Ken's Guidebook
South of Mars
(Within 20mins) Mariposa town is South of Mars with everything to supply the house, food, shopping, and museums.
Savoury's
5034 CA-140Quality dinner location with full service bar.
A good mix of diner plates and burgers with small bar area.
108 locals recommend
1850 Restaurant and Brewery
5114 Yosemite All-Year HwyA good mix of diner plates and burgers with small bar area.
Charles Street Dinner House
5043 Charles StAmerican/Italian cuisine with select seafood dishes.
Pizza Factory
5005 5th StGreat pizzas
Great place to learn about the history of Mariposa
73 locals recommend
Mariposa Museum & History Center
5119 Jessie StGreat place to learn about the history of Mariposa
Sticks Coffee
4993 7th StNice little coffee shop with a few small plates.
Skydive Yosemite
5020c Macready WaySkydive over Yosemite at Mariposa's airport.
Great for those who want be around animals. Book on ABNB experiences.
https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/972416?guests=1&adults=1&s=67&unique_share_id=d018fa45-f29e-46d7-bcff-dd18e17f786b
Coffee with Critters
5084 Allred RoadGreat for those who want be around animals. Book on ABNB experiences.
https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/972416?guests=1&adults=1&s=67&unique_share_id=d018fa45-f29e-46d7-bcff-dd18e17f786b
North of Mars
(45m - 1hr) Yosemite National Park is North of Mars and with excellent sightseeing, hiking trails, and a tourist village.
Good food with plates that change daily. Great place to stop for food and drink on the way to or back from Yosemite.
23 locals recommend
June Bug Café
6979B CA-140Good food with plates that change daily. Great place to stop for food and drink on the way to or back from Yosemite.
Zephyr Whitewater Merced Office
6940 CA-140Guided rafting for whitewater thrill seekers!
In the back end of Yosemite Valley with restaurants, tourist facilities, and activities.
20 locals recommend
Yosemite Village
In the back end of Yosemite Valley with restaurants, tourist facilities, and activities.
Further south of Mars
Roughly an 1hr drive takes you to Oakhurst which has more restaurants, shopping, and a lake! There is also another entrance into the park from Oakhurst.
Have lunch at the restaurants along the lake or bring your own for a picnic.
294 locals recommend
Bass Lake
Have lunch at the restaurants along the lake or bring your own for a picnic.
Bass Lake Boat Rentals and Watersports
54406 Rd 432Rent boats, kayaks, and paddle boards.
Ride on an old steam train, have lunch, and some activities for the kids.
147 locals recommend
Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad
56001 CA-41Ride on an old steam train, have lunch, and some activities for the kids.
Hiking
There are endless hiking trails inside Yosemite. I will not list those since they are well documented. Here are a few trails that are close by without traveling into the park.
Stockton Creek Resevoir Trailhead
Close to Mars without going into Yosemite Park.
Merced River Trail
11202 Bull Creek RoadNice flat walk along the Merced river, stop to picnic and relax along the river.
City advice
Don't miss
Wild animals, Avoid Rattlesnakes
You may see the typical wild animals during your stay like deer, turkey, rabbits, rodents, etc. Most wild animals avoid humans if they know that you are coming. There are Rattlesnakes in the entire Sierra Nevada area and should be avoided if you see one.
Don't miss
Avoid Poison Oak
Poison Oak is a three leaves plant/vine that grows wildly around unkept areas. Please familiarize yourself with this plant and advise kids not to touch it if you see it.