California Highway 395 Road Trip: Best Stops, Lakes, and Historic Sites in the Eastern Sierra
If you’re planning a California road trip, Highway 395 deserves a top spot on your list. Running along the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada mountains, this 150-mile stretch from Bridgeport to Lone Pine is packed with classic small towns, alpine lakes, ghost towns, and even the oldest living trees on Earth.
We’ve driven this route several times, and every trip reveals something new, a historic bakery here, a turquoise lake there, and plenty of spots where time seems to have stopped decades ago. Here’s our guide to the best stops on Highway 395 and why this Eastern Sierra road trip should be in your wish bucket.
When to Drive Highway 395
Because snow lingers well into spring, the best time for a Highway 395 California road trip is June through September. The passes are open, the trails are dry, and the lakes are sparkling.
If you’re a skier or snowboarder, winter brings a completely different kind of magic to Mammoth Lakes, one of the top ski destinations in California. But for hiking, photography, and exploring ghost towns, stick to the warmer months.
Bridgeport: A Slice of the Old West
Your adventure starts in Bridgeport, a quiet Eastern Sierra ranching town that looks straight out of a Western movie. Don’t miss the historic Mono County Courthouse, built in the 1880s. Stop for lunch at a local café (we loved The Burger Barn) before heading south to your first major stop, and one of the coolest California ghost towns around.
Bodie State Historic Park: A Ghost Town in Arrested Decay
About 20 miles from Bridgeport lies Bodie State Historic Park, a genuine Gold Rush town that has been preserved in a “state of arrested decay.” Imagine wooden saloons, old general stores, and rusted wagons left just as they were when the town was abandoned over a hundred years ago.
Once home to 10,000 residents chasing gold, Bodie today feels like walking through a living history museum. You can peek into buildings filled with dishes, furniture, and even clothing that has been frozen in time. It’s a fascinating, slightly eerie reminder of how tough life was in the Wild West.
Lee Vining & Mono Lake: Salty Water and Famous Fish Tacos
Next up is Lee Vining, home of the world-famous Whoa Nellie Deli, a gourmet café inside Tioga Gas Mart (the Mobil gas station) just south of town. The fish tacos and breakfast burritos live up to the hype, and it’s the perfect refuel stop before exploring Mono Lake, just down the road.
Mono Lake is one of California’s most unusual natural wonders. Because it has no outlet, the water is three times saltier than the ocean, creating striking limestone formations called tufa towers. For the best views, head to the southern shore and walk among these otherworldly spires.
Tioga Pass & Tuolumne Meadows: Yosemite’s High Country
Turn west from Lee Vining and climb Tioga Pass, the highest drivable pass in California at nearly 10,000 feet. This route leads to Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite National Park, a completely different experience from the crowded Yosemite Valley.
Our favorite hike here is Lembert Dome — a smaller, friendlier version of Half Dome with big views and minimal crowds. Other great trails include Cathedral Lakes and Glen Aulin.
Note that Tioga Pass Road usually closes by October, depending on snow, so plan your trip for summer or early fall.
June Lake Loop: The Switzerland of California
Back on Highway 395, the June Lake Loop is a 14-mile scenic drive that passes four alpine lakes surrounded by mountains. Locals call it the Switzerland of California, and they’re not wrong.
In fall, the aspen trees explode with color, and in summer the loop is perfect for kayaking, fishing, and brewery-hopping at June Lake Brewing. The small lodges and cabins here have a nostalgic, old-California feel.
Mammoth Lakes: Four-Season Adventure Town
The bustling town of Mammoth Lakes is the crown jewel of the Eastern Sierra. It’s a four-season resort town with outdoor shops, coffee spots, and great restaurants. In winter, it’s famous for world-class skiing; in summer, it’s a base for hiking, biking, and exploring nearby natural wonders.
Just outside of town is Devils Postpile National Monument, known for its dramatic basalt columns and nearby Rainbow Falls. Check park conditions before you go, as access sometimes requires a shuttle.
Hot Creek Geologic Site: Steam Rising from the Sierra
A quick detour from Mammoth takes you to Hot Creek Geologic Site, a geothermal wonder where steaming hot springs bubble into a turquoise creek. Visit early in the morning for the best light and visible steam and be aware of the closed off areas as the ground is fragile and the water dangerously hot.
It’s a short, scenic stop and perfect for photographers.
