Ever feel like you need an escape, a journey that’s more than just miles? A road trip on Highway 395 is the perfect remedy. You’ll be amazed at the diversity of landscapes. At first, you’re rolling through the Mojave Desert, with those quirky Joshua trees looking like they’re in the middle of a dance party. Then, you’re staring up at the colossal, snow-capped peaks of the Eastern Sierra and passing through dusty gold rush towns.
While it may not be as popular as California’s Pacific Coast Highway or the Redwood Highway, the 395 is less traveled but it’s certainly not lacking in things to do. It even has its own dedicated “trail.” In 2023, the Eastern Sierra Spirit and Ale Trail was established, which highlights craft breweries and distilleries between Bishop and Bridgeport.
Gas and EV charging stations can be few and far between in some stretches along Highway 395, so it’s a good idea to fill up your tank whenever you have the opportunity, especially in towns like Lone Pine, Bishop and Mammoth Lakes. Some of the roadside rest stops have EV charging stations as well. The weather can vary dramatically due to elevation changes, so it’s best to pack layers. During the winter, you may also need to bring chains for your car if snow is in the forecast.
Randsburg
As you head north on Highway 395 from where it originates in Hesperia at Interstate 15, take a step back in time with a visit to Randsburg. This living ghost town offers a glimpse into California’s gold rush era, to bygone times of grit and gold fever.
Established in 1895, Randsburg still has a small population that hovers around 100. It’s worth a pitstop to visit The Joint, where you can grab a beer and a bite to eat. Wander through the Rand Desert Museum and learn about the district’s mining past and the hardy characters who sought their fortunes here.
Death Valley National Park
While not located on Highway 395, Death Valley National Park is about a two to three hour detour on Highway 190 near Olancha or Highway 136 near Lone Pine. A land of superlatives — designated the hottest, driest, and lowest in North America — Death Valley’s landscape is nothing short of mesmerizing.
Explore the salt flats of Badwater Basin, 282 feet below sea level, or the golden hues of Zabriskie Point and the vastness of Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes. Early morning or late afternoon visits are recommended to experience its stark beauty and avoid the intense midday heat.
Lone Pine
The landscape shifts dramatically as you approach Lone Pine, which you may be surprised to discover is a town synonymous with Hollywood’s Golden Age. The town is small and unassuming — not a glitzy metropolis or film studio lot. Nestled at the foot of Mt. Whitney, Lone Pine is known for the Alabama Hills. These rounded, weathered natural rock formations have served as the backdrop for Westerns and sci-fi films. Because of the versatility of the landscape, they have served as the American West, China, Afghanistan, or other planets.
Drive the unpaved Movie Road and discover famous film locations like Mobius Arch, which perfectly frames Mt. Whitney in a natural stone window. The Museum of Western Film History is a must-visit, as it showcases props and memorabilia from the hundreds of movies and television shows filmed here. While especially famous for “The Lone Ranger,” several non-Westerns, including “Gladiator” and “Django Unchained,” feature the Alabama Hills.
Manzanar National Historic Site
A somber but important stop just outside of Independence, Manzanar National Historic Site stands as a reminder of a dark chapter in American history, where during World War II more than 10,000 Japanese Americans were incarcerated.
The site has preserved the barracks, mess halls and gardens, providing powerful and moving insights into the lives of those who endured this injustice. The visitor center has exhibits and personal accounts, making it an essential educational experience.
Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest
Continuing north, a one-hour detour from Big Pine leads you high into the White Mountains to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest. Here, you’ll encounter the oldest living organisms on Earth — some trees are nearly 5,000 years old. These gnarled, resilient pines were twisted by millennia of wind and harsh conditions.
Schulman Grove Visitor Center offers interpretive trails, including Methuselah Walk. Drive with caution; the road to the forest is steep and winding, but it rewards you with magnificent views.
Hot springs
The area around Bishop has several natural hot springs, the most notable being Keough Hot Springs. Established in 1919, it boasts the largest natural hot springs pool in the Eastern Sierra with a constant flow of water filling both a large swimming pool and a hotter soaking pool. There’s a picnic area and snack bar as well as camping and lodging facilities.
Closer to Mammoth Lakes, Hot Creek Geological Site is a fascinating display of geothermal activity. While swimming is prohibited due to the unpredictable temperatures and unstable ground, the interpretive trail allows visitors to witness the steaming vents and bubbling pools up close.
Convict Lake
Just south of Mammoth, Convict Lake is a stunning glacial lake renowned for its deep blue waters and dramatic granite cliffs. The lake’s name originates from a dramatic 1871 shootout involving escaped convicts from a Nevada prison.
