Yosemite Mariposa County offers unique holiday gift finds at every turn. From alpine arts & crafts to Gold Country cider, cab and zin, there's a local maker with something you won't find at the megamall. What's more, the storied merchants of Mariposa are often located in historic buildings resplendent in the finest seasonal decor.
This year, make holiday shopping a stay, shop, play getaway that's festively framed by national park vistas, artisanal window-shopping, great dining, and one of a kinds along Yosemite Mariposa County's golden roads. You'll return from this shopping excursion recharged and relaxed. Here's a quick gift-buying guide for the holidays.
Made in Mariposa
An added bonus that comes from checking items off your holiday shopping list with goods produced from local artisans is that you're further helping support small businesses. The more you purchase from local artisans, the more you're helping support creators directly.
To make this easy, a local organization, Made in Mariposa, brings the county's local artisans together under one umbrella. During December, stop by the Made in Mariposa Christmas Store, open daily at the Mariposa County Visitor Center with locally made products (and a free map)! For a comprehensive directory of local makers see the Made in Mariposa directory. Alas, if time's just too tight to experience the holiday magic of Yosemite Mariposa County this year, be sure to check out local proprietors offering online stores. Season's greetings!
Stock Up with Local Libations
Yosemite Mariposa County is blessed with classic Sierra foothills grape-growing terroir. Olives and apples thrive here, too. Check out the Mariposa Triangle Tasting Tour for our new guide to local bottles and beans, including many of these top holiday stops.
Butterfly Creek Winery
For the wine lover on your list, score big points with award-winning Merlot, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon from Butterfly Creek Winery. Mariposa's largest local vintner is set in the picturesque Snow Creek area north of Bootjack. Tasting room hours are Tuesday to Sunday, 11 am to 5 pm, or by appointment.
Casto Oaks Fine Wine & Art
Pour, peruse and purchase at Casto Oaks Fine Wine & Art, where you'll find jammy zins and deeply rounded cabs along with a gallery of local art for sale. Tasting room is located in the heart of old town Mariposa.
CostaLivos Mountain Gold Olive Oil
Sierra foothill olive oils and balsamic vinegar are in-store at CostaLivos. Start out by tasting CostaLivos fresh, cold-pressed oils, then pair your favorite with a delicious home-cooked Italian dinner next door at CostaLivos La Cucina Italia.
Mariposa Coffee Company
Mariposa Coffee Company produces black gold at their roastery and store just off Highway 49. Sustainability, community and fair-trade sourcing are just as important as perfect first crack-flavor for these local bean barons. In Mariposa proper, shoppers can also find signature blends like Yosemite Dark, Sequoia Sunrise, and Mariposa Morning at Pioneer Market and High Country Health Foods & Cafe.
Sierra Cider
Yosemite Mariposa County's sultry summers and crisp autumn nights are the perfect stage for cider apples to produce premium juice. Book a spot on the Sierra Cider orchard tour to get to the core of their apple alchemy. The engaging tours conclude with a delicious tasting and the opportunity to buy bottles of "campfire champagne." Sierra Cider is also available at Pioneer Market and the Village Store in Yosemite Valley.
Sticks Coffee
Bring small-batch, roasted-in-Mariposa coffee beans back to your coffee lovers at home. Tiny yet mighty Sticks Coffee serves tasty bites alongside killer joe, winning the Mariposa Gazette's 2021 Reader's Choice Award for Best Coffee.
Artful Deals
Works of art make timeless holiday gifts, and Yosemite Mariposa County is a haven for creatives who are inspired by the iconic scenery and evocative historic legacy. Take your gift list expedition out of the Amazon and into the local studios, cooperatives and galleries of the Sierra range.
Ansel Adams Gallery
Located in Yosemite Valley, the Ansel Adams Gallery is a historic California business with incredible views of Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, and Glacier Point, both out its windows and artfully hung inside on its walls. Discover a wide selection of handcrafts, books, gifts, and photography supplies that complement the extraordinary collection of Ansel Adams original photographs and exclusive editions.
Sierra Artists' Gallery
The Sierra Artists' Gallery is an old town Mariposa cooperative showcasing unique works from local artists and artisans. The grandeur and beauty of the Sierra foothills and Yosemite are infused into the paintings, drawings, prints, photography, glass, gourds, and jewelry available for sale.
