Highway 395 Road Trip in California Itinerary (Things to Do, Best Restaurants, Places to Stay)
The 395 highway (U.S. Route 395) is a popular road trip route for both local Californians and tourists! There are many stops along the way, with some that are perfect to stay for a few days, while others are better as a pit stop between destinations.
Starting at the Canadian border, the 395 highway runs down through Washington and Oregon, alongside the Eastern Sierras in California, and stops east of Los Angeles where it runs into Interstate 15.
For this itinerary, we’ll travel the portion of the 395-South from Lake Tahoe to Alabama Hills, where we will split off and take Highway 14 to reach Visalia and the National Parks, before heading back up to the Bay Area.
Our starting point was the Bay Area, but you can start from LA and follow this itinerary in reverse!
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Full Road Trip Itinerary
Here’s the itinerary we did, plus a few extra optional things that we weren’t able to do on our trip!
Trip breakdown with highlights
Day 1-2: Lake Tahoe
Emerald Bay
Nevada Beaches
Day 2-6: Mammoth Lakes
Mono Lake
June Lake Loop
Hot Creek Geological Site
Wild Willy’s Hot Springs
Convict Lake
Day 6-7: Lone Pine/Alabama Hills
Movie Road
Downtown Lone Pine
Day 7-9: Visalia/National Parks
Kings Canyon National Park
Sequoia National Park
The Darling
What to Pack
Aside from your usual clothes and toiletries, I recommend packing:
Mosquito nets: If you’re planning on hiking often, it might be worth getting a mesh head net to put over a hat during summer.
Mosquito repellent: We went with the super toxic stuff (Ben’s Insect Repellent with Deet) because we didn’t want to risk the trip being ruined by mosquito bites. This worked really well! I got bit up the days I didn’t wear it while my husband was totally fine since he was wearing it.
Ethique shampoo/conditioner bars: These bars last much longer and take up less space than shampoo and conditioner bottles. I’ve solely used this brand for 3 years now and love them! You can get 20% off your first purchase if you shop through my discount link.
Owala water bottle: This was so easy to bring along on adventures each day. There is a straw you can drink from, or you can tilt the bottle and drink that way. The 24oz bottle was the perfect size for travel.
Lentiful: I recently discovered these lentil cups and they are so perfect for road trips when you just want something quick and cheap! Fill with water and microwave for less than 2 minutes, or pour in boiling water and let sit for a few minutes. They’re vegan, super healthy, tasty, and filling.
Trail shoes: My trail shoes have been a game changer on hikes and walks thanks to their super grippy treads. I had no issues walking up or down trails with loose gravel while wearing them.
Camera gear: You can scroll to the bottom of my Photo Spots page to see a full list of my recommended camera gear. For this trip, I used my Canon R5 and the RF 28-70mm lens — a perfect combo.
Day 1: Bay Area to South Lake Tahoe
Distance: ~180-200mi
Where to Stay
We stayed at Hotel Azure and loved it! We even had a view of the lake from our room’s balcony. The people who work here are nice and it’s within walking distance of some great restaurants and the lake, of course!
Use the map below to search for more hotels in South Lake Tahoe. If you cannot see the map, try disabling your ad blocker and refreshing the page.
Emerald Bay
South Lake Tahoe is possibly best known for Emerald Bay and Vikingsholm. Emerald Bay lives up to its name with its gorgeous blue waters, which are crystal clear!
Nearby you can check out Vikingsholm, which is an old Swedish-style mansion designed by Lennart Palme, the nephew of the land owner Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight, in 1929.
We didn’t make it to Emerald Bay and Vikingsholm this trip, but I went many years before and highly recommend making time for a visit!
Lunch at Sprouts Cafe
For some delicious food, head to lunch at Sprouts Cafe for their gooey nachos! This could be easily split by 2, or even 3, people. Sprouts Cafe is within walking distance of Hotel Azure and has some vegan and vegetarian options, along with refreshing smoothies.
