Major Experiences & Events

 

On September 26 to 28, Terra Madre Americas, the American iteration of the world-renowned Terra Madre Salone del Gusto, will debut in Sacramento. This first-of-its-kind event will celebrate the Slow Food movement in California's capital.  Sample and purchase products from the North Pole to the tip of South America, sample cocktails from bartenders and mixologists from around the world, and engage in a series of workshops and tastings led by coffee farmers, roasters, and industry experts, highlighting the importance of ethical sourcing and sustainable coffee methods.

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Back for the first time since the pandemic, Vintners Holidays returns to The Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite National Park. Guests can iImmerse themselves in the ultimate wine and dining experience in the stunning historic hotel! California's top vintners will be on hand for wine tastings, engaging conversations, and a "Meet the Vintners" reception. The event culminates in an elegant five-course dinner, each dish expertly paired with the featured wines. 

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Major League Baseball has come to Sacramento as the Oakland A's will call Sutter Health Park home for at least three seasons. The A's began playing at the start of the 2025 MLB season.. Sutter Health Park at Sutter Park, located within close proximity to Sacramento landmarks such as the California State Capitol and Tower Bridge.

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The Little House on the Prairie 50th Anniversary Cast Reunion will take place in Columbia State Historic Park in Columbia in June. Meet and greet more than a dozen original cast members in historic Gold-Rush era buildings, along with a cast parade, a new documentary screening celebrating the show's legacy, and a wine and cheese excursion on a steam engine seen on the show. Prairie games for the family and a daily prairie costume contest will also be featured. 

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Scheduled for September 26 to 28, Tuolumne County will commemorate the 35th anniversary of Back to the Future Part III with a special fan event titled Return to Hill Valley. Fans of the movie will recognize filming sites such as the Red Hills Ranch and the Railtown 1897 State Historic Park. Event highlights include cast and crew appearances, film screenings, guided tours, a DeLorean exhibit, and other themed activities. Proceeds of the event support the Michael J. Fox Foundation and the California Railroad Museum Foundation. The celebration also marks the 40th anniversary of the original Back to the Future film. 

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On November 1 and 2, the first Yosemite Celtic Festival, a two-day vibrant celebration of Celtic heritage set against the backdrop of Yosemite National Park, will be filled with music, dance, food, and fun, as Oakhurst honors the rich cultures of the Celtic nations. Explore various vendors offering unique crafts, goods, and authentic Celtic merchandise. Experience the thrill of traditional games, admire the elegance of ancient clan traditions, and enjoy whiskey tastings while celebrating the unbreakable bond shared by Celtic communities worldwide. 

 

Get Outside

 

Rail Explorers have come to Gold Country! Pedal along the breathtaking Amador Central Railroad which traces the contours of rolling hills and vineyards and reveals panoramic views from the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains all the way to the Coastal Ranges.

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The Cosumnes River Preserve is a one-of-a-kind experience for visitors of all ages. This bird-watcher's paradise consists of over 50,000 acres of wildlife habitat. Throughout the year, you'll find over 250 species of birds on or near the Preserve, with prime viewing in the winter. Recreational activities include paddling, hiking, nature viewing, and picture taking.  This year, they've added audio tours that lead visitors on a fascinating journey through wetlands, riparian forest and grasslands.

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Soil Born Farms in Rancho Cordova aims to create an urban agriculture and education project through a local food system that encourages healthy living, nurtures the environment, and grows a sustainable community. The farm offers a bountiful Saturday farmers market, nature walks, outdoor yoga, cooking and wellness classes, bird watching, and volunteer opportunities.

The More You Know

Located on the river in Sacramento, the SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity (MOSAC) piques curiosity and sparks imagination with hands-on interactive exhibits and programming that explores the wonders of science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. The exhibitions address global and local issues on topics relating to energy, health, water, nature, space, and design engineering. The state-of-the-art planetarium theater screens a variety of spectacular star shows and feature films.

