We hope you'll use your visit as an excuse to explore some of California's most stunning scenery and it's hidden gems. Below is a starting point to help you create your own adventure packed itinerary!

This place is a locals favorite! June Bug Cafe serves three meals a day with locally, sustainably sourced food in a rustic cabin like dining ambiance. The spa features a sauna, hot tub, and cold rain shower, with options for massages and private soaks as well. There are also scheduled yoga classes you can join in on!

Sierra Cider is a beautiful orchard tucked away in the hills of Mariposa! This farm is open to the public offering cider tastings and games for the whole family. Visitors are also welcome to wander through the orchard and enjoy the tree swing onsite!

Do you love small, one-of-a-kind coffee shops? This is Lora's favorite coffee shop in town! You'll immediately be greeted by the smell of freshly espresso with local art adorning the walls. In addition to all your favorite coffee drinks, pastries, and savory bites, you can purchase specialty coffee beans and ceramics. Lora's favorite beverage is the "Happy Camper" (smores meets latte) and her savory go-to is the "Breakfast Sando" (when in California, you gotta indulge in that avocado)!

This local gem has handcrafted charcuterie items and pre-made picnic baskets, with lots of locally sourced options! Bring the taste of California with you on your adventures and/or pair with a glass of wine by the river.

Take a stroll through downtown Mariposa, the charmingly preserved Gold Rush town! Enjoy a slice of small town life, with delicious restaurants (like 1850, Happy Goat Diner, and Savoury's), shops filled with local handmade items, and enjoy live music and brews at the Grove House!

This unique outpost is a bit off the beaten path, sandwiched between the Merced River and the nearby Fen (a seasonal wetland). Originally built as a fish hatchery in the 1920s, this space now features a wildlife themed exhibit and art workshops/activities!

The Yosemite Exploration Center is a newly designed space that includes interactive displays and exhibits highlighting Yosemite's many stories and natural wonders. This is a great place to learn more about Yosemite's history and it's magnificent wildlife and ecosystems!

The Gallery displays an extraordinary collection of Ansel Adams’ original photographs. Dozens of compositions by Adams, from his earliest work to his world-renowned Western vistas, trace the arc of the artist’s mastery over five decades while pointing to his continuing influence on landscape photography today. National Park history, original and authentic works of art, and one of Yosemite’s finest collections of books, maps, handicrafts and Native American jewelry are in store for visitors.

The real beauty of Yosemite is found outside! Be sure to check the "About Yosemite" page of our wedding website which outlines the different regions of the park and some of the places you won't want to miss!

Located at the eastern edge of California, between the arid Great Basin and the snowy Sierra Nevada, Mono Lake is an ancient saline lake that covers over 70 square miles and supports a unique and productive ecosystem. The lake is home to trillions of brine shrimp and alkali flies, millions of birds, freshwater tributary streams, and limestone formations known as "tufa towers". All to say, this is definitely not your average lake and a must see if you're visiting the Eastern Sierra! Lora & Chris recommend visiting South Tufa for great views of the lake, its tufa towers, and the surrounding basin (Google Map pin here).

This is the location of Chris and Lora's very first date! Overlooking the vast expanse of Mono Basin, Whoa Nellie Deli offers some fantastic meals (we recommend the pork chop) along with lots of eastern Sierra souvenirs & sundries.

And yes, it's a part of the Mobil gas station. Home to some of the most expensive gas you'll ever see!

Latte Da is a local favorite with organic coffee, tea, breakfast, and baked goods! After you order, pick a cozy spot in the garden to admire the garden and local birds. This coffee shop is a part of the El Mono Motel, highly recommended by Lora and Chris if you're staying a night or two in the Eastern Sierra!

June Lake is one of the most beautiful and easily accessible lakes along the Eastern Sierra! Bring a towel and bask in the sun and/or take a swim in the bright blue waters of this lake fed by alpine water stream. A stunning mountainscape surrounds the lake for endless scenery all around!

After laying on the beach at June Lake, a visit to June Lake Brewing (JLB) is a must! This quintessential California ski-bum brewery has a delicious array of beers from IPAs to red ales, stouts, and sours. If beer isn't your thing, there's a hard seltzer option available in liquid or slushy form (get the slushy).

Take a 2-mile hike around this volcanic cone that is part of the Mono-Inyo Craters, a chain of recent volcanic cones along the Eastern Sierra! Panum Crater is between 600 and 700 years old, comprised of pumice and obsidian.

Hot springs are cool and unique experience! Be prepared for driving on rough, dirt roads and note that hot springs are usually clothing optional.

Don't be shy about asking Lora & Chris for tips and recommendations! Lora grew up in California and together the adventurous duo have traveled to many parts of the state. They are a wealth of knowledge and are happy to share any ideas they can to help you have a spectacular visit!