Nevada Lake Tahoe Beaches
Our hotel was just 30 minutes away from some of the amazing beaches on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe. There are a few beaches to check out along a hiking trail: Secret Cove Nude Beach, Creek Beach, and Whale Beach.
We parked at the top along the side of the freeway and found some stairs to take down to the trails. There is also a parking lot at the north end of these beaches.
Many of these beaches are clothing optional and we did see nude people! Keep that in mind if you’re visiting — not quite kid-friendly and you need to be very respectful of privacy if you plan to take photos (i.e., don’t take photos of nude people).
Dinner at MacDuffs
This place was recommended to us by the front desk staff of our hotel and it was incredible! If you’re staying at Hotel Azure, you even get a discount if you show your room key.
The fish sandwich was the best I’ve ever had! They serve huge portions with delicious fries and friendly staff.
Day 2: Lake Tahoe to Mammoth Lakes
Distance: ~200 miles
Where to Stay
We enjoyed our stay at a condo near downtown Mammoth Lakes. It was perfect for two people! If you have more than three people in your group, I’d recommend checking out some of the nearby hotels.
We also looked into staying at either Tamarack Lodge or Juniper Springs Resort. I think either would be a great choice!
Use the map below to search for hotels near Mammoth Lakes. If you cannot see the map, try disabling your ad blocker and then refreshing the page.
Breakfast at Sprouts Cafe
Sprouts Cafe has some delicious brunch options and large portions. We could have easily split one of the open-faced bagels and been fulfilled.
Fill up here before you hop on the road for the day!
Gas Stop in Carson City, NV
This is a good place to stop for gas and a quick Target shop if you need anything! You won’t be near a Target for the rest of the trip.
Walker Coffee Company
This came highly recommended by my dad and often appears in 395 road trip guides. I was surprised to find it was a tiny place along the side of the road in the middle of almost nowhere!
They had delicious chai, even better cookies, and great danishes. It was absolutely worth the stop! Parking is right along the side of the highway, so be prepared to slow down as you get closer since there isn’t a turnoff.
Bodie Historic State Park
This park is quite possibly one of the coolest stops during the whole trip. I was heartbroken to find out the roads were closed due to snow and flooding damage when we went in early June 2023.
Bodie is a real-life old town built up from nothing in the 1800s during California’s gold rush. It is now a ghost town that you can explore!
This one remains unchecked on my bucket list, but I still highly recommend it. Just be sure to check road conditions ahead of time to ensure they’re open.
Mono Lake
Famous for its towers of salt, called tufas, Mono Lake is a really easy stop along the 395 highway.
For a quick stop, pull off at Picnic Grounds Road towards Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve. There is a $5 fee to park in this parking lot (pay with cash or card at the pay machine and put the ticket on your dashboard).
You can walk straight out from the parking lot to the tufas, or take the wooden trail on the right at the end of the parking lot to the larger tufas.
That 395 House
After Mono Lake, continue down 395-S until you reach an old house on the side of the highway.
There were once two old houses here, one being the official “That 395 House.” The one left standing isn’t the official one, but is still an excellent stop for some photos!
June Lake Loop
If you’re in a rush to get to Mammoth, you can continue straight down the 395. For a more scenic route, turn onto the June Lake Loop!
This will take you past a few different lakes: Grant Lake, Silver Lake, Gull Lake, and June Lake.
There are campsites along the way if you’re interested in car camping!
We stopped a couple of times to get out and look around but continued through to Mammoth Lakes.
Dinner at Mammoth Pizza
By the time we got to Mammoth, we were both starving and ready for some food. Mammoth Pizza was the quickest option, and it was great!
We got it to go and ate at our rented condo, but they do have both indoor and outdoor seating (though not a lot).
Day 3: Mammoth Lakes – Otherworldly Landscapes
Distance: ~40 miles
Hot Creek Geological Site
Early morning is the best time to visit Hot Creek. It’s an incredible spot that does not even look real! The icy blue and bubbling pools along the creek look to be from another planet.
