Experience ridge views, peaceful country setting at a spacious 2600 sq ft retreat atop a hill. Stargaze, relax, see wildlife! Yosemite: 36 miles. Mariposa Downtown: 5 min - dining, boutiques, EV charger, grocery. Sleeps 6: 5 beds + Den w/sofa, Great room, 2.5 baths. Private 6-person hot tub. Outdoor grill and lounging. Central heat, A/C, washer/dryer hi speed internet 25mbps WiFi 65" TV, board games, pool table. Well-stocked kitchen, pots, pans, spices, gadgets, 12-seat dining, high chair. The space Deer Ridge Vacation Home is a spacious hilltop home with stunning mountain views in all directions. Quiet country setting with complete privacy. It has 3 bedrooms + 1 Den with a 65" smart TV, 2.5 bathrooms. Sleeps 6 people comfortably. It was newly furnished in 2021. There are long covered decks wrapping around most of the home, with plenty of outdoor seating provided. Additional benches on the property offer breathtaking views of the foothills of the Sierras from their own vantage points. In addition to the fully furnished 3 bedrooms, the den has a queen size sleeper couch that can act as a 4th private bedroom for large groups. This home is in a very quiet and rural setting. Relax and listen to the birds and the gentle sounds of two water features as you enjoy the grand panoramic mountain views and sunsets from the decks. Deer can often be seen on the property as well as squirrels, quail and many other bird species. Amenities Hot Tub! Seats up to 6 people to relax your sore muscles after day long hikes at Yosemite! New carpet throughout the house! Central forced air heating and air conditioning. Free WiFi. 65" smart TV in the Den ample seating Pool Table in the Great Room The spacious Great Room has a wood burning fireplace with glass doors, backed by a custom made stone hearth, which provides a cozy ambiance. Play with friends and family on the Pool table or Sit back and relax on the queen couch, recliner as you visit with your family or friends. Kids can play games, or watch TV or movies on the brand new 65 inch flat screen Smart TV in the large private den. The den couch and the living room couch folds out to provide two more queen size beds when needed. Master bedroom with a spacious bath tub has a queen bed with plenty of seating for reading in the private nook. The sliding door leads to the backyard deck and hot tub. Two identical bedrooms upstairs each have a queen bed plus a twin bed with a desk and chair in both rooms. Well equipped and well stocked kitchen that flows into the expansive outdoor deck with benches to enjoy your morning breakfasts. Gadgets, small appliances, plenty of pots and pans allow for a homely experience. The rear deck is equipped with a BBQ grill and 2 dining tables and lounge chairs. Separate dining area that seats 12 people comfortably. Water features and well maintained garden complements natural rock formations. Full size laundry access available. Access: Be advised - The 1.5 miles access road leading to this vacation rental is a well maintained gravel road. Guests have a separate driveway access to the property. Others: The property has 3 outdoor cameras at the front, side and back. Please note that these cameras are not actively monitored. The intent is mostly to check for house maintenance and landscape crews arrival/departures. Deer Ridge vacation rental is on a 5+ acre property. We utilize well water, septic tank, propane and solar power. Local Attractions Yosemite's west entrance via Hwy. 140, is only 36 miles away. This scenic highway, year round highway from Mariposa, running through the Merced River gorge, is the shortest route to the loop road in Yosemite Valley (only 6 miles from the west entrance) when compared to the routes from the other major gateway towns such as Oakhurst and Groveland. After 18 miles you'll see the Merced River Recreation Area at Briceburg. It has sandy beaches where you can have a family picnic, or stop to dip into the river on the way back from Yosemite Park to cool off on a hot summer day. This area is also great for fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing. To get to Yosemite’s south entrance, guests can also take Hwy 49 to Hwy 41. This is approx. a 45 mile drive from the vacation home. Traveling in that direction you can visit Bass Lake with its water sports, beaches and restaurants. The historic Sugar Pine Railroad takes guests on a 4-mile adventure through a scenic fir and pine forest. Kayak / white water rafting - For the more adventurous among you, rent a kayak or take a white water rafting trip with one of the commercial rafting companies that provide trips down portions of the Merced River. Mariposa Downtown for excellent dining options and strolls along the charming downtown dotted with boutique shops is a short 5 min drive from the vacation home. There are plenty of other interesting and fun things to see and do around the charming town of Mariposa, such as visiting the local museums that reveal the rich history of the pioneer gold-rush days of the late 1800s. Or spend an afternoon in the Mariposa County Park, where you'll also find tennis courts, skateboard ramps, picnic tables, and a playground. Sequoia National Park and King's Canyon National Park are even close enough for a day-trip. SPRING, the best time to see waterfalls at their peak in Yosemite Park. The snow remaining in the highest elevations melts and flows into streams that feed the waterfalls. Other than an occasional rain, you'll find very pleasant weather and smaller crowds for hiking. Some higher elevation hikes may be closed until late spring. This is a great time to raft the Wild and Scenic Merced River, or take amazing wildflower hikes in the Merced River Canyon or Hite's Cove, outside the park (March-May). Family fun at the Butterfly Festival in Mariposa (first weekend in May) or try to win the $10,000 prize at the Annual Fishing Derby at Bass Lake (first weekend in May). SUMMER offers months of dry, warm, sunny weather. All hiking trails are open throughout the park. The high elevation roads to Glacier Point and Tioga Pass are open. This is a good time for horseback riding, morning hiking, bicycling, and even Merced River swimming in Yosemite and Briceberg Canyon. Bass Lake is another great place for swimming, boating and hiking. (Boat rentals available). The Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad is a fun family experience. Ride in open railroad cars, pulled along historic tracks through a beautiful forest, by a steam locomotive. Enjoy musical events on weekend evenings in the Art Park in Mariposa. AUTUMN is a wonderful time to hike in Yosemite! The gorgeous fall colors last for months. Cooler but comfortable weather and smaller crowds make this time of year special and invigorating! Some waterfalls have diminished flows, but Vernal and Nevada Falls are still spectacular! Plenty of sunshine despite an occasional rain. Enjoy the beautiful greening foothills at one of the local ziplines. Family fun at the 4-day County Fair at the Mariposa Co. Fair Grounds over Labor Day weekend. Amazing natural wonders at the CA State Mining and Mineral Museum. WINTER When snow begins to fall in Yosemite ice-skating, downhill skiing, and snowshoeing (especially in the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias) are special treats. (Rentals available.) The mountains glisten in the sun. Hiking paths in Yosemite Valley are plowed and often free of snow. Make a snowman or go sledding. Horse-drawn sleigh rides or hayrides available at Christmas just outside the park. You’ll enjoy the brisk but varying weather if you dress in layers. Days are often clear, even in winter. In Mariposa, at 2,000 ft. elevation, snow is infrequent and melts, but if you want snow you can always find it at some elevation in Yosemite Park. Bring tire chains or 4WD, but chains aren't often needed unless driving higher than Yosemite Valley. If you are looking for an adventurous vacation in a beautiful natural area, with gorgeous mountain views and easy access to Yosemite Park, you are sure to enjoy your stay at Deer Ridge Vacation Home! Guest access Entire home and immediate surrounding areas are available for guest use and to explore. Property lines are marked and are available in the house manual.