Driving from Los Angeles - best route to see cool stuff?

[snardy]

Taking my GF to her first Burn this year, shortly after she moves to LA from the East Coast.

We were thinking of doing the desert route from LA up 395, past Death Valley, into Nevada, and then through Fernley. I've only driven the I-5-to-Reno-via-Tahoe route in the past, so I want to see if there's anything I should be concerned about on the desert route. Google maps shows the desert route being quicker and approximately 80 miles shorter. We will be driving a full size pickup truck loaded with gear, so we will have better gas mileage and durability than an RV or box truck.

I also wanted to do the desert route so we had time to make some fun/interesting stopovers. Any tips on things to check out? Mono Lake seems awesome, but I'd love any recommendations for jerky shacks, date farms, hot springs, and any other desert oddities along the route to and from BRC

[theCryptofishist]

I have no idea what to see, but these fine folks might.

[Elderberry]

395 definitely. We travel that route every time we go.

http://burningman.com/preparation/trave ... 9G7ePldXh4

[snardy]

395 definitely. We travel that route every time we go.

http://burningman.com/preparation/trave ... 9G7ePldXh4

Thanks for the links. Any particular stops you like, Jkisha?
I'm thinking that some hot springs on our drive back to LA will be just what the good doctor ordered

[frunobulax]

Mono Lake.


Bodie. Cool ghost town.



Lone Pine Ca. Nice views of Mt. Whitney as well as the Manzanar internment camp from WW2.
Very interesting.

[666isMONEY]

I drove west of Independence one year and west of Lone Pine to camp out in the cool mountains, twice I climbed Mt. Whitney before the Burn.

Mono lakes is a nice place to visit, could be kind of hot there, Bishop CA was 99-degrees today.

I know there's springs near Mammoth Lakes but not sure where.

[gaminwench]

We always stop to eat in Olancha at the Ranch(?) restaurant (it's the only thing there).The food is classic western diner, with atmosphere to match. Just before it on the right is a fabulous jerky store, if it's open, we stock up!

[TT120]

The Alabama hills just west of Lone Pine on 395 is pretty cool. They've made a bunch of movies out there.

[Elderberry]

Manzanar.

[theCryptofishist]

Manzanar.

I've been to Tule Lake, the lake, I mean. I dont' think there was much about the camp, or maybe we didn't go to the site. Still left it with sorrow in my heart.

[snardy]

One issue that concerns me is that 395 might be really crowded around the Labor Day weekend, since that's a main route into Yosemite. Is it better to take 395 past Yosemite on the way to BRC and then take the desert route on the way back to LA?
With the desert route, one separates/catches back to 395 at Bishop. Might be worth it to do separate routes on the way back and the way up to enjoy different scenery

[MrBeardy]

If you go the 395 route be very careful if you plan to take anything with you, including pot. Last year there was a huge sting near Mammoth where many burners were unfairly targeted and had their cars searched for any and everything.

http://thesheetnews.com/2013/09/08/mono-county-burned/

Should be a no-brainer since it is illegal in NV too, but worth mentioning for those that don't be careful.

[forty_eight]

Manzanar.

+1

[caffeineslinger]

395 is an great drive. The jerky shack is a must. Owens Valley is beautiful. Carson City NV has some cool stuff to check out.

You'll pass though a few small towns so make sure you slow down. A speeding ticket would suck.

[snardy]

Holy cow, I just found out about Travertine Springs, which is just off 395 just north of Mono Lake.

This looks incredible! We're definitely stopping here. Reminds me of the Blue Lagoon outside Reykjavik in Iceland

http://www.yelp.com/biz/travertine-hot- ... bridgeport

[snardy]

If you go the 395 route be very careful if you plan to take anything with you, including pot. Last year there was a huge sting near Mammoth where many burners were unfairly targeted and had their cars searched for any and everything.

http://thesheetnews.com/2013/09/08/mono-county-burned/

Should be a no-brainer since it is illegal in NV too, but worth mentioning for those that don't be careful.

Thanks for the heads up. That's pretty awful. We have a medical license, so would there still be issues if pulled over? I would think not, at least in Mono County since its under California law.