The road to the parking lot is mostly dirt and pretty bumpy. I recommend all-wheel drive, although it is possible to get to the parking lot without it (just be careful if your car is low clearance as it could get damaged).
Once you park, continue walking down the road to reach Bree’s Lookout for the best view of the winding creek with the mountains behind it.
Twin Lakes
During winter, the main road around Twin Lakes is closed due to snow. Despite visiting in June, there was so much snow it was still closed! Luckily, the best view of it is from the parking lot on Lake Mary Road.
Tamarack Lodge is right here on the lake and is pretty well-rated! This whole area is gorgeous and we would definitely stay here on a future trip.
Lunch at Elixir Superfoods & Juice
For some healthy food, stop by Elixir for lunch! They have delicious bowls with quinoa, fresh veggies, and great sauces. There are plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. Plus, they have a great selection of fresh-pressed juices.
Mammoth Scenic Loop
This is a nice loop that will take you through the trees from the downtown Mammoth area all the way to the 395 highway.
It’s not incredibly scenic since it’s really just forest, but was a nice thing to do when many other areas were closed due to snow.
Inyo Craters Hike
For an interesting stop along the Mammoth Scenic Loop, drive to Inyo Craters. In winter, the road and trail to the craters in inaccessible, so keep that in mind if you’re visiting when there is still lots of snow.
Dinner at Mammoth Brewing Co.
For delicious beer and fish and chips, Mammoth Brewing Co. is the best spot! They have truly incredible fish and chips, and the outdoor seating area is really pleasant.
We only came on our last night in Mammoth and wished we had gone a few more times!
It gets pretty packed during the day, especially on weekends, so recommend coming in the off hours to get a table quickly.
Day 4: Mammoth Lakes – Hot Springs and Convict Lake
Distance: ~50 miles
Sunrise at Wild Willy’s Hot Springs
One of the most beautiful hot springs is Wild Willy’s. There are multiple pools here and the water temperature is perfect!
Sunrise was a perfect time to visit because it was less crowded and was very peaceful. You can read more about it in my full Guide to Wild Willy’s Hot Springs in Mammoth Lakes.
Crab Cooker Hot Spring
Another nearby hot spring is Crab Cooker. This one is much hotter than Wild Willy’s and there is just one tub (about the size of a hot tub). It’s a bit of a rough and rocky road to get there, so keep that in mind.
Lunch at Nik-N-Willies
After a morning of adventuring and soaking in hot springs, head back into Mammoth to grab some sandwiches at Nik-N-Willies. We got ours to go so we could eat them back at our rental condo and relax before heading out again.
Convict Lake
We visited Convict Lake twice during our trip because it was so nice!
The original Paiute Native American name for this lake in the Mono language is Wit-sa-nap. It was renamed Convict Lake in 1871 when a group of convicts escaped from a nearby prison and hid out at the lake before they were eventually found, which resulted in a shootout. The surviving inmates were captured and later hung on the way back to the prison.
We drove almost to the end and parked next to the vault toilets. Here there is a 0.3-mile accessible trail along the lake which was a nice short walk. People also fish along this trail often.
If you’re up for a longer walk, there is a 3-mile round-trip trail that loops around the entire lake!
Dinner at The Rolling Chef 395
This fusion Latin American food truck has a 5-star rating and a mouth-watering menu! It’s only open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays and closes at 4pm (as of June 2023 — check Google Maps for the most up-to-date info).
This would be a great spot if you’re on an early schedule after your sunrise hot spring visits and ready for dinner around 3pm.
Day 5: Day Trip to Mono Lake Area
Distance: ~120 miles
Travertine Hot Springs in Bridgeport
If you’re up for a big day of driving, take a day trip to Travertine Hotsprings in Bridgeport. I recommend starting your day at or before sunrise to get there as early as possible.
