I have driven past the turnoff for Manzanar over a dozen times. I have known about it since I was…read morein middle school but never went. My sister and I have been taking my nephew to significant sites of WW11 over the years starting with Pearl Harbor and Auschwitz. Being part Japanese, we felt this was an important stop. The grounds are very well maintained. The educational aspect of it is great. The rangers have taken great care to show an accurate representation of what "camp" life was like. The recreated rooms, shacks and monuments have been meticulously built. The rangers were great about sharing knowledge. The book store has some great books that are not available on Amazon. The parking is a breeze. The entrance is free. When entrance is free to somewhere like this I like to support by donating or buying items that help support the cause. I bought my nephew and I each a book and a couple other little things. I also really like that they participate in the Junior Ranger Program. It was a great way for not just my nephew but myself to learn too. It was a great family activity. I highly recommend visiting. It can be a little emotionally draining but it is an important part of American History that we cannot forget.

I first saw the signs for Manzanar over 20 years ago while driving along 395. I never stopped but…read morehad always wanted to visit. My son is in middle school and learning at WWII. We had taken my son to Pearl Harbor and Auschwitz within the last few years and I felt this was another great learning experience, especially since we have some Japanese heritage. We specifically drove here to visit this site. I was impressed by how much there is to see. The visitor's center has a fairly large museum of the history of the area and how the camp came to be. There is a lot of history what occurred and living conditions for the people that were held here. There are a few buildings that are re-creations of what would have existed. Intake areas, living quarters, mess hall, guard tower, baseball field, etc. There is also a great driving path that takes you near the gardens and the cemetery. It's a very moving place to visit and learn. We spent about 2 hours onsite, but I think you could easily spend more time. The employees were very friendly and helpful. We enjoyed our visit. It really amazes me how many people have no idea that camps like Manzanar exist. I'm glad this historical site is open and partially preserved so history can be learned, shared, and not repeated.

Fantastic geology, a mine that's big enough you can drive your vehicle into and a great view of the…read moreOwens Valley. Note you will need four-wheel-drive and high clearance for a couple of sections that are maybe 20 or 30 yards total. Most of the drive is very doable. And you can always drive a regular vehicle to the base of the mine road and then walk about 200 yards to the opening. There's also a foot path that goes down the sidewall of the canyon to a smaller mine as well.

Pretty cool experience. Go early in the morning to breathe in less fumes from cars going in and out.read more

Over the past few yers I have become increasingly interested and in admiration of Mary Austin…read more I've listened to "The Land of Little Rain" on an audible type thing, and I have a large copy of the book with photos of the Eastern Sierra. This home was, from what I understand, one that she lived in for some years, I believe when she was a young girl living with her family. I believe she lived in a few various homes throughout the region with her husband as well, although I'm not sure where those homes are or if they are still standing, for that matter. Nonetheless, this house has history to it, and the informational plaque in front has a beautiful quote and info. You cannot go inside, as it looks locked up and like it cannot withstand much more traffic. I do hope there is an organization that will restore this home when it falls into further disrepair, as it really is a special part of local history. Also, if you have not read any of Mary Austin's writings, I highly recommend you do so. She wrote from a place of humility and great appreciation for the land, the native Americans, and all the wild creatures.

There's really nothing much to say, here, except there is a California State Historical plaque in…read morefront of this private home. Visitors cannot view the interior. There is an Owens Valley Historical Museum a short distance away that has a collection of books written by Mary Austin and some other materials about this author.

I absolutely loved this space!!! Funky and cozy!!! We were traveling back from Palm Springs to Reno…read moreand called to see if the Lemon House was available! Lucky for us it was!!! The outside featured a stunning view of the mountains and the inside was like a nest! I slept soundly!!!

Cartago, Calif. I…read moredon't know anything about Spongebob except that it's a cartoon after my time. Google had this tourist attraction in Central California on the Eastern Frontier as Sponge Bob's home. The structure is just an area on the side of the road with a bunch of structures and gimmicky things. It's an ideal spot to stretch your legs and take a quick breather before continuing your travel adventures. The house itself appears to be for rent but if you peek inside the windows that doesn't seem to be the case. There's a motel or lodging type structures on the same lot so it can be a gimmick for the children to goof around in since there is nothing around. Access/Roads: Along HWY 395. This highway is paved throughout. Parking: Plenty in a small dirt lot. Costs: Free Nearby Attractions: Many many many things and places. Death Valley NP (Stovepipe Wells) is appx 80 miles East. Mount Whitney Access Point is 30 miles North. Manzanar Internment Camp is appx 30 miles North & I recommend every East Asian (American) to visit Manzanar and related internment camps. Uniroyal Gal (statue) is appx 38 miles South. The Eastern Portions of Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Yosemite can be accessed from this region. Additionally, the western portion of Mono Lake & Mammoth can be accessed. Distance: Los Angeles is 200 miles South. Reno is 300 miles North. Las Vegas is 250 miles East. Bakersfield is 150 miles West. Travel safely my friends. @cigarcpa

Darwin is an old mining town which was operational for almost 100 years. The mines have been closed…read moresince the 1970s, and less than 50 people live there presently. We spent a night at Darwin on our way from Alabama Hills to Death Valley.

I recently watched the 2011award winning independent documentary film "Darwin". I was fascinated…read morewith the very interesting lives of those living in this very small and isolated town of just 35 people located in Death Valley, California. I would highly recommend this film if you want to learn more about this very remote and unique place.

