Mala Gulch Mining Company in Columbia State Park offers a charming step back into the Gold Rush…read moreera, where visitors are greeted by exceptionally friendly and helpful staff eager to share their knowledge of local history. The shop is brimming with unique Western memorabilia, from antique mining tools to rustic keepsakes that capture the spirit of the Old West. Guests can even try their hand at gold panning in the outdoor troughs, experiencing the thrill of discovering real gold while immersed in the park's historic atmosphere. It's a fun and memorable stop for anyone exploring California's Mother Lode country.

We had a fantastic time panning for some treasures. Kids had a blast from ages 4-16 adults too. We…read morefound some pretty small gems could have spent hours here panning but it is hard on the backs bending over. Several different bins to pan at from lower to higher heights the water is cold the pans are good size they also provide you with a plastic tube with a snap top to collect your treasures in. Really had a great time

This is an important museum for the Groveland/Big Oak Flat area and the immediate area prior to…read moreYosemite. They have great exhibits on the history of the local towns and the families that helped create them. They are attached to the local library which is convenient as well. Parking is generous and the museum is located in the city park, which is kept up nicely. The attendants running the museum were pleasant and helpful. They also have a good selection of souvenirs and books to get. The museum has worked with the Southern Tuolumne County Historical Society to help restore buildings in the town and in neighboring Big Oak Flat and done a good job at that as well.

We had to stop by somewhere to print out something on our way to Yosemite, and this was a perfect…read morestop! 15 cents for a copy! When was the last time they put this price up? won't find that here in the Bay Area! Library was friendly and helpful who is a local moved up there 20 plus years ago. Of course we had to use the bathroom since it was available! It was nice and clean. What caught my eyes were all those quilts hanging on the wall. Per the librarian, the them of the quilts will change each season! All those were made by the locals. There's a meetup weekly for quilters there! The museum side was closed at the time we were there.

OMG where do I start!!? Jennifer is fabulous! I decided to hire Jennifer after our skype…read moreconversation. She impressed me with all that she had to offer. We purchased the platinum package and had a blast at our engagement shoot. She made my fiancé feel so comfortable it was great to see him smile for the camera. The engagement shoot definitely helped the day of. My groom was comfortable in front of the camera and knew how to move/pose for the best pictures the day of our wedding. I gained confidence and knew I could trust Jennifer as our photographer the day of. One of the things that was super important for me was pictures of my grandpa. She captured him in his best moments and I couldn't be happier. The day of was chaotic and crazy. Jennifer and her team came in took the pictures they wanted and some and moved from the bridal suite to the groom's suite... They were here, there and everywhere but the beauty about it is that I didn't realize they were in the same room. It wasn't an overwhelming experience at all! At the reception I actually didn't realize they were there snapping photos as the night went on. She is a great communicator, very organized and prepared. I feel like I got so much for the price we paid. I highly recommend Jennifer as a photographer; she is prepared, timely and great energy to be around. Lastly, have you checked out her photos? She loves what she does and her photos reflect that. You can't go wrong with her on your day! One happy bride-Mrs. Germano 1.21.17

I had a fantastic experience with Jennifer. I needed a professional headshot and she was…read morespectacular. I highly recommend using her services. Bravo!

A nice clean little store and rest stop with interesting items in stock such as food, drinks, hats…read moreand blankets. Friendly store owners and much local history. We stopped for the restrooms, but ended up having great conversation also. A quiet looking little town now but the history behind it would surprise you. We are going back to see our new friends and check out more of the remaining history of the Gold mining days.

I wanted to stop here but figured I missed them since it was past opening hours. When we got there,…read morethe open sign was still lit. We had a beer out back near the koi pond and a nice fire. The animals and nice restrooms were a bonus! Next time we'll have to check out the oddities in the store. Definitely recommend this stop!

The intimacy of this venue puts a whole new slant on its productions. The "us & them" syndrome…read moresimply doesn't exist here in the way that the audience surrounds the performers rather than being detached from the action. In between runs, the theatre now offers local music on Saturday nights as well. Good job, Stage 3... local art at its best!

Tuolumne County is lucky to have live theatre available all through the year. Stage 3 is right in…read moredowntown Sonora, just one block from the intersection of Stockton and Washington Streets. Stage 3 is awesome. I have seen a few productions here. My favorite was a few years ago and was one of the funniest shows I have ever seen. "The Complete Works Of William Shakespeare - Abridged". If you ever get a chance to see this, it is hilarious. Season tickets are $75 - what a bargain! Tickets to five productions for about what you'd pay for one concert ticket at an overcrowded venue where you would need binoculars to see the performer! Individual tickets are $15 to $18 Performances are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights and Sunday has a matinee performance. The theatre is intimate - 80 seats - so you are assured of a good seat. Check them out: http://www.stage3.org/Default.htm

My family has come here 4 times in the last 6 years and every time has been awesome. The whole crew…read moreis efficient and you are in and out of there so fast, yet you never feel rushed. Everyone has so much fun coming up with ideas for the shoot and all the employees are completely open to everything and offer great suggestions. They are stellar at handling dogs, all our pictures have turned out great. We have brought so many friends here and they have had the same experience. Plus you get your pictures the same day- go grab lunch or an ice cream in old town Colombia and the pictures are edited and printed in no time. I highly recommend you call ahead to make reservations, but they will work as hard as possible to get your walk in group seen, even on a busy day. I'm not going to share my most recent pictures because my kids are in it, but the website has great examples.

