Fossils to Falls Road Trip
Yosemite’s Southern Gateway is Packed with Big Moments and a Trading Card Quest
Welcome to Visit Yosemite | Madera County, where your road trip can start with 780,000-year-old fossils and end beneath legendary waterfalls and giant sequoias. The Fossils to Falls Road Trip is part itinerary, part choose-your-own-adventure—and part scavenger hunt thanks to our Welcoming Committee trading cards.
Collect cards. Discover surprises. Enter to win a Yosemite Adventure Vacation Package.
Meet The Welcoming Committee and Find Their Trading Cards
MR. MEAD, the Saber-toothed Cat, can be found at the Fossil Discovery Center of Madera County, located at 19450 Ave. 21 1/2, Chowchilla.
Why You’ll Love This Road Trip
It is an “I had no idea!” itinerary: museums, wine country, lake days, steam trains, and Yosemite icons
With easy stops that stack: each day flows naturally from Highway 99 to the foothills to Yosemite
Don't miss this family-friendly mission: trading cards turn sightseeing into a game (one that grown-ups get into it too)
Four-Days from Fossils to Falls (easy, fun, and completely flexible)
Day 1 Card Mission: MR. MEAD • HONEY • NUGGET
Fossil Discovery Center of Madera County
Your road trip begins in deep time. Explore more than 15,000 fossils discovered right here in Madera County, alongside life-size replicas and interactive exhibits that bring the Middle Pleistocene to life. Columbian Mammoths, Saber-toothed Cats, Dire Wolves—and a hands-on mock dig for kids—make this an unforgettable first stop.
Trading Card Stop: Find MR. MEAD, the Saber-toothed Cat, at the Fossil Discovery Center.
The Madera Wine Trail
Yes, you can sip wine and collect a trading card in the same afternoon. Taste locally crafted wines and world-famous ports, learn what makes this American Viticultural Area unique, and see why Madera County is quietly becoming a must-visit wine destination. Add a relaxed, farm-fresh lunch at The Vineyard Restaurant, a favorite gathering spot for farmers and locals alike.
Trading Card Tip: Pick up HONEY at participating wineries, including: Birdstone Winery • CRŪ Winery • Dorval Estate Winery • Ficklin Vineyards • Idle Hour Winery & Kitchen • Papagni Wines • San Joaquin Winery • Toca Madera Winery • Quady Winery • Westbrook Wine Farm
Gold Country Roots in Coarsegold
Step into Gold Rush history in Coarsegold Historic Village, where you will uncover locally owned shops, a Native-owned coffee roaster, and the town’s most unexpected claim to fame—the annual Tarantula Festival and its fascinating tarantula awareness exhibit. Nearby, learn about Native American culture and early pioneer history, and explore hands-on exhibits at the Coarsegold Historical Museum, where the 1800s come to life. If you're feeling lucky, Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino adds a modern twist to this historic stop. Feeling hungry? Wild Fig Kitchen is a must-stop for breakfast or lunch.
Trading Card Stop: Find NUGGET, the friendly (and hairy) tarantula, at the museum, or in the village at Zanders Coffee.
Day 2 Card Mission: SIERRA • ART E. FOX
Continue into the foothills to Oakhurst, the largest gateway town outside Yosemite. This lively mountain hub blends shopping, dining, and local culture with easy access to outdoor adventure.
Must-Do Stop: Visit the Oakhurst Visitor Center to meet SIERRA, a local black bear who loves to shop, play, and explore. While you’re there, don’t miss the World Famous Talking Bear—press the button and listen closely.
Art lovers should stop by the Yosemite Gateway Art Center, where powerful works of art tell stories of the Sierra Nevada—and where you’ll meet ART E. FOX, one of North America’s most endangered species.
Day 3 Card Mission: RICKY • RANGER • BLAKE
Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad
All aboard for a throwback adventure. Ride a historic steam train through the Sierra National Forest and experience the sights, sounds, and stories of the region’s logging and gold-mining past.
Trading Card Stop: Meet RICKY, the mischievous bandit raccoon, and pick up his card at the railroad.
North Fork: Culture and The Exact Center of California
Head to North Fork to explore the stories of the Mono people, who have lived in the Sierra Nevada for thousands of years. The Sierra Mono Museum & Cultural Center offers exhibits, artifacts, and workshops that connect visitors to living culture. Nearby, pause at the Exact Center of California marker, then refuel with coffee or a smoothie at a local favorite.
Trading Card Stops: Find RANGER at the Sierra Mono Museum and at The Gnarly Carrot, an organic grocery and juice bar featuring seasonal local produce.
Bass Lake
Sunset paddles. Boat days. Bald eagle sightings. Lakeside meals. Trail time. Shopping at Pines Village. Bass Lake has a way of turning a quick stop into a “we should stay longer” moment.
Trading Card Stops: Look for BLAKE, the Bald Eagle, at The Pines Resort • Miller’s Landing • The Forks Resort
Day 4 Card Mission: GALEN • SANDY
Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias
Enter Yosemite National Park through the South Gate and walk among some of the largest living trees on Earth. Ride the shuttle, wander the grove, and don’t miss the famous Fallen Monarch, a massive tree that is truly prehistoric.
Trading Card Stop: Find GALEN, the Great Horned Owl, at the Mariposa Grove Welcome Center.
Yosemite National Park Highlights
Your finale delivers the classics—and the views that never get old:
Glacier Point (seasonal) for a breathtaking overlook of Yosemite Valley
Yosemite Valley icons, including Half Dome, El Capitan, Sentinel Rock, and the Three Brothers
Tunnel View, one of the most photographed scenes in the world
Trading Card Stop: Find SANDY, the squirrel, at the Ansel Adams Gallery in Yosemite Valley or at Tenaya at Yosemite in Fish Camp.
Yosemite Adventure Contest: How it Works
Travel along the Visit Yosemite | Madera County Fossils-to-Falls Road Trip. Find and collect trading cards of our Welcoming Committee members at the many participating partner locations for chances to win a Yosemite Adventure Vacation package grand prize!
Quick tips for a smoother trip
Start early on Yosemite day for the best pace and parking experience.
Check conditions before you go (weather, road access, seasonal closures like Glacier Point).
Give yourself permission to linger—Bass Lake sunsets and Mariposa Grove mornings are the kind of moments you’ll want to stretch out.
Ready to follow the trail from ancient fossils to Yosemite’s famous falls? Watch the video, book your stay, and start collecting cards.
Meet our Welcoming Committee, a cast of characters that have been known to act like animals! They are our ambassadors for all you can see and do in the Southern Yosemite Region. Join them on a journey from the farmlands of the San Joaquin Valley up to the Sierra Nevada Mountains and into Yosemite National Park! Meet each committee member and find out where their trading cards can be found.
Note: If a card location is closed when you visit, pick up that card at the Oakhurst Visitor Center.
