Is MAMMOTH LAKES worth a stop between YOSEMITE and SAN DIEGO??
Feb 21st, 2011, 04:37 PM
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Is MAMMOTH LAKES worth a stop between YOSEMITE and SAN DIEGO??
I have never been to Mammoth Lakes Basin, nor to Yosemite. Please give me your experienced opinion. I am planning our first 3-generation family trip for the end of June 2011. I have already booked a house in Yosemite West for 5 nights through scenic wonders. We are excited to explore Yosemite!
We will drive from San Diego to Yosemite via the south entrance, at the end of June.
But on the way home...I am hoping we can exit Yosemite via the eastern route...over Tioga Pass. We could take our time and site-see along the way. Then we could spend 2 nights at Mammoth Lakes Basin area. Maybe at Tamarack Lodge on the shores of Twin Lakes?
What do you think of this plan? Is Mammoth Lakes area a worthy detour? Is it nice at the end of June?
Tamarack Lodge has a strict cancellation policy...so if the eastern route to exit Yosemite is closed at the end of June...I'm not sure we could get to Tamarack Lodge in Mammoth Lakes Basin.
Tamarack Lodge seems appealing as its on a lovely lake in a quiet area...although its slightly more than I wanted to pay...I like the location. Has anyone stayed there?
Thanks!!! We like nature, walks, scenery, and 1 of us likes fishing...and my grandbaby will only be 2 years old in June. Woo-hoo! Family vacation here we come!
We will drive from San Diego to Yosemite via the south entrance, at the end of June.
But on the way home...I am hoping we can exit Yosemite via the eastern route...over Tioga Pass. We could take our time and site-see along the way. Then we could spend 2 nights at Mammoth Lakes Basin area. Maybe at Tamarack Lodge on the shores of Twin Lakes?
What do you think of this plan? Is Mammoth Lakes area a worthy detour? Is it nice at the end of June?
Tamarack Lodge has a strict cancellation policy...so if the eastern route to exit Yosemite is closed at the end of June...I'm not sure we could get to Tamarack Lodge in Mammoth Lakes Basin.
Tamarack Lodge seems appealing as its on a lovely lake in a quiet area...although its slightly more than I wanted to pay...I like the location. Has anyone stayed there?
Thanks!!! We like nature, walks, scenery, and 1 of us likes fishing...and my grandbaby will only be 2 years old in June. Woo-hoo! Family vacation here we come!
Feb 22nd, 2011, 12:06 AM
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janisj: Thanks for your reply. I do understand that I won't know til May or June when Tioga Pass will actually open. But nevertheless, I'd still like to research our trip.
I'm interested in hearing opinions on which places make good overnight stops between Yosemite and San Diego, assuming that we are fortunate and the Tioga Pass is open? We'd prefer to take the scenic route home to San Diego.
If we are unlucky and the Tioga Pass is closed, we will resort to plan "B". ("B" for boring!)
I'm interested in hearing opinions on which places make good overnight stops between Yosemite and San Diego, assuming that we are fortunate and the Tioga Pass is open? We'd prefer to take the scenic route home to San Diego.
If we are unlucky and the Tioga Pass is closed, we will resort to plan "B". ("B" for boring!
)
Feb 22nd, 2011, 10:28 AM
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We stay a week in Mammoth most summers. I think Mammoth is fantastic. In heavy snow years Mammoth does have some access issues to some of the sights. You'd really want to be able to see Devil's Postpile and Rainbow Falls - two great spots.
Also a visit to all the lakes, a bit of fishing or just rent a motor or row boat and spend an afternoon on one of the lakes. Very fun!
Also a visit to all the lakes, a bit of fishing or just rent a motor or row boat and spend an afternoon on one of the lakes. Very fun!
Feb 22nd, 2011, 12:51 PM
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We always enjoy the drive down the Eastern Sierra--I hope the pass is open.
Another possibility is to drive to San Diego via Kings Canyon NP and Sequoia NP and/or
to drive over to the coast and drive down Highway 1 (which I highly recommend if you haven't done it).
HTTY
Another possibility is to drive to San Diego via Kings Canyon NP and Sequoia NP and/or
to drive over to the coast and drive down Highway 1 (which I highly recommend if you haven't done it).
HTTY
Feb 25th, 2011, 12:13 PM
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Feb 25th, 2011, 05:16 PM
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Thanks for all the great ideas! 8-)
Bisbeee: Thanks for the link... Convict Lake is mentioned in my book but there weren't any details about it.
kimamom: Good to know your son enjoyed Tamarack Lodge at Mammoth Lakes area. It sounds great although they have a strict cancellation policy, so I would have to wait to hear when Tioga Pass etc. will open before booking Tamarack Lodge... That's a tricky one to plan. But I LOVE the idea of staying in a quiet area on a lake. I'm glad to hear your opinion that Mammoth is beautiful too.
happytrailstoyou: I did wonder about driving home to San Diego from Yosemite via Kings Canyon & Sequoia National Parks... I just find that a bit confusing to figure out the route, and how far out of the way it would be in terms of drive time. We will have 2 cars on the trip home, and my daughter will have a 2-year-old in the car! So we are trying to make the trips home as relaxing as possible. But we could spend 1 or 2 nights somewhere along the route home.
