The Big List of California High Sierra Day Trips Vacation Ideas

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The High Sierra region in California is renowned for its stunning mountain tops, exceptional ski resorts, and colossal sequoias. Year-round, there are plenty of exciting attractions, such as Ghost Towns, Historic Sites, Hot Springs, Campsites, and Natural Wonders. Our list includes the area’s most beautiful sights, perfect for a day trip or vacation.

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Explore The Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest

The Bristlecone Pine Forest is a popular day trip destination from Bishop, California. It is located in the White Mountains within the Inyo National Forest and can be reached by driving uphill for about an hour. The uniquely beautiful trees in the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest make it a favorite spot for photographers and hikers. This off-the-beaten-track destination offers incredible views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and is worth exploring. Park Website.

Convict Lake Eastern Sierra: Fishing Sightseeing

Convict Lake is a fantastic day trip option easily accessible from many points in the California High Sierra. Located approximately 35 miles north of Bishop, it is a popular destination for hiking, fishing, and sightseeing. The Lake Campground offers around 100 campsites if you want to spend more than just a day there. However, please remember that these campsites fill up quickly during peak fishing season, so it is advisable to reserve your spot well ahead of time. Convict Lake Resort.

Mono Lake: A Saltwater Oasis

Mono Lake is one of the oldest lakes in North America, formed over a million years ago. The famous South Tufa Trail, which spans over a mile, takes hikers along the shore of the lake. There, they can view the tufas, both landlocked and rising majestically from the waters of Mono Lake. To learn more about the lake’s natural and human history, the Mono Basin Scenic Area Visitor Center is an excellent resource. With various exhibits and knowledgeable staff, visitors can get information that will enrich their visit to Mono Lake. Visit Website.

June Lake Loop California’s Alps

The June Lake Loop is a beautiful 16-mile drive around four stunning lakes in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. It can be accessed via Route 158. Like the nearby Mammoth Lakes, the June Lake Loop is perfect for enjoying breathtaking views and participating in various outdoor activities. Despite its small-town feel, June Lake has much to offer in terms of top-notch outdoor activities. The Town of June Lake is the biggest in the region and boasts numerous charming shops, restaurants, lodges, and taverns. Visit Website.

Alabama Hills Near Lone Pine, California

The Alabama Hills are a group of stunning sunburned granite rock formations and arches located in the Owens Valley at the base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Since the early 1920s, these formations have become the iconic Western landscape featured in numerous TV shows and movies. The area is known for its uniquely shaped arches, rounded rocky hills, and breathtaking views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. BLM Website.

Manzanar Historic Site Owens Valley

Manzanar was one of ten internment camps located in the western United States during World War II. At its peak, Manzanar housed over 10,000 men, women, and children in basic barracks-style housing that provided no comforts or privacy. Even after Japan surrendered in August 1945, Manzanar remained open for several months. It was finally closed in November of the same year. 1972, Manzanar was designated as a California Historic Landmark, and in 1985, it was recognized as a National Historic Landmark. Visit Website.

Lone Pine California Highway 395

Lone Pine is the starting point for trails leading to Mount Whitney, a peak of 14,496 feet, which attracts over 10,000 climbers annually. In October, the town hosts the Lone Pine Film Festival. The town offers magnificent views of the Sierra and Owens Valley. The local economy relies heavily on tourism, as the city has several renowned tourist destinations. Mount Whitney, Mammoth Mountain, Alabama Hills, and Manzanar National Historic Landmark are all within easy driving distance. City Website.

Explore Bodie Ghost Town

Bodie was a thriving center for gold mining, offering amenities comparable to larger towns. It had two banks, four volunteer fire companies, a brass band, a railroad, and miners’ and mechanics’ unions. The city even had a jail. Today, Bodie is a popular tourist attraction in the California High Sierra. It is located in the high desert at an altitude of 8,375 feet. Ensuring your vehicle is in good working condition before attempting the trip is important. The road to Bodie may be challenging in winter, even with a four-wheel drive vehicle. Park Website.

Benton Hot Springs Bed & Breakfast With A Hot Tub

Benton Hot Springs offers accommodations, including historic homes with luxurious hot tubs and ten private areas for day and overnight guests. The area also boasts ten camping sites with hot tubs naturally fed by the springs. Each campsite features a private hot tub, a fire pit, and a picnic table, perfect for soaking in the warm spring waters and enjoying a light lunch. Visit Website.

