As some of you know I have been planning a trip that started with Sequoia /Kings Canyon , then we are going to Yosemite. This is where the plans might change. Instead of going west to SF, we are considering going east and staying in Mammoth Lakes for a few days and then going home thru Death Valley.

This trip is the last 10 days of June

Opinions?

Thanks to everyone who has helped me so far

Also, if you think this is Ok to do, where should we stay to be centerly located?

It will be VERY hot in Death Valley. I love DV in the winter, but would not venture out of the air conditioned car in the summer. So if you want to see it and avoid crowds in Yosemite then go for it, but if you were planning on hiking or even spending more than a couple of minutes out of the car be warned.

I would prefer Yosemite and SF at that time of year, but if they would be a repeat of a previous trip and you want to see DV do go, If you haven't been to Yosemite and SF, do them.

As you are now living in California, I would skip the Death Valley part of this trip.

Death Valley is wonderful in March when the wildflowers are blooming and the temperature is mild. There is much to discover there. In late June, it will likely be above 100 during the day and not at all suitable for exploring.

The more northern part of the eastern Sierras will be very nice in late June due to the high altitude. Mono Lake, Bodie State Park, Alabama Hills, Devil's Postpile worth seeing.

I'd leave Death Valley for another trip when the weather is nicer.

It is just that I was looking for a break on the way home from Mammoth Lake

Bad idea,IMOP.

I would prefer San Francisco/coast over Mammoth Lake and I wouldn't go to DV except in winter. Temps would be absolutely brutal. Mammoth Lake is nice, but I think SF and the coast would be a nice compliment to Yosemite/Sequoia.

There is the problem of "June Gloom" in June on the coast, a persistent sea fog that can keep the coastline cool and cloudy below the fogline.

Death Valley isn't really a "break" in the drive back to LA. It's a significant drive to see anything or stay anywhere. It's a real committment to drive there from Mammoth and then try to drive back to LA. I'd skip it.

Difficult choice to do part of the coastal drive vs. Mammoth. I think I'd rather do the coastal drive and save Death Valley and the eastern Sierra for another time.

Death Valley in June? FYI there is a reason it's called "Death" Valley... Unless you love 120 degree heat.

Why go see burnt rock in Death Valley. Just come down 395 back to LA after enjoing some great time in the Mammoth Lakes area.

Between Mammoth Lakes and San Francisco, the obvious choice is San Francisco.

If you want to avoid one of the most interesting cities in the USA (SF), you have options more interesting than Mammoth Lakes. For instance, you could check out the beautiful country and delightful towns of historic Highway 49: http://www.historichwy49.com.

A short detour off Highway 395, you could visit the intriguing town of Bowdie: http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=509

HTTY

PS We visit Death Valley at all times of the year--including during the summer.

Please do not go to Death Valley in June. We love it there, but never after mid-April. It is too hot to breathe in the summer. December through early April are better months. It is not worth the long drive if you can't get out of your car.

Going east to Mono Lake is interesting and just north of Mono Lake is the turnoff to Bodie. Bodie is a fascinating ghost town, but it is very hot there also with little to no shade. Go early in the day.

DV in Summer is a Bad BAD BAD idea. And Mammoth itself is certainly OK but not that big a deal.

You are living out here - no reason at all to rush a trip to DV now. Wait until late next winter/early Spring. Then it will be WONDERFUL. In June it will be awful.

CA is HUGE w/ every type of scenery/climate/attractions (except for tropical) - so plan you trips for the times of year that make sense. Sequoia, Yosemite and the coast (June gloom or not) makes sense in June. Death Valley doesn't.

Or Wine Country or Tahoe - June, yep. Death Valley and the desert - nope.

We love the Heidelberg Inn by June/Gull lakes. Great Condo type rooms. It's a classic from the Hollywood era and wish the walls could talk.

The little town of June Lake is very cute and there are some good places to dine, and there is great fishing on Gull and June lakes.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/heidelberg-inn-june-lake

Stand outside in San Francisco in June for a couple of hours and be outside in Death Valley in June for a couple of hours--I know which one I would pick(no matter how much fog). There is virtually nothing to do inside at Death Valley other than Scotty's Castle.

There is virtually nothing to do inside at Death Valley other than Scotty's Castle.

The scenery driving into Death Valley from Highway 395 is spectacular, and we always enjoy beautiful Artist's Drive: http://www.nps.gov/deva/photosmultim...ists-Drive.htm

One day we went way out of our way to hang around Grapevine Canyon waiting to tour the so-called "Scotty's Castle," which has an interesting history but isn't much of a castle. Since you seem to have time to kill, you may find it worth your time.

Sorry, I meant in the heat there wouldn't be much to do, IMOP.
We went in the winter and did really enjoy it. I can understand someone wanting to see how hot 120 feels. I live in Oklahoma and it hit 115plus here several days this past summer. We have much higher humidity. Several times heat index were between 120-125. I own a sanitation company. Very hot on the back of a trash truck.

I wouldn't want to hike into ubahebe crater or have car trouble in Titus Canyon in the summer.