Tuolumne County, California
350 productions since 1919
Gold Rush main streets, a working steam railroad, and Sierra backdrops from near sea level to 9,000 feet — with one office to walk you from scout to wrap.
Drive from L.A.
5½ hours
Drive from S.F.
~3 hours
County film permit
Free · ~2 weeks
Airports in county
Two
Filming here since
1919
Locations
Every backdrop within a short drive
An 1850s town with no modern traffic, a steam railroad with its own roundhouse, and a working county-seat downtown — all inside one county.
Ext. Railtown 1897 — Jamestown
Railtown 1897 State Historic Park
A working steam railroad with historic station, roundhouse, and scrap yard. Engine No. 3 played the time train in Back to the Future III.
Ext. Main Street — Columbia
Columbia State Historic Park
A living Gold Rush town closed to vehicle traffic — horse carriages excepted. High Noon shot on this street.
Int. County Jail — Sonora
Vacant County Jail
The former Tuolumne County Jail is available to book for filming — cells, corridors, and yard.
One county, sea level to 9,624 ft — every pin under a different permit path, all routed through one office.
You’ve seen this county before
From near sea level to over 9,000 feet —
endless location possibilities
One county. Every look.
Alpine granite, an 1850s main street, working steam, a wild river — and the era to match. Pick any two looks in Tuolumne County and they’re rarely more than an hour apart.
Photo: Almonroth (Wikimedia Commons), CC BY-SA 4.0
Permits
Three permit paths. One office.
City and county permits both run through the Film Commission. State parks go through the California Film Commission — and we’ll help with those too.
Inside Sonora city limits
City of Sonora
Application plus an insurance rider naming the City as additional insured. Returned to the Film Commission for processing.
Fee$100Lead time~2 weeksThroughFilm Commission
Outside city / state / federal land
Tuolumne County
One application and proof of insurance. Most of the county — including Jamestown, Groveland, and Highway 108 — falls under this permit.
FeeFreeLead time~2 weeksThroughFilm Commission
Railtown 1897 & Columbia
State Parks
Both state historic parks permit through the California Film Commission’s online application. Permit is free; some site fees apply.
FeeFree*Lead time4+ business daysThroughCA Film Commission
Not sure which one applies? Send us the location and we’ll route you — including Forest Service, Bureau of Reclamation, and tribal land contacts.
Production Resources
Local cast & crew, ready to book
One directory of Tuolumne County talent, crew, services, and rentals — no need to truck everything over the pass.
Cast & Talent
Actors, background extras, and specialty performers based in the county.
Come see us
We’ll scout with you
Tell us the look you need. We’ll help you find the setting, sort the jurisdiction, and connect you with local crew — start to wrap.
Flying in? See our Getting Here resources →
Events & News