Mariposa Marketplace
Mariposa Marketplace is an emporium of arts, crafts, antiques, clothing and collectibles in the historic Trabucco Building. Built in 1896, the 4,000 square foot two-story building offers a beautifully restored, old-fashioned shopping experience. Many features such as the tin ceiling, rock wall face, iron staircase, foot-thick granite walls and steel shutters are original issue.
Ridgeline Gallery & Gift
Located in the heart of old town Mariposa, Ridgeline Gallery features a wide collection of plein air paintings and photography from some of the best-collected artists in Yosemite Mariposa County including Rebecca Sullivan and Franka Gabler. A collection of handmade candles, culinary accessories, wind chimes and fine gift baskets, too.
Yosemite Crystals
Shopping for that hard-to-please rock hound or jewelry maker? Yosemite Crystals is Mariposa's one-stop-shop for local crystals, gold prospecting supplies, and gold tours. This is that elusive shopping stop that kids will love, too.
Wear it Well
Give your special someone a new favorite flannel shirt, chunky knit sweater, unique logo tee or hand tooled leather goods from Yosemite Mariposa County purveyors of clothing and accessories.
NativeEarth Footwear & Accessories
Quality footwear made in Mariposa? It's a shoe-in! NativeEarth is a local shoe company producing handcrafted boots, shoes and sandals. Not available on Amazon, so another reason to shop Mariposa local! Located between old town and the Yosemite Mariposa Airport, their deceptively utilitarian building reveals a parallel universe of old-world cobblers.
Brick Wall Haberdashery & Brick Wall Boutique
A pair of hip / throwback boutiques in historic downtown Mariposa, with cool threads and accessories for fashionistas and hard-working country gentlemen. On-trend apparel, vintage finds, locally-sourced & imported handmade accessories, all offered with good cheer under one bespoke roof.
Give Yosemite Adventures
Material goods are fine and dandy, but giving an experience often resonates even more deeply. The cycle of anticipation, discovery, and memories sets up the ultimate goal of a "gift that keeps giving." Fortunately, Yosemite Mariposa County is filled with unforgettable local adventures to share with family and friends.
Yosemite National Park Pass
Talk about a win/win. A one-week pass into Yosemite National Park is currently $35. Save money and support the national park ideal by giving an annual Yosemite Park pass for $70, or go even grander and opt for the nationwide America the Beautiful Pass for just $10 more.
Yosemite Conservancy
By giving a "Friends of Yosemite" membership for the Yosemite Conservancy, you back the good work of the only nonprofit dedicated to supporting Yosemite National Park. Trail repair, habitat restoration, and wildlife protection are all within the scope of the organization's work. Another way to give: shop the Yosemite Conservancy online store and its iconic collection of gifts with every purchase supporting Half Dome & Co.
Skydive Yosemite
Soar with confidence that no one else will come up with this amazing gift "“ a flyover of Yosemite National Park paired with skydiving! Skydive Yosemite offers amazing views of Yosemite National Park with tandem skydives starting at $175. Gift cards are available (sporting Skydive Yosemite's super cool logo). Pre/post-flight, go #vanlife by booking the official Skydive Yosemite camper van (and receive a 10% skydiving discount in the process).
The list above is a small portion of the fine shops and retail "Shopping" therapy you'll find in Mariposa County. Visit our directory of retail shops and offerings on https://www.yosemite.com/things-to-do/shopping/
Gift Cards
Many of Yosemite Mariposa County's restaurants, stores, and hotels offer gift cards to make gifting easy. Mariposa's 1850 Restaurant and Brewery offer Gift Cards in increments of $25-$100. Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite offers gift certificates that can be redeemed for lodging, activities, meals and spa treatments at Ascent Spa. Travel Yosemite, Yosemite National Park's concessionaire offers gift cards all the way up to $1,000 meaning you can gift an entire vacation including a stay at the historic Ahwahnee Hotel.
To explore lodging options, things to do, and places to eat, visit Yosemite.com, the #1 trip planning site for vacations to Yosemite National Park and historic Mariposa County. To stay up to date, follow @YosemiteNation on social media and subscribe to our newsletter, "The Wanderer". Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for great videos on the people and places of Yosemite Mariposa County.