The Panamint Valley is a 65 mile long valley located in the Mojave Desert of California. Contained…read moreby the Argus, Slate, and Panamint Range, it primarily is a typical desert basin with the associated scrub, desert flora and fauna, and little in the way of infrastructure. The northern part of the valley is part of Death Valley National park, however, parts of highway 190 can be driven without a park pass. However, many of the side roads would require one. The valley allows you to access the Wildrose charcoal kilns, the Barker Ranch (offroad only), Epson salt monorail, the Ballarat Ghost Town, Panamint Springs, Father Crowley Overlook aka Jedi Canyon, etc. The only services are in Panamint Springs. Temperatures in the valley can be brutal. To give you perspective I was there in early April and the temperature was 103 with 20-40mph winds. If you are unprepared you will be in trouble. The other aspect and my reason for spending 3 days there is that the valley is part of a restricted military airspace known simply as R-2508. The R-2508 is one of several in the area where the USAF, USN, and USMC, test and practice with their planes. It is not unusual to see a F/A-18 or F-35 come screaming in at low level as our military practices. Its not low level only the skies can be filled with planes dogfighting and maneuvering. If planes are your thing then it is a really hot and dusty nirvana. If you want to try plane spotting out, please be aware that this is an extreme location and you need to be prepared......

This is a good stop for travellers along 395. You need to get out and stretch because this road is…read moremassively boring. Take some time and admire the significance of the tree and your insignificance as compared to it. It is making a contribution, while you are likely not. Hey kiddies, while you are wasting your parents' money or taxpayers' money lent to you to get a meaningless degree in some worthless subject, ask your mind-programmers about carbon footprints. Yours is large, this tree has a negative carbon footprint. Your self-indulgent lifestyle is causing climate change and the tree is trying to reverse the damage you are doing. You should reverently bow before this tree because it was here way before you and will be here way after you.

It was a beautiful tree before it died and had to be removed. So don't stop for a visit or look for…read moreit - it is no longer there.

How cool is this place... a little "ghost town" which is really just some broken down buildings but…read morethe history and the feel is awesome. Great little store which is really just for looking at the oddities and pictures of a time gone by. Store also acts as the "check in" spot for the camp ground which only asks for a $5 donation. Lots of wild burros about, along with many parts and pieces of whatever machinery was utilized in this area. The truck is said to have belonged to Charles Manson, which of course adds a level of curiosity and imagination. Close by was the location of Barker Ranch, Masons compound where they were hiding in 69' and where they were eventually caught. Since then there were attempt to locate some of the Helter Skelter victims but I don't believe any were. The house has since burned and the area flooded. You can still gain access however even the road to Ballarat is difficult after the rains already this year and the road from there up is 4wd only. It definitely sparks the imagination. Now it's just a destination I think most people stop at on the way elsewhere. Mostly 4wheelers I think. I couldn't bring myself to camp there tho, just a little too creepy but it is a site to see knowing who what when and where. . Another must see if going to DV and entering from the west side.

IT'S SHIT. There's one structure that's cool. You can see it…read morefrom your car. It's takes 30 seconds. And then there's one piece of a wall that is being held up with a couple of planks. And then there's another smaller section of wall that's not being help up by anything and looks like it's going to fall over on the next windy day. You just saw the whole "ghost town". Everything else there is a half assed rusty tractor part, a gear they probably found at a yard sale, the grill and bumper from a model T, and a "country store" that looks like any other roadside/hole-in-the-wall/going out of business because they have nothing worth buying or looking at, kind of shop. I'd drive hours for a real ghost town. But this place isn't worth the 15 minute drive down the dirt road. There are more broken down trailers on the property than ghost town structures.

Buck Rock Lookout is a Really, Really, cool fire lookout. It was built in 1923 and has the first…read morelive in fire lookout. It's called a "4-A" style cab because it's 14 ft x 14 ft small live in fire lookout surrounded all around by windows. The stairways was built in 1942. It's open to the public from 9:30a-6p. The person in the cab is on duty and you can talk to him/her. From the Sequoia National Forest website: "Buck Rock Lookout sits perched atop a granite dome and offers a breathtaking view of the Great Western Divide and other spectacular high mountain peaks of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Access to the top is via a series of stair flights (consisting of 172 steps) suspended from the side of the rock." Pit toilet is available off on the Left before the stairs and the person on duty has to do those stairs everytime he/she needs to go! The stairs are fun, 172 steps, hold on to the handrails on both sides! It can be closed due to fires, lightening, etc. Worth going if ever in the area. One of my pics above. website: www.buckrock.org http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sequoia/lookouts/lookouts.html

If you know , you know. Cool place to check out , and the view is great. Stop by if your in the…read morearea.

Mammoth Mountain Scenic Gondola was one of the highlights of our Mammoth trip! We decided to get…read moreon the gondola towards the end of our adventure and turns out we made the right choice! The Gondola takes you up to McCoy where you can get off and enjoy an intermediate course or stay on and head up to the top of Mammoth Mountain! We started off thinking we were going to just enjoy the cafe up there and the views and then some of us would head back down the gondola. Turns out, my boys decided to take the chance and ride down the top of the mountain with me while my wife headed down on the gondola and met us at the bottom after getting some gifts from the gift shop. The way down is a little frightening if I am to be honest but I am a strong believer in the adage, where there is a will there is a way! My boys coming down with me was a wonderful life lesson and a truly exhilarating and exciting adventure! I highly recommend taking the gondola to the top! 5 stars for sure and 2 thumbs up!!

The views from the top are amazing (on a clear day). Whether skiing/snowboarding and heading to…read morethe top, or just here to enjoy the scenery and surroundings, it's more than worth a visit. Personally a clear day after a storm is the best! The gondola ride up is quick and enjoyable. On busy days, they will fill the cabin, so be ready for a tight squeeze. It's almost ski/boarding season!