You’ll have a better chance of having the hot springs to yourself the earlier you get there.
We didn’t make it to these hot springs during our trip, but they look incredible and have been on my bucket list for a while!
Mono Lake South Tufas Area
For the most epic views of the tufas, head to the South Tufas Area. There is a parking lot here with plenty of spaces. Take the walkway all the way out to the end to be amongst the giant tufas.
We, unfortunately, got rained and hailed on when we came to visit this area around sunset time, so we didn’t get great photos, but it was quite the adventure!
Lunch at Whoa Nellie Deli
I’m kicking myself for not making time to stop here because it comes so highly recommended by everyone I talked to! It’s also in almost every single blog post I read about the Eastern Sierras.
This is a deli inside a gas station (I know! Sounds weird.) that is supposedly incredible. If you’re in the Mono Lake or June Lake area, please make time for lunch here and tell me what I missed out on!
June Lake and Gull Lake
On your way back to Mammoth, you can opt to stop and visit June Lake and Gull Lake. There’s a really nice viewing point next to a playground at Gull Lake where we got to see a beautiful mirror reflection of the mountains in the lake.
Dinner at Mammoth Brewing Company
I added this twice to the itinerary because it is that good! Mammoth Lakes doesn’t have a wide range of food options, mostly catering to families and tourists, so amazing food at places like Mammoth Brewing Company needs to be experienced twice.
Day 6: Mammoth Lakes to Lone Pine
Distance: ~140 miles
Where to Stay
In Lone Pine, we rented an Airbnb in a trailer park just south of the downtown. It was a small prefab place but had gorgeous views of the mountains from the back deck.
I would recommend it if you’re staying just for a few days! We were only here for one night.
If you want to stay in the heart of downtown, the Historic Dow Hotel is well-rated and gives off major Wes Anderson vibes!
Bishop Creek
On your way from Mammoth Lakes to Lone Pine, you can make a couple of stops. The first stop is Bishop Creek! This area is especially stunning to visit during fall when all the foliage is changing colors.
From the 395, you’ll exit onto Highway 168. You can stop at Misty Falls off of this highway or even stop to hike one of the many trails in the area!
Lake Sabrina
If you drive to the very end of Highway 168, you’ll reach Lake Sabrina. This is a lovely lake with nearby camping. We didn’t make it all the way to Lake Sabrina as we were too impatient to get to Lone Pine for some lunch.
If you skip Bishop Creek and Lake Sabrina, then the total distance for the day comes down to ~110 miles.
Gas Stop Before Lone Pine
I recommend stopping for gas before you get to Lone Pine, as the gas prices are much higher in the smaller town.
Alabama Hills Scenic Movie Road
The star of the show in the Lone Pine area is Movie Road in Alabama Hills. It’s so special, I wrote an entire blog post about it and all the things to do along the way.
Lunch at Vibras Juice Bar
Grab a delicious and fresh lunch from the friendly people at Vibras Juice Bar! This little spot was a breath of fresh air. They have delicious open-faced bagel sandwiches and yummy chai lattes.
Explore Downtown Lone Pine
This downtown area feels like it’s straight out of an old western movie with a touch of Wes Anderson. We walked up and down the main street checking out all the buildings and restaurants.
Dinner at Taco Truck
The best-reviewed restaurant in all of Lone Pine is a cash-only taco truck called Tacos Los Hermanos. We actually stopped here for lunch AND dinner the first day because it was so good!
I recommend getting the fish tacos, though the fish burrito was good too.
It’s right across the street from a gas station with an ATM where you can take out cash if you don’t have any on you.
OPTIONAL: Day Trip to Death Valley National Park
East of Lone Pine is Death Valley! If you’re spending a few days in this area and have never been to Death Valley, I recommend spending a night or two there.
You can check out my blog post to see some things to do in Death Valley National Park.
This will add about 240 miles to your route (round trip).
