Strawberry, Tuolumne County, California

Strawberry

Tuolumne County, California

Mileage to Strawberry

  • Sonora - 32 miles
  • Stockton - 92 miles
  • Sacramento - 136 miles
  • Modesto - 79 miles
  • San Jose - 154 miles
  • San Francisco - 162 miles

Historic Sites

A few old buildings can be seen in the meadow downstream from the Strawberry Inn. Along the side of the road there you will find a stone historical marker which talks about the way Strawberry was named and about the early Sonora and Mono Wagon Road.

Strawberry's Early Times

The Strawberry Flat Ranch was established in 1853 up the road where Camp Blue is located. Wild strawberries there gave rise to the name. When the Sonora and Mono Wagon Road was constructed along the route of Old Strawberry Road, the river crossing became the site for a popular hostelry. Sonora residents, tired of the summer heat, would drive their wagons up the road and camp at Strawberry for weeks or even months at a time. Fishing and hunting parties would strike out into the back country from Strawberry.

Strawberry

Fishing, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Vacation Cabins

Strawberry, which borders Highway 108 several miles past Pinecrest, has been a mountain retreat for 150 years. Most of the early buildings have disappeared, but the charm of Strawberry still draws thousands of visitors every year.

One of the main attractions is the South Fork of the Stanislaus River which runs through Strawberry, offering its restful murmur to visitors and providing a lively trout stream for anglers. A trail leads downstream all the way to Fraser Flat.

Several key businesses are found in Strawberry - the Strawberry Store and the Strawberry Inn. They have become landmarks along Highway 108. Vacation Rental Cabins are scattered around the residential sections of Strawberry, offering lodging for vacationers year-round. Many renters like Strawberry's close proximity to Pinecrest, Dodge Ridge, Leland High Sierra Snowplay, and the rest of Sonora Pass.

Strawberry meadow

Photo of the Strawberry Store

The Strawberry Store hours are 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, except for Sundays when the hours are 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Besides basic groceries, they carry some camping gear and fishing tackle.

The store is a meeting place for people in the area. They stop by to visit with fellow Strawberry residents or to relax on the porch and just pass the time watching the flow of people and cars.


Strawberry Inn

The Strawberry Inn is located on Highway 108 in Strawberry, across the highway from the store. Strawberry Inn provides rooms for rent, dining, and banquet facilities. It was established in 1939. Knotty pine, a stone fireplace, and an excellent collection of paintings, sculptures and woodcarvings decorate the Strawberry Inn, providing an accent to an already beautiful setting.

the Strawberry Inn

The Strawberry Inn is only a few miles from Pinecrest Lake, Beardsley Reservoir, Dodge Ridge Ski Area, and Leland High Sierra Winter Play Area. The Inn overlooks the South Fork of the Stanislaus River.

Dining guests can choose tables overlooking the river in the main dining room or at their attached octagonal two-story gazebo.

(209) 965-3662

The Rivers Resort Rentals

The Rivers Resort

The Rivers Resort Rentals Office

The Rivers Resort Rentals is located on Highway 108 in Strawberry next to the Strawberry Store and overlooking the South Fork of the Stanislaus River. They feature 10 cabins scattered across 3 acres of forest land. The cabins were built in the 1950s during the TriDam construction project. Most are two or three-story homes with a rustic, knotty pine decor. Most have been remodeled and many have views of the river.

The cabins come fully equipped with cooking supplies and linens. They are all equipped with cable TV and WiFi. They are housekeeping cabins which means that you are expected to clean them upon your departure, except for the linens.

The resort includes a heated swimming pool available to guests from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

(800) 514-6777

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Hiking around Strawberry

Two especially enjoyable hikes begin in Strawberry. The first is the short jaunt up the side of the river to the Pinecrest Dam. The one-mile hike begins at the parking lot next to the store. Hike up Herring Road between the store and the river. After a short distance it turns into a dirt road and eventually a trail. Follow orange blazes painted on the trees. The route never wanders far from the river. The trail brings you out at the dam at Pinecrest Lake. From there you could take the 4-mile hike around the lake.

entrance to the Strawberry
		Railroad Grade Trail

The second hike is down the river along the railroad grade. To begin the hike, drive or walk up Old Strawberry Road a short distance until you find a dirt road blocked by a single bar gate (shown here). You can follow this gentle route 4 miles downstream to Fraser Flat. Restrooms and water are available at the Fraser Flat Campground just a short distance farther down, across on the north side of the river.

Fishing

The South Fork of the Stanislaus River flows right through the heart of Strawberry, providing great fishing for anglers of all ages. The section of river between Strawberry and Pinecrest Lake dam offers some productive little pools and riffles, while downstream from Strawberry fly fishermen will find some excellent stretches of river.


For more information about fishing the Stanislaus River here, see Dave's Sierra Fishing.


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