Convict Lake: Beauty with a Wild Backstory
Only a few miles off Highway 395, Convict Lake looks like a postcard, turquoise water, steep cliffs, and endless mountain reflections. Its name comes from an 1871 shootout between escaped prisoners and a local posse. The lake and nearby Mount Morrison were named after that infamous event.
Today, Convict Lake is a favorite for fishing, picnicking, and staying at the historic Convict Lake Resort, which opened in 1929 and still feels like classic mountain California.
Crowley Lake: Volcanic Columns by the Water
A short drive south brings you to Crowley Lake, known for its bizarre stone columns, volcanic formations that look like something built by hand. These can only be reached when water levels are low, and a four-wheel-drive vehicle helps. It’s a great blend of geology, photography, and outdoor recreation.
Bishop: Bakeries and Big Views
The largest town in the Owens Valley, Bishop is the perfect midway stop. Don’t miss Erick Schat’s Bakkery, a Highway 395 legend famous for its sheepherder bread, pastries, and cinnamon pull-apart loaves.
If you’re up for a challenge, nearby Big Pine Lakes Trail offers one of the most beautiful hikes in the Sierra Nevada, 14 miles of turquoise alpine lakes framed by jagged peaks.
Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest: The Oldest Living Trees on Earth
High above Bishop in the White Mountains, the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest is home to trees that are more than 4,500 years old. Drive up to the Schulman Grove and hike the Methuselah Trail, a 4-mile loop through twisted, wind-sculpted trees that have outlived entire civilizations.
At over 10,000 feet elevation, the air is thin, but the views are unforgettable. Even the shorter nature trail near the visitor center is spectacular.
Manzanar National Historic Site: Remembering the Past
Between Bishop and Lone Pine lies Manzanar National Historic Site, once a World War II internment camp where more than 10,000 Japanese Americans were imprisoned. The National Park Service has done a remarkable job preserving this site.
You can explore the museum in the old high-school auditorium, then drive the one-way loop to see reconstructed barracks, gardens, and memorials. It’s a sobering but essential stop on any Highway 395 road trip.
Lone Pine & the Alabama Hills: Movie Magic and Mountain Views
At the southern end of the route, Lone Pine is a small town with big history. Over 500 films, from Westerns to sci-fi, have been filmed in the nearby Alabama Hills, a jumble of smooth granite boulders set against the backdrop of Mount Whitney.
Take the short hike to Mobius Arch, which perfectly frames Mount Whitney in the distance, especially at sunrise or sunset. Camping is available in the area, but you’ll need a free permit from the visitor center in Lone Pine.
Whitney Portal: Pancakes and Peaks
Thirteen miles west of Lone Pine, Whitney Portal marks the start of the Mount Whitney Trail, leading to the tallest peak in the lower 48 states (14,505 feet). You’ll need a permit to summit, but even hiking to Lone Pine Lake, a 6-mile round trip (no permit required, is worth the effort for the alpine views.
And don’t miss the Whitney Portal Store, famous for its giant pancake (served 9–10:45 a.m.) and hearty trail food. Whether or not you’re hiking, it’s one of those delightfully oddball roadside stops that makes Highway 395 unforgettable.
Planning Your Eastern Sierra Road Trip
To see everything on this list, give yourself a few days to a week. We suggest staying in Mammoth Lakes for the northern half and Bishop or Lone Pine for the southern half.
This stretch of California Highway 395 is more than just a road, it’s a journey through history, geology, and some of the most dramatic landscapes in the American West.
Want more information?
Watch out our Highway 395 reel on Instagram
Listen to Our Highway 395 Podcast Episode
Want to hear the full story behind this road trip? In our Dear Bob and Sue podcast episode about California’s Highway 395, we share more stories, travel tips, and favorite stops—from Bodie Ghost Town to Mount Whitney and everything in between. Join us for an hour of laughs, history, and ideas for your own Eastern Sierra adventure.
Where to stay along California’s Highway 395
During our Highway 395 road trip, we stayed at the Best Western Frontier Motel in Lone Pine, and it turned out to be the perfect southern home base for exploring the Alabama Hills, Manzanar, and Mount Whitney. If you’re traveling farther north, there’s also a comfortable Best Western Bishop Lodge in the heart of Bishop, an ideal spot for visiting the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest.
Follow the links above to book your stay and make your own Eastern Sierra adventure easy and relaxing. These are affiliate links, so we may receive a small commission if you book through them, but you won’t pay anything extra.
