Mammoth Lakes, California is located in the Inyo National Forest in the eastern Sierra Nevada mountain range of central California. The Town is only a 5-hour drive (325 miles) from Los Angeles and is easily accessible in almost all weather conditions (it’s true...you can get to world-class skiing without any mountain driving)! Mammoth Lakes is also located near many other major cities: 150 miles from Reno, 400 miles from San Diego, 377 miles from Las Vegas and 300 miles from San Francisco. Please use the detailed information below on the best routes to reach Mammoth Lakes and the office where you will pick up your keys for the condo.
From the Los Angeles and Orange County areas:
Drive North on Interstate 5. Depending on where you live, you may take the 405, the 101, the 210 or the 10 to reach Interstate 5. Exit and head North on Highway 14 towards Lancaster, you will pass through the town of Mojave, be sure to continue on CA. 14 after this town, it will be a right turn. Head North on U.S. 395, the CA. 14 will just turn into this Highway. You will pass through several small towns: Lone Pine, Independence, Big Pine & then Bishop. When you reach Bishop, you will be about 45 miles from Mammoth, proceed North on U.S. 395. Take the Mammoth Lakes Exit, Highway 203, and turn left off the offramp towards town. The first signal is Old Mammoth Road, take a left. The office where you will pick up your key is the second building on the right, the fourth driveway. 94 Old Mammoth Road.
From San Diego:
Drive North on Interstate 15. Exit onto U.S. 395 past San Bernardino on the "Cajon Pass", be sure not to miss the offramp, it is hard to see. Look for the offramp near the top of the pass. Continue on U.S. 395 North all the way to Mammoth. You will pass through several small towns: Lone Pine, Independence, Big Pine & then Bishop. When you reach Bishop, you will be about 45 miles from Mammoth, proceed North on U.S. 395. Take the Mammoth Lakes Exit, Highway 203, and turn left off the offramp towards town. The first signal is Old Mammoth Road, take a left. The office where you will pick up your key is the second building on the right, the fourth driveway. 94 Old Mammoth Road.
From San Francisco, Central California and Coastal Areas:
Winter:
Please note that most passes over the Sierra are usually closed November through June except Highways 50 and 80 through Tahoe. Highway 88 which passes south of Tahoe is sometimes a good option and remains open year-round weather permitting. If you take 50 and you end up in South Lake Tahoe, use the Kingsbury Grade (Highway 237) to drop down to the 395. Always check the road conditions before traveling by calling 800-GAS-ROAD. If conditions are bad, you may consider heading south to Bakersfield and taking either Highway 58 East to Mojave or Highway 178 through Lake Isabella. Highway 178 can sometimes (although rarely) require chains or 4WD during cold southern storms. Although a long detour mileage-wise, heading South will often get you to Mammoth even faster than the 50 when the roads require chains through Tahoe and on Highway 395. If you do go through Tahoe, take Highways 80 or 50 East to U.S. 395. Take Highway 395 South for approx. 180 miles. Take the Mammoth Lakes exit, Highway 203. Turn right off the offramp towards town. The first signal is Old Mammoth Road, take a left. The office where you will pick up your key is the second building on the right, the fourth driveway. 94 Old Mammoth Road.
Summer:
Depending on how far North or South you live on the coast, there are many options to travel over the Sierras. Try the Sonora Pass (Highway 108), Highly Recommended! You can also use Tioga Pass (Highway 120) through Yosemite National Park. Please be aware that you will HAVE TO PAY THE $20 PARK FEE to use this road! A worthwhile investment with spectacular views. Some people take the 4 over Monitor Pass. This route is long and it may be better to just use Highway 50 or 108 unless you are choosing 4 as a scenic route. From areas like Santa Barbara and Bakersfield, you will want to use the 58 towards Mojave or 178 through lake Isabella. Once you merge onto Highway 395 just follow the directions above.