Calaveras County is home to a wide variety of distinct communities, each with its own personality and wonderfully rich history. Calaveras County is rich in Gold Rush history, quaint historic towns, wine country and acres of scenic beauty. Blessed with almost perfect climate, giant sequoias, caverns, lakes, and rivers, Calaveras County is a worthy tourist destination. Tourism makes up the largest portion of the county's economic base.

Since 1928, the Jumping Frog Jubilee has attracted visitors from all over the world who gather on the third week in May to celebrate Mark Twain's story.

Calaveras County is famous for its lode and placer mines, and for many years it was the principal copper producing county in California The largest gold nugget found in the United States was taken from the Morgan Mine at Carson Hill in November, 1854. When weighed on Adams Express Company's gold scales in Stockton, it balanced the scales at 214 pounds and eight ounces, Troy. The largest crystalline gold leaf specimen, which was found locally, can be viewed in Ironstone Vineyards’ Heritage Museum in Murphys.

Big Trees State Park has been attracting visitors for over one hundred fifty years. The first grove of Big Trees, "Sequoia Gigantea," discovered in California was the Calaveras Grove of Big Trees.

The wineries of Calaveras County, with vines dating back 150 years, are attracting national and international interest because of the fine quality of wine produced by local vintners. Calaveras now offers 25 tasting rooms located throughout the county.