Best 10 Things to Do in Mariposa CA

Mariposa is an adorable town that gives visitors a beautiful blend of natural beauty, vibrant culture, and a rich historical background. It is nestled in the picturesque foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Mariposa in Spanish means butterflies, this town was named back in 1806 when a Spanish traveler Gabriel Moraga noticed an enormous bunch of butterflies near the county’s creek making it a lively paradise. Let’s explore some fun Mariposa CA things to do:

If you’re a history buff, you will love to explore the historical museums as it is one of the interesting things to do in Mariposa CA, where the visitors can enjoy touring the Blacksmith shop, and gold planning is counted among the activities offered by the Mariposa Museum & History Center, which showcases exhibitions ranging from Miwok culture to gold rush.

Yosemite Climbing Museum is a new addition to the museums in town, established recently in 2019 by the Yosemite Climbing Association, facilitating rock climbers with unique displays and climbing gear, artifacts, and photos.

Wine tasting is one of the can’t-miss things to do in Mariposa as this county is widely recognized for its wines. You can discover some fantastic locations that offer tasty regional wines, such as the Casto Oaks Fine Wine & Art in the heart of Downtown Mariposa, featuring artworks from local artists and some locally made wines from the Casto Oaks Winery. The Local Grape offers a wide selection of wines from the Sierra Foothills American Viticulture Area, featuring red and white wine flights for tasting.

The Hite Cove Trail is one of the Mariposa attractions that traces the western side of Merced River, taking up over 21 miles in the county’s east. While hiking through this trail you may find some breathtaking wildflowers blooming in the spring. The walk is 9 km long, starting from El Portal, and after 2.5 km the trail descends to the Merced River.

Riding a bike is one of the most fun ways to explore the Sierra foothills, and now the Yosemite E-Biking company offers amazing riding tours to tourists to help them explore the picturesque roads of Mariposa. Guests can enjoy full-day, half-day, or adventure biking tours for all skill levels, which include snacks, safety gear, and drinks.

A trip to Mariposa County is incomplete without visiting Yosemite National Park which is among the top Mariposa CA attractions. Here you get to learn more about the collection of flowers kept here and the history of this park. Tickets are easily available at Yosemite Valley Lodge offering a tour for about 2 hours. In summer a chic tram and in winter a heated bus is operated to facilitate the tour.

Visitors are welcomed to the Mariposa Museum & History Center to learn the inside scoop on the fun activities you can do here, and get to know the fascinating tales about the little town of Mariposa’s past. Established back in 1957, the museum operates as a non-profit organization, driven by the enthusiasm and dedication of its volunteers. This museum depicts the history in detail and reflects the way of life of Mariposa County from the time of Native Americans to the present day.

Take some time to explore the old buildings that date back to the golden era of Mariposa as Mariposa County Courthouse is a worthwhile place, dates back to 1854, and it is the oldest courthouse that may look like a government office. The courtroom on the upper side is furnished with 19th-century furniture, where you may discover several antique relics and maps on display.

However, another significant aspect of the history of Mariposa is depicted through the Mariposa County Jail, which was first constructed in 1852 but it burned down in a few years and was rebuilt in 1858, now known as the Old Stone Jail.

Sierra Cider is located just 20 minutes away from the Downtown Mariposa, an apple orchard & cidery with an emphasis on sustainable farming & agriculture. Dana & David are the owners of this business and are truly passionate about what they do, managing over 800 apple trees of almost 19 different types, that make an excellent cider. On weekends, they feature tours & tastings, where they take you on a tour of the orchard and to the cider tasting.

Tucked a few miles away from Downtown Mariposa is this stunning Stockton Creek Preserve, where the Mariposa Public Utility District & the Sierra Foothill Conservancy are in charge of overseeing this exceptional conservation initiative, including a tough trekking trail lined up with some blooming wildflowers, this trail encircles the Stockton Creek Reservoir, offering stunning views from there.

Skydive Yosemite is the only skydive center, providing this opportunity to experience the thrill and dive through the sky over the beautiful Yosemite National Park & Valley. Paul & Julia are the founders of this business, operating a fully licensed skydiving operation in their certified aircraft driven by certified pilots to ensure the safety of visitors, otherwise, the jumpmaster has also received the USPA ratings.