Suzie: Where do you recommend staying at Mammoth Lakes? Our 3-generation family will include our 2-year-old grandbaby.
Staying in Bishop or Lone Pine would also be practical...just to break up the drive home from Yosemite to San Diego. But I thought perhaps Mammoth Lakes would be a more scenic spot. I'm trying to decide what's best for the whole family.
Bisbeee: Thanks for the link... Convict Lake is mentioned in my book but there weren't any details about it.
kimamom: Good to know your son enjoyed Tamarack Lodge at Mammoth Lakes area. It sounds great although they have a strict cancellation policy, so I would have to wait to hear when Tioga Pass etc. will open before booking Tamarack Lodge... That's a tricky one to plan. But I LOVE the idea of staying in a quiet area on a lake. I'm glad to hear your opinion that Mammoth is beautiful too.
happytrailstoyou: I did wonder about driving home to San Diego from Yosemite via Kings Canyon & Sequoia National Parks... I just find that a bit confusing to figure out the route, and how far out of the way it would be in terms of drive time. We will have 2 cars on the trip home, and my daughter will have a 2-year-old in the car! So we are trying to make the trips home as relaxing as possible. But we could spend 1 or 2 nights somewhere along the route home.
Suzie: Where do you recommend staying at Mammoth Lakes? Our 3-generation family will include our 2-year-old grandbaby.
Staying in Bishop or Lone Pine would also be practical...just to break up the drive home from Yosemite to San Diego. But I thought perhaps Mammoth Lakes would be a more scenic spot. I'm trying to decide what's best for the whole family.
Feb 25th, 2011, 06:00 PM
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We always stay in a condo cuz the kids andDH do like a pool in the summer and a jacuzzi in winter. Here is a list of the places we've stayed:
Juniper Springs - love it. Have stayed at least 1/2 dozen times.
Mammoth Greens - Right on Sierra Star golf course. Have stayed here at least 4 times. Stayed in a 3 bedroom once right above the pool.
Sunstone - Kind of like Juniper Springs. Stayed 2 or 3 times
Monache - will nickle & dime you to death but no doubt about it, nice.
The Summit - ok.
Austria Hof - Ok for over night but not for a group.
Juniper Springs - love it. Have stayed at least 1/2 dozen times.
Mammoth Greens - Right on Sierra Star golf course. Have stayed here at least 4 times. Stayed in a 3 bedroom once right above the pool.
Sunstone - Kind of like Juniper Springs. Stayed 2 or 3 times
Monache - will nickle & dime you to death but no doubt about it, nice.
The Summit - ok.
Austria Hof - Ok for over night but not for a group.
Feb 25th, 2011, 06:00 PM
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We always stay in a condo cuz the kids andDH do like a pool in the summer and a jacuzzi in winter. Here is a list of the places we've stayed:
Juniper Springs - love it. Have stayed at least 1/2 dozen times.
Mammoth Greens - Right on Sierra Star golf course. Have stayed here at least 4 times. Stayed in a 3 bedroom once right above the pool.
Sunstone - Kind of like Juniper Springs. Stayed 2 or 3 times
Monache - will nickle & dime you to death but no doubt about it, nice.
The Summit - ok.
Austria Hof - Ok for over night but not for a group.
Juniper Springs - love it. Have stayed at least 1/2 dozen times.
Mammoth Greens - Right on Sierra Star golf course. Have stayed here at least 4 times. Stayed in a 3 bedroom once right above the pool.
Sunstone - Kind of like Juniper Springs. Stayed 2 or 3 times
Monache - will nickle & dime you to death but no doubt about it, nice.
The Summit - ok.
Austria Hof - Ok for over night but not for a group.
Feb 25th, 2011, 06:00 PM
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We always stay in a condo cuz the kids andDH do like a pool in the summer and a jacuzzi in winter. Here is a list of the places we've stayed:
Juniper Springs - love it. Have stayed at least 1/2 dozen times.
Mammoth Greens - Right on Sierra Star golf course. Have stayed here at least 4 times. Stayed in a 3 bedroom once right above the pool.
Sunstone - Kind of like Juniper Springs. Stayed 2 or 3 times
Monache - will nickle & dime you to death but no doubt about it, nice.
The Summit - ok.
Austria Hof - Ok for over night but not for a group.
Juniper Springs - love it. Have stayed at least 1/2 dozen times.
Mammoth Greens - Right on Sierra Star golf course. Have stayed here at least 4 times. Stayed in a 3 bedroom once right above the pool.
Sunstone - Kind of like Juniper Springs. Stayed 2 or 3 times
Monache - will nickle & dime you to death but no doubt about it, nice.
The Summit - ok.
Austria Hof - Ok for over night but not for a group.
Feb 26th, 2011, 11:38 AM
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I'd do Mammoth and Tamarack is agreat place...End of June Tioga should be open. Park and CalTrans try to open by Memorial Day, but it doesn't always happen. If you opt for Bishop or Lone Pine, there's a nice Best Western so the south side of Lone Pine with scenic views.
If you have time check out Schats Bakery in Bishop, great baked goods. Ok food. Seasons in Lone Pine gets excellent restaurant reviews, not sure if open for lunch or just dinner.
If you have time check out Schats Bakery in Bishop, great baked goods. Ok food. Seasons in Lone Pine gets excellent restaurant reviews, not sure if open for lunch or just dinner.