 

Wine & Dine

Lecavalier Cellars is the newest winery on the Placer Wine and Ale Trail.  The award-winning winemaker's tasting room, conveniently located right off I-80 in Newcastle, recently opened, while their expansive, full production winery, tasting room and restaurant is being built, with an anticipated late 2025/early 2026 groundbreaking.

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For a unique tasting experience, Rancho Cordova's Barrel District is home to several locations offering craft beer, spirits, wine, and mead, also known as honey wine and often called the "nectar of the gods." The Barrel District also boasts Dao Distillery, opened in early 2025, which serves rượu đế, a traditional Vietnamese rice spirit (think whiskey meets saké). It is the second distillery producing the spirit in the nation, and the first in California.

 

Celebrating History

The 65th Annual Mid-Sierra Loggers Jamboree at the North Fork Recreation Center is slated for

Saturday and Sunday, July 6 and 7, 2025. The jamboree pays tribute to the region's rich logging heritage and showcases the skills of both amateur and professional lumberjacks.  Between events,  local food vendors and crafts will be available for purchase, and a swimming area is nearby for a quick dip. Tickets for Saturday are five dollars at the gate, and Sunday's main event (when the professionals compete) can be purchased for two dollars from a contestant or five dollars at the gate.

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On February 18, 1850, Tuolumne County was officially established, becoming one of California's original counties during the Gold Rush. To commemorate its 175th anniversary, county organizations and businesses are hosting events, activities, and celebrations that honor the county's rich history, diverse culture, and enduring community spirit. Highlights include the 49er Festival, Parade, and Taste of Tuolumne on September 20 in Groveland, and music events in Sonora featuring local bands starting in June.

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Wildhaven Yosemite offers glamping tents and cabins on a beautiful property with mountain views just outside Yosemite National Park. The extra-large, safari-style tents feature comfortable beds with linens, electricity, heaters, and all the furnishings needed for a comfortable night's sleep. Wildhaven provides the comfort, cleanliness, and customer service of a hotel while being immersed in nature. 

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 The Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad is celebrating its 60th anniversary, marking six decades of preserving California's rich logging and railroad heritage. To commemorate this milestone, the historic narrow-gauge railway with vintage steam locomotives, located just minutes from the southern entrance of Yosemite National Park in Fish Camp, will host a series of special events. Highlights include a jazz train, a Moonlight Special, and rides on a logger steam train. Plus, the Yosemite Jazz Train, a unique fusion of live jazz music and historic steam train travel, celebrates 60 years of rides through the scenic beauty of the Sierra National Forest. Hosted by the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad, these trains offer an immersive gourmet dining experience, intimate performances, and a journey through California's rich logging history. 

 

Lodging Near Yosemite National Park

 

This summer, Under Canvas Yosemite, located on 85 acres of forested land featuring unique glamping accommodations, will begin to welcome guests. Located just 10 minutes from the main Big Oak Flat entrance station to Yosemite National Park, visitors sleep among towering California Black Oak and Ponderosa Pine forests in king-size beds with plush linens and private, en-suite bathrooms.  Its main lobby tent has café-style dining, upscale lounge areas furnished by West Elm, and other elevated offerings. 

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Since opening in 1990, Tenaya at Yosemite, the region's largest and most comprehensive four-season resort, has offered exceptional service to Mariposa County visitors and residents alike. In July, the resort celebrates its 35th birthday. After a recently completed comprehensive renovation, the main lodge now shines from the artistry of local craftsmen and tradespeople, and all 244 of Tenaya's guest rooms received custom upgrades. The hotel recently unveiled a pickleball court, bocce ball court, 18-foot rock climbing wall, and a dedicated dog play area. The resort also offers new shuttles into Yosemite National Park. 

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The Chicken Ranch Casino Resort is a premier gaming and hospitality destination nestled in the scenic Sierra Foothills of Jamestown, CA,  Just an hour's drive from Yosemite National Park, this 21+ resort offers a blend of luxury accommodations (197 well-appointed rooms), diverse dining options, and a vibrant casino experience equipped with 900 slot machines and 14 table games. The resort also features an event and conference center and a fitness center. Book now.

