Bear Creek Ranch in tranquil setting near Yosemite Valley/Merced River

Quiet and serene retreat for families (pets allowed if approved prior to arrival) located in California Gold Country on a ranch property - a little more than a mile from highway 140, which is the route to the west entrance of Yosemite Valley. The property is situated in the rolling hills and oak trees of Catheys Valley. The sunrise and sunsets are gorgeous and the night sky has an unobstructed view of the stars. The historic rock walls that exist on the property are from the early gold rush days of California. Wildlife abounds on this property - deer, coyote, bobcats, birds such as turkey, hummingbirds and the California Quail.
The retreat has just been renovated and has two comfortable bedrooms and 1 bath. The two bedrooms have 1 queen bed in each room. Two twin size rollaway cots can be made available when booking for 5 or 6 guests. There is central air conditioning and heat. The open floor plan has a living room with plenty of lounging area and includes games and puzzles, large smart TV with Netflix, & Wi-Fi. The kitchen has a full size refrigerator /freezer, a stove/oven, microwave, toaster, Keurig coffee machine & tea pot, blender, glasses, dishes, pots/pans, silverware and cooking utensils. There is an iron and ironing board, washer and dryer. Out the back door is a private patio with a picnic table and charcoal only BBQ.
The retreat is fully stocked with towels, hand soap, shampoo and conditioner, shower soap, linens, laundry soap, dish soap, coffee, some spices and cooking oil, toilet paper, paper towels. Housekeeping is provided before and after your stay. There is not a daily maid service.
The entry is a personal key code access and there is plenty of room for parking.

All your guests get access to the kitchen, dining room, living area, laundry room, and back yard. You will NOT be sharing this home with anyone else.
We have 2 security cameras, 1 facing the front door, 1 facing the back door
Catheys Valley is a quaint small town with a restaurant, gas and convenience store and a small post office. The Catheys Valley park has the old Catheys Valley school house, an informational plaque/marker describing the founder of Catheys Valley and a blacksmith shop sponsored by the Catheys Valley Historical Society - open during special events and holidays. Raw Roots Farm are located in Catheys Valley and are worth the visit. You can also arrange an animal tour with us while you are visiting.

The Mariposa Fair Grounds hosts the Mariposa County Fair and rodeo including the demolition derby, various events and festivals and the Mining and Mineral Museum that gives you the colorful history of our gold country past.
Mariposa is a small gold rush town that now offers local antiques, gift shops and art galleries, wine and olive oil tasting, restaurants, groceries and gas stations. For historical sightseeing, the court house is the original court house built in 1854 and the only original court house still operating in California. Tours are available during certain times of the year. The Mariposa Museum of History sits in the central part of town and is close to breakfast, lunch and dinner options.

Highway 140 continues through Mariposa along the scenic Merced river to the west entrance of Yosemite National Park, the only all weather route into Yosemite and the closest entrance to the valley floor loop. Along the route there are places to stop for picnics, water rafting, beaches and of course beautiful scenic photography opportunities of the wild California poppies and the beautiful rock outcroppings. The Merced River Recreation Area in Briceburg is a great place for all of these.
Other family activities around Mariposa include the historic Sugar Pine Railroad that takes guests on a 4 mile narrated railway adventure traversing original logging rail beds by a steam locomotive; the Sierra Vista Scenic Byway will take you through giant sequoia groves, alpine lakes, wildflower fields and amazing views of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range; and multiple lakes for swimming, boating or fishing.
Yosemite National Park is set within California’s Sierra Nevada mountains. It’s famed for its giant, ancient sequoias, and for Tunnel View, the iconic vista of towering Bridalveil Fall and the granite cliffs of El Capitan and Half Dome. In Yosemite Village are shops, restaurants, the Yosemite Museum and the Ansel Adams Gallery, offering prints of the photographer’s renowned black-and-white landscapes of the area.