Day 7: Lone Pine to Visalia
Distance: ~250 miles
Sunrise at Movie Road
If you’re a photographer or just love to take photos, sunrise at Movie Road is a highly sought-after location to take photos!
We got there 15 minutes before sunrise to get some epic photos and had the whole area to ourselves. You can read more about it in my Guide to Movie Road in Alabama Hills.
Red Rock Canyon State Park
A quick stop along the side of the highway is this gorgeous state park! It has red rocks reminiscent of Utah’s landscapes and a few trails.
We just stopped to check out the main wall of rocks from the parking lot and hopped back in the car to continue onward.
This is a big driving day, so if you want to get to Visalia quickly, you can skip this stop.
Gas Stop in Tehachapi
If you need gas, Tehachapi is a decent place to stop. There are a few gas stations in town and it was a quick in and out.
Check-in to The Darling Hotel
We decided to book the executive suite at The Darling to end our adventurous trip. From one night in a trailer park in Lone Pine to another night in the best room in the hotel, it was fun to do it all!
The Darling is a former courthouse that has been converted into an Art Deco-style boutique hotel. It has a variety of gorgeous rooms, as well as a rooftop restaurant/bar and a pool.
TIP: The surrounding streets are busy and can be loud (rumbling cars and loud car stereos) so I recommend bringing earplugs! I love wax earplugs because they fit really comfortably and I don’t ever wake up with aching ears the next day like I do with foam earplugs.
Explore Downtown Visalia
We were shocked to find that the downtown here was actually really cute! There are murals on buildings throughout the main street and there is a nice collection of shops and restaurants.
There isn’t much to do in the area, but we enjoyed walking from our hotel to Starbucks each morning.
Dinner at The Elderwood
The only rooftop restaurant in Visalia is located at The Darling Hotel! They have incredible food and cocktails here. We ate here for both brunch and dinner during our stay and every single thing we ate was amazing!
Day 8: National Parks OR Relaxation Day
Distance: Depends on which option you choose.
Option 1: Sequoia and King’s Canyon National Parks
We were exhausted by the time we arrived in Visalia and were not up for day trips to the National Parks. In addition to that, some of the roads and many areas of the parks were closed due to snow when we visited.
If you’re up for a day trip, will get to experience some seriously giant sequoia trees!
Option 2: Relaxation Day
Start your day with a morning soak in the luxurious clawfoot tub (only in room 429 Executive Suite) or a nice shower.
Have breakfast/brunch at The Elderwood. They have an incredible brunch, along with breakfast cocktails (the chai is amazing!).
Lounge by the pool and read a book. The pool is small, but only one other couple was there while we were! They have towels there for you to use and the bathroom is just inside across from the elevators.
Stroll around downtown Visalia. Get some steps in by walking around the downtown area. The weather here is hot in summer, which makes the evenings really nice because they aren’t too hot or cold.
Dinner at Sushi Kuu
No matter which option you choose, I highly recommend having dinner at Sushi Kuu if you like sushi. Get there right when they open to ensure you don’t have to wait for seating.
Service here is lightning fast and you could easily be in and out in 30 minutes if you wanted to be!
Day 9: Visalia to Bay Area
Distance: ~230 miles
Gluten-Free Bakery in Fresno
A must-stop for me along the way back to the Bay Area was The Bakery by Indulge Right Foods to get some gluten-free pastries and sourdough for my mom.
The employees and chef are so kind and helpful here! I tried the passionfruit tart and was blown away. Their sourdough is also very good — it’s hard to find good gluten-free bread!
Gas Stop in Fresno
Fresno is a good place to stop for gas before you drive through some smaller towns or reach the more congested Bay Area.
Conclusion
Overall, we were really happy with the number of days we spent in each place and how we filled each day. The only thing I might change would be to add another day or two to Lone Pine for a day trip to Death Valley or more time to explore Alabama Hills.
I hope this itinerary was helpful for you as you plan your trip!
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