Does anybody know anything about this small town outside Yosemite? Worth a visit?

Mariposa is really not a "destination" in and of itself unless you are staying in one of the B&Bs. The gold rush towns stretching for 100+ miles along CA Hwy 49 are quaint (I hate that word but it best describes them) and Mariposa is the most southern of them. Each town - some are barely villages, will have an antiques shop or several, old bldgs and sometimes a small museum. Besides Yosemite, other nearby things include gold mines, and redwood groves.

The country is really pretty - but can be dry and hot in July/August.

ginny: The wife & I visited Mariposa on our way to Yosemite in May of this year. In fact we were staying at a B&B about 9 miles south of there. It's a very small town of about 1800 people. There's a few neat little typical tourist shops, taverns, & restaurants. From there it's about 43 miles east to Yosemite Village along the Merced river. It's a very beautiful area. About 27 miles south of Mariposa is Oakhurst (Pop.- about 13,000). Oakhurst is even nicer.

Gary, why do you find Oakhurst nicer? What is there?

Ginny, I posted to your other message about Oakhurst but unlike Gary, I find Mariposa more pleasant. Go figure!

We enjoyed the Caifornia Mining and Mineral Museum in Mariposa.

http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=588

Utahtea

ginny: I just felt that Oakhurst had more amenities to it, being a larger town with what I felt were better restaurants,hotels,shops & visitor's center. Also the closer proximity to Yosemite (southern entrance) driving up Rt.41 north. As were mentioned by previous posters, both towns are "passing points" on the way to Yosemite.