Things to Do Near Yosemite

Along Highway 41 – Oakhurst, Bass Lake, Fish Camp

Whiskey Tasting at Oakhurst Spirits – a home grown distillery owned by U.S. Veteran Mike Benbrook. Come in for a whiskey tasting and browse the art in the adjacent art gallery. Enjoy the beautiful mountain patio during good weather months. Buy a bottle and take it home with you! 40300 Greenwood Way, Oakhurst, CA 93644

Wine Tasting & Entertainment at Yosemite Wine Tails – a dog-friendly wine bar on the road to Yosemite, owned by long-time local Colette Goga. Sit at the bar and enjoy the special of the day or enjoy a flight of samples. Wine slushies will cool you down in the summer, and Warm mulled wine will keep you warm in the winter. Special musical guests on weekends, too! 40409 CA-41, Oakhurst, CA 93644

Ride the Steam Train at Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Mountain Railroad – The historic railroad offers train rides, food service, gold panning, logging museum, and the Kids’ Depot Toy Store. Open April through November. 56001 California 41
Fish Camp, CA 93623

Horseback Riding with Yosemite Trails Horseback Adventures – Daily from May through late fall, you can go on a fun horseback ride through the forest and trails. In good weather conditions only. 7910 Jackson/Big Sandy Rd. Fish Camp, CA 93623

Jeep/ATV Tours with Yosemite Adventure Company – fully guided ATV tours or off-road rentals in Yosemite and surrounding areas. 42515 Highway 41, Oakhurst, CA 93644

Day tours of Yosemite National Park with Discover Yosemite – Air-Conditioned Bus Tours of Yosemite National Park hitting all the best photo ops! With knowledgable tour guides and box lunches. They also offer Firefall tours, Full Moon Tours, and private outings. Picks up at all major hotels in Oakhurst and Mariposa, California.

Rent a Party Boat, Fishing Boat, Kayak, or Jet Ski at Bass Lake

  • Bass Lake Boat Rentals – On the north side of the lake, you can rent pontoon boats, jet skis, Kayaks, or Fishing Boats. Behind The Pines Restaurant and Hotel. Grab a burger and a beer, or an Ahi Poke Plate and a Pina Colada at the Marina Tiki Bar and Grill. 54406 Rd 432, Bass Lake, CA 93604 
  • Miller’s Landing Boat Rentals – The south side of the lake Miller’s Landing offers a variety of exciting water sports activities, with boat rentals and cabin rentals on Bass Lake. During the summer enjoy a burger at the Grill, or coordinate your trip with the annual vintage boat and car show! 37976 Road 222, Wishon, CA 93669

Experience the Gold Rush Era at Fresno Flats, Historic Village & Park – This park and museum uniquely recapture life in California’s “wild west” in the late 1800s. It includes several original pioneer homes, two one-room schoolhouses, two jails, a blacksmith shop, a print shop, gift shop, wagon display, and a portion of the historic lumber flume. Free to visit and open dawn to dusk – bring the family to experience this slice of western life in the 1800s! 49777 High School Road, Oakhurst, CA 93644

Challenge your Friends at Yosemite Axe Throwing – 9 indoor throwing lanes and an outdoor throwing facility with 6 throwing lanes. 2 full size cornhole games and a shaded picnic area. 40761 Hwy 41 #6 Oakhurst, CA 93644

Bring the Fam to the Go Play Party Zone – Indoor fun with 5 arcade machines with over 70 games, a claw machine, foosball, skeeball, and even a nine-hole indoor mini golf course. There is also air hockey for those with a fierce competitive streak and a TV to catch up or just chill. Open Fridays, Saturdays, & Sundays. 40531 CA-41 suite A, Oakhurst, CA 93644

Support Local Artists at the YSA Gallery, Gallery at Oakhurst Spirits, Firefall Gallery, and Yosemite Gateway Art Center. The beauty of the Yosemite Area attracts artists from all over the world, and many of them decide to stay and live here! Check out the local art galleries in the area where you can acquire original artwork, prints, or artistic gifts to remember your stay.

  • YSA Gallery – A multi-media art gallery coop by members of Yosemite Sierra Artists. Open Wednesday through Sunday 12Noon-7pm April – December, and 12Noon-5pm January – March. 40879 CA-41 suite 1-i, Oakhurst, CA 93644
  • Gallery at Oakhurst Spirits – Managed by local artist Gina Mims, the Gallery at Oakhurst Spirits features Gina’s work as well as guest artists and exhibitions. Open Fridays through Sundays. 40300 Greenwood Way, Oakhurst, California 93644
  • Firefall Gallery – Owned by local photographic artist Nancy Robbins, Firefall gallery features Yosemite landscape and wildlife photography. The gallery also features etchings, pastels, watercolors, sculpture, jewelry, fiber art and an extensive selection of ceramics. 40680 HIghway 41, Oakhurst, CA 93644
  • Yosemite Gateway Art Center – This strip mall in the north side of Oakhurst is the home of four separate galleries: Stellar Gallery (photography), Williams Gallery West (eclectic), Gallery 5 (exhibitions), and Yosemite Gateway Art Center (an artists’ coop). Open every day except Tuesdays. 40982 Highway 41, Oakhurst, CA 93644

Take a stroll in Oakhurst Community Park or Ahwahnee Hills Regional Park – Oakhurst Community Park is located right behind the Oakhurst Public Library and accessible through its parking lot. It has a children’s play park, a gazebo and picnic tables. Open every day from dawn to dusk. Ahwanee Hills Regional Park is located at 43469 Highway 49, in Ahwahnee just west of Oakhurst, and is open 8 am – Sunset, Wednesdays through Sundays. Ahwahnee Hills Regional Park has 400 acres of oak woodland, a 15-acre lake, and 7 miles of walking/hiking trails.

Seasonal Events

Oakhurst Art & Wine Hop – Third Thursday of the month, May through September from 5:00pm-8:00pm. Various venues along Highway 41 in Oakhurst host local artists’ works.

Sierra Art Trails – An artist studio open tour in the Yosemite communities from Coarsegold to Mariposa, Oakhurst, Bass Lake, and North Fork. First two weekends in October.

Oakhurst Fall Festival – Rides, Booths, Wine Tasting, Food and more! Our annual autumn festival is the second Friday through Sunday in October. Produced by the Oakhurst Area Chamber of Commerce.

Peddler’s Fair at Coarsegold Village – Two weekends a year: Memorial Day Weekend & Labor Day Weekend. Antiques, Vendors, Food & Beverages.

Tarantula Festival at Coarsegold Village – Usually the last weekend of October, we gather to honor our fuzzy, eight-legged friends. With food, fun, contests, and of course, tarantulas!

Coarsegold Rodeo – The Coarsegold Rodeo grounds hold many events throughout the year, with the main event Coarsegold Annual Rodeo being the first weekend in May. Located at 44777 Rodeo Grounds Lane, Coarsegold, CA 93614.

Oakhurst Christmas Tree Lighting – An annual event taking place in early December at the corner of Highways 41 and 49. A perfect small-town Hallmark-like event with hot chocolate, vendors, and the lighting of a 13-foot community tree.