Sonora takes its name from the Mexican miners from the state of Sonora who struck gold here in 1848 and gave the camp its first character. Within a couple of years it was one of the richest and rowdiest towns of the southern mines, so rich that it was called the Queen of the Southern Mines, and in 1850 the new state of California's foreign miners' tax drove many of its founders out. Today it is the seat of Tuolumne County, a busy little hill town on the western foot of the Sierra, and the starting point for Highway 108 and the long climb to Sonora Pass.
Washington Street, the main drag, is lined with old brick and wooden buildings with balconies and false fronts, and the red Gothic church of St. James at its north end is a landmark. The town has a good number of antique shops, coffee shops and places to eat, and it is easy to spend an hour here walking around. Nearby Jamestown, a few kilometres southwest, has Railtown 1897 State Historic Park, an old railway roundhouse with steam engines that have starred in countless Western films and television shows.
The country around Sonora is classic Sierra foothills: rolling hills of golden grass and blue oak, rocky outcrops and ranch fences. In spring the hills are green and covered with wildflowers, but by midsummer they are brown and the heat can be intense. Afternoon temperatures in July and August often climb high, so an early start is a good idea if you are heading up into the mountains.
The riding out of town is easy at first, with Highway 108 climbing through Twain Harte and Mi-Wuk Village, past pine forests and small resorts. Further up, the road becomes more mountainous and the views widen. Traffic can be heavy on summer weekends with people heading to the lakes and campgrounds, so weekdays are better if you can manage it. Beware of logging trucks on the lower part of the road and of deer at dusk.
Sonora has all services: fuel, food, lodging, a hospital and motorcycle repair shops. It is the last real town before the pass, so fill up here and check your tyres and brakes. The road ahead climbs over 2,900 metres, and after Strawberry and Pinecrest there is very little until you reach the eastern side.