Mariposa
Around Mariposa
Photo: Diliff · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Countryside and towns · California · 17k people
Mariposa
“Mother of Counties”, “Gateway to Yosemite”
Small-town heart at the edge of the wild.
Sierra pine greenGold rush gold
Welcome to Mariposa County, where the Sierra foothills meet Yosemite's grandeur. Whether you're here for the gold rush history, the apple orchards, or the endless trails, you'll find a community that loves the outdoors and a slower pace. Pull up a chair at a local saloon and say howdy.
Clubs for Mariposa
No clubs for Mariposa yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Mariposa. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Mariposa. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Yosemite National Park Iconic granite cliffs, waterfalls, and giant sequoias.
- Mariposa County Courthouse Built in 1854, one of the oldest courthouses still in use in California.
- California State Mining and Mineral Museum Gold rush artifacts and mineral exhibits.
- Mariposa Museum and History Center Local history, from Miwok to miners.
- Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias Home to ancient sequoias, part of Yosemite.
- Merced River Wild and scenic river for rafting and swimming.
- Outdoors Hike to Yosemite Falls
- Outdoors Raft the Merced River
- With kids Pan for gold at the California State Mining and Mineral Museum
- With kids Pick apples at a local orchard
- Evenings Sip craft beer at a local brewery taproom
- Evenings Listen to live music at a historic saloon
- Locals love U-pick apple orchards
- Locals love Historic gold rush saloons
Through the year
- Mariposa County Fair September September
- Mariposa Apple Festival October October
- Yosemite Bluegrass Festival June June
- Mariposa Gem & Mineral Show April April
- Mariposa Christmas Parade December December
Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. Best time to be out is spring and fall. Best: Spring and fall are ideal for outdoor activities.
Talk like a local
- “"The park"”
- Yosemite National Park
- “"The Mother Lode"”
- The historic gold mining region
- “"Gold country"”
- The Sierra foothills
- “"The river"”
- The Merced River
Getaways
- Merced City amenities and University of California, Merced.
- Sonora Historic gold rush town with a lively Main Street.
- Fresno Largest city nearby, with shopping and dining.
- Mammoth Lakes Skiing and mountain lakes in the Eastern Sierra.
Local flavour
Rooting for San Francisco 49ers, San Francisco Giants, Golden State Warriors, Fresno State Bulldogs
Eat and drink
- Tri-tip barbecue A Central California staple, often slow-smoked at local gatherings and cookouts.
- Apple pie The county's apple orchards and annual Apple Festival make this a hometown favorite.
- Craft beer Local breweries and taprooms serve Sierra-inspired ales and lagers.
- Sierra foothill wines Vineyards along the Merced River and mountain slopes produce bold reds and crisp whites.
Where people go
- Yosemite National Park The park's western gateway lies within the county, offering towering waterfalls and granite monoliths.
- Historic gold rush towns Mariposa and surrounding settlements preserve 19th-century storefronts, saloons, and mining heritage.
- Mountain hiking trails Endless paths through pine forests, along ridgelines, and into hidden canyons.
- River canyons The Merced and Chowchilla rivers carve dramatic gorges and swimming holes.
- Apple orchards Family-run orchards and roadside stands dot the foothills, especially around Catheys Valley.
Make this page better
Know a place, a festival, a word locals use, or something here that's wrong? Suggest it; someone at Popchat checks every one.
Sign in and join a club here to suggest.
Nearby
Every areaMercedCaliforniaThe gateway to Yosemite, rooted in the valley.SonoraCaliforniaGold Country calm, where the Sierra meets the past.FresnoCaliforniaSun-soaked fields and friendly facesMammoth LakesCaliforniaWhere the Sierra touches the sky, and the stars come down to play.ModestoCaliforniaHeart of the Central Valley, where the orchards meet the Sierra.StocktonCaliforniaWhere the Delta meets the valley's bounty.HanfordCaliforniaGolden fields, warm hearts.BishopCaliforniaWhere the desert meets the Sierra
Mariposa County, CA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.