Pinecrest Lake — Attraction in Sonora

My family has been coming to this area for generations and Pinecrest is one of the main reasons why. It's the perfect place for nostalgic summer fun. The little beach area at the front of the lake is full of families basking under brightly colored umbrellas and blankets next to the protected swim area. Other than beaching it, there is a great 5 mile hike around the lake (also leads to the Cleo's Bath Trail), many picnic tables and bbq pits, and very popular campgrounds (book in advance!). You will find people fishing for rainbow trout all around the banks of the lake and off of boats. There is a boat launch or you can rent your own. Besides little fishing motor boats, they also offer party boats, kayaks, peddle boats, and I think paddle boards. Other amenities include the snack bar (burgers, chicken strips, fries, soft serve), well maintained restrooms, and fish cleaning stations. If you need ice, snacks, drinks, or other essentials the Pinecrest Market is just a couple minutes walk. There is also a store that sells all the beach floaties, etc that you would need.

This place is the epitome of classic Americana. If your anything like me, it will fill your heart with joy as it beckons to a simpler time. There is a reason why many of the people you meet will tell you they have been coming for years.

Parking can be a challenge, so take fewer cars if you can help it. You may have to get creative if you don't arrive...

My name is Bill Bright, and my friends Pat & Tim Christenson, and others, used to go up to Pinecrest every chance we got in Pat’s blue VW Bug. We started going up there together the summer before my senior year of high school in 1969, and usually stayed at Meadow View camp ground. This was when they would have outside dances for us, and before it grew to what it has became today. We were pretty much summer locals, and hung out with Karen (wanting to show me Cleo’s Baths), Chris, Mimi, Barbara (& brother), the twins Patty & Ellen, and their younger sister Mary Ann from San Francisco, and Nancy Ross (& brother), from Sonora. This was some great times, and when the Lake had a Sheriff named Albert. I have fond memories of this summer in 1969, of the people I listed, and continued going to Pinecrest for years afterwards. Please post this, so others that I mentioned might have a chance to see it, so it can also bring back these same memories of Pinecrest to them, and maybe make their day. Thanks, Bill Bright...

Our family's annual snow hunt saw us attempt to go to some snow park up past Strawberry. We made it, but the lack of a single parking space combined with the overflowing 900 park guests caused us to abandon that plan and seek snow fun elsewhere.

We decided to check out the scene at Pinecrest, since we also needed a location with food and bathrooms. We've camped and visited the lake several times before, but hadn't been during snow season.

We lucked out and parked by the Steam Donkey restaurant. The food was good (beef & chicken burgers, fries, salads), and a bathroom for customers. We walked over to the lake, which was awesome. The lake is drained each winter, so after we spent time sledding down several runs and making the worst snowman ever, we walked around on the lake and docks until we found untouched snow, where we made our own snow cones.

Public bathrooms are available at the lake (TP not guaranteed).

We had...