Few Northern California old mining towns can boast a candle factory, a fudge “shoppe,” and a year-round Christmas store, yet still feel cosmopolitan. But Sonora, a casual Gold Rush town three hours east of San Francisco, is eminently weekend-worthy for big-city folk. In this history-rich town (founded in 1851, it’s one of the state’s oldest communities), visitors can pan for everything from period antiques to BCBG, sarsaparilla to panini. Make a winter stop on your way to enjoy Yosemite without the crowds, or come now to catch the start of the surprisingly active local theater scene’s 2008 season. These are no quaint recreations of the Old West stage: Highlights include The King & I, Woody Guthrie’s American Song, and The Miracle Worker (visit sierrarep.org for the full schedule).

Downtown Sonora’s main drag along South Washington Street has all the traditional fixin’s, including a Masonic Hall, a firemen’s museum, and Legends, a monument to historic soda fountains. Vintage devotees will want to drop into Antiques Etc., the mother lode of affordable collectibles, and Baer’s 1851 Antiques, with its more serious collection of turn-of-the-20th-century oak chests and tabletop finery. For those more interested in what’s hot now, the Princess Shoppe has loads of couture, Juicy and otherwise, while S.S. Home’s sleek elegance can stylishly redress your living room or den. For a taste of local culture, check out the Sportsman, featuring everything a man needs to be a man: fishing lures, knives, hunting gear, and domestic beer by the bottle.
Legends: 131 S. Washington St., 209-532-8120; Antiques Etc.: 8 S. Washington St., 209-532-9544; Baer’s 1851 Antiques: 105 S. Washington St., 209-533-2460; Princess Shoppe: 128 S. Washington St., 209-532-4016; S.S. Home: 1 Linoberg st., 201-532-5311; The Sportsman: 90 S. Washington St., 209-532-1716

Despite the fact that you’re hours away from anything Keller-kissed or Napa-blessed, excellent chow abounds. Downtown, Bon Appétit is a French bistro that crafts croissants and all manner of pastries in-house, in addition to excellent soups, salads, and sandwiches. Come evening time, the Diamondback Grill (above, right) features a changing array of upscale entrées, though most people order the Kobe or Buffalo burgers—with a side of elegant jazz. For that farm-to-table experience, Cover’s Apple Ranch is a must-visit. This family community of Old Brethren (similar to the Amish) performs magic with the apples that have grown here since 1890, including tangy, spiced apple butter, apple cider, and a perfect crust around the fruit-stuffed “mile-high” apple pies.
Bon Appétit: 51 S. Washington St., 209-532-2355; Diamondback Grill: 93 S. Washington St., 209-532-6661; Cover’s Apple Ranch: 19211 Cherokee Rd., Tuolumne, 209-928-4689, coversappleranch.com