Mariposa County Vacation includes Ghost Town Coulterville with Haunted Hotel Jeffery

Scenes from the gold mining town of Coulterville show Hotel Jeffery, built in 1851, and other landmarks

You'll Strike it Rich on a Mariposa County Vacation Part 1 |  2 |  3   By: Debbie Stock   Who wouldn't want to protect and preserve this paradise? Mariposa's butterflies gracefully meander in meadows, part of a magical, surreal scene framed by cascading waterfalls that come to life in the spring, spilling melted snowpack into the Merced River.  A fantastic place to stay along the river, Yosemite View Lodge in El Portal, sits on the western edge of the national park less than 8 miles from the heart of it all. With some special rooms and suites overlooking the Merced, travelers agree that this is one of Yosemite's best kept secrets. Designated by Congress as a Wild and Scenic River, guests can obtain a license and fly fish just outside the hotel in the fast moving crystal waters.   Several restaurants and a gift shop on site, spacious rooms with conveniences such as microwave ovens, stovetops, small refrigerators, and fireplaces, plus several  swimming pools throughout the expansive property make this self-contained village a comfortable home base.   Downstream from the hotel and the mountain, you can suit up and climb into a guided whitewater raft excursion, enjoying the river first-hand. Considered some of the best rafting in California, class three and four rapids offer plenty of excitement and challenge, and the perfect way to cool your jets on a hot summer day.   For mellow water sports, rent a houseboat on McClure Lake, and enjoy views of the scenic Sierra foothills, taking it all in from the center of cool. Houseboats include sleeping quarters for up to 10 or 12 people, full kitchens, bathrooms with showers, high definition television, and even a slide that you can climb on and land in the lake for a refreshing swim.   Mariposa's accommodations run the spectrum from the four diamond Ahwahnee Hotel, a National Historic Landmark, to an equally inviting Tenaya Lodge offering resort amenities such as indoor and outdoor swimming pools, full gym, on site restaurants with world class cuisine, an espresso bar, and an incredible calendar of events featuring themed weekends and holiday happenings. Summer barbeques with hay rides, winter ice skating, a special Gingerbread Decorating workshop, tree lighting ceremony and sleigh rides all create a festive atmosphere that travelers return to year after year.   Operated by Delaware North Corp., Ahwahnee, Tenaya, and Wawona hotels all have unique charms. The Wawona Hotel listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is a 130-year-old property partially shaded by a sequoia grove. It features signature verandas, sing-alongs on the baby grand piano, and fresh foods from the hotel's very own ranch.

Video, Hotel Jeffery "lady of the night" in Coulterville, CA   Unassuming places such as Coulterville, less than 90 minutes west of Yosemite Valley, offer lots of entertainment and no shortage of surprises. The ghost town is home to Hotel Jeffery, an authentic gold rush establishment built in 1851.  With no less than 17 friendly spirits sharing the space, guests roll back the clock (if you can find one) more than a century as you soak up the vibe and commune with the likes of President Theodore Roosevelt, one of the esteemed hotel guests. While he is not believed to be one of the hotel's ghosts, the playful characters that are reported offer an exciting element, and promise of a paranormal experience for those willing to open their minds to the unexplained. An authentic saloon and restaurant at the hotel serve up indisputably memorable mesquite smoked ribs or prime rib slow cooked and so tender, the meat simply melts in your mouth! Well worth a trip, rib lovers will be smacking their chops.

Don't forget to practice your howl when visiting this "Howl of a Town". The annual Coulterville Coyote Howl Festival and Car Show includes a patriotic parade, musical entertainment, cute kids, classic cars, and the big Howling Contest. Old-fashioned fun never goes out of style in this charming Old West town....> more   Are you making your way to Mariposa County or Yosemite National Park? Get great info, a visitors guide, and directions from the Mariposa County Visitors Center. A new guide published by Yosemite/Mariposa County Tourism Bureau provides complete coverage of the events and attractions you won't want to miss. Call: Mariposa County Visitors Center: (866) 425-3366. homeofyosemite.com