Mariposa

Mariposa is in the Sierra Nevada region of California near Yosemite National Park. Mariposa is located along Highway 140, west of Yosemite, and is an inexpensive option for motel lodging when visiting Yosemite.

Get in

By car

• From Yosemite, take Highway 140 west out of Yosemite Valley. Mariposa is about an hour's drive away.
• From the west 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.

By train

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.

By bus

• 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)

Get around

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

See

• 🌍 California State Mining and Mineral Museum, 5005 Fairgrounds Rd. (Go south on highway 49 for 1.8 miles, then turn left onto Fairground Road.), ☎ [phone]. 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)
• 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. 

Do

Buy

• Blue Heron sports, 5081 Highway 140, ☎ [phone]. Nice little outdoor shop for trekking, camping, fishing and outdoor activities. Owner is very friendly and has excellent tips on planning the yosemite trip. 

Eat

Drink

Sleep

• Comfort Inn, 4994 Bullion St (from SR140/SR49, take 4th St. 1 block east), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]. 
• Best Western Yosemite Way Station, 4999 State Highway 140, ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone], fax: [phone]. 

Go next

• Yosemite National Park

Routes through Mariposa

Auburn ← Coulterville ←	N  S	→ Oakhurst → Ends at
Gustine ← Merced ←	W  E	→ El Portal → Yosemite N.P.