May 15 - May 25
May 15 - May 25
Melting snow brings waterfalls to life.
Swim, explore, and even body surf.
Catch some sun, swim upstream, float downstream. Otter stuff.
Take an aerial silks class in the onsite studio with Carissa, who is an exceptional teacher.
This is not a stock photo. Avand can and probably will make you this.
Bring your best recipes and let's cook together, eat outside, and take our time.
Zip down the road and spend the afternoon at their Tasting Room or get a tour of the orchard. Learn more
Plenty of speakers, music, and whatever else to keep the vibes going late into the night if that's what you're into.
Just kidding. Unless you really want to. There's plenty of shit to do around here.
(At the time of year when that's actually true.)
Kaleidoscope Hill, named after the term used to describe a gathering of butterflies, was always meant to be a place for people to come together. It's been home to many hundreds of tourists from all over the world. But for this special window it's only open to friends and family.
Dates for Friends & Family 2026
Fri, May 15 - Mon, May 25 (Memorial Day)
Pssst! There will very likely be a party on Saturday, May 23rd or Sunday, May 24th!
While it's tempting to define a structure and have planned events, this window isn't about getting everyone to Mariposa all at once. That's not really the vibe. It's actually more about flow, magic, and synchronicity. Plans will emerge from individual desire and intention.
So, with that in mind...
Pick dates that work for you. Whether you're only free for a weekend, want to work remotely and stay a bit longer, just pop in for a day trip... whatever! Choose dates that suit your schedule.
RSVP. Avand will work with you to find the right accommodations. First-come, first-served, with exceptions for logical re-arrangements as allowed.
Activities will flow around people. If you want to party, let's throw a party! If you want to eat, let's eat. If you're looking for a romantic getaway with your partner, we can make that happen for you two (or three!?). Just want to relax and chill? Do it.
Get the idea? Avand will play host extraordinaire, per his Persian heritage, to ensure logistics are squared away. A schedule of events will emerge as we get closer.
Locals, simply let Avand know if you're interested in participating in events over these dates and he'll keep you in the loop. What a stud!
Primary Accommodations
Additional accommodations are available on-site or nearby.
The week leading up to Memorial Day weekend will probably be more low key and unstructured. The larger, planned, group events will likely happen on the long weekend.
Friday (15th) - Thursday (21st): Casual backyard dinners, relaxed hot tub star gazing, board games, long walks and talks, a spirited drive, lunch in town, afternoon beers, etc.
Friday evening (22nd): Group dinner at Savoury's
Saturday day (23rd): Day trip to Yosemite National Park; families float the river; those without kids do the booty burner route up to Vernal Falls via Mist Trail
Saturday evening (23rd): Head to the Bug for a soak, sauna, and dinner
Sunday day (24th): River day at Briceburg
Sunday evening (24th): Persian dinner followed by music and dancing
In 2026, I turn 40. You might already know this because you RSVP'd to an invitation I sent out two years ago. If you really know me, you know I love to party and have leveraged the passing of a decade once before to throw a total birthday bash.
But here's the thing: organizing a huge party, akin to a wedding, takes a lot of time and a lot of money. Two things I would like more of at this moment. (Oh, you too?) I'm feeling called to work; to put my nose to the grindstone and answer the call of my soul in a way that's good for me and good for humanity.
I decided to transform a one-off party into a life-long tradition instead. May is quite literally the best time to be in Mariposa. If they do reservations for the park again next year, they likely won't begin until after Memorial Day, so the park is wide open, the waterfalls are explosive, and baby birds are busting out of their shells to blink their tacky little eyes into their first rays of sunlight. More than that: it's green. April rains have brought grass to life before the summer sun cooks it to a yellow crisp that CAL FIRE eats for breakfast. At this time of year, I would go so far as to say Mariposa is one of the most beautiful places on earth. I mean, just look at how much fun my mom is having:
Mama-jan & Avand en route to YNP (May 21, 2025)
I thought it would be fun to bring my friends and family together to come and enjoy this magic. I have two vacation rentals that can sleep 8 people between them. There's room to camp, there's room for trailers and RVs, and there are other accommodations that I can recommend too. Just get your ass up here. Then, based on who answers the call, we'll play human Tetris and make plans. I'm as committed to your comfort as you are.
Maybe we'll dance, maybe we'll sing. In one moment, things could be really family friendly. Kissing babies and shit. Then in another moment it could be 4am and we're listening into the universe's board meeting trying to decipher the Grand Plan.
All I can promise you is great fucking vibes. Everyone that I've sent this invitation to is a solid human being. Someone that cleans up after themselves, apologizes for making mistakes, is imperfect, and is working hard to be a better person both for themselves and their community. Wait, is he talking about me?
Yeah, I am talking about you.
If you can't make it this year, all good, try and come in 2027. Friends & Family of Kaleidoscope Hill is about "letting go and letting God." If you're busy, great! Go do the things. To be honest, I wish I was doing the things too and thank you for taking care of yourself! If you're free, then you might already feel yourself asking, "are we doing this?"
Do it.
I invited a lot of people but I don't expect a lot of people to be here all at once. I mean, if there is, great. I think we once parked 21 cars on the property for a graduation party. I'm going to play human DJ. Just let me know when you want to be here and what kind of experience you want and it'll all work out. I promise.
Love,
Avand
By all means, please take your time but don't forget on-site lodging is first-come, first-served. And, while you give it some thought, here are some other activities that have brought smiles to folks that pass through here:
Ride Avand's electric moto around the property and neighborhood
Better yet, take said moto to a neighboring property for time trials
Even better yet, bring your own moto and we race
Go for spirited drives on twisty mountain roads in a two-seater convertible Miata blasting the best of 1996
Take the camper down to the river and spend a night glamping
Tend to a fire
Go for a walk around the neighborhood
Pop into town for a quaint dinner (probably at Savoury's)
Catch a surprisingly good show at the Grove House
Listen to some local live music at The Alley
Enjoy a refreshing beer at 1850 Brewing
Try and "rock climb" upstream while wearing a snorkle
Get a day-pass at Mountain Fitness and pump some iron
Find ways to sneak into the park via fire roads and 4x4 or moto (BYO)
Play a round of frisbee golf at a nearby course built and maintained by friends
Go rock climbing or bouldering in Yosemite
Pick one of a bagillion incredible hikes, walks, strolls in the park ranging from easy to extremely hard
Rent a bike and cruise around the park
Sit on a rock and meditate
Build something in the shop — there are tools
Play a game of pick-up-sticks
Jam out on some live instruments
Battle it out for victory at Settler's of Catan or other board game(s)
Cozy up for a movie in the workshop's loft on the big screen
Get the best massage of your life with Katrina at Equilibrium Massage
Go for a private soak and enjoy the sauna at Yosemite Bug Health Spa (their food isn't half bad either)
Have a delicious pizza wood-fired in Myke's mobile oven (Yosemite Pizza)
Jump out of a plane at Skydive Yosemite