Follow Highway 108 to romantic winter getaways and snow fun in Tuolumne County, California

On Highway 108 in Tuolumne County, California, a drive of less than 50 miles takes travelers from historic Jamestown in the Gold Country to skiing in the High Sierra at Dodge Ridge Mountain Resort. 

In winter months, that drive can include romantic winter getaways and snowy recreation for all. 

Cozy up to romantic Tuolumne County in winter

Picture cuddling up on a comfy sofa, in a mountain cabin or inn with all the modern conveniences, warmed by a roaring fire in a rustic fireplace, while leaves or snow fall gently outside the window.  Imagine all this less than three hours' drive from the San Francisco Bay Area along Highway 108 in Tuolumne County, California.

Highway 108 leads east from the Sierra foothills and up to Sonora Pass, which closes during winter.  The closure happens eight miles beyond the village of Strawberry.  When the pass is closed, you can still find a warm welcome along Highway 108 at Strawberry and places to the west like Pinecrest and Dodge Ridge Mountain Resort, Long Barn, Sierra Village, Mi-Wuk Village, Sugar Pine, Twain Harte, Sonora, and Jamestown.

Here are some suggestions for making dreams of a romantic mountain getaway come true along Highway 108.

Where to stay:

The Inn on Knowles Hill in Sonora: Charles Segerstrom created a financial empire in the mines, land, banks and industries of the Gold Country, he built what was then a state-of-the-art house in 1927 for his family.  Today, the inn offers eight rooms and suites named after historic visiting luminaries.  The view of Sonora from Knowles Hill matches the grandeur of the interior. www.knowleshill.com

McCaffrey House Bed & Breakfast Inn in Twain Harte: Three story mountain style warmth and charm surround guests in this secluded setting overlooking the pine trees.  Romance feels like it's built right in.  Sip coffee on the deck, play in the game room, peruse the library or book a massage in the spa studio.  www.mccaffreyhouse.com  

Lazy Z Resort in Twain Harte: Thirteen cabins and cottages dot this secluded 40-acre property, all with private bathrooms, kitchens or kitchenettes, and some with fireplaces.  A hot tub with firepit nearby is perfect after a day of adventure.   Guests often see deer, raccoons, squirrels, and turkey. The resort was built in the late 1950s as a dude ranch. Since 1991, it's been operated by the Zelinsky siblings – Steve, Matt and Lari. www.lazyzresort.com

Warming up around the firepit at Lazy Z Resort in Tuolumne County.  (Photo credit: Visit Tuolumne County)

Where to dine:

The Branch in Twain Harte is the epitome of intimate.  The entire restaurant has six tables and a supper club environment where it's easy to have a private tête-à-tête or make friends with the table next to you.  Classically trained Chef Matt Garcia brings experience with Michelin Star chefs in Bay Area restaurants.  He celebrates each season and supports locals farmers with new menus weekly.  www.thebranchtwainharte.com/

The Branch Restaurant of Twain Harte in Tuolumne County. (Photo credit: The Branch Restaurant)

Also in Twain Harte, Eproson House offers rustic and elegant dining for dinner and brunch in the heart of the mountain town.  The building, from 1947, has been a grocery store, a post office and a private home. Live music enlivens weekend nights. www.eprosonhouse.com

Emberz Woodfired Foodz in Sonora's old town is a friendly spot for lunch or dinner with a creative cocktail menu to put you in just the right mood.  www.emberzzz.com 

Pardon the pun, but Perch on the ninth floor of Chicken Ranch Casino Resort in Jamestown elevates romantic dining with outstanding cuisine, attentive (but not intrusive) service, and spectacular views of the Sierra foothills and peaks.   After dinner, sneak away to the secret bar downstairs.  The name?  Sorry, you'll have to ask an insider. https://chickenranchcasinoresort.com/dining/perch-rooftop-dining

Diamond Jim's in Mi-Wuk Village, on Highway 108 in the heart of winter activity, is the place to warm up with drinks, food, and a friendly environment after a day in the snow.   https://diamondjims.novelconcept.io/

Breakfast is key to getting the day off to a romantic start.  Along Highway 108, the Sugar Shack, www.facebook.com/AliciasSugarShack, in Sugar Pine and Zoe's Coffee in Mi-Wuk Village, https://zoecoffeehouse.square.site/, can fill all the morning cravings before heading off to the mountains.

