Mariposa, California – Gateway to Yosemite
The pretty town of historic Mariposa California with a population of just 18,000 sits at the junction of Highways 49 and 140, not more than a 40 minute drive away from the west entrance of Yosemite National Park. You would need to add a few hours to the drive if you hit a big snow storm like I did.
Mariposa, California is a former gold mining town – as you’ll quickly see with door handles made from gold pans and street names like Bullion.
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Although Mariposa is well situated to visit both Mariposa Grove and the Yosemite Valley, it deserves some time itself.
Businesses, galleries and restaurants line the main street and some have quite a history dating back as far as the mid 1800’s. This is a town that saw gold prospectors arrive by the thousands as part of the California Gold Rush.
What do you to in a town like Mariposa?
Walk the town for starters. After you’ve finished poking in the shops and galleries on the main street (make sure you walk down as far as 5th Street) and after you’ve tried a local wine tasting at Ciera Wine Cellars, wander off on the path alongside the creek and explore the side streets.
Check out the Mariposa Gold Rush History Center and Museum and the California State Mining Museum. And don’t miss a stop at the Mariposa County Courthouse, California’s oldest seat of justice that is still in use.
Photos of Mariposa, California
Where to eat in Mariposa, California
At some point you’ll likely be hungry. Numerous restaurants should solve that problem. Two I enjoyed were the Sugar Pine Cafe pictured below and the Gold Coin Bar and Tavern which boasted a collection of the owner’s guns on the walls.
Both places had a great ambiance and staff were extremely friendly but I have to give the Sugar Pine Cafe the edge on the food. Restaurant prices are very low in this town – making it a bargain to visit.
Where to stay in Mariposa, California
There are lots of places to stay from chain hotels to an assortment of B&B’s. There is the option too of taking a bus up and back into Yosemite for the day if you don’t feel like driving.
For a chain hotel with a predictable experience the Best Western Plus Yosemite Way Station should fit the bill.
For an exceptionally rated B&B check out Highland House Bed and Breakfast.
I did and can attest to the fact that they are big and comfortable. And if you don’t have chains and you get caught on a snow day they are a good choice.
Mariposa, California is definitely worth the visit and it’s certainly an affordable alternative versus a stay in Yosemite National Park.
Further reading on things to do in California
- 10 Fun Things to do in Mendocino, California
- Hiking in Palm Springs: The Three Must Do Hikes
- The Ryan Mountain Hike in Joshua Tree National Park
- A Day Trip to Catalina Island – A World Away from LA
- 10 Fun Things to do in Mendocino, California
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Hi.
What is the date that you went?
I am planing to visit there on December 24th and 25th. Maybe there is a snow at this time.
Great pictures and I guess that the first is the best.
@Everson I was there about December 7th. I think the folks in Mariposa were a little surprised at how much snow had fallen. Yosemite was an utter delight in the snow.
Nice. So, it is just luck. LOL.
Well, what about Mariposa Grove. Did you go there on winter?
Thanks.
@Everson I did go to Mariposa Grove before it started to snow. Fantastic place that you must include.
Honestly love the gold rush pan door handle!
@Charu I love finding details like that especially as it relates to a town’s history.
These are awesome photos. I would never had known where Mariposa is except that I remember it showing up as a destination when I was looking at budget airline flights a few months ago (I think flights from Hawaii?). It looks beautiful in that all American small town type of way 🙂
@Jeff It is your typical all American town – albeit with a distinctly western flavour.
California certainly has great variation. To think this quirky, little town is in the same state as LA…
@Sophie That is ne of the pleasures of the state – from historic mining town to international city – and only a few hours drive apart.
Excellent post. Brought back fond memories of one of our staging locations into Yosemite National Park. Our experience was excellent as well. Really interesting town with a deep and well preserved history. Thanks for sharing.
@Barry I’m sorry I didn’t have time to visit the local mining museum. The town was loaded with history and it was interesting to wander the back streets of its historical section.