Twin Lakes Resort Bridgeport Fishing and Hiking

For decades, outdoor enthusiasts have been visiting Twin Lakes Resort to enjoy activities like fishing and hiking. The resort is surrounded by eight different cabins, with the largest one able to accommodate up to 11 people on a nightly, weekly, or monthly rental basis. There’s always plenty to do at Twin Lakes, with fishing being the most popular activity. However, the area also offers some spectacular hiking trails. The Horse and Cattle Creek Canyon Trails run along the south side of Upper Twin Lake, providing breathtaking views of the mountains and lakes. Another great hiking trail is the 4-mile Barney Lake Trail, which starts near Mono Village Campground. Visit Website.

Mammoth Lakes California: A Year-Round Destination

Five beautiful lakes in Mammoth Lakes Basin are only a ten-minute drive from town. After the snow melts, Mammoth Mountain’s hiking and biking trails become available, and you can also take scenic rides up the gondola to enjoy the resort. Twin Lakes, Lake Mary, Lake Mamie, Lake George, and Horseshoe Lake are all located nearby and are perfect for fishing and sightseeing. The Department of Fish and Game stocks the lakes with 2 to 5-pound trout. Lake Mary and Lake George have marinas that provide fishing boat rentals, although you can also fish from the shore. Visit Website.

Visit Historic Keough’s Hot Springs Resort

At Keough’s Hot Springs Resort, two swimming pools are filled with hot mineral water from three hot springs. Every day, over a million gallons of mineral water, about 127 degrees Fahrenheit, is cooled to around 90 degrees Fahrenheit to fill the swimming pools. This resort is located near Keough’s Hot Creek pools. If there is any overflow of mineral water from Keough’s Hot Springs, it flows into a “hot ditch” situated approximately half a mile away from the resort. Eventually, this water ends up in the Owens River, which is located on Highway 395. Resort Website.

Laws Railroad Museum Bishop California

Laws Railroad Museum is an intriguing destination located near Bishop. The place used to be a Southern Pacific Railroad station and rail yard. However, the line was abandoned in 1960, and the track was removed. Nevertheless, the Laws museum and historical site have kept the Owens Valley railroad town of Laws intact. The original depot and other historic buildings offer a captivating glimpse into the history of the Owens Valley. Moreover, apart from railroad artifacts, over 20 buildings, mining and farming equipment, and other items used around the Owens Valley can be found in the museum. Visit Website.

Bishop California: Points of Interest Nearby Attractions

Bishop, California, is a small town with a rich history in Inyo County. It has a population of under 4,000 and was originally named Bishop Creek. It is the most populated place in Inyo County. If you visit Bishop, Erick Schat’s Bakery is a must-stop. They bake the best bread, which is Dutch-style, with no preservatives. All loaves are handmade and baked in stone ovens, just as they have been since 1907. Even the yeast used in the bread is homemade, which means that it is incredibly fresh. This amazing bakery produces around 25,000 loaves per day. City Website.

Mono County: Highway 395 Road Trip Must See

Highway 395 stretches between the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the California-Nevada border in Mono County, California. This 3,000-square-mile county is 94% publicly owned and offers a variety of things to do and points of interest—a road trip itinerary of places to stop while traveling through Mono County on Highway 395.

Inyo County: Highway 395 Road Trip Must See

Highway 395 travels through Inyo County, home to Mount Whitney, the highest point in the United States, and Badwater Basin, the lowest point in Death Valley National Park. Here is a road trip itinerary of places to stop while traveling through Inyo County on Highway 395.

Eastern California Museum – Independence, CA

Located in Independence, the Eastern California Museum is a fantastic place to explore the history and culture of the Eastern Sierra, Death Valley, and Mono Lake areas. The museum houses many artifacts, including photographs, maps, arrowheads, baskets, old stoves, and clothing. Visitors can view rare photos of Owens Dry Lake when it was still filled with water. Owens Dry Lake was once a massive lake that covered 100 square miles and was over fifty feet deep. Moreover, visitors can stroll through Little Pine Village outside the museum to experience a recreated historic village setting. Museum Website.

Whitney Portal Lone Pine, California

Set against towering pines and rugged granite peaks, Whitney Portal, formerly known as Hunter Flat and Hunters Camp, is located 13 miles west of the quaint Town of Lone Pine and serves as the trailhead for the Mount Whitney Trail. Aside from its natural beauty, the entry road to Whitney Portal is also known as the backdrop for at least two American feature films, including the 1953 comedy The Long Long Trailer starring Lucille Ball and 1941’s High Sierra with Humphrey Bogart.

Owens Lake Plover Wing Plaza

The entrance road to the Owens Lake Plaza is off Highway 136 on the lake’s eastern shore. 2.25 miles north of Keeler, turn right and head downhill toward the lake. Several markers along the dirt road direct you to the Plaza trailhead parking area. The Plover Wing Plaza is a 3/4-mile walk.