Today, it’s a popular spot for trout fishing, hiking around its picturesque 3-mile loop trail, and boating. The Convict Lake Resort is a stone’s throw from the lake, and offers cozy cabins, a general store, and a highly regarded fine-dining restaurant. A Forest Service campground provides more rustic overnight options.
Mammoth Lakes
The undisputed hub of the Eastern Sierra, Mammoth Lakes is a mountain resort town with an array of outdoor adventures year-round. One of California’s premier ski resorts, its long season often stretches into summer. The town of Mammoth Lakes is filled with a wide range of lodging options alongside dining experiences that include Vulcania, an Italian restaurant at the Village, and The Warming Hut for breakfast or lunch.
As the snow melts, Mammoth becomes a summer playground. The Lakes Basin comes alive with a network of pristine alpine lakes — including the popular Lake Mary and Twin Lakes — perfect for fishing, kayaking and boating. Miles of scenic hiking trails cater to every ability, and the Mammoth Mountain Bike Park offers downhill and cross-country mountain biking. Be sure to take advantage of the free trolley that runs during the summer months with several routes around town.
June Lake Loop
Often referred to as the “Switzerland of California,” the June Lake Loop is a 16-mile scenic bypass off Highway 395. This stunning drive winds through the town and around four lakes: June, Gull, Silver and Grant. The drive is especially spectacular in the fall when the aspen trees ignite in a blaze of orange, gold and red.
The loop offers excellent fishing, hiking trails and quaint lakeside resorts — perfect for a leisurely escape. June Lake is also home to a ski resort, and the town itself has a few noteworthy restaurants including Pino Pies as well as June Lake Brewing, a popular spot.
Mono Lake
An otherworldly natural wonder, Mono Lake is an ancient saline soda lake famous for its bizarre tufa towers (limestone formations that rise from the water). The lake’s ecosystem supports millions of migratory birds and an ancient species of brine shrimp that thrives off the salt in the lake, so swimming is not permitted but guided canoe tours are available.
Explore the South Tufa area for a walk among these surreal formations, which are especially beautiful at sunrise or sunset. You can also stop by the Mono Basin Scenic Area Visitor Center for more information about the area. Mono Lake is also near the eastern gateway to Yosemite National Park via the Tioga Pass (Highway 120) in Lee Vining, offering a dramatic and less-crowded approach to the park. Seasonal road closures may occur, so be sure to check in advance.
Bodie State Historic Park
Bodie is one of the best-preserved ghost towns in the American West. Once a thriving gold mining town of 10,000 residents, it was abandoned when the gold ran out, left in a state of “arrested decay.” Park tours are available, or you can check it out on your own.
Buildings stand exactly as they were left, with tables set, goods still on shelves, and personal belongings scattered throughout. Exploring Bodie is like walking through a living museum, as it gives you an idea of what the 19th-century boom-and-bust life must have been like.
Connections off Highway 395
While Highway 395 is the main artery, several highways branch off of it, leading to some of the Eastern Sierra’s most iconic destinations. We recommend checking Caltrans for road conditions, especially during the winter, to be sure that access is open and safe.
Highway 190: Death Valley
Venture eastward from Highway 395 via Highway 136 near Lone Pine or Highway 190 near Olancha. Highway 136 offers a quick, direct connector to Highway 190, which plunges into the heart of the park.
State Route 168: Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest
From Big Pine, turn east on State Route 168. You’ll be on this highway for about 13 miles, and then turn left onto White Mountain Road (Forest Service Road 4S01). Continue for about 10 more miles until you reach the Schulman Grove Visitor Center.
Highway 203: Mammoth
Highway 203 is your main access route to the town of Mammoth Lakes. This road, which turns into Main Street, takes you directly into the heart of town and its surrounding wilderness areas.
State Route 158: June Lake Loop
This designated scenic byway branches off Highway 395 north of Mammoth Lakes and rejoins it farther north. It’s a 16-mile loop, so you can easily take the detour to explore the four lakes before heading back onto the main highway.
Highway 120: Tioga Pass
Highway 120 (Tioga Road) ascends through alpine scenery, revealing high-country meadows, granite domes, and beautiful lakes before descending into the Yosemite Valley. It is typically closed due to snow from late fall through late spring or early summer.
Route 270: Bodie State Historic Park
This unpaved, but generally well-maintained road leads directly to Bodie State Historic Park. While it’s a dirt road, it’s usually accessible for most vehicles. Checking conditions, especially after rain or snow, is always recommended.