[Elderberry]

Manzanar.

I've been to Tule Lake, the lake, I mean. I dont' think there was much about the camp, or maybe we didn't go to the site. Still left it with sorrow in my heart.

Me too. And I was surprised it had such an impact on me. A shameful time in our, not that distant, past.

There isn't that much left, though most of the foundations of the buildings are still there, and there are pictures and signs on some of the buildings or on posts where certain buildings were located. More than enough to help get an idea of how it must have been being imprisoned there. We actually drove past it on several trips to and from the playa before we actually decided to stop. So glad we did.

[theCryptofishist]

Manzanar.

I've been to Tule Lake, the lake, I mean. I dont' think there was much about the camp, or maybe we didn't go to the site. Still left it with sorrow in my heart.

Me too. And I was surprised it had such an impact on me. A shameful time in our, not that distant, past.

There isn't that much left, though most of the foundations of the buildings are still there, and there are pictures and signs on some of the buildings or on posts where certain buildings were located. More than enough to help get an idea of how it must have been being imprisoned there. We actually drove past it on several trips to and from the playa before we actually decided to stop. So glad we did.

I hear that they are going to do more at Manzanar. Money, I'm sure, is an issue.
Just fading out of memory. George Takai was at one of the camps, as a child or young man. So that's a measure...

[forty_eight]

Soul Consoling Tower @ Manzanar ... there's a radio station broadcasting a driving tour. The exhibit in the hall was about 911 and individual liberty which was interesting - this was long before the revelations about the NSA, too.

Another fun little stop is in Lee Vining - the Upside Down House:

[Dr. Pyro]

The plaque brought to you by the good citizens of E Clampus Vitus. And so recorded.

[forty_eight]

^ you a Clamper, Doc?

the Eastern Sierra group seems real active and help preserve a lot of cool historical legacies.

i heard they make you kiss a mule's anus to join, but you know conspiracies about fraternal organization run rampant.

[Thecatman]

If your timing is right, the Hay St. diner in Bridgeport has great breakfast. You might wait 1/2 hour but it's worth it. While going north on 395, it'll be on your left just as you enter town.
Last August we stopped there for breakfast on our way to Tonopah.

[Dr. Pyro]

^ you a Clamper, Doc?
i heard they make you kiss a mule's anus to join, but you know conspiracies about fraternal organization run rampant.

Yes I am a member of the Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus, proud member and brother of Lord Sholto Doulgas #3. Hang the bastards.

And believe me, I've been to countess Clamper initiations, and if simply kissing a mule's asshoe was the worst thing they did, it would have been a much easier initiation. At least for me.

[Thecatman]

The Laws Railroad Museum on Hwy 6 just outside of Bishop is cool....I you like trains. I do, but it's been 30+ years since I was there last.

[Fan C]

I suggest seeing Manzanar on the way to the playa rather than back. Unless you you want to end on sad note.

[bdman]

Hi.

Is the 395 route RV friendly? wider lanes, shoulders if we need to pull off etc? I've the I-5 route 3 rims already in the RV and am looking for something different. I am planning to leave LA around 2pm and get to BRC in the early hours on the morning -- so there will be quite a bit of night driving. All suggestions/recommendations/advice welcome!

[Token]

Wouldn't count on shoulders for pulling over in an RV but 395 is fine for big rigs.

Even tho the elevation is greater at the pass, the grade is longer and gentler that I80. Less twisty.

It's a great drive, much better than the doldrums of I5 and CowShwitz

[gaminwench]

395 for big rigs all the way.
Stop in the funky little towns.
Enjoy the wide open spaces.

Wave if you pass us by.

[Token]

BTW, if you have any chance to do a morning drive out of LA, do it. The drive is awesome and very scenic if you have not been before.

Lost of places in the mountains to pull over and dip your feet in a river amongst the pines.

Lots of small towns with great eats and local culture.

It is a journey, not just a freeway to get you there.

Be sure to drive 3 miles per hour UNDER the speed limit in all the small towns, like Lone Pine etc. They will ticket for speeding even for 1mph over the limit.

[bdman]

Thanks Token and gaminwench for the suggestions. What are the typical speed limits along this route?