Visiting California's High Sierras

When you’re planning your next spring or summer vacation for California, the choice is an easy one – head to the High Sierras. Stretching from as far north as South Lake Tahoe all the way south to the city of Lone Pine – in between Kings Canyon National Park and the Saline Valley – the High Sierras of California is an ideal region to visit when you’re looking to stay away from the hustle and bustle of the big cities. You can visit Sonora, a charming city not far from Angels Camp, and check out the Columbia State Historic Park, or the Tuolumne County Museum.

Stick around in Sonora for a bit, and check out the Sonora Celtic Fiare, March 8th – 10th at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds. Visit a month later and experience the annual Sonora Spring Festival, April 27th in downtown Sonora. Visit and stay directly in Sonora, or drive in from nearby Oakdale, set to the west.

North of Sonora is Jackson. A friendly city bursting with small town charm, Jackson is home to the Kennedy Gold Mine Tours. Experience an in depth look at the Kennedy Gold Mines – one of the deepest in the country – which produced over $34 Million worth of gold during the famous California Golf Rush.

Once spring passes, head to Lake Tahoe for an excellent aquatic adventure. You’ll want to visit South Lake Tahoe during the summer, as it proves to be quite popular with visitors looking to have some fun on the lake.

One of the real hidden gems of the High Sierras is Bishop. An unassuming city, Bishop yields excellent outdoor adventures within the Bishop Creek Recreation Area, and the Inyo National Forest. Don’t miss out on the Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep Foundation Fundraiser on February 16th at the Mountain Light Gallery.

Spend some time in Lone Pine on your tour of the High Sierras. Explore the Manzanar National Historic Park, or do a bit of hiking on Mount Whitney. Visit on March 2nd and head to Diaz Lake for the Early Opener Trout Derby, a fun fishing tournament for all ages – every child 12 and under who catches a fish will receive a prize!

Later into the summer, visit Lone Pine for the Wild Wild West Marathon, set for May 4th. Enjoy the 50K, or a smaller 100-mile run, and there’s even a 3-mile Fun Run. Each race takes your through the Alabama Hills of the Mount Whitney. If you’re visiting in June, be sure to make it an early visit, as you won’t want to miss Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks, June 2nd live at the Beverly and Jim Rogers Museum of Pine Film History.

California's High Sierras Hotel Map