The Five Palms in Sonora

Please e-mail me for our web site address  that has an additional 100 pictures and 5 three minute virtural tours of the waterfall and home with my narration. Vacation rentals does not allow web address's  on this site, sorry!

(Last Tennant e-mail) 7/19/09   We arrived at 5 Palms, full of anticipation, and eager to spend a week together that we had been waiting for for months.
From the rushing waterfall, to the 3 marble steps at the back entrance, we knew this was a special place. Kirk & Jacquie’s personalities radiate from countless details: Tastefully placed candles, an abundance of plush towels, thick shag carpet, big (and I mean BIG!) screen TV, class-act pool table, and the stainless steel BBQ are just some of the amenities that portray a knowledge of comfort and good life that the Giordanos use to mark their territory.  We explored the towns nearby, & we met the nice neighbors. We shone the flashlights into the depths of the private gold mine, and watched the early morning wild turkeys scratching and pecking their way up the hill.
We shared freshly made breakfasts in the kitchen & gourmet dinners on the patio, we spent starry nights in the jacuzzi chit chatting & sipping fine wine.
The hours were full and slow moving, yet the days flew by. When it was time to leave, it was with a mixed sense of sorrow & gratitude that we locked the door and looked back in the rearview mirror for one more glimpse of this amazing home that we made our own for a short few days.
Thank you both for sharing your home!

Robert Kershner

Come & stay in this lovely home just 5 minutes from historic downtown Sonora, California.
The house
sits on 20 acres with fruit trees, a river and an amazing waterfall the perfect setting for a
family
reunion or wedding party. There are 4 bedrooms each with a queen size bed, also the
lounge has a
double futon. There are also electric air mattress's in each room for extra guests. Sonora is
located on Highway 108 in the foothills of the gold country.

Relax & visit in a living room that has room for the whole family. Over 30 different board
games
are available. A roll-top desk provides room for your laptop or other necessary
paperwork. Two
futons double for sleeping and three recliners complete the seating in the living room.
Enjoy the huge flat screen TV with surround sound ( which also has outdoor speakers )
and an
enormous collection of movies, including children's classics. Take turns on the Shiatsu
Massage
chair.
Challenge each other to a game of pool on this regulation pool table with lion's head legs
and claw
feet. Several pool cues and a basket of chalk are ready for your game.
Build a fire for cozy warmth and atmosphere or if not in the mood to build a fire enjoy
the freedom
of central heating.
Enjoy preparing foods in the gourmet kitchen. Extra large gas range and oven, tons of
small
appliances, all utensils, cookware, and dishes are ready for you to make your time
together special.
Large stainless steel BBQ area can accommodate the entertainment needs of your large
family. 2
picnic tables are available for a sit-down meal.
Covered back patio has ample seating and even a double hammock for bringing the
family together. And
the sundance spa is hot and ready to go!
Sit back and relax listening to the year-round waterfall which pools in several spots for
the
youngsters to wade. Pan for gold in the creek. Light the fire pits and rub your feet in the
beach
sand.
A 100 year old real gold mine is only 15 feet from the back of the house. The gold mine goes underground for about 200 feet or more, but unfortunatly its very unstable and as a result we have had to place an iron gate in front for your protection.
Parking for 20 cars on graveled area. A pass-through driveway allows for unloading of
groceries &
supplies without having to tote everything from the parking area.

Use the Five Palms as your base for day trips to visit the gold rush towns of Jamestown
and Columbia
and experience a trip to the past. At Jamestown you will find Railtown 1897 State Historic
Park
which is home to one of America's last intact, still-operating railroad roundhouses that
offers
rides on their steam-powered excursion train on weekends from April through October.
Columbia is
the best preserved of all historic gold rush towns. Stagecoach rides, gold panning,
museums, Old
West Re-enactments, and docents to help you understand the era, Columbia is a school
for living
history for over 20,000 4th graders from all over the state every year.

Downtown Sonora has many small shops specializing in antiques, cozy tea shops and
gourmet
restaurants. In addition, there are three live theatres and excellent shopping. Sonora
plays host
to the annual International Jousting Championships, a PRC Mother's Day Rodeo, & a
Celtic Faire.
Nearby are the MiWuk Indian Acorn Festival, 49er Festival & Chili Cook-off, Ironstone
Vineyards
Concert Programs, Bear Valley & Strawberry Music Festivals, and so many music & arts
venues
throughout the year it is impossible to list them all.

Twain Harte is recognized as the Central Sierra�s original mountain getaway. In the
1800�s, it was a
pristine forest where Me-Wuk Indians lived with deer, bear, antelope, elk and smaller
animals.
Movies in the Pines each Friday and Concerts in the Pines every Saturday, both are offered
free to
the public. Craft fairs, community barbecues, a Fall Festival and the annual Oktoberfest
complete
the high tourist season. As the holidays near, Twain Harte is host to a charming Winter
Wonderland
Christmas parade that has become a hallmark of Twain Harte�s small town character.

Dodge Ridge Wintersports Area is located 30 miles east of Sonora, near Pinecrest, just off
of
Highway 108. In full operation, Dodge Ridge has 11 lifts, including one fixed grip quad,
two
triples, five doubles, a carpet conveyor, and two surface lifts. Of its 60 trails, 20% are
rated
beginner, 40% intermediate, and 40% expert. The resort�s top elevation is 8,200 feet and
6,600 feet
at the base area, offering a 1,600 foot vertical drop.

New Melones Lake is only 10 minutes away with boat ramps for your water sports and
fishing.

$450-per night, 5 day minimum.
$2800- per week
plus security deposit 1,000 dollars (refundable)
and a Cleaning deposit $150 (non refundable)

Sorry New years Eve. already booked for 7 days
Prefer guest over 25 years of age.
Our home can accomodate 16 people but my wife and I prefer no more then 10