“Look, it’s an arthur,” my husband joked as I started my first draft of this first monthly column about Groveland. A tourist once called it, “Groovy-Land,” though I’m not sure I agree with that description. Yet, I like the sound of it, so I will be using it.  

Before I go any further, here are a few quick facts about Groveland. Population: 1,500. Elevation: about 3,000 feet. Phone prefix: 962. Zip code: 95321. Snow: yes, about four times a year. Heat: yes, but it does cool off nicely at night.

By now, some of you are wondering, “where the hell is Groveland?” It’s okay to ask that, for we have a classic car show in June by the same name. Groveland is located about 30 miles southeast of Sonora, on Highway 120.

There are a few ways to get here from Sonora. You can fly an airplane into Pine Mountain Lake Airport. By land, there is one main way and one back way. The back way involves taking Wards Ferry Road east from Sonora – yes it actually goes somewhere – to Groveland. It’ll take you a few hours, you’ll be lucky to see another soul on the road, your cell phone won’t work at all, but you’ll get here.

Most of us (except SMT editor, Thomas, who prefers the back way) take Highway 120 east toward Yosemite. How you get from Sonora to Highway 120 is up to you. Ask ten people how to get, “up the hill,” and you’ll get ten different answers. Though everyone claims to have the best and fastest route, it’ll take you about 45 minutes no matter which way you go.

If you want to visit Yosemite, you’ll have to come through Groveland.  Tourist season unofficially runs Memorial Day through Labor Day and you can follow the tourists up the hill in their RV’s, buses and SUV’s.  

Some Groveland residents were born and raised here. Most of them, however, are transplants from somewhere else, and have a story to tell of how they ended up in Groveland. It makes for quite an interesting cast of characters. I too have a story to tell, but that’s for another column.

Here in Groovy-Land, we have all the usual things a Mother Lode town should have: a post office, a grocery store, schools, a fire station, and a ranger station. We also have the oldest continuously operating saloon in California, The Iron Door, along with the historic Hotel Charlotte and Groveland Hotel.

Our biggest event of the year is the 49-er Festival and Chili Cook-Off coming up on Saturday, September 19. More details about this all day, family-friendly event will come in next months’ column. ‘Til then, stay cool!

Kathryn can be reached at

kasibley@gmail.com.