Reno to Laguna Beach:

[Bill Hamp]

My family will be heading out west over Spring Break. We are going to fly into Reno and then take a couple days to work our way down to Laguna Beach. I definitely want to hit Mono Lake and Bodie. I've done Yosemite before so I would rather stay on 395 further south before I work my way over. Any suggestions on what else to do / see would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Mark Sedenquist]

My family will be heading out west over Spring Break. We are going to fly into Reno and then take a couple days to work our way down to Laguna Beach.

Welcome to the Great American RoadTrip Forum! (sorry about the earlier delay issue). Unless your car could fly, you wouldn't be able to reach Yosemite from US-395 since Tioga Pass will still be closed during spring break. Other stops, I would suggest a cruise around the June Lakes Loop, Mammoth and Bishop -- the best jerky in the world can be sampled in Bishop and also some of the best murals -- the Laws Railroad Museum is fun too. The drive up to Whitney Portal is memorable -- (don't use your brakes much on the descent....) Although this field report was done when Tioga was open -- there are some good ideas herein.

I would detour over CA-190 and stop for an ice tea at Panamint Springs (good views of the Darwin Mountains) and then south on the road that becomes CA-178 for a quick view of the Trona Pinnacles.

Or if you don't have time for this detour -- great photo opportunities at Fossil Falls and Red Rock state park on US-395.

Twenty Mule Team museum in Boron.

A few ideas to get you started.

Mark

[Southwest Dave]

Hello and welcome to the R.T.A. forums.

A side trip to Bodie can take up quite a bit of time [but well worth it] so with only 2 days and quite possibly not getting much further than Lee vining or Bishop on your first one doesn't leave you too much time. I think a popular choice would be to head into Death valley which is a spectacular landscape. You would turn off at Lone pine onto 190 and then take the 127 to Baker and onto I-15. This would take you past the sand dunes near Stovepipe wells, Furnace creek and a possible side trip to Badwater, the lowest point in the States. A long day but worth it in my opinion if you have not been there before. If you have you could also spend quite a bit of time around Lake Tahoe.

Have a great trip !

[Lifemagician]

I think a popular choice would be to head into Death valley which is a spectacular landscape. You would turn off at Lone pine onto 190 and then take the 127 to Baker and onto I-15. This would take you past the sand dunes near Stovepipe wells, Furnace creek and a possible side trip to Badwater, the lowest point in the States. A long day but worth it in my opinion if you have not been there before.

I'll second that!!

[Bill Hamp]

Thanks for the advice. This is really helpful. Right now I am planning on leaving Reno early morning and visiting Bodie, Mono Lake, Mt. Whitney and staying the night in Lone Pine. Day 2 will take me to Death Valley (Panamint Springs, Stovepipe Wells, Furnace Creek) and working my way down 395 towards Baker or Barstow. I will head over to Laguna Beach on Day 3 but don't need to be there until the afternoon. Do you have any recommendations on where to stay the evening of Day 2??? Baker? Barstow? Somewhere else???

[Midwest Michael]

Barstow would have a lot more lodging options than Baker. Barstow actually has a lot of motels because of its good location both at the intersection of I-40 and I-15 as well as being a spot along old route 66. There are still several nice mom and pop motels dating back to the classic highway, as well as the typical chains.

[Mark Sedenquist]

Thanks for the advice. This is really helpful. Right now I am planning on leaving Reno early morning and visiting Bodie, Mono Lake, Mt. Whitney and staying the night in Lone Pine. Day 2 will take me to Death Valley (Panamint Springs, Stovepipe Wells, Furnace Creek) and working my way down 395 towards Baker or Barstow.

Barstow is an interesting town --since it has long been a Route 66 and train stop -- but of all the choices I would stay in Death Valley (Furnace Creek) and enjoy the after sun glow of the place -- you can make Laguna Beach the next day no problem. If you really want to push on -- I would bypass Barstow (Baker is out of the way) and stay in Victorville. If you do stay in Barstow -- I would choose the Holiday Inn Express at Lenwood -- by far the nicest in town.

Mark

[Southwest Dave]

I like the idea of staying in Death valley. As well as the reason Mark gave, it will give you a less rushed fell to day one as Bodie can take a lot of time from your day and rightly deserves to. With time at Mono lake it then wouldn't matter rushing to get to Mt Whitney and Lone Pine for the night, if need be you could get close and check them out on day 2 before heading into D/V.