Ranch Rests: Southern Mariposa County  

Covering nearly 1,500 square miles, Yosemite Mariposa County is home to an eye-popping panorama of diverse landscapes. From rolling Sierra foothills to soaring Yosemite National Park peaks, its eight — yes, eight — regions provide countless things to do and places to stay.  Translation?  Visitors to Yosemite Mariposa County earn their sleep after a full day of free-range fun.

For visitors to Southern Mariposa County, it all begins via All-Season Highway 140 as it rises from Merced to Yosemite National Park. Spurring off 140, the region’s country roads lead to some of the most perfectly pastoral ranchland scenery in California. 

Why Make Southern Mariposa County Your Base Camp?

Southern Mariposa County is where foothill topography begins to tilt your wheels ever so slightly in the direction of the Sierra Nevada up ahead.  Your windshield goes widescreen with scenic splendor: well-tended orchards and farms, fence-lined ranches, and the first glints of alpine majesty coming into view over the eastern horizon. 

Catheys Valley is an overflowing orb of agricultural bounty, with some of the richest grazing ranch land in the American West. In bygone days, the Southern Sierra Miwuk wintered here in this big sky valley.  Today, it’s a great place to take a country road detour, get lost in a good way, and discover waves of spring  wildflowers and butterflies aflutter.  Oh, and don’t drive by without stopping at the Oasis Cafe, where Hornitos Road meets Highway 140, for great Mexican food. 

Hornitos was once a rough-and-tumble California gold rush town. Back in its mining heyday, it was infamous for gaming tables, fandango halls, shooting scrapes, and flash-in-the-pan 49ers. The still-standing Plaza Bar, Hornitos Masonic Hall and St. Catherine Catholic Church make this stop a spooky-in-a-good-way detour off 140 for all, and must-see for history fans and architecture buffs. 

Straddling SR 49 and J16, Bear Valley is the original site of Colonel John C. Fremont’s mining empire.  Fremont, one of California’s OG explorer-entrepreneurs, arrived locally at the conclusion of the Bear Flag Revolt.  He bought a 44,000-acre parcel called Rancho Las Mariposas, renaming it Bear Valley. During the 1850s, the local population boomed to 3,000 when gold was discovered.  Look for the Bear Valley Historical Marker on SR 49, Fremont’s Oso Hall Museum, and Gold Rush-era buildings including the BonTon Saloon, Trabucco Store and Odd Fellows Hall. 

Vacation Rentals in Southern Mariposa County

You might feel like a 49er trying to find lodging in Southern Mariposa County, but just like during the gold rush, there are Eureka-level nuggets ready to discover. The bucolic landscape of Catheys Valley is dotted with vacation homes and cabins available for rent, with such evocative names as Bear Creek Ranch, Miners Rock Ranch and The Cabin at Quail Crossing. 

Posada Mariana Bed & Breakfast offers the vibe of a classic Spanish Hacienda in a tranquil, rural setting.  Set on 25 acres of Sierra Nevada Foothills with beautifully landscaped grounds, Posada Mariana features three guest rooms, each with a private entrance from a central courtyard.  

Miners Rock Ranch is just off Highway 140 in Catheys Valley, and available on Airbnb.  It’s a 2BR/2BA ranch-style home with room for up to 6 guests, featuring a contemporary Western setting with updated design and composite hardwood flooring throughout.  The same host manages a similar property off Hornitos Road named Bear Creek Ranch, with free-ranging sheep and adorable alpacas as neighbors. 

For immersing into ranch life, The 56 Yosemite Foothills Ranch is ready to ride.  The 2BR/2BA guest house is set on 56 acres of land, with mini-horse and quarter horse riding lessons, and trail rides on offer.  Equestrians are invited to “BYOH” and board on property.  Take your morning cup al fresco on the patio, overlooking hundreds of acres straight out of a Yellowstone set (is that John Dutton riding the fence line?).  Nighttime is prime time for campfires and stargazing deep into the night sky.  Highly rated, too; “The 56” has stellar comments with more than 200 reviews on Airbnb.

The Winemakers Cottage at Mount Bullion Vineyard is set on the vineyards of award-winning Casto Oaks Winery. The newly remodeled, private cottage offers 2BR/1BA, and comes with stellar reviews on Airbnb.  Yosemite Mariposa County wine country, cheers! 

Foothills and Fields Forever

Stay in Southern Mariposa County for a serene, ranch-adjacent retreat in scenic California Gold Country.  Your reward: vibrant sunrises and painted sunsets, all within an easy drive of Yosemite Sierra mountain peaks, rushing rivers, and deep blue lakes. Explore all of the region’s vacation rental options at Yosemite.com.