For those ready for an adventure that goes beyond the usual road trip limits, the E.S.T. will leave you filled with wonder at the majesty, mystery and pure magnificence of California’s Eastern Sierra.

This 555-mile road trip will take you from Death Valley to the ghost town of Bodie with eight incredible stops along the way. ***Make sure to always check the road conditions as some of these stops are only accessible seasonally, or the roads to them may be closed temporarily due to weather.

Inyo County, CA

A land of natural extremes, the Eastern Sierra holds historical and cultural treasures, with human tales as high and low as its altitudes. Make sure to stop and find Mt. Whitney, the tallest mountain in the lower 48 states, along the way!

Inyo County, CA

And then go play in the Alabama Hills. If you’ve watched any old western movies, you may have already seen some of the Alabama Hills. This National Scenic Area is home to rounded rock formations, tawny Sierra hills, and hundreds of natural stone arches. The Alabama Hills are a natural playground for hikers, climbers, landscape photographers, plein air painters and nature lovers.

Manzanar Reward Rd
Inyo County, CA

If this road trip feels remote to you today, imagine how it must have felt for Japanese families relocated here in 1942. The Manzanar War Relocation Center was one of ten camps at which Japanese American citizens and resident Japanese aliens were incarcerated during World War II. Located between the towns of Lone Pine and Independence, Manzanar is one of the best preserved of these camps.

White Mountain Rd
Bishop, CA

This road trip will take you to places off the main Highway, to magical places. Ask anyone who has visited the ancient bristlecone pines and they will agree, that there is something incredible about these ancient trees. Some of these gnarled and twisted trees are over 4,700 years old—making them the oldest living things on the planet.

Eastern Sierra

California, United States

Prepare for mind-blowing views!! There's a little bit of everything in this section of the country.

2300 W Line St
Bishop, CA

This museum and cultural center serves the community and safeguards its history, Owens Valley Paiute Shoshone Cultural Center offers insights into the Nuumu (Paiute) and Newe (Shoshone) nations that originally inhabited the area.

Mammoth Lakes, CA

Tens of thousands of years ago, a thick flow of lava slowed and cooled, contracting into 6-sided columns. Devils Postpile is one of the best examples of these natural basalt columns in the world, some reaching as high as 60 feet. Besides these eerie natural stone towers, the Devils Postpile National Monument offers varied opportunities for recreation, from hiking to horseback riding and sightseeing to wildlife viewing, over its 800-acre site.

US-395
Lee Vining, CA

The largest natural lake in California, Mono Lake is an amazing 2.5 times saltier than the ocean and is one of the western hemisphere’s oldest lakes. Mono Lake is one of the most studied— and photographed—bird sanctuaries in North America and is also a beautiful ever-changing oasis of light and color. Photographers love its jagged snow-capped mountain reflections and the eerie spires, with the best displays located at the South Tufa Reserve.

Yosemite National Park... need we say anything more?? ;) This is one of the most famous national parks in the country. Make sure to check road conditions, as there is only seasonal access from the eastern side, as the road through the park closes due to snow in the winter, and often well into spring.

CA-270
Bridgeport, CA

And finally, Bodie. Turn off a long, quiet stretch of historic Highway 395, get out of your car and get ready to step right into the past. In 1880, the town of Bodie was home to some 10,000 miners, store owners, gunfighters, robbers and people from every part of the world. Now it’s a ghost town of weathered buildings, rust and faded dreams. The California State Park System that manages this property has chosen to leave the buildings in their natural state of deterioration rather than restore them. Yet, Bodie impressively well preserved. You can book ghost walks and tours, or just spend hours wandering its streets, peering in windows and listening for the past.