Mariposa, CA Road Trips

One of many Gold Rush towns founded in the area in the 1850s, Mariposa has found a new gold mine in servicing visitors to Yosemite: it's the nearest town of any size to the main western entrance, offering inexpensive motel lodging an hour away from the park and some remnants of Gold Rush charm. 1 Visitor's Center, 5158 Highway 140, ☏ +1-209-966-2456. 8AM-5PM. (updated Nov 2019)

1 California State Mining and Mineral Museum, 5005 Fairgrounds Rd (Go south on highway 49 for 1.8 mi (2.9 km), then turn left onto Fairground Road.), ☏ +1 209 742-7625. Winter: Th-Su 10AM-4PM, Summer: Th-Su 10AM-5PM. Learn about the California gold rush, mining and minerals in this museum. See gold formations, gold nuggets, minerals and gems. $4, 12 and under: free. (updated Jul 2016) 2 Mariposa Museum & History Center, 5119 Jessie St (The YARTS bus stops next to the Museum). 10AM to 4PM daily. Museum showcases the history of Mariposa County. It has several old buildings including a working blacksmith shop. Inside the museum are objects from Chinese immigrants who looked for gold and objects belonging to the Miwuk Indian Tribe. Also inside is a reproduction of a miner's cabin and a replica of the county courthouse. $5.00 for adults over 18, free for children under 18.

1 Happy Burger Diner, 5120 State Highway 140, ☏ +1-209-966-2719. Opens 6AM. Has a big menu with all day lunch and dinner, and breakfast till 11:30AM. Offers Wi-Fi, and vegan options. (updated Nov 2019) 2 Charles Street Dinner House, ☏ +1-209-966-2366, [email protected]. 5PM-10PM. Fine dining with steaks and a large wine selection. (updated Nov 2019)

1 1850 Brewing Company, 5114 Highway 140, ☏ +1-209-966-2229. Brewery and diner. Brewery specializes in beers with nature inspired tastes. Diner specializes in burgers. (updated Nov 2019) 2 Hideout Saloon, 5031 Highway 140 (Entrance via 6th St), ☏ +1 209-966-6565. Tucked away on a side street, this aptly named dive bar is where the locals come to drink. Every available surface indoors and then some is plastered with dollar bills, and there's a small patio as well. Cheap drinks, craft beers on tap, surprisingly tasty pizzas. (updated Oct 2024)

1 Mariposa Hotel Inn, 5029 CA-140, ☏ +1 209 966-7500. A wonderful alternative to the usual cookie-cutter brands, this tiny operation located up a flight of stairs dates to the 1850s and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. All 6 rooms are decorated in kitschy Grandma-meets-boudoir style and the price includes a continental breakfast. 2 Quality Inn Yosemite Valley Gateway, 4994 Bullion St (from SR140/SR49, take 4th St. 1 block east), ☏ +1 209 248-4856. 3 Best Western Yosemite Way Station, 4999 State Highway 140, ☏ +1 209 966-7545, toll-free: +1-800-321-5261, fax: +1 209 966-6353. 4 Monarch Inn, 5059 Hwy 140, P.O. Box 2193, ☏ +1 209 966-4288, [email protected]. (updated Nov 2019)

Mariposa is about three hours away from San Francisco. To get there, take Highway 140 east out of California's San Joaquin Valley. Highway 140 crosses both Interstate 5 and State Route 99, which are the main north-south routes within the valley. From Yosemite, take Highway 140 west out of Yosemite Valley. Mariposa is about an hour's drive away. The closest Amtrak station is in Merced where you can transfer to a YARTS bus. You can book a thruway bus with an Amtrak agent or at Amtrak.com. The bus trip from the Merced Amtrak Station to midtown Mariposa takes about 45 minutes. Yosemite Area Regional Transit System (YARTS). Shuttle operates from mid-May through late-September. The YARTS shuttle travels on Highway 140 from Merced to Yosemite Valley, with several stops in Mariposa. Ticket prices include park entry, and can be purchased from the shuttle driver. (updated May 2015) 1 Mariposa-Yosemite Airport (RMY IATA). A General aviation airport. A company offers charter aerial tours of Yosemite ($200 a person) (updated Nov 2019)

Walk. The commercial district about 10 blocks long and runs along Central Yosemite Highway, Route 140.