What to do:

In addition to leaf peeping, hiking and snow fun (see below), Tuolumne County's Highway 108 leads to other romantic activities:

Go birding in an official Audobon Bird Town: Twain Harte.  Print or follow the “Find the Birds” brochure at https://centralsierraaudubon.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/BROCHURE-AUDUBON-BIRD-TOWN-TWAIN-HARTE.pdf and go on the hunt for live birds or 40+ individual bird illustrations by local artists displayed on businesses around town.    

Stroll back in time at Colombia State Historic Park, www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=552.  Find sweets for your sweetheart at Nelson's Columbia Candy Kitchen, https://www.columbiacandykitchen.com/, or select a heart-shaped horseshoe at Parrott's Blacksmith as a perfect memento of your romantic day.

Stargazing on clear nights can be breathtaking as stars fill the skies in the pristine mountain air.  A covering of snow can make the stars or the moon seem to shine even brighter.

Make winter memories along Highway 108

Treasured memories are the best souvenirs from vacations along Highway 108 in Tuolumne County: “I learned to ski at Dodge Ridge.” “I'll never forget tubing with my brother at Leland Snowplay.” “We always went skating at Long Barn.”  

Skiing at Dodge Ridge Mountain Resort - https://dodgeridge.com/trail-maps/

Dodge Ridge Mountain Resort is celebrating its 75th season in 2025/2026. Everything is fine tuned and ready for the snow to fly and ski season to begin on the mountain's 862 skiable acres, 1,600 vertical feet, 70 trails and 12 lifts. 

Dodge Ridge Mountain Resort in Tuolumne County is entering its 75th season.  (Photo credit: Dodge Ridge Mountain Resort)

Crabtree Trail Cross Country Skiing – https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/stanislaus/recreation/crabtree-cross-country-ski-trailhead

Crabtree Trail is a four-mile loop with level-to-gentle slopes, located on Forest Road 4N35 (Dodge Ridge Road) near the Dodge Ridge Ski area and Pinecrest Lake.

Leland Snowplay – snowplay.com   

Leland Snowplay is the largest dedicated snow tubing and snow play park on the West Coast, with 12 acres of varied terrain and a 4,000 sq. ft. day use lodge.  There are two lifts to tow guests to the top of the biggest snow tubing hills.  Snowmaking capabilities ensure a beautiful field of white stuff daily, and snowcats provide a perfectly groomed hill every day.

Leland Snowplay is located 33 miles east of Sonora and four miles past the town of Strawberry.

Long Barn Lodge Ice Skating - thelongbarnlodge.com/ice-rink

The Long Barn Lodge is a family-run 20 room motel with 10 cabins, located near Dodge Ridge Mountain Resort, Pinecrest Lake and Leland Snowplay.  For four to five months beginning in November, it's also home to the Long Barn Ice Skating Rink, the only ice rink in Tuolumne County.  Skating lessons and private events are available.  Come out and get your blades on!

Ice skating at the Long Barn Lodge in Tuolumne County.  (Photo credit: Long Barn Lodge)

ABOUT VISIT TUOLUMNE COUNTY

Visit Tuolumne (“to-all-o-me”) County (VTC) is the official destination marketing organization for Tuolumne County in Northern California.  Tuolumne County is just a 2.5 hour drive east of the San Francisco Bay Area. The destination is known for its 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 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 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, four wineries, a hard cider distillery, train rides, casinos, seven museums, two state historic parks, two live theaters, many bed-and-breakfast inns and a variety of Airbnb accommodations are among the many other attributes that make the county a year-round vacation destination. For more information, go to www.visittuolumne.com.

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