What are you doing this weekend? Visiting historic Mariposa

Mariposa, known as a gateway community to Yosemite National Park, is a destination in its own right. If you're headed to the park but want a break to head back to civilization, this Gold Rush town in the Sierra foothills has museums, a historic courthouse and a quaint downtown full of shops, restaurants and hotels. It's 290 miles north of Los Angeles but a world away. --Mike Morris