Mariposa, CA Real Estate

In the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, lies a small, adorable town, still clinging to its Western roots. Like something out of a movie, the less than 2,000 residents enjoy the beautiful scenery and small time life in the mountainous town provides

Relying on its charm, the small town sees a great deal of tourism, particularly given its close proximity to Yosemite, the renowned national park that attracts tourists from all over the world.

Small locally owned bed and breakfasts, adorable inns and other lodging is abundant. Tiny antique stores offer local wares and fresh coffee downtown. The area remains almost completely untouched by the over abundant chain stores so pervasive in larger cities; nearly all the businesses are locally owned, a charming aspect of the tourist town. A local favorite, the Charles Street Dinner House epitomizes a self proclaimed “western elegance.” Locals enjoy the freshly made onion soup on crisp evenings under the old-fashioned lanterns of the restaurant.

Residents claim that the small town has capably mixed simplicity of the 1950s with the flavor of the Wild West. Like a Rockwell painting come to life, December in Mariposa marks the annual Christmas tree lighting and caroling throughout the downtown district. Residents revel in family dinners by the fireside and the smell of rain and smoke mixes in the air. Often, the area sees a small amount of snow around the holidays, adding to the flavor of the desirable area.

The area has remained mostly untouched by many of the overabundant, box stores and chain stores so pervasive in large cities- antique shops, small coffee shops and locally owned restaurants are the strongholds of the tiny, but adorable downtown. A local favorite, the Charles Street Dinner house offers self-proclaimed “Western elegance.” Diners enjoy the freshly made onion soup on crisp evenings under the antique lights of the old-fashioned restaurant.

Cabin-like homes are popular in Mariposa. Expansive homes are dispersed along the mountainside… taking advantage of the beautiful view and large lots. Much cooler than some of the lowland cities of the San Joaquin Valley, residents still manage to find a “swimming hole” to keep cool, decent fishing and trails to climb.

Spanish for “butterfly,” Mariposa’s first residents were an indigenous Native American Indian community called Miwoks. An abundance of butterflies were seen by early explorers around a small creek; the name evolved from the longer, but more descriptive “Arroyo del las Mariposas.”