Driving around the area you will see Chinese walls, old cemeteries and stone monuments... reminders of vanished settlements.

Mariposa, at the junction of Highways 140 and 49, is about 26 miles north of Oakhurst and near the Arch Rock entrance to Yosemite. The village has sufficient shopping facilities to be self-sustaining while having a minimum of chain and fast-food places.

Mariposa is the county seat of Mariposa County, one of the oldest counties in the state. The county encompases Yosemite National Park within its boundries. In the center of Mariposa is the Mariposa County Courthouse, the oldest courthouse in continuous use west of the Rockies and the third oldest in the nation.

The Mariposa Fairgrounds hosts the California State Mining and Mineral Museum, featuring exhibits and displays that illuminate the mining practices of Gold Rush days and includes over 13,000 minerals, rocks, gems, historic artifacts and fossils. Meanwhile outdoor activities abound, from the foothills and lakes to the Merced River Canyon and the mountains. Spend your day fishing, swimming, boating, hiking, bird watching, climbing, skiing – or just relaxing. Mariposa is a unique place to live.

When the county was entered in 1806 by the Morgana Expedition (a group of Spanish explorers and hunters) they found a place just teeming with vibrant cream and yellow butterflies. Thus they named this area Las Mariposas - the butterflies.

Nestled as it is in a small valley, the surrounding hills offer many homes, small ranches and properties with pleasant scenic views and relatively modest prices. Mariposa itself is at the 2000 foot elevation and has a population of under 2000. The primary businesses are cattle ranching, small wineries, and tourism. The climate offers a full four seasons while having a minimal exposure to long periods of snow.