I can’t begin to tell you how many times I’ve driven through there, Leigh! I absolutely love Small Town America and your pictures certainly captured it here! You should see it in the summer…OMG. Loved this post from a few hours away from me! Ya know…we should have connected up so you could have met Phoenix 🙂
@Mike I really had never heard of the place until I visited. Not only is the town pretty but it’s in a beautiful part of the state and I loved the surrounding countryside.
Hi Leigh,
You captured the charm and spirit of Mariposa so well. I love your images. I particularly love the old building, the truck and the gold pan -they have such great texture and rich color.
@Marisol I think I love the patina the old sights give off and as you say the rich colour. I’d like to spend time in more historic towns with my camera – or better yet some ghost towns.
Great photos! I had never even heard of that town before!
@Luke That’s one of the great reasons for reading blogs as it does open up new worlds.
For such a tiny town, it has a long going for it. I’d certainly opt for the bus if there was any chance of snow. The picture of the old Dodge is my favorite!
@Nancie I am getting wimpier with age when it comes to driving in snow – and I think I’ve had one too many close calls. Mariposa is a great little town to visit.
All these years we’ve been going to Yosemite and we’ve never stopped at Mariposa. I think we’re just too intent on hitting the park. After seeing this, I feel like I need to do a pit stop especially at Sugar Pine Cafe. what a quaint town and I love the those old buildings. Beautiful photos, Leigh.
@Mary I think we all get into our routines and they are hard to break. We did the same thing on the way up to Whistler and never stopped at what eventually became our favourite coffee shop as it didn’t look like it would offer much. The same goes for Mariposa. A quick drive down the main street is not the same as a stroll looking for the details and talking to the local.s
Your photos of Mariposa are fantastic and are really making me want to visit it. I’m loving the blankets of snow. Thanks to you, I know to spend some time in this town instead of rushing past it to visit just Yosemite.
@Michele Even if you take just a few hours to have a meal and wander the main street I think you will be very glad you stopped. Normally it sits below the snow line – one of the reasons residents like it so much.
You’ve so captured the spirit of the southwestern and western U.S. . . .that small town, but welcoming feel. . .I love this post!
Thanks Jackie. It was a treat to get a taste of small town America – western style.
That first shot is a picture postcard, Leigh.
Mariposa sounds very delightful from the restaurants and galleries lining main street to the diners, it isn’t difficult to imagine life back then. Charming.
@Marcia I like the sense of history you felt walking down the main street and I could have used more time to poke in a few of the shops.
I love the gold pan door handle. Very funny.
@Cindy I thought it was a creative way to repurpose a gold pan.
Odds are good that you couldn’t find a single snowflake in Mariposa right now. In what’s shaping up to be the driest winter in California, not much rain or snow has fallen thus far during our “wet season.”
@Dick That’s not good news – especially for forest fire danger later on. I hope it ends up raining at least in Mariposa. I know that snow is a rare occurrence.
There’s something about a town pictured after a snowfall…it looks so pretty and inviting especially for those of us who never see snow! I love the colours of the old barn and the truck too. Thanks for the introduction to an interesting town.
@Jenny I was happy to have my camera in hand and unfortunately ran out of daylight. The area around the town is also very beautiful and fun as a photographer to explore.
Mariposa is one of my favorite little towns in the foothills, I always love taking a break for a meal when I’m visiting Yosemite..thanks for a sweet tour!
@Noel I was pleasantly surprised at how good the food was and I still can’t get over the price.
No I’ve never been, but it looks like a pretty town worth exploring – and what I wouldn’t give for some of that lovely snow when we are sweltering in temps of over 40!! Loved your pics 🙂
@Johanna Are you ever baking right now – not fun. I stayed a few nights in the place and felt like it offered a lot more than meets the eye if you just did a quick drive through.
Your first shot is a real winner for me. Coming from a hot climate, snow on pine trees in such a beautiful setting is so exotic. I wouldn’t like to be stuck in a snow storm though 🙁
@Jan I always feel that sense of envy when I am either freezing or sweltering and I see a photo that takes me to another place. It doesn’t actually snow much in Mariposa so I consider myself lucky to have got that shot.