BORING and WEIRD!…read more Before our session, the photographer, Maureen, had us choose a style from a book of sample photos. We specifically selected an Old West outlaw theme with gloves, garters, rifles, and "teen" dresses. I clearly told her I wanted my daughters to look like they were "going to rob a bank." When I asked about the accessories, she assured me, "We'll get to that later." That never happened. The session lasted less than 10 minutes. When I asked why she hadn't photographed the concept we discussed, she said she didn't because "the girls were having fun" and "they didn't mention robbing a bank." My daughters are 12 and 13 years old. While I want them to enjoy the experience and have input, they were not the customers--I was. The final product should reflect the vision requested by the parent who booked and paid for the session. If the photographer couldn't or didn't want to create the concept I requested, she should have told me before the session began so I could have changed the plan or gone elsewhere. Instead, the final images were completely different. The gloves, garters and rifles were replaced with flowers, fans, and cigarettes. With all the creative possibilities in a Western studio, the finished photos are awkward, uncomfortable, and boring. They don't resemble an outlaw theme at all. The most concerning part was seeing my 13-year-old photographed with a cigarette in her mouth without my knowledge or permission. I would never have approved that. Even more disturbing, my daughters told me they were instructed not to tell their parents that cigarettes had been used in the photos. As well as to "do what they want, and not what their parents want". No adult working with children should ever encourage them to keep something from their parents. That crossed a line. I also witnessed the Maureen speaking disrespectfully to a newer coworker in front of customers, which was unprofessional. This entire situation could have been avoided with one honest conversation. If you can't or won't provide the concept your customer requested, say so before the session begins. Don't agree to it, ignore it, and then deliver something completely different. If you are photographing children, it should be mandatory that the parent approves the concept before the photos are taken. We chose this studio because of its reputation. I hope management takes this feedback seriously so another family doesn't leave as disappointed as we did.

TIM! TIM! TIM! The…read morelifeblood & soul of this museum is a docent named Tim. A polite yet confident, friendly yet proud personality, Tim gave my girlfriend and I the museum experience of a century. Arriving at the museum, we were greeted by a docent at the entry who was quite kind to us and we enjoyed the initial room and science/medicine rooms - however, if you're the type who reads every line at a museum, you will enjoy it more than we did because the information was IMMENSE. Too much for my adhd brain, but perfect for an avid reader. But it was the carriage house that floored us. Tim greeted us nearly the moment we stepped through the doors to introduce himself as a volunteer at the museum. I figured he may give us a little intro and then let us parouse the 10,000sf facility but boy was I wrong. Tim proceeded to give us a guided private tour for what was easily the good part of an hour. Carriage by carriage, phonograph by phonograph, Tim passionately spoke on the most interesting history, anecdotes, untold tales, and intriguing facts about every item in front of us. It was as if he had plugged himself into the knowledge of the universe and was translating its binary into English for us to understand. I loved every moment and most importantly, I could see that HE loved every moment. We walked out having to look at our tickets to see if we had accidentally purchased VIP guided tour tickets. But no - that is just the character of Tim and of the people who run the museum. We finished at the mining building where we got a chance to see incredible historical items/devices/tools, as well as some BEAUTIFUL specimens of stones - including the 2 most gorgeous pieces of petrified wood I have EVER seen. The docent as this building raved about Tim as well but was no stolid volunteer herself - she was ALSO extremely friendly in her own right, offering us cold water on the hot day we toured. I cannot wait to go back and recommend this museum to any and all in the Angels Camp / Murphys area!

This museum has Gold County History- so much to see!! Wagon…read more& Carriage, Mining & Artisan exhibition and a Water Wheel Power Stamp Mill. In the same building is the Calaveras Visitor's Bureau! If you walk past the Visitors Bureau there is an interesting film on the Frog Jumping Contest and many Frog Facts!!

Jill King's jewelry is exceptional…read more I have bought a number of pieces from Jill now (you can find her jewelry at upcoming events - https://www.jill-king.com/events). Each piece is infused with love and care. Her jewelry is handmade, elegant and inspired by nature. The main materials that she uses in her pieces are "gemstones, crystals, copper, brass, sterling silver, leather and stainless steel." (taken from her website). I am always drawn to her delicate butterfly pieces, and I love her bee jewelry pieces as well - https://www.jill-king.com/shop. Not only is Jill a talented artist who takes her time crafting each piece, but she is a wonderful person. She's warm and intuitive and those qualities are beautifully reflected in her art: "The gemstone jewelry that I create is beneficial to the wearer in a multitude of ways. Benefits may include: healing, clearing, clarity, balance, love, joy, grounding, and abundance. The crystals and gemstones can assist you with intention setting, accelerating healing on all levels, and manifesting what you desire." (taken from her website) She's continually growing as a jewelry maker and I've been really digging her latest welded pieces. If you're looking for a special gift for yourself or a friend - definitely check out Jill's magical gemstone jewelry. Also if you see a piece (https://www.instagram.com/jill_king_artist/ -) that she's created previously that you like - I recommend reaching out to her to see if she can do a similar piece (or potentially even something custom). Trust.