We are headed to N. California in late August and we are an active family of five (kids 10, 13 and 16). We are looking to hike, kayak, etc. We will spend some time in SF and, after some advice from this site, we are considering going to Lake Tahoe before going to Yosemite for five nights. We will enter the park from the East side of Yosemite. Do you recommend spending all of the time (four or five nights) between SF and YNP at Lake Tahoe, with a side trip to Mono Lake en route, or should we split up the trip - maybe three nights LT and two at Mammoth Mountain? We don't love crowds, which is a concern of ours about Lake Tahoe, but, on the other hand, I'm concerned about rushing through it all. Thanks for your advice.

A drive yup 395 in August will be punishingly hot for part of the drive, but scenic. Do you have reservations in Yosemite? I prefer June Lakes to Mammoth. However, you shouldn't skip Tahoe. It's a much larger lake and has a completely different vibe.

I have never been to Mammoth in the summer, so I can't compare. But my DH & I have gone to Tahoe each summer for a week(at least) since we met, 23 years ago. It is now a family tradition with our daughter. Don't skip it or cut it short. You will have plenty to do. Stick to the north, east and west sides. Less crowded. Normally, only weekends get more visitors.

It is a long drive from Tahoe to Yosemite, so spend one night on the way. See Bodie, Mono Lake. Stay in Bridgeport, perhaps.

MY

You might consider a side trip to Bodie which is now a State Park to protect this amazing ghost town. It is in a state of "arrested decay" - many buildings are intact, complete with furniture and dishes left behind when the residents left. This is a HUGE ghost town, yet only 5% remains. There is much to see and it is a fascinating piece of history. It is 13 miles off Hwy 395 just south of Bridgeport. You couldspend the night in Bridgeport or Lee Vining. Tours of the mine are fascinating. Oh, it will be extremely hot, and there is little shade, so go early in the day.

I've never stayed at Mammoth, but we have always loved bicycling, hiking, kayaking, etc at Tahoe. We love Hwy 395, the little town of Bridgeport, Mono Lake, and Tioga Pass into Yosemite. I think you'll really enjoy your time at Tahoe, despite the crowds. There are ways to avoid them, depending on where you are staying. And the lake is HUGE, so once on the water, you'll be away from most of the people. Also there are some great hiking trails, some popular, some are less known.

Wow let’s clear some information up. You will be driving down, not up, 395. It may be warm but Mammoth is pretty high elevation so it won’t be punishing. Don’t cars have air conditioning? It’s not a long drive from Tahoe to Mammoth only 2.5 hours at most.
Don’t stay in Bridgeport. The lodging is largely 60s style one story side of the road buildings. But do stop at jolly Cone for a milkshake or a burger. Stay in Lee Vining if you don’t want to make the trip into the valley of if you aren’t going to Mammoth. Even still it’s a very nice drive 395 to 120 to the valley. You’d definitely stop a lot to see the sights.
I’ve stayed in Mammoth every summer for the last 10 years, splitting my vacation between Tahoe and Mammoth. There is tons to do in Mammoth for those who hike, kayak and fish but the lakes there can’t be used for swimming except Horseshoe Lake. I think the 3/2 split might be a good idea. I love Tahoe myself and prefer to spend at least 1 week there but you’d miss out on Mammoth and that might

Hands down Lake Tahoe!

I think marginal is confused. It sounds like that info is about driving up 395 from Las Vegas or Death Valley. 395 won't be unbearably hot between Tahoe and YNP.

[If you have 5 nights to play w/] I'd personally spend 4 nights at Tahoe and one night enroute just so you'd have plenty of time to see Bodie etc. You could do the drive in one day - but w/ all the photo ops and such, why rush.

(If you only have 4 nights - then 3 at Tahoe and 1 enroute)

Lake Tahoe...more to see and do than Mammoth especially for the kids!

Hill
www.edufire.com

Oh Suzie!! We spent one night of our honeymoon in Bridgeport. Yes, motel-syle. But, hey, I had stars in my eyes ... what can I say

MY

Thanks, everyone. That's so helpful. I definitely want to see Brodie and Mono Lake. Is it worth the trip to Mammoth if we go from Lake Tahoe to YNP in one day? Should we give Mammoth a night? I'm convinced about spending more time at Tahoe! Maybe I should stretch Tahoe to five nights. (We are also struggling with whether or not to squeeze in Sonoma or the coast North of San Francisco).

As far as Bridgeport goes, I love it, probably because I took a history class that required a lot travel on the unmarked roads in the area to locate remnants of old mines and ghost towns. The courthouse is beautiful, the Indian museum has beautiful baskets... It's a funky little town that now exists only because of tourism and fishing...
I think the family can play it by ear - reservations are rarely necessary - and see if they feel like staying in either Lee Vining or Bridgeport. We've always stayed at Walker River Lodge - nice view of the river, pool for the kids and hot tub with great view of the steep side of the Sierras.

Tahoe to Lee Vining/Mono Lake with a stop at Bodie (allow 3 hours, including the drive there and back) makes a nice full day. Stop in the visitor center run by the Mono Lake committee in the center of Lee Vining and ask for directions to the boardwalk at County Park---a great place to see the lake near sunset, when the waterfowl and settling in for the night.

I would definitely make reservations if you are staying in Lee Vining---the town gets booked up in summer, when lots of people travel 395 on their way to or from Yosemite. The town can become a sea of "No Vacancy" signs by 4 or 5 pm. More than once we have been in the visitor center checking our e-mail (they have computer access for the public there) and have seen families come in to ask for lodging help, only to be disappointed. They faced a long drive down to Bishop for the closest available motel rooms.

As for Mammoth---it could be fun if your kids want to try mountain biking, or ride the lift to the top. And there is some very nice hiking there, from Mammoth Lakes. But dropping by for one night won't really give you enough time for these things. It isn't worth the trip down just to "see" the town or the ski resort.