YOSEMITE & MARIPOSA COUNTY VACATION PLANNER YOSEMITE & MARIPOSA COUNTY TOURISM BUREAU 866-425-3366 • YOSEMITEEXPERIENCE.COM COULTERVILLE Your Adventure Starts Here While the possibilities are endless to enjoy Yosemite National Park and the surrounding county, this guide will help HORNITOS you take it all in and ensure you make the most of your trip. Visit the must-sees, such as Half Dome and Yosemite Falls, experience Gold Rush history at one of the many museums, bike or hike the nearly endless paths and trails, or just take in the scenery at one of the many relaxing hotels, resorts, vacation rentals or B&B’s. … Happy traveling! 4 | VACATION PLANNER tuolumne meadows Tenaya LAKE YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK YOSEMITE VALLEY Foresta EL PORTAL Yosemite WEST BADGER PASS MARIPOSA GROVE HISTORIC HORNITOS mariposa FISH CAMP CATHEYS VALLEY YOSEMITEEXPERIENCE.COM | 5 Welcome to Adventure County Nestled among natural monuments, vineyards, and historic Gold Rush landmarks, Mariposa County, home to Yosemite National Park, is Adventure County! Located about 200 miles east of San Francisco, 300 miles north of Los Angeles and a little more than 400 miles northwest of Las Vegas, it is a must-see for any California tour itinerary. Alive with possibility, it’s a world-class destination for all seasons that inspires curiosity, refreshes the soul, and proves that you don’t need to be rich to live life to its fullest. The simple pleasures here are closer than you think—less than a tank of gas away for most Californians. There’s a lot to see, but this county is not just for viewing from a distance. It invites you to approach and experience it first-hand. Escape the daily grind, stand among millennia-old giant sequoias and impossibly high waterfalls, raft down the scenic Merced River, and discover all this remarkable place has to offer. OUR HISTORY In your travels through The easy gold only lasted With Yosemite National Mariposa, you might hear it for a couple of decades, Park in Mariposa’s backyard, referred to as the “Mother but it lasted long enough tourism played a role as far of all Counties.” That’s not for roads and railways to be back as the 1870s, though meant as a boast. When built. Communities evolved it didn’t really take off until California was granted even as the local economy automobile travel did too. statehood in 1850, Mariposa was shifting to quartz Nowadays, about four million County was by far the mining, ranching, farming people visit Yosemite National largest county, comprising and logging. Today’s visitors Park each year. Over the about one-fifth of the state. will find many remnants years, the county has become (It was later subdivided into from those early days, from host to a wide variety of eleven additional counties.) preserved landmarks to popular annual festivals and Soon after, the discovery obscure ruins—all of them events. Joining these activities of gold lured prospectors a testament to the county’s is a great way to experience by the thousands, all with fascinating past. more of the region’s history dreams of striking it rich. and culture during your visit. 6 | VACATION PLANNER YOSEMITEEXPERIENCE.COM | 7 what’s your adventure? Adventure County, home of Yosemite National Park, is known for its picturesque scenery, welcoming locals, charming & historic foothill communities, annual festivals, and of course, great outdoor recreation. The climate is also and artists find wells welcoming, with mild of inspiration. The summers and winters, historians will enjoy our colorful springs and falls, museums, authentic 19th and sunny skies most century architecture, days of the year. and Gold Rush-era remnants such as Adventure County working stampmills. draws people from Visitors enjoy feeling as all walks of life. Thrill- though they’ve stepped seekers come for the back in time, and the whitewater rafting, pace is a welcomed ziplining, and world-class change. So breathe deep rock climbing. Nature of the mountain air and enthusiasts marvel at relax, you’re headed to the variety of wildlife, Adventure County, and from delicate butterflies we can’t wait to to majestic great grey welcome you. owls. Photographers 8 | VACATION PLANNER TRAVEL TIPS Be Careful with GPS Yosemite National Park encompasses 1,200 square miles of mostly wilderness – so typing “Yosemite” in your GPS may take you to some far out places – literally! Instead make sure you use the exact address of where you are going, and stay on the routes of major highways - don’t take shortcuts. Are Tire Chains Required? Yosemite National Park is open year round but the park service recommends tire chains when visiting from November through March. Chains are also available for purchase or rent in Mariposa and Fish