Mammoth Lakes

Take the scenic Route 395, and you'll spend the majority of this lovely drive admiring the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountain range. When you get to Big Pine, eat at Copper Top BBQ, a fiery red smokehouse that serves tri-tip and ribs. As you go to or from Mount Whitney, the highest point in the contiguous United States at 14,505 feet, you might wind up making friends with some hungry alpine climbers. Take a short trip to the east to visit the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, which contains some of the world's oldest trees, some of which date back more than 4,000 years. Further north, visit Erick Schat's Bakery in Bishop for some freshly baked loaves or pastries.

You should visit Mahogany Smoked Meats, which is located up the road, and choose some road snacks from a vast array of gourmet beef, turkey, elk, buffalo, boar, and fish jerkies. There is no official address, but if you look hard enough (or are prepared to ask a local), you can find a collection of conveniently located hot springs just off the 395, south of Mammoth Yosemite Airport.

Miles from L.A.: ~310
Suggested round trip time: 3 days min
Location: Mammoth Lakes, Sierra Nevada mountains, California