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New to the Yosemite landscape since Spring 2024, Firefall Ranch is an amazing Yosemite getaway. This basecamp for adventure meanders through serene meadowland and forested rolling hills near Yosemite's popular northwest entrance. The exquisite natural beauty is the backdrop for cottages, villas, a pool area, a restaurant, a tavern, a wine room, and an exceptional event center.

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 The Inelle, Oakhurst Yosemite, a Marriott's Tribute Portfolio hotel, has reopened after a comprehensive two-year renovation. The Inelle features 70 air-conditioned rooms designed for comfort and relaxation, and the Hemlock Restaurant and Bar, a lively lounge atmosphere offering inventive food and drinks. The Inelle's interior and outdoor spaces are meant to encourage enriching interactions with a variety of unique and authentic travelers that foster feelings of camaraderie and connectedness.

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With a commitment to sustainability, The Outbound Yosemite Resort, coming Winter 2025/2026, will offer a unique blend of modern comfort and natural beauty. Just 25 minutes from the South Gate entrance to Yosemite, the property features 17 acres of beautifully designed cabins and common areas, including a resort-style pool with a cold plunge, and casual dining with locally inspired cuisine.  Outbound Yosemite's 300-person conference center and event venue features plenty of breakout and gathering spaces to keep any group productive and inspired.

 

More Gold Country Lodging

 

The Extraordinary Camino Hotel in Camino is just that - truly unusual and remarkable. Originally built in 1888 by the Michigan Cal Lumber Company as housing for their lumberjacks. It later transitioned into a bed and breakfast and has maintained that role for decades. Owner Raven Starr has worked to preserve the old mill's historical charm while enhancing the experience by creating unique themes in each room. Later this year, she plans to open a wine and beer lounge in the front commercial space of the hotel, featuring all local wines, beers, and ciders.

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​​Fully appointed cabins, homes, lavish geometric domes, and serene surroundings are the signature style of the newly opened  Noma Resort. Situated in North Fork, CA, along the Sierra Vista Scenic Byway, the resort offers a blend of elegance and sustainability. Located near the Kern Family Farm, a leader in the ecological farming movement, the Noma Resort reflects the region's commitment to ethical farming. A stay at the resort should include visiting The Gnarly Carrot, a farm shop to browse for fresh produce, enjoy a smoothie, and learn about sustainable practices.

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Hotel Vista Sierra has unveiled its new identity and is marking a fresh chapter in the heart of the Sierra Foothills. The hotelier has created thoughtfully redesigned spaces, positioning the property as a true gateway to adventure—offering seamless access to outdoor recreation, scenic vistas, Gold Rush history, and local wineries and breweries.

The hotel repositioning reflects its amazing location in beautiful Auburn, a destination for outdoor enthusiasts, families, and corporate travelers. While the name has changed, guests will continue to enjoy all the benefits of being associated with the award winning SpringHill Suites by Marriott brand and Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program. 

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Excitement is building for the summer 2026 grand opening of the North Fork Mono Casino & Resort, a $400 million complex near Highway 99 in Madera, CA. This state-of-the-art destination, proudly claiming it will always be open and always fun,  will feature more than 2,000 slot machines and 40 table games,  a 200-room luxury hotel, signature dining options, an entertainment lounge, retail spaces, and a conference center. The North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians of California owns North Fork Mono. The property is being developed and managed by Station Casinos.

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Serving as an excellent basecamp for both Bass Lake adventures and Yosemite National Park excursions, Miller's Landing Resort is a beloved family-owned business on the south shore of the lake. Cabins range from cozy two-bedroom units to larger family-friendly layouts with lofts, and its marina provides one of the best boat rentals on Bass Lake. The on-site Grill and Ice Cream Fountain is home to the famous Miller Burger, a local 40-year favorite.

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Situated on the western shore of Bass Lake, The Forks Resort is a cherished lakeside retreat and timeless mountain getaway offering comfort, tradition, and natural beauty.  Established in 1926, it has been operated by the same family for four generations. The resort features a variety of air-conditioned cabins conveniently located near recreational activities like swimming, fishing, hiking, and the opportunity for boat rentals at the marina.