This is the first fun trip I have taken since my trip to Death Valley last year in November. I am so excited to be making time to travel again and share my experiences with you guys! 🙂
So because I couldn’t go anywhere for my birthday over the 4th of July weekend due to school and work, I decided to take a trip to Mammoth Lakes as my belated trip. As some of you may know, I have seen a majority of California and this was the last long stretch of California I needed to conquer. Besides Mammoth, there are so any amazing spots to see along Highway 395 (aka the Eastern Sierras that runs north/south)! Highway 395 also has a lot of “Old California” sites to it, so it’s definitely worth the trip!
Mammoth Lakes is east of Yosemite National Park and is known for being a ski destination, but tourists flock there any time of the year. It’s hard to find good priced lodging, especially for one person, so I decided to stay at a motel 45 minutes south of it in a town called Bishop for $225 for 2 nights (the motel was so-so BTW but had friendly guests and staff). Everywhere I looked in Mammoth was $500+ and I wasn’t going to pay that!
As I am sure you have read in the news, the whole entire Western side of the country is in an extreme drought and California is no exception. Usually there is still some snow on the mountain peaks during the summer, but because it has been so incredibly hot, most of it was melted off. There were also fires Northeast of Mammoth called the Dexter Fire as you will see the smoke and plume clouds in a few of the photos. The hottest it got was 107 degrees!
As always, I did a power road trip for a few days to see all the spots I wanted and I had such a nice time. I hope you guys enjoy! 🙂 Also, make sure you check out my Instagram page for other videos and highlights from the trip!
Day 1 – Friday, July 16
I woke up at 6:15 a.m. and headed out to the Ontario Airport. I rented an SUV for a few days (I ended up with a Mazda CX5) from Budget and left my own car at the airport for 3 days ($39, not too bad!). You guys might remember when I rented an SUV for a day when I took a trip to Mount Baldy and it was super cheap and easy!
My first stop was not to Highway 395, but to a place slightly east of there in Oro Grande called Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch, a collection of “trees” made from hundreds of glass bottles artist Elmer Long created in 2000. Sadly, Elmer died in 2019 and the forest entrance is gated and locked. It’s still worth seeing though!
Next I headed on a back road to Highway 395 and stopped at Pearsonville (aka “Hub Cap Capital of the World”) and was greeted by the Hub Cab Lady (aka Uniroyral girl)! Reading the Weird California blog, I guess a woman named Lucy Pearson collected more than 80,000 hub caps for years (hence the city name), but the hub caps no longer exist.
Across the other side of Pearsonville was the Golden Cactus Ghost Town. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 and construction, it was fenced up, but I still managed to snap some great photos!
On my way to my next destination, I entered the Eastern Sierra Mountain Scenic Byway and saw a Gateway to the Eastern Sierras water tank, along with other scenic shots!
Just outside of Lone Pine I came across the Cottonwood Creek Charcoal Kilns. It’s right off the highway and a mile down a dirt road (see why I rented an SUV? I went down plenty of dirt roads on this trip!). The kilns were built in the 1800s by a coal and lumber entrepreneur. I researched previous photos and they used to be out in the open, but unfortunately, are now covered up by a fence and wooden shelter. I tried to get a good shot!
As I made my way back onto the highway, I came across Fossil Falls near the Owens River. You can see a cinder cone and many black lava rocks all over the ground! I didn’t stop and do the hike because I had to see other sights, but snapped a photo of it from my SUV.
Just outside of Cartago, I came across a house in the shape of a lemon (hence the name “Lemon House”). According to Realtor, the house sits on the land of residential properties and the Landmark Hotel. It doesn’t have an exact price, but the area is worth about $235,000. I was lucky to snap a photo of it when the door was open, it was stuffed with a ton of boxes!
This next house up the road in Grant was featured in an episode of the popular TV series “The Twilight Zone.” According to KIBS, it was featured in the “100 Yards Over the Rim” episode and used to be called the Airflight Cafe.
Not too far from that house were these cool metal sculptures hanging out on the side of the highway! I can’t find much information about them but when I saw the black bird, I immediately though of Hitchcock! And then The Twilight Zone House is not too far from it…just saying…
Next I entered the town of Lone Pine to check out the Museum of Western Film History ($5)! The museum holds tons of artifacts and information about the great Western films that were shot in the Alabama Hills area of the town. Everything from John Wayne and Gene Autry to sets and movie cameras are here, you definitely need to check this out!
Not too far from the museum is the famous 17 mile Alabama Hills Movie Road, where many Western movies were filmed. I only did about a mile in due to it being a very rocky road and the fact that I still had to get to other destinations (I was fighting daylight), but I got the essence of it!
Driving further north, I stopped at Manzanar, a war relocation center that housed more than 110,000 Japanese immigrants during World War II. According to the National Park Service, “Manzanar War Relocation Center was 1 of 10 camps where the U.S. government incarcerated Japanese immigrants ineligible for citizenship and Japanese American citizens during World War II.”
Manzanar not only has a Visitor’s Center where you can read about the history and view artifacts, but you can also drive the whole premises, which is about 3 1/2 miles long! This is probably one of my favorite stops on my trip. I stopped and took some photos of empty lots that once held hospitals, gardens, housing and I also got a shot of the most well-known photo: the memorial/cemetery area. There are 150 people who are buried there. RIP <3
BTW the site is free, but donations are welcomed.
Next I headed toward Independence to the Eastern California Museum (free but donations are welcomed), an historical museum filled with history and artifacts surrounding Inyo County/Owens Valley. My favorite part were the train cars, wagons and the Mammoth display!
Also in the town of Independence is the Mount Whitney Fish Hatchery, which provides fresh Trout to catch from the pond! I have never been to a fish hatchery before and it was pretty neat! I didn’t go fishing (and Trout happens to be my favorite fish, especially if it’s grilled or pecan crusted!) but I enjoyed my stroll around the pond and building. It’s so peaceful there!
As I was approaching the town of Big Pine, I snapped a photo of the Mammoth snow beanie.
Also in Big Pine is the stump of the Roosevelt Tree. According to KIBS, the tree was built in 1913 and was chopped down in 2020 due to a loss of water source from the 2017-2018 drought. The tree was also dedicated to President Theodore Roosevelt during his time in office.
As you can see from the sign, 24 miles east is the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, which is something I didn’t have time to see. The Forest Service says the trees are some of the oldest in the world at 4,000-years-old!
My last touristy stop was in the town of Bishop (where I was staying) at the Laws Railroad Museum (free, but donations are welcomed). Because I got to town at 3:30 p.m. and it closed at 4 p.m., I didn’t have time to see all 11 acres of the museum, but I snapped a photo of the main parts, which was the train, train stations and surrounding buildings.
So now I have a story. Prior to me touring the Laws Railroad Museum, I stopped and got a Mexican-style Lager ($6) at Mountain Rambler Brewery. After I checked in at my motel, I went to 3 different spots around town to find dinner and they were either closed or one offered takeout. It didn’t make any sense! So because I knew the brewery had food, I went back there and ordered a Strawberry/Pineapple Hard Seltzer and the Green and Blue Salad with pear ($16). It was so good and refreshing!
Day 2 – Saturday, July 17
The next day I woke up at 6:45 a.m. and headed out to Looney Bean just down the street from the motel for a Dirty Pumpkin Chai Latte and Butter Croissant ($7.95). I loved the Pumpkin Chai because it was made with puree and plus it wasn’t too sweet!
On my way toward Mammoth, I snapped a photo of the Sierra Mountain range from a distance.
Before heading to Mammoth, I stopped off at a Vista Point to take a morning sunrise photo over Crowley Lake. As you can see from the photo, it is mostly dried up! 🙁
Just outside the main road to head to Crowley Lake was a cute little Green Church.
The other stop I made before heading toward Mammoth was Convict Lake, which was originally carved out by glaciers.
Alright, let’s head up to Mammoth Mountain, which was my first stop! 🙂 There are a lot of fun activities to do here, such as hiking, biking, playing in the adventure park and my choice, the Gondola ride ($50). I wanted to do the Gondola because (a) I love them and (b) I could see the Sierras and the rest of Mammoth from the top. The peak of Mammoth Mountain has an elevation of 11,053 ft. and I could see every corner of the Sierras from where I walked. I also had to do a brisk hike but it was so worth it and the view. I definitely recommend doing this experience!
Back on the ground I bought myself a magnet and a plush Mammoth ($30) as souvenirs. Of course, the Mammoth will be joining my gang on my bed at home!
Back on the ground, I took part of the Scenic Loop Road, which was mainly pine trees. It was nice and relaxing! There is also a road that leads to a hiking trail to the Mono-Inyo Craters, but I didn’t have time to see them.
Next I went to the Earthquake Fault, which is a rock that is split in half to show how powerful an earthquake can be!
After the fault, it was time to hit the lakes on the other side of Mammoth!
Twin Lakes (Lower and Vista Point shots)
Lake Mary
Lake Mamie
Horseshoe Lake
After driving the lakes, I stopped at Mammoth Brewing for a beer sampler that consisted of a Golden Trout Kölsch, Mammoth Pilsner, Mammoth Imperial Root Beer and a Cherry Lime hard Seltzer ($8). I loved them all, I can’t decide which one was my favorite! I also had someone take my one and only photo of me on the trip in a scenic setting on a stage outside.
I said farewell to Mammoth and drove 15 miles north to June Lake Brewing (yup, more beer, LOL!). I ordered a unique German Pilsner called a Rattle Shakes Raddler with Meyer Lemon and Yuzu. The staff were kind enough to tell me the beer was on them due to them telling me to relocate my car (apparently, I was parked in a spot I shouldn’t have been). So that was nice! Also, their flooring inside is made out of pennies!
Next it was time to drive more lakes (aka the 14 mile June Lake Loop)! First up was June Lake…
…followed by Silver Lake…
…and finally Grant Lake (with what’s currently left of it. Again, this climate change is so sad!)!
Next I headed slightly Southeast toward Mono Lake, which is a saline lake. Unlike the Salton Sea when I took my trip there last year, it did not have a stench to it! I took a view of it at a Vista Point and just at the entrance (you can see the Dexter Fire in the distance).
I also drove down a very rocky, bumpy road to take a shot of Navy Beach (a secret Navy operation occurred in the 1950s and 1960s) and the Tufa Towers made out of calcium and limestone. Unfortunately, I didn’t know I needed a Park Pass to walk to the Tufas, so I took a shot of them from a distance.
My last big stop of the day was to a 500 acre, 1800s gold-mining ghost town called Bodie that once had a population of 10,000 people. This is an absolute must stop along Highway 395! From Mono Lake it took me about an hour north but it’s so unique and worth it. There is also a steep rocky dirt road I needed to take (again, why I have the SUV) and the fee to enter was $8. My favorite spot was probably the church, it was so quaint!
My final meal of the day (after I filled my tank up for $5.05 – yup, that was the cheapest I could find where I was at!) was back in Mammoth at GOJIRA Ramen & Sushi, where I ordered Spicy Chili Edamame, a Philly Roll and a California Roll ($31). I liked the inside of the roll but the rice was too dry and kept falling apart when I tried to dunk it in soy sauce! Also, the Edamame was good but too sticky with the sauce.
Day 3 – Sunday, July 18
I woke up again at 6:45 a.m. and made my way south back to Lone Pine to Alabama Hills Cafe (again, I couldn’t find a lot of restaurants open in Bishop!). I read on another blog about the rave reviews when I was researching where to eat breakfast. I was lucky I got in right away because this place was hopping! I ordered a cup of coffee and the Eggs Benedict ($23). I could only eat half of it, it filled me up! I would say the poached eggs were cooked perfectly and the sauce was creamy and good, but the ham was a bit too thick.
It was also raining pretty hard on and off on my journey south, but the area desperately needs it!
Next on my journey south where Highway 395 and Highway 14 split off I took the 14 toward Indian Wells Brewery (I know it was early, but I was heading home, LOL!). Everyone kept telling me about this hard Lunatic Lemonade they had, but unfortunately, they were sold out when I got there, so I got a sampler of the Orange Blossom Lager, Oktoberfest, Raspberry Ale, Indian Wells Pale Ale and Mojave Gold Lager ($10). I liked them all except the Pale Ale, it was too hoppy and too much bite! I loved the country vibe of the place though with the skeleton in the truck and the decor.
My final stop of my journey was in Cantil to Red Rock Canyon State Park, which to me is a mini version of Sedona. I don’t know what the entrance fee is if there is one because the attendant station was shut off! I was only there for about 10 minutes and snapped some photos using the red filter on my iPhone.
After the park, I ended up taking Highway 58, Highway 395, I-15 and I-10 to drop off the rental car back at the airport. I ended up getting home around 2:30 p.m. I originally wanted to stay longer and tour the Bristlecone Pine Forest and a couple other silly spots, but I had so much to do at my place before the work week.
And that’s all she wrote! 🙂 I hope you guys enjoyed my adventure and if you ever travel Highway 395, let me know! Again, make sure you check out my Instagram page for other videos and highlights from the trip!
