Mariposa drinking venues; things to do

Highway 49--Gold Rush Country

Mariposa drinking venues

Bett’s Gold Coin Sports Tavern  

Hwy. 140/Fifth St., (209) 742-7574.  L-D daily.  

Referred to by locals as “the 

coin,” the family-friendly Bett's Gold Coin Sports Tavern watering hole has a large rectangular bar with plenty of seating, a pleasant open-air balcony, and live music on weekends.  The building features a brick exterior with iron shutters, and a plastic-covered reveal of the original 160-plus-year-old adobe bricks can be viewed on the way to the restrooms.  In the days when the town had at least one murder every day, Fremont used this building as headquarters for mining operations.  Nowadays you can get sandwiches, burgers, and full dinners, and even kids are welcome and provided a special menu.   

Castro Oaks Fine Wine and Art  

5022 Hwy. 140, (209) 742-2000. 

The tasting room at Castro Oaks Fine Wine and Art provides a free tasting of their hearty Zin and smooth Cab, but you can also purchase wine by the glass and stay a while.  Art by locals is displayed and for sale.  The Vineyard is located 9 miles away on Highway 49 in Mt Bullion; visits are by appointment.

Prospectors Brewery Co. Tap Room  

4996 7th St.  M-F 3-10pm, Sat-Sun 11am-10pm.  

Five families work together at the Prospectors Brewery Co. Tap Room to make this a friendly spot to

down a pint (and it is the only craft brewery found between Fresno and Yosemite).  I favor the German-style Bootjack Blonde.  Note that as is often the case in Ireland pubs, no food is served.

More things to do in Mariposa. 

More things to do in Yosemite area.

More things to do in Gold Rush Country.  

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

images c2013 Carole Terwilliger Meyers 

Mariposa: Mariposa Museum and History Center; things to do

Highway 49--Gold Rush Country

Mariposa Museum and History Center  

5119 Jessie St., (209) 966-2924.  Daily 10-4.  $4, under 18 free.  

exterior of Mariposa Museum and History Center in Mariposa, California

In addition to exhibits curated by topic inside the rustic, woodsy museum--including things like Miwok Indian baskets and an iron so heavy you can barely lift it--you’ll find mining exhibits and a Miwok Indian bark house outside.  A guided tour of the Mariposa Museum and History Center will make sure you see exhibits you might otherwise miss—a broom-making shop, the Gazette newspaper building displaying the original press and print shop, the blacksmith shop, and the still-working 1874 five-stamp mill.

More things to do in Mariposa.  

More things to do in Yosemite area.

More things to do in Gold Rush Country. 

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

images c2013 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Highway 49--Gold Rush Country

Introduction to Mariposa

Named for the butterflies that are seen in abundance here, Mariposa county comprised 1/5 of the state when California became a state in 1850. Today the county has only 18,000 residents and no traffic lights.  The compact town of Mariposa itself has a Historic Downtown District with a raised sidewalk and wall-to-wall vintage buildings holding a variety of unique shops and restaurants.  Described as “above the fog, below the snow,” the town gets approximately 300 days per year of sunshine and makes a good jumping-off spot for visiting Yosemite. 
                                                             

While here, stop in at the Mariposa County Courthouse.  Operating within a Greek Revival-style  building, it is the oldest continually operated courthouse west of the Rockies--since 1854.  You are welcome to visit the working courtroom upstairs. 

Mariposa Country Courthouse in Mariposa, California

More things to do in Mariposa. 

Things to do in Yosemite area.

More things to do in Gold Rush Country. 

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

images ©2013 Carole Terwilliger Meyers