Sonora is located in the beautiful Sierra Nevada Foothills, the heart of California's "Gold Country". Sonora is known for the Annual Nighttime Christmas Parade that annually takes place in downtown Sonora near the beginning of December. The Sonora Opera Hall is a well-known historic site which also hosts a Holiday Faire and Craft Boutique every December featuring home made crafts and goodies. One popular attraction featuring the natural beauty of the area is the newly developed Dragoon Gulch Trail.Numerous outdoor activities can be enjoyed in the nearby Stanislaus National Forest, including skiing, hiking, boating, swimming, and horseback riding. International cuisine is easy to find at locations such as Bombay, Bon Appetit, and El Jardin. Locally-themed diners such as Miner's Shack (a breakfast favorite!) or Outlaw's BBQ & Steakhouse are other great options. Less