Cottonwood Charcoal Kilns Near Owens Lake

The Cottonwood kilns produced charcoal that powered the smelters at the Cerro Gordo Mine in the Inyo Mountains. Two steamers named Bessie Brady and Mollie Stevens transported this charcoal. The Cottonwood Charcoal Kilns resemble the Wildrose Charcoal Kilns near Death Valley and Ward Charcoal Ovens in Nevada. These kilns are part of California Historical Landmark #537. The road to the Cottonwood kilns is difficult to find, but it is worth the effort.

Fishing California Eastern Sierra

The Sierra Nevada mountain range has many freshwater lakes, some easily accessible by car or RV. However, others are more remote and require a hike, especially those home to the coveted golden rainbow trout. While it can be demanding, a fishing trip to the high country is always rewarding. Lone Pine is an excellent starting point for your high Sierra fishing trip, as it has several trailheads.

Cerro Gordo Ghost Town: Historic Mine Camp

Throughout much of the 1800s, Cerro Gordo (or the “Fat Hill”) pumped thousands of tons of high-grade silver, lead, and other metals. The Cerro Gordo Ghost Town is privately owned, and you’ll need permission from the owner to access the property. Cerro Gordon Road passes through the ghost town. Do not enter any buildings unless you have permission. Brent Underwood is the current owner of Cerro Gordo. You must sign in before exploring the mining camp; videos are prohibited. Brent has a YouTube channel loaded with videos—ghost Town Living.

Tahoe City Lake Tahoe, California

Tahoe City is an ideal destination to escape to in any season. You can enjoy the clear blue waters of the lake and the numerous hiking trails in summer when temperatures reach up to 75 degrees. If you’re looking for a winter wonderland adventure, Tahoe City is the gateway to some of the world’s best ski resorts. To get a scenic tour of Lake Tahoe, you can hop aboard the low-emission and fuel-efficient Tahoe Gal, a replica of a Mississippi riverboat. It’s a fun expedition for families and couples, and you can choose from different day cruises or a romantic sunset cruise.

Emerald Bay Lake Tahoe

Emerald Bay was carved in granite by the movement of glaciers. It is only one and three miles wide and contains the only island in Lake Tahoe, Fannette Island. Emerald Bay State Park is recognized as a national natural landmark. Emerald Bay State Park has all the facilities you would expect on a lakefront state park, including two piers, a beach, two campgrounds, and a visitor center. One of the campgrounds is for tent campers only, as it can only be reached by boat. Emerald Bay State Park.

Donner Memorial State Park

Donner Memorial State Park is located at a height of 6,200 feet in the Sierra Nevada, just outside Truckee, California. The park was established to preserve and narrate the darkest side of early pioneer life in California. Although the park has many features, it is best known for two. The first is the Emigrant Trail Museum, and the other is the Pioneer Monument, located on the lake’s east side, both inside and outside the park’s visitor center. Donner Memorial State Park is best visited when temperatures are mild in the summer. Park Website.

Truckee, California: Downtown District Worth Exploring

The downtown district of Truckee is the heart and soul of the town, with its unique restaurants and shops set in original historic buildings. Once the industrial center of a gritty railroad town, the area has transformed into an epicenter of activity. Visitors can browse dozens of independently owned and operated shops and dine in delectable eateries. During the summer, the area offers live entertainment, historic walking tours, local artists, and unique souvenirs that are irresistible to tourists and locals alike. City Website.

Grover Hot Springs State Park

The park is on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada Mountain range, at the edge of the Great Basin Province. It is surrounded by high granite peaks, vast pine forests, and sagebrush on three sides. The park offers hot springs, a campground, and a picnic area. Although many visitors come to the park to enjoy its soothing waters, the playground and surrounding national forest offer some awe-inspiring trails that range in difficulty from easy to extreme. Park Website.

Hunewill Dude Ranch Sierra Vacation

Hunewill Ranch is situated in Bridgeport Valley beneath the snow-covered mountains of the eastern Sierra. It is a real working ranch where the Hunewill family still runs cattle. The Guest Ranch has been operational since 1931 and is even more popular today than when it first opened. Although this is a working ranch, guests are accommodated in cabins near the main house, where meals are served. During your stay, you” will have the opportunity to “dine out” at various locations on the ranch. Visit Website.

Mono Hot Spring A Wilderness Escape

Mono Hot Springs is located in the Sierra National Forest, northeast of Fresno. If you are looking for a fantastic wilderness experience with some of the comforts of home, then Mono Hot Springs Resort is worth checking out.

Eastern Sierra Natural Hot Springs

There are natural hot springs and hot spring resorts in the High Sierras. List the best places to soak and soothe the senses in hot mineral water, including directions, nearby attractions, and points of interest.

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