California 395
 

Going to drive from Barstow to Reno as part of a long trip next week. Anyone driven California 395 and, if so, any must sees?

(Yes, I googled stuff)

We flew into Reno and drove to Yosemite a few years ago, so we took 395 as far south as Lee Vining. Obviously we took the time to drive around Tahoe. Took a steamboat cruise out on the lake as well. Other than that, the country was rugged and beautiful, but the one part that really stood out, that I wish now I'd taken a little time to explore, was Mono Lake. That looked really cool. But we'd been in the car for several hours at that point and wanted to get to Yosemite.

I don't know if or how far you want to venture into Yosemite, but at the very least you should at least head up to Tioga Pass. That area was spectacular, although it did pale compared to Yosemite Valley.

I have no experience with anything south of Lee Vining, but I'm sure it will be beautiful.

Keep an eye out for Raoul Duke and his attorney, Dr Gonzo.

I have to stay in Reno for 4 days but should be able to do Tahoe one of those days. Will definitely take the time to go to Yosemite. Thanks dude

I have been up and down 395 more times than I can count. The southern portion isn't pretty and is boring as hell, with a lot of stop and go that first part.

The eastern Sierras are beautiful once you get up past Ridgecrest it will start.getting better and better. Past Bishop and the Mammoth area are my favorite.

As far as sight seeing, you could check out Bodie an old ghost town. Also it is a little bit off of 395 outside of Carson you have Virginia City. It is.pretry cool and historic.

No problem. Reno itself is kind of an unremarkable high desert shithole, but there's plenty to do there.

If you go west a bit on I-80 the mountains are pretty in the Donner Pass area. You might want to bring your own food with you, though. :D On the way back from Yosemite, after being stuck on two lane highways behind hordes of rude ass California drivers for a week, we opted to get to multi-lane highways ASAP and drove back through Sacramento.

One word of warning - stay away from Pyramid Lake. On the map you'll see a huge lake about the size of Tahoe northeast of town and perhaps think it might be worth checking out if you've got some time, but there's really nothing there of note except reservation cops who can apparently use their spirit guides to deduce that you are speeding on a road with no speed limit signs and give you a ticket. My best friend met us out there and got there a day early, and that was his experience. I would guess that Indians on a reservation in a state where gambling is legal tend to be a bit cranky.

I haven't been there myself, but my in-laws stopped at Manzanar just north of Lone Pine. It's a former interment camp during World War II and now a museum. They said it was pretty cool to see. We're hoping to drive up there at some point.

I second this-Virginia City was cool :clap:

Concur with others. From 4 Corners to Lone Pine not so much to do driving. Dependent upon time and your schedule, Lunch at the LonePine airport used to be all right. I don't think it's worth deviating out of your way but if you're really bored at Ridgecrest head past Trona to see Charlie Manson's ranch house.

I flew out of China Lake for years. On new guy area fam flights, I'd show them the old resorts, run low level up the Kern river, hit the weird rock formations near Trona (opening scenes from 1960s show Lost in Space), Manson Ranch (Bishop was where the trial was held) and the hot springs. Weird ohs would drive up in RVs to sit naked in these hot springs. I used to drop below 100 feet and hold over 500 knots try to scare the crap out of them. Then I'd drop the gear and hook for a slow pass and they'd all run for cameras, but they'd become "sugar cookies" with jet blast, sand and sun screen all mixed. Not much in my opinion along 395 but the other travelers.

https://thedesertfiles.wordpress.com...harles-manson/
To be clear this is the ranch I referenced but again I don't think it's worth deviating to see particularly from 395.

Thank you all!

Used to work at the ski resort in Mammoth Lakes. Beautiful area. I miss it. What's crazy is that you could still stop there for a few runs if you're into skiing or snowboarding. They had so much snow this past winter that the mountain will likely be open through August. Mono Lake is really awesome and definitely worth stopping at. The happies (sunny) and the sads (shady) outside of Bishop have some of the top bouldering in the country. Pretty much your whole trip will have amazing scenery. Have fun!