1. Gold pan, ride an authentic stagecoach, take an old-fashioned family portrait, get some candy and ice cream, and even test your strength and try bouldering at Columbia State Historic Park.

2. Ride a historic train and take a look in a working railroad roundhouse (one of only two remaining in the U.S.) at Railtown 1897 State Historic Park in Jamestown. The Depot Store has everything a train enthusiast, young or old could want.

3. Play a fun and challenging round at the classic Twain Harte Miniature Golf course.

4. Swim, rent a boat, fish, hike, and camp at the family favorite Pinecrest Lake. (Boat rentals of many types are available through Pinecrest Lake Resort Marina)

5. Visit Cover’s Apple Ranch for fresh and tasty baked goods, a miniature train ride, and to feed and pet the barnyard animals.

6. Take a leisurely horseback ride into the wilderness at Aspen Meadow Pack Station or Kennedy Meadows Pack Station, or through a tamer oak woodland at Pine Mountain Lake Equestrian Center.

7. Try the batting cages, Ninja course, trampoline park, and game simulators at Elevate indoor sports park at Black Oak Casino Resort.

8. Hike or bike ride on the Little Golden Children's Forest Trail on the Stanislaus National Forest near Groveland. Pick up the self-guided brochure at the Groveland Ranger Station adjacent to the trailhead. The trail is co-sponsored by Little Golden Children's Books and the National Arbor Day Foundation.

9. Join a Junior Ranger program at Yosemite National Park, the Stanislaus National Forest, in Columbia or Railtown 1897 State Historic Parks or in Calaveras Big Trees State Park. You can also pick up Junior Ranger booklets at visitor centers and ranger stations.

10. Go on an exciting mountain bike ride at Dodge Ridge Mountain Resort near Pinecrest Lake. (Rentals available) or on the Ferretti Trail Network near Groveland where there's options for all skill levels.

11. Bring on a game of disc golf and explore the grounds at Indigeny Reserve in Sonora. Let the kids play lawn games while the adults in the family enjoy hard apple cider, proudly produced on site.

12. Grab some blankets and layout under the stars where there are no lights like at Pinecrest Lake. Your family will be blown away by the view.

13. Take a walk around Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite National Park* (early summer to late fall). A flat trail goes around the meadow and crosses the river. Watch for high elevation wildlife like yellow-bellied marmots, but please do not feed or approach wildlife of any kind.

14. Take the family on a fun fly-fishing, hiking adventure, or guided tour with one of the area’s reputable tour operators.

15. Live like pioneers, but with modern amenities, and stay in a Conestoga wagon at Yosemite Pines RV Resort.

16. Try an exciting off-road adventure through the forest that will put a smile on everyone’s faces with Miller’s Off-Road Adventures.

17. Get a little wet and dirty while your family tries their hands at gold panning with modern-day gold miners. The team at California Gold Panning will lead the way to the creek and teach you what you need to know.

18. Live a real-time adventure at Motherlode Escape Rooms in Sonora. Their escape rooms allow you to step into another place and time to test your skills. 

19. Enjoy all that Lake Don Pedro has to offer such as fishing, camping, hiking, and swimming. There are also boat rentals of many types including houseboats.

20. Explore the stunning underground world with crystalline formations and winding passageways in regional caverns such as California Cavern, Black Chasm Cavern, or at Moaning Cavern Adventure Park.