So you've parked the Tesla at the SuperCharger and you need to hit the loo. Or you just want to stretch your legs. Or you are driving through town and your kids need a break. Or you are headed to the Alabama Hills and you want to pre-load some historical context around the film sets you'll see there. Regardless, the unimposing Museum of Western Film History is a 10/10 stop in Lone Pine -- a hidden gem for all audienes that should not be missed.

This small, but visually intense museum offers plenty of entertainment to fill an hour or two, including a movie overview of the history of film in the area, introductions to legends of film from silent to modern, immersive displays, and meaningful memorabilia.

The docents are have a wealth of local info about the film and general history of the area, and they offer pamphlets and self-guided tour books for those headed on to the 'back lot' of the Alamaba Hills. You can access some of this info through the museum website.

​If you're backpacking in the area, the museum offers long-term parking.

Wondering where to eat or what else there is to do around Lone Pine? Check out our article Lone Pine Top Stops.

Need a Tesla charge and wondering what to do while you wait? Need a snack? Wanna stretch your legs before you press on down the loneliest road in America? (Let's face it, there are parts of 395 that are as desolate as they come). Lone Pine is a quintessential western town where you never know what you'll see. It is a great stop for food, Tesla charging, sightseeing, and more.

Click on the photo for more info about our favorite food stops in town: Frosty Chalet, Subway, the Grill, and Lone Pine Smokehouse

Whether you want to spend an afternoon or a few days, Lone Pine has plenty to do to keep you busy. Click on the photo to read more.

Like many kids of my generation, I spent most of my youth oblivious to the injustice done to Japanese Americans during World War II. And when I did learn of it as a college student, I remember my shock to learn that the US government could detain citizens in remote, isolated, relocation camps. When I moved to California and learned about Manzanar's Visitor's Center and exhibits, I was anxious to take my kids to visit.

Plunked down and fenced in just off a lonely stretch of 395, Manzanar is a bleak place, and it is not hard to imagine the loss and desolation these Americans must have felt on arrival. Almost nothing of the original camp remains, but a committed group of descendants and goverment organizations are working to recreate and restore the camp and museum. Barracks have been rebuilt to paintakingly reanimate the experience of the people interned and the museum includes interactive, immersive, engaging educational activites.

Because this was a fairly large town, though, the grounds are expansive and many areas can be accessed by driving through the camp and stopping occasionally to explore. There are relics of the Japanese's people's everday lives including enchanting gardens that are a testiment to the gracious spirit, competitive drive, and love of beauty they enjoyed. 

If you're thinking this sounds like a drag, and not something you want to experience while you're on vacation, you're so wrong. While we were there, my family hiked, explored, imagined, listened, watched, discussed and engaged. And when we left, we were filled with pride and compassion for the resilient, passionate, gracious people we felt we had come to know through their stories.

I'm not usually one for grand speeches, but .... this stop along the 395 gives you a great opportunity to engage your kids about the Constitution, fear, war time decisions, the world as it is now. As terrible as Japanese interment was, my family coud not help but be impressed by the stories of the residents, their gardening competitions, the "fishing club," their many churches and activities, and their weeks long trips into the Sierras fishing for trout. There is a lot to admire about the indomitable spirit of the people who endured internment.

Looking for a perfect stop to get the wiggles out or to have a picnic? Check out the Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery. Located just a few hundred yards off 395, the hatchery offers leg-stretching activity for kids and kids at heart.

As you turn from the stark, desolate 395 to climb a few hundred yards to the hatchery, the access road opens to reveal classical architecture and a lush, wild-life-filled pond of the The Mt Whitney Fish Hatchery.

For nearly a a hundred, the hatchery provided fresh trout to the Eastern Sierra. But after environmental setbacks in the early 21st century, the hatchery shifted its focus to education and preservation of the areas natural resources.

Now it provides the perfect place for families or couples to relax in the shade, even on the warmest Sierra summer day. Take a tour, feed the fish, check out the exhibits. Or simply relax under a shade tree and soak in the architecture and natural beauty, framed by the snow-capped mountains in the distance. 

Sure, let's be honest. Mojave seems like just a little crossroads town with a prominent display of lycra leggings (and now masks), billboards you don't want your kids to read, and tons of questionably-safe options for cheap gas.

But Mojave is also home to an international test pilot school, some of the most exciting space and aviation test going on, an eerie airplane boneyard, a bank of Tesla superchargers, and a fantastic Thai restaurant. It also happens to be where, in 2017 and 16 years old, my son did his first solo in an airplane built by his grandfather in the 1970s.

