What to Do in the Fall in Jamestown
Jamestown, California, is a small town in Tuolumne County, rich with history. It is the area where gold was first discovered in the county. Some of the buildings in town date back to the late 1800s and are now used as restaurants, historic inns, shops, and wine-tasting rooms. But don’t let this small town fool you. There’s much to see and do, from rich history to outdoor adventure. Below are a few exciting things to do in Jamestown in the fall.
Ride on a Historic Train
Have you ever wanted to ride on an old-fashioned steam locomotive and hear the iconic whistle echo? Here’s your chance to do that at Railtown 1897 State Historic Park. The 26-acre historic park offers seasonal train rides on a diesel locomotive or historic steam through California’s scenic Gold Country. The park, also known as “The Movie Railroad,” has featured its trains in hundreds of TV shows and movies, including Back to the Future III.
With the holidays approaching, you can go on a magical journey on the Polar Express. The one-hour-long train ride will take you to the North Pole as you enjoy hot chocolate and delicious cookies. When you reach the North Pole, Santa will greet you and present you with the “first gift of Christmas,” a silver sleigh bell.
Weekend rides on the historic trains are now running! You can go on with a guided tour or a self-lead tour. After your ride, picnic, explore the historic grounds, and spend a day in beautiful California’s Gold Country.
Tour the Walk of Fame
Tuolumne County has a rich history in the entertainment industry. The historical attraction of Jamestown is a perfect backdrop for movies and TV shows. More than 200 locations in the county are highlighted, from the Railtown 1897 State Historic Park to downtown.
Take a stroll through the Walk of Fame, an area decorated with exquisite medallions featuring many of the television shows and movies filmed there. You’ll see iconic locations from “Bonanza,” “Little House on the Prairie,” “Petticoat Junction,” and “Back to the Future III.” The legendary John Wayne also made a movie in Tuolumne County.
Explore the Nature Scene
Although spring is the best time to hike the backcountry for endless colors of wildflowers, the trails at Table Mountain Trail and Management Area are perfect for capturing the beauty of all seasons.
The Red Hills Recreation is unique due to its different geology, resulting in various plant life. Besides abundant plants, many wild animals, such as foxes, deer, bobcats, and about 90 other bird species, call this place home. During the winter months, you can spot bald eagles in the area.
Get your camera out because the peak of Table Mountain Trail provides gorgeous panoramic views of Jamestown in one direction and New Melones Reservoir in the other. Make sure you know the weather conditions before you go because the top of the mountain has little shade, so it’s essential to be prepared.
Take a seasonal High Sierra Loop road trip to see some colorful fall foliage. Drive through Sonora Pass to take in the sheer beauty of the rock formation and mountains. Continue on up to Tioga Pass. This pass climbs up to nearly 10,000 feet in elevation and is the highest mountain pass in the Golden State.
Wine Tasting at Gianelli Vineyards
A Jamestown trip is incomplete without sampling wines from the local vineyards. The land of the award-winning Gianelli Vineyards has been tied to the history of Jamestown since the late 1800s. However, it wasn’t until 1980 that Ron Gianelli turned his attention to wine.
The Gianelli family’s strong ties to their Italian roots are noticeable in their wine varieties. Before being brought to Jamestown, some of their wine had never been created outside Italy. The family travels back and forth to Italy regularly to find inspiration for their wine.
The winery offers a full flight of its award-winning wine as well as breathtaking views of the countryside. The tasting room is open Thursdays through Sundays.
Watch YouTube Video: Gianelli Vineyards Estate Tasting Room. The video below provides a sneak peek of the beautiful Gianelli Vineyard & Winery.
Stay at a Historic Inn or Hotel
Whether or not you are a history buff, you will appreciate the heritage of Jamestown. While many experiences and stories are detectable throughout the community, nowhere is more evident than at the historic inns and restaurants such as the National Hotel & Restaurant and Jamestown Hotel. These landmarks are charmed with comfortable and modern amenities, so your stay will be as memorable as relaxing.
Jamestown Personal Injury Lawyer
If you have been involved in an accident in or near the Jamestown area, please contact our experienced Jamestown personal injury lawyers at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400. We can provide free, friendly, and compassionate advice about your legal options and what you should do for a full recovery.
Since 1982, our skilled injury attorneys have helped Jamestown residents get total compensation for their personal injury and wrongful death cases.
We are members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the National Association of Distinguished Counsel.
See our client reviews on Avvo, Google, and Yelp and our past cases on our Verdicts and Settlements page.
Image by TexturesForFreeCom from Pixabay
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