuolumne
  7. 6 km Back to Sonora

Plan a longer trip from Sonora — the planner adds a place to stay each night and keeps the route to one loop.

From travellers near Sonora

No traveller has reported from around Sonora yet. Been to one of these places recently? Open it and post what you found — is the waterfall flowing, how crowded was the temple, is the beach safe — so the next visitor knows before they drive.

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How to reach Sonora

    All places near Sonora by distance

    Within 15 km of Sonora

    15–50 km — half-day trips

    50–100 km — one-day trips

    Count by type (within 100 km)

    Places near Sonora by type
    TypeWithin 50 kmWithin 100 kmNearest
    Hill stations & viewpoints3267Bald Mountain (4 km)
    Lakes, dams & reservoirs2153Phoenix Dam (6 km)
    Churches520Sonora United Methodist Church (1 km)
    Parks1217Coffils Park (1 km)
    Museums47Tuolumne County Museum (1 km)
    Wildlife, forests & gardens47Altaville State Historic Landmark (24 km)
    Forts & heritage66Mountain Lily Mine (12 km)
    Caves45Coyote Creek Cave (14 km)
    Other attractions15Mi-Wuk Village (24 km)
    Waterfalls01Yosemite Falls (92 km)
    Treks01Four Mile Trail (94 km)
    Mosques & dargahs01Lodi Mosque (99 km)

    Sonora: questions travellers ask

    What are the best places to visit near Sonora?

    Sonora United Methodist Church (church, about 1 km), Table Mountain (viewpoint, about 6 km), Jamestown Methodist Church (church, about 6 km), Columbia State Historic Park (park, about 6 km), New Melones Lake (lake, about 12 km), Moaning Cave (cave, about 15 km).

    How many tourist places are there within 50 km of Sonora?

    89 places on Spotwander: 32 hill stations & viewpoints, 21 lakes, dams & reservoirs, 5 churches, 12 parks, 4 museums.

    Which is the nearest viewpoint to Sonora?

    Bald Mountain, about 4 km by road; Union Hill (5 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest lake to Sonora?

    Phoenix Dam, about 6 km by road; San Diego Reservoir 1069 Dam (6 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest church to Sonora?

    Sonora United Methodist Church, about 1 km by road; Saint James Episcopal Church (1 km) is next.

    What is a good one-day trip from Sonora?

    Start in Sonora, visit Sonora United Methodist Church, then Columbia State Historic Park, then New Melones Lake, then Table Mountain, then Jamestown Methodist Church, and drive back — about 33 km by road in all.

    What is the best time to visit places near Sonora?

    October to February for cool, clear air for hill stations & viewpoints; August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open for lakes, dams & reservoirs; year-round for churches and parks.

    Towns near Sonora

    Sources: places from OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata and GeoNames; Sonora’s location and population from GeoNames; see also Sonora on Wikipedia. Data sources & credits.