Mariposa Travel Guide

Plan a vacation to wonderful Mariposa CA! This historic California town is full of adventures, outdoor activities, and landmarks. The town was settled in 1849 and got its name from the migrating monarch butterflies seen by the settlers. The town’s structure still follows the original street outlines which were designed in 1850, and many of the old buildings in the historic downtown are still standing. All of these buildings are still in use so they are all nicely taken care of and restored. This is also the southernmost town of all the gold rush cities and it has great access to Yosemite National Park. All of these great features make the town of Mariposa an excellent vacation destination!

Things to Do in Mariposa

Get ready for a vacation full of adventures and activities. Mariposa offers a diverse and colorful area which is excellent for all the outdoor activities available like fishing, hiking, biking, rock climbing, horseback riding, white water rafting, and much more. Did you know that this beautiful town offers a gold panning tour? Guides will take visitors down to the river where the historic gold rush took place and everyone can try gold panning.

Yosemite National Park is a great place to spend quality time outside. The park not only features amazing trails for hiking and breathtaking views, but visitors can also get up close and personal with the waterfalls and the granite cliffs too. Since the national park is gigantic, visitors need multiple days (and some good hiking shoes) to explore everything. Make sure to see Glacier Point, Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, El Capitan, and the many beautiful waterfalls as they are all amazing highlights of the park. Do not forget to see the giant sequoia trees also!

The Mariposa Museum and History Center reflects on the history of the town and how the gold rush played such a pivotal role in the city's development. Additionally, the California State Mining and Mineral Museum also reflects on the gold rush and the minerals available in California.

Best Places to Stay in Mariposa

The best areas to stay at in historic Mariposa are the northern areas to be closer to Yosemite National Park. There are also many restaurants, cafes and stores within walking distance as well. Mariposa offers a variety of amazing vacation rentals. Most vacation home rentals have fully equipped kitchens, dining areas, and large living rooms, perfect for traveling with children.

Best Time to Visit Mariposa

The best time to visit Mariposa, California is anywhere between April and November when the weather is amazing. Please do not forget that forests and mountains are cooler than the rest of the land and the deeper visitors go the colder it will get. So for everyone planning on hiking make sure to bring a light jacket.

Food in Mariposa

California is an excellent state to try delicious wines and food. Mariposa offers a great variety of foods and wineries. Visit Butterfly Creek Winery and Vineyard to try different wines and also learn about them. Plenty of amazing restaurants are available here as well, and the top rated place to eat is Charles Street Dinner House.