Camp. Due to occasional storms, chains may become required if conditions call for them. Call 209/372-0200 (press 1 then 1) for current road conditions. Take YARTS No tire chain experience? No problem! Take the Yosemite Area Regional Transit System (YARTS) bus. YARTS has daily, year-round routes with affordable rates all along the Highway 140 corridor with stops near hotels in Mariposa, Midpines, El Portal and on Highway 41 at Fishcamp. Routes from Highway 120 and Tioga Pass are available seasonally. YARTS has connections to Yosemite from Amtrak and Greyhound stations and from the Fresno/Yosemite International Airport. For more information visit Yarts.com More Travel Tools Visit our website to explore live webcams, find tips to avoid summer traffic congestion, and much more at yosemiteexperience.com/travel-tools YOSEMITEEXPERIENCE.COM | 9 ABOUT YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARk Yosemite National Park has the unique ability to amaze, charm, and surprise, no matter how many times you’ve been there. Many people visit, yet few ever see Yosemite in its entirety—which would take some time indeed. Established as one of the first national parks in more than 13,000 feet. About 4 million people visit October 1890, the protected territory encompasses each year, most during the summer, but Yosemite 1,200 square miles of scenic wilderness in the Sierra offers real adventure and inspiration for every season Nevada, ranging from 2,000 feet above sea level to and every type of traveler. TOP 5 MUST SEE Yosemite sightseeing is all about the great outdoors and everything you can do to immerse yourself in it. Take a quick tour of some of the natural wonders you’ll find here. Be sure to stay a few days, or else you’ll feel rushed trying to discover it all. 1 Big Rocks! 3 The Locals 4 Big Trees Granite, water, and light Yosemite is home to The most impressive are the hallmarks of Yosemite and many species of wildlife, including plant specimen in the park is the the granite monoliths here are American black bears, majestic giant sequoia, considered to be unrivaled. Half Dome is among great gray owls, plucky marmots, the most massive living thing on the most iconic rock formations tiny pikas, and much more. earth. The largest of the groves, in the world and at more than Seeing any of these animals in Mariposa Grove, is undergoing 3,000 feet from base to summit, their natural home makes for restoration through 2016, but El Capitan is one of the largest. an unforgettable experience you can still enjoy these beautiful You’ll find them both and many but remember these tips to trees by visiting the Merced and more in Yosemite Valley. For some help protect them. First, drive Tuolumne Groves. of the best views of these icons slow! Bears, coyotes, and other drive up to Glacier Point or stop wildlife are often seen crossing “Wild and Scenic” in at Tunnel View. the roads, and are sometimes hit 5 by speeding cars. Second, never Rivers and Jewel Waterfalls approach or feed the wildlife; help Lakes 2 keep them wild. Lastly, always use Sunbathe at the banks of the The best-known is a bear-proof food locker when Merced River beneath Half Yosemite Falls and it is also one camping and never leave any Dome, picnic at the Tenaya Lake, of the tallest in North America food or anything with a scent in the so-called “Jewel of the and fifth highest in the world with your car. Yosemite bears are very High Country,” or just venture a total drop of 2,425 feet–nearly clever and can sometimes cause just outside Yosemite’s border half a mile. There are countless damage to vehicles and campsites to experience whitewater others to explore as well including in their search for food. rafting thrills! Ribbon Fall, Bridalveil Fall, and Chilnualna Falls. Early spring is the best time to visit for waterfalls. 10 | VACATION PLANNER YOSEMITEEXPERIENCE.COM | 11 TOP 10 THINGS TO DO in the Midpines area and near traditions and basket-weaving 1 Get on the Trail! Stockton Creek in Mariposa are from cultural demonstrators. Plan Get out of your car and not to be missed! a day exploring one of the several plan to spend at least one full historical sites and museums in day exploring the more than 800 3 Guided Programs Mariposa, including the California miles of trail in Yosemite National State Mining and Mineral Park. There is some type of Explore with an expert! Museum. Go back in time at the incredible hike available in every There are several fun programs Yosemite Pioneer History Center season and for every fitness level. to choose from including in Wawona and take a ride in an photography and naturalist walks, authentic stagecoach. Turn to stargazing and tram tours, and page 22 to learn more! 2 Cruise the Valley Floor ranger programs.