Any stops worth making on the drive from San Diego to Mammoth Lakes? Just wondering if there are any "must sees."

Thanks!

The drive up the east side of the Sierras is pleasant, but I can't think of any "must sees" on the route. I hope others can.

HTTY

Alabama Hills
Bristlecone Pine Forest (oldest living trees on earth)
Mt. Whitney Portal

http://www.395.com/

Manzanar National Historic Site is a few miles north of Lone Pine. (Watch out for speed traps in Lone Pine)

http://www.nps.gov/manz/

Placename, Are Alabama Hills and the Bristlecone Pine Forest easily accessible by car?

HTTY

Lots of things to see along 395.

http://www.totalescape.com/tripez/trips/395.html

http://travel.latimes.com/articles/l...22apr22?page=4

Three favorites of ours not already mentioned:

Fossil Falls [info at first link above]
Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery [info at both links above]
Laws Railroad Museum in Bishop http://www.lawsmuseum.org/

These are great-just what I was looking for. Thanks to you all!

Also, Eastern Sierra Museum in Independence. The Bristlecone Pine Forest, is a good 30 minute drive to the east of highway 395...but is well worth the time/effort if you can make it.

If you are planning to go from San Diego to Mammoth in one day, there won't be a whole lot of time for sightseeing (just a few rest breaks). With all the scenery and activities in Mammoth, getting there may be foremost in your mind that day.

I agree w/ mpflim - it is at least a 7 hour drive depending on your exact starting point and traffic. If you start out during the morning commute you could add another hour. W/ even just a couple of short rest/snack breaks it is basically a full day's drive.

Or - are you planning on taking two days to drive it?

Even Mapquest says six and a half, and it's never taken us more than six. If you leave San Diego during the morning commute, you will be going against the main traffic flow and by the time you get to the Inland Empire area you should be behind the traffic there. IMO, it's quicker to stay on the 15, not take the 215.

Sure, in general they'd be going against the main traffic flow -- that is why I mentioned it depends on the starting point. SD is a biiiiig place.

No kidding, janis. I live there.

I am aware of the distance and time involved in the journey, but am still interested to hear relevant suggestions about what might be worth seeing along the way. If you have any, I'd love to hear them. Thanks!

In a couple of weeks, we're driving from L.A. to June Lake (farther north than Mammoth). We go every year the week after Labor Day. Because we first have to drive through downtown L.A. to pick up my mom, we don't even leave our house until 8:30/9:00. We still have loads of time to stop for lunch (usually Olancha Ranch House), grocery shopping and gas (both in Bishop) and at least one stretch-the-legs spot like the Fish Hatchery or Convict Lake. I can't tell you how long the drive actually takes because we make so many stops. Our goal is to arrive in time for dinner!