About Columbia, Ca
Tuolumne County is rich in history from the days when the west was wild and sought out by those with “gold fever”. In fact, during these gold rush days, Tuolumne County once had the largest population of people in the nation. Today, this is strongly reflected within the towns throughout the county, especially the town of Columbia.

Established in 1945 by the state legislature as Columbia State Historic Park, and acting as a living history museum, Columbia is California’s best preserved town giving visitors the opportunity to back in time and experience the gold rush era of the 1850’s. Enjoy a docent led tour of the park, a ride on a 100 year old stagecoach, a tour of a real working gold mine that has been in operation for over 100 years, or go panning for gold, Visitors delight in taking a stroll down the wooden sidewalks into shops portraying the yesteryear, where iron implements, candy, candles and soap are made while you watch. Frequent the old time saloons, enjoy fine dining, take in a live theatre performance at the restored Fallon House, and spend the night in one of the period hotels. Other lodgings include a bed & breakfast, hotels and motels, RV & camping resorts, and cabin rentals.

Columbia is also know for its annual festivals and special events including candlelight processions during the Holiday season, old-fashioned Easter Parade and Fourth of July celebrations, Father’s Day Fly-in, the Fiddle & Banjo Contest in fall, and Columbia Diggins 1852 when the tent town go up.

Map & Directions  

Map of Tuolumne County region– Click on map to enlarge. Map courtesy Tuolumne County Visitors Bureau.
Columbia is a few miles north of Sonora, off of Highway 49 and Parrotts Ferry Road. Columbia is about 50 miles from Stockton, CA; approximately 100 miles from Sacramento; and about 150 miles from South Lake Tahoe.
From Sacramento: Take Hwy. 99 south to Manteca. Take Hwy. 120 / 108 east to Jamestown, then Hwy. 49 to Sonora, then to Columbia.
From Stockton: Take Hwy. 4 east to Angels Camp, then Hwy. 49 towards Columbia and Sonora.

Visitor, Relocation & Community Information: