Begin your adventure with panoramic views of Mount Whitney and the surrounding Sierra Nevada. The visitor center provides excellent exhibits, maps, and background information for understanding the region's remarkable landscapes.
California Highway 395: The Eastern Sierra's Greatest Road Trip
5 Days
Stretching beneath the towering wall of the Sierra Nevada, California's Highway 395 is one of America's most spectacular road trips. This route passes glacier-carved lakes, volcanic craters, alpine meadows, ghostly tufa towers, historic mining communities, and some of the highest peaks in the contiguous United States. Over five unforgettable days, you'll journey from the dramatic landscapes around Lone Pine to the alpine beauty of Mammoth Lakes and the otherworldly scenery of Mono Lake. Organized geographically to minimize backtracking, this itinerary combines iconic viewpoints, scenic hikes, historic sites, geological wonders, and charming mountain towns into the ultimate Eastern Sierra adventure.
Day 1
Your journey begins in the southern Eastern Sierra near Lone Pine, where jagged peaks rise dramatically from the desert floor. Today's destinations showcase the unique contrast between rugged mountains, fascinating geology, and the cinematic landscapes that have appeared in countless Western films.
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Rounded granite boulders, narrow passageways, and stunning views of the Sierra crest make Alabama Hills one of California's most photographed landscapes. Countless Western films were filmed here, and every bend reveals another spectacular view.
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One of the most iconic photo locations in California, Mobius Arch perfectly frames the distant Sierra Nevada and is especially stunning during sunrise and sunset.
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Learn why the Lone Pine region became Hollywood's favorite Western movie backdrop, with exhibits featuring famous films, costumes, vehicles, and movie memorabilia.
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One of the most important historical sites in California, Manzanar preserves the story of Japanese Americans interned during World War II. The museum and reconstructed structures provide a moving and educational experience.
Day 2
Travel through the Owens Valley, where desert landscapes give way to alpine canyons and glacier-fed lakes. Today's destinations reveal the remarkable transition between the valley floor and the towering mountains above.
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Explore one of the Eastern Sierra's most historic communities and learn about local mining, ranching, and pioneer history.
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A spectacular mountain drive leads to this alpine basin surrounded by towering peaks. The scenery rivals many national parks and offers some of the most dramatic mountain views along Highway 395.
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The famous Big Pine Lakes trail leads toward brilliant turquoise lakes fed by glaciers beneath the rugged Palisade peaks. Even shorter hikes along the route provide unforgettable alpine scenery.
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Fossil Falls showcases volcanic landscapes sculpted by ancient water flows, while the nearby sculpture garden provides an unexpected artistic stop amid the desert landscape.
Day 3
Today's adventure focuses on Bishop and the surrounding mountain canyons, where some of the Eastern Sierra's finest lakes, waterfalls, and hiking trails await.
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One of California's most beautiful alpine drives, Bishop Creek climbs into a landscape of lakes, granite peaks, meadows, and waterfalls.
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The trail toward Bishop Pass is one of the Sierra Nevada's premier hiking experiences, passing alpine lakes, granite basins, and towering peaks.
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Surrounded by rugged mountain scenery, Lake Sabrina provides easy access to alpine hiking trails and picturesque waterfalls including Twin Falls.
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This beautiful alpine lake sits among towering peaks and offers one of the easiest ways to experience classic Sierra Nevada scenery.
Day 4
Continue north into the Mammoth Lakes region, where volcanic landscapes, crystal-clear lakes, hot springs, and unique geological features dominate the scenery.
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Hidden beneath the cliffs near Lake Crowley are remarkable stone columns created by ancient volcanic activity and erosion. They rank among California's most unusual geological wonders.
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Steam vents, bubbling springs, and geothermal activity reveal the volcanic forces still shaping the region beneath the surface.
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Explore the heart of Mammoth Lakes, where alpine lakes, mountain scenery, and outdoor recreation create one of California's premier mountain destinations.
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Discover volcanic basalt columns at Devils Postpile, hike to scenic waterfalls, and explore dramatic volcanic craters formed by powerful eruptions thousands of years ago.
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End the day soaking in natural hot springs while enjoying panoramic views of the Sierra Nevada.
Day 5
Conclude your journey in the Mono Basin, one of California's most unique and dramatic landscapes. Ancient lakes, volcanic craters, and spectacular mountain views create an unforgettable finale.
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The June Lake Loop passes a chain of sparkling alpine lakes surrounded by steep mountains, colorful aspen groves, and some of the most beautiful scenery in the Eastern Sierra.
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One of the highest points on Highway 395, Conway Summit provides sweeping views across Mono Basin and the surrounding mountain ranges.
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Mono Lake's famous tufa towers rise from one of North America's oldest lakes, creating an otherworldly landscape unlike anywhere else in California.
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Explore volcanic landscapes sculpted by eruptions, lava flows, and explosive geological events that shaped the Mono Basin.
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Finish the trip in Lee Vining, where mountain peaks, desert landscapes, and the shimmering waters of Mono Lake come together to create one of California's most unforgettable views.