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A ginger Highland cow and her shaggy calf standing on a golden hillside
Mother and calf on the hillside.
A guest's cupped hands offering feed to a Highland cow's shaggy muzzle
Feeding from an open hand.
A red, shaggy Highland cow standing among granite boulders, with more of the herd grazing behind her
Red coats, the classic Highland color.
A red Highland cow grazing a green slope above a lake, with blue mountains beyond
The herd has a view.
A long-horned Highland cow standing on a rocky hillside dotted with granite boulders
Grazing among the granite.
A small Highland cow in a golden meadow between granite boulders and oak hills
Morning light in the meadow.
Meet the Highlanders7 photos & videos
  • Close-up of a shaggy tan Highland cow grazing, the herd walking up, a cow with her calf, a father and son meeting the herd, and a tan Highland eating from a guest's hand
  • A ginger Highland cow and her shaggy calf standing on a golden hillside
  • A guest's cupped hands offering feed to a Highland cow's shaggy muzzle
  • A red, shaggy Highland cow standing among granite boulders, with more of the herd grazing behind her
  • A red Highland cow grazing a green slope above a lake, with blue mountains beyond
  • A long-horned Highland cow standing on a rocky hillside dotted with granite boulders
  • A small Highland cow in a golden meadow between granite boulders and oak hills
mariposahighlands Penon Blanco Peak, Coulterville, CA
Free · 9 AM

Meet the Highlanders

Coffee with the Cows: every morning at 9, Lola, Lemon and Pearl come to say good morning.

Written by the Mariposa Highlands family · Updated

The short answer

Meet the Highlanders is our free morning visit, Coffee with the Cows, with Lola and Lemon, our two black micro mini Highland cattle, and Pearl the mini donkey, at Mariposa Highlands, on Penon Blanco Road in Coulterville, CA, about 36 miles (roughly an hour) from Yosemite's Big Oak Flat entrance. It happens daily, every morning at 9:00 AM, takes approximately 20 minutes, and is free for every guest staying with us. Coffee and cocoa are served. Lola and Lemon hang out in that spot all day, so you can watch them any time; the 9 AM visit is the time to interact. The rest of our herd are standard Highland cattle with red coats, the breed's classic ginger color: Jack the bull, young August and about a dozen cows. Jack keeps a gentle eye on the herd and the young ones.

When
Daily, every morning at 9:00 AM
Duration
Approximately 20 minutes
Cost
Free for guests
Served
Coffee and cocoa
Who it's for
All ages; children stay with an adult
Season
Year-round, including winter
Where
A short walk from the Airstreams, about 100 yards
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What Coffee with the Cows looks like

  1. 8:55 AM

    Walk over for coffee

    Pull on shoes you do not mind getting dusty and walk the short path from your Airstream. Coffee and cocoa are waiting at the meeting spot.

  2. 9:00 AM

    A quick safety hello

    We'll go over a little animal etiquette, simple ways to say hello that keep everyone happy, two legs or four.

  3. 9:05 AM

    Say good morning to Lola, Lemon and Pearl

    Lola and Lemon trot over for breakfast, and Pearl is never far behind. Hold out an open hand of feed and feel those soft, whiskery noses. Lola and Lemon are small enough to meet at eye level, shaggy bangs and all.

  4. 9:15 AM

    Picture time

    Get your picture taken with them, then tag us at @mariposahighlands with #MariposaHighlands.

  5. After

    Stay as long as you like

    Lola and Lemon hang out in that spot all day, so come back and watch them any time. Walk a trail, relax outside your Airstream, or head out for the day. If it is your check-out morning, you are welcome to stay on the land after check-out at no extra cost. See Arrive Early, Stay Late.

Meet the herd

  • Lola, our micro mini Highland heiferLola & LemonMicro mini Highland cattleOur two little black micro mini Highlands. They hang out by the meeting spot all day and say good morning at 9.
  • PearlMini donkeyNot a cow, and she does not mind at all. She joins Lola and Lemon every morning at 9.
  • JackThe bullJack keeps a gentle eye on the herd and the young ones.
  • AugustThe young oneStill growing into his horns.
  • Red, shaggy standard Highland cows grazing golden grass below a rocky hill at Mariposa HighlandsThe cowsAbout a dozen standard HighlandsStandard Highland cattle with red coats, the breed's classic ginger color. You will see them grazing the pastures around the ranch.

Insider tips from the family

  • 01

    Wear closed-toe shoes

    The ground near the herd is uneven and can be muddy after winter rain.

  • 02

    Low and slow

    Move slowly and talk softly. Calm animals come closer.

  • 03

    Winter mornings are cold

    We are open all winter. Bring a warm layer and gloves; the coffee and cocoa help too.

  • 04

    Best photos

    Kneel to get eye level with Lola and Lemon. Share yours with #MariposaHighlands and tag @mariposahighlands.

  • 05

    Plan your Yosemite day around it

    On your last morning, have Coffee with the Cows at 9, then go. Our Perfect Yosemite Day plan ends exactly this way.

Getting there

The herd lives on our land at Mariposa Highlands, on Penon Blanco Road in Coulterville, CA 95311. We share the exact address and gate details after you book.

The meeting spot is a short walk from the Airstreams. No car needed.

From Yosemite's Big Oak Flat entrance it is about 36 miles (roughly an hour) by car via Hwy 120. From Mariposa it is about 50 minutes on Hwy 49.

The roads are paved asphalt all the way to us.

Good to know

  • The visit is for guests staying at Mariposa Highlands. It is not open to the public.
  • Children are welcome and stay with an adult at all times.
  • You are welcome to watch Lola and Lemon any time. Please do not enter a pasture or feed the animals outside the 9 AM visit.
  • Our cows also help care for the land: Highland cattle eat brush that many cattle skip, which helps reduce wildfire fuel.

Questions guests ask us

Is the Highland cow visit free?

Yes. Meet the Highlanders is free for every guest staying at Mariposa Highlands. There is no ticket and no extra fee.

What time is the cow visit?

Daily, every morning at 9:00 AM. It takes approximately 20 minutes, and coffee and cocoa are served.

Can children feed the cows?

Yes. Children are welcome and must stay with an adult. We go over a little animal etiquette before anyone feeds.

Who comes to the 9 AM visit?

Lola and Lemon, our two black micro mini Highland cattle, and Pearl the mini donkey. The rest of our herd are standard Highland cattle with red coats: Jack the bull, a young bull named August and about a dozen cows. Jack keeps a gentle eye on the herd and the young ones. You will see them in the pastures, but they are not part of the visit.

What is Coffee with the Cows?

It is our name for the 9 AM visit. Coffee and cocoa are served while you meet Lola, Lemon and Pearl.

Can I visit the cows if I am not staying overnight?

No. The visit is only for our overnight guests, to keep it calm for the animals and private for you.

How far is it from Yosemite?

Mariposa Highlands is about 36 miles (roughly an hour) from Yosemite's Big Oak Flat entrance via Hwy 120, so you can have Coffee with the Cows at 9 and still have a full day in the park.

Stay on Penon Blanco PeakOpen all winter · check dates for current rates
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Five Airstreams · Open all winter

Make this your Yosemite base camp.

Five new custom Airstreams with marble and walnut interiors, each sleeping 3, on nearly 500 private acres high on Penon Blanco Peak. Check dates for current rates. Safari tents and cabins are coming soon.

See dates & bookExplore the stays