'''Mammoth Lakes''' [http://www.ci.mammoth-lakes.ca.us] is a resort city next to '''Mammoth Mountain''' which is a popular skiing destination. Mammoth Lakes is in the Eastern Sierra region of the Sierra Nevada mountains in California.
Understand
The Sierra Nevada mountains are a popular snow skiing destination. For Californians living in Los Angeles, Mammoth Mountain is the easiest resort to get to from Los Angeles.
The Town of Mammoth Lakes serves one main function: a place for these hordes of Los Angelenos to stay. Condos, motels, hotels, and restaurants fill this small town to serve the flood of winter visitors. In summer, the flood stops and rents plunge, making Mammoth an affordable base to explore the region.
At 8000 feet of elevation, the city stays naturally cool during the region's summer heat waves. Nearby Bishop routinely heats to 105__F (40C) while Mammoth tops out around 84__F (29C).
Get in
By air
'''Mammoth Yosemite Airport''' ({{IATA|MMH}}) is just east of US-395 near Mammoth.
'''Horizon Air''' provides daily service between December and April from LAX in Los Angeles.
By car
Nearby US 395 brings visitors from the south (Los Angeles and Bakersfield) and the north (Reno).
From the San Francisco Bay Area, Highway 120 (Tioga Road) from Yosemite is the quick route, but is passable only in summer and early fall. Interstate 80 and US 50 provide cross-mountain access during the winter months, subject to icy conditions and closure due to blizzards.
Get around
Between the city of Mammoth Lakes and the Mammoth Mountain resort, a bike will do fine in summer. Frequent trams run between the town and the slopes during the winter, with outside racks for skis and snowboards. For everything else, you need a car.
See
'''Hot Creek Geological Area''' (On a dirt road just east of the airport, which is just south along US395). An area of hot springs and steam in a very small canyon. Several pools are scalding hot and will result in death if you jump in. Swimming is currently forbidden due to increased geothermal activity.
'''Mammoth Mountain'''. In winter, this is the main ski resort. In summer the gondola will take you to the top, and the view is amazing. Bring warm clothes for the top.
Do
'''Ski & Snowboard''' (Fall, Winter and Spring, depending on precipitation). Most years the ski season extends until July 4th. One of the top ranking Ski and Snowbarding Resorts in the United States.
'''Mountain Biking''' (Summer only). The ski resort will carry your bike up to the top of the mountain so you can coast down it. Rentals available.
'''Fish'''. The many lakes in the lake basin just west of the city (and north of the mountain) are popular. Boat rentals available.
'''Hike''' (Summer only). To beautiful and amazing locations such as Rainbow Falls and Devils Postpile. An easy 3.5 hike.
'''Horseback Ride''' (Summer Only). Various of tours through beautiful remote areas.
Eat
Angel's Restaurant. 516 Main St. 1 760 934-7427.
Base Camp Cafe. 325 Main St. 1 760 934-3900. Good burgers and sandwiches. You can order a brown bag meal to take skiing or hiking.
Breakfast Club. wy 203 & Old Mammoth Rd. next to Shell Mart. 1 760 934-6944.
Good Life Cafe. 26 Old Mammoth Rd. 1 760 934-1734.
The Lakefront Restaurant. t Tamarack Lodge on Twin Lakes. 1 760 934-2442. Reservations Recommended.
Lulu's. 111 Forest Trl. 1 760 924-8781.
Petra's Cafe. cross from the Village Gondola. 080 Minaret Rd. 1 760 934-3500.
The Stove. 44 Old Mammoth Rd. 1 760 934-2821.
Whiskey Creek. orner of Main St & Minaret Rd. 1 760 934-2555.
Whitebark at the Westin. 60.934.0460. AM- 10PM. Contemporary Chop House with and Eclectic Menu of Appetizers
Restaurant SKADI. ld Mammoth at the Corner of Chateau . 60.934.3902. PM - 9PM. Fine Alpine Cuisine
Sleep
Discovery 4 Condominiums. 5 Lee Rd. 1 760 934-6410. ttp://www.discovery4rentals.com. Condos that are affordable. Adequately well-kept, but not more so.
Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites. 236 Main St (Hwy 203). 760) 924-1234. ttp://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hd/mmlca.
Mammoth Village Condominiums. 201 Minaret Rd. ttp://villagemammoth.com.
Mammoth Premiere Reservations. 9 Laurel Mountain Rd. ead into Mammoth on Main Street, turn left on Laurel Mountain. 760) 934-6543. ttp://www.mammothpremiere.com. PM, Sundays and Holidays 5PM. Various rentals.
Mammoth Reservations. 760) 934-6011. 760) 934-7461. 800) 223-3032. 325 Main Street. ttp://www.mammothreservations.com. ear Base Camp Cafe. Rents various properties around Mammoth. Their website is terrible, but you may find some deals worth the pain.
Motel 6. 372 Main Street. 1 760 934-6660. 1 760 934-6989. ttp://www.motel6.com/reservations/motel_detail.asp?MotelId=0276.
Shilo Inn. 963 Main St.. 1 760 934-4500. 1 800 222-2244. ttp://www.shilo-reservations.com/reservations.asp.
The Westin Monache Resort. 0 Hillside Dr.. 760) 934-0400. ttp://www.Westin.com/Mammoth/. Mammoth's finest full service hotel.
1849 Condos. 26 Lakeview Blvd. -800-421-1849. ttp://www.1849condos.com. PM. 0AM.
Mammoth Reservation Bureau. 4 Old Mammoth Road. ake a left at Old Mammoth Rd., 4th driveway on right side. 00-462-5571. ww.MammothVacations.com. PM. 0AM. Studio to 5-Bedroom Condominiums in 43 complexes. Live weather and road conditions on website. Hosting visitors since 1976.
Get out
Bodie an old ghost town from the gold digger era
Mono Lake a natural basin in the middle of the mountains
Yosemite National Park
Manzanar
Bristlecone Pines of the White Mountains.
Devils Postpile National Monument is a short bus ride from the Mammoth Mountain ski resort.