The drive north to Mammoth Lakes on the 395 is full of gorgeous views and changing landscapes. But let’s be honest, it can also be quite tiring, especially on those days when it seems like everyone is on their way to the Eastern Sierra!
Luckily, there are quite a few side adventures and roadside attractions that can provide the perfect pit stop along the way. Stretch your legs, breathe in the fresh air, and learn about some amazing California history with these must-see historical roadside attractions!
Step back into history at Randsburg
Randsburg is a small, former mining town located just off the 395 about 26 miles north of Kramer Junction. It features a main street of buildings that have been around for over 100 years, including old saloons, a bed & breakfast, and a general store. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped right into a traditional Wild West town!
To get there, you’ll turn on Randsburg Cutoff Road before Johannesburg. Just a few minutes of detour off the 395 will bring you to this true relic of western charm. The area is generally pretty quiet, but things pick up in the third weekend in September when Randsburg welcomes visitors for their annual Randsburg Old West Day. The weekend features car and motorcycle shows, reenactments, petting zoos, pony rides, and various local vendors!
See a volcanic waterfall at Fossil Falls
There may not be any water at Fossil Falls, but this is still a landmark that visitors rave about! You can find the trailhead just off of the 395 just about 13 miles north of Pearsonville. It’s well marked, so you should be able to find the turn off easily!
The trail itself is only about .2 miles of flat terrain before you reach the falls: a 60 foot drop into a canyon made entirely of volcanic rock. It’s believed that this formation was created sometime between 400,000 and 10,000 years ago, when glacier meltwater from the last ice age collided with volcanic activity in the Coso Volcanic Field. The result is a landscape of basaltic lava flows made smooth by thousands of years of running water.
Interested in learning more about volcanic activity in this area? If you look north from the trailhead, you’ll see the volcanic vent that made Fossil Falls possible: the Salt Lake Cinder Cone. You may have seen this large, dark red mound every time you’ve driven on the 395, but did you know that it’s actually a volcano made up of ash, pumice, and solidified lava?
Visit the Museum of Western Film History
From car commercials to sci-fi cult classics to traditional John Wayne westerns, the Eastern Sierra has been a popular filming location for well over a hundred years. And this museum, located just off the 395 in Lone Pine, is an ode to that fascinating history!
The museum has a suggested donation of $8, is air conditioned, and most surprisingly, dog friendly! So, take your furry side-kick inside to get a glimpse into our area’s rich film culture. And, if you plan your trip right, you could even drop in on the annual Lone Pine Film Festival that takes place in October.
And hey, after you’ve visited the museum of western film history, why not…
Check out Alabama Hills, the Mobius Arch and Mt. Whitney
Those gorgeous foothills that provide a backdrop to the Western Film Museum are the Alabama Hills, and it’s worth your while to turn off the 395 for a short detour to get a closer look.
The main feature of the Alabama Hills is the Mobius Arch, a naturally-occurring rock formation with a large window that perfectly frames Mt. Whitney in the distance. The Mobius Arch has been photographed by countless professional photographers and featured in films, but there are a number of other arches in the area to enjoy, as well! Look around for the Lathe Arch, the Whitney Portal Arch and the Eye of Alabama.
To get to the Mobius Arch trailhead, you’ll turn west on Whitney Portal Road from the 395 in Lone Pine then turn right on Movie Flat Road until you reach the trailhead. The walk to the arch is short and flat, but you and the family will be tempted to explore more of this natural playground!
Take a dip at Keough’s Hot Springs
There’s nothing better after a long drive than a dip in the pool and a big ice cream cone! And Keough’s Hot Springs has been delivering on both fronts since first opening in 1918. At first glance, it may look like your standard public pool, but what sets Keough’s apart is that it is drained and refilled daily with water from the area’s natural hot springs. There is both a refreshing warm water pool with a waterfall feature and a hot jacuzzi area.
You’ll see signs on the 395 for Keough’s Hot Springs as you go through the Owens Valley. The resort is located about 7 miles south of Bishop.
Looking for free natural hot springs? There’s another option for you on your way up to Mammoth Lakes! Take a look at our guide to the Mammoth Lakes Hot Springs.
Stop for a meal at Tom's Place
The last stretch between Bishop to Mammoth Lakes can feel like the longest! But, you can replenish your energy and enjoy a delicious meal at the historical Tom's Place Resort.
This restaurant/bar/lodge, located about 25 miles north of Bishop, off the 395, was originally built in 1919. Over the years, it’s served as a gas station, post office, fishing lodge, and community watering hole. Today, it attracts locals and visitors from all over the world who want a taste of traditional Eastern Sierra diner culture.
Which of these historical attractions have you seen on your way up to Mammoth Lakes?
There is so much to see on the drive from Southern California up to our neck of the woods. And we always love to hear what our guests have enjoyed most during their road trip along the 395.
Still looking for a place to stay when the road trip is over? Take a look at the condos we have available throughout Mammoth Lakes!