Driving through Mojave can be tricky ... traffic is usually pretty heavy with tired travelers, dusty trucks, and impatient aviation employees. It is also a well-known speed trap. So slow down and take a minute to look around at the interesting and somewhat bizarre sights along the way. 

The airport is open to traffic, but most aerospace hangars and offices are not accessible and not open to visitors. You can see the boneyard from the 14 as you pass to the north of the airport.

There are a couple of decent options for dining in Mojave. Mojave Thai Cuisine is a favorite of the test community who work in the area, and the airport also has a traditional diner called the Voyager, which is fun for adults and kids alike and offers a ring side seat for the flightline.

What a wild ride this has been! But you, our guests, have been so kind, so understanding, so patient as we have all muddled our way through the chaos that Covid19 brought to your spring plans and our bookings.

Truth is, we had emergency plans in place. We'd managed avalanches, wildfires, medical emergencies with our guests. We'd helped many with travel troubles and dramatic personal issues. But nothing. Nothing. had prepared us for the sudden upheaval that Covid19 brought to our business, our guests, and our staff. 

Hearing you share your disappointment of weddings cancelled, family reunions postponed, long-dreamt-of trips delayed was an important part of our journey through the last months, and we are grateful that you shared your troubles with us.

Despite our usual cancelation policy, we were able to work with guests to find resolutions to most of the booking delimmas. Thank you, guests, for taking time to understand the needs of our home owners who have contractual cancelation policies in place to protect themselves from loss. And for recognizing that this pandemic is devastating to guests and owners alike.

Moving forward, we appreciate that making plans is still difficult when there continues to be so much uncertainty. As of today, Mammoth and Mono County are now open and we are committed to operating as safely as possible.

​Flexible policies to assist guests:

• If you book a future trip and your stay in our home is prohibited by the town of Mammoth, we will refund you fully or reschedule your stay if you choose.
• If you book with us and must cancel due to test-documented Covid illness but you are within your non-cancelation window, we will help you to reschedule your stay for a future date in 2020-21. Amount paid will be credited toward the future stay. (documentation of positive Covid test will be required)

If you have questions, feel free to contact Mary Beth by clicking on the "Chat with Us" message bubble on the lower right hand of this page. 

Things are changing minute by minute, but over the next few weeks we will keep updating this current list of restaurants that are open. If you find that the info is incorrect or needs updating, please let me know. 

Thank you for creating and updating this list, Mammoth Restaurants Open for Take Out & Delivery Facebook Group! You've made it easy for us to support small business in Mammoth!

I know. You can't wait to get back to the Eastern Sierra. You've been cooped up so long, and you want to make the most of your trip. But you're not sure what's safe, and what's not. You don't want to call a stranger out of the blue and schedule an activity not knowing if that person takes risk seriously.

That's why we've teamed up with local partners who we know and trust -- and who have had their re-opening plans vetted by the Mono County health department -- to offer you a curated menu of exclusive activities that you can book without worry.

We'll admit it, so far our list is pretty short -- fishing, and rock climbing. But as more and more activities open, we'll be adding to our list.

One of the biggest fears of the local community is that once we reopen, there will be a spike in Covid cases from guests traveling to Mammoth from Covid-19 concentrated areas.

A case spike could lead to pressure on Mammoth's very small health care resources, loss of health in the community, and a second shutdown of tourism until the spike can, again, be controlled.

In order to mitigate that risk to our community, we will be offering grocery shopping services for guests. The less often guests are in the market, the less likely we are to experience community spread of disease from local to guests, or from guests to locals.

It is always a good idea for guests to bring as many of their own supplies as possible but we are happy to help if you would like for us to shop and stock your fridge prior to arrival. There will be a small fee for this service to compensate our staff for their time.

Please note that as a part of our Covid Protocol, we will not be personally interacting with guests except in an emergency. For that reason, it is important that you notify us at least 3 days prior to check in with your complete shopping list so that we can purchase your items and stock the kitchen prior to your check in.

Because of the governor's stay-at-home order, the Town of Mammoth Lakes and Mono County have restricted rentals at homes, hotels and campgrounds to non-essential persons through June 30. 

But 395 traffic data and traffic around town make it clear that many guests are choosing to visit the Eastern Sierra despite the lack of accommodation.  And why wouldn't you want to? Its a breathtaking escape and distant by nature.

If you do choose to visit the Eastern Sierra during this time, either as an essential traveler, a day-tripper, or a dispersed camper, it is important that you reduce risk of Covid exposure to yourself and others, follow local norms, and protect the land by following a few simple guidelines::