YouTube Playlist – Eastern Sierra, CA

The Eastern Sierra is absolutely one of my favorite places in California.

My trips here have always been solo road trips combined with camping, following the US-395 corridor and exploring the incredible places immediately around it.

What keeps drawing me back is how much the Eastern Sierra manages to pack into one relatively small region. You can go from alpine lakes and towering mountains to desert landscapes, historic towns, hot springs, mining sites, and places that feel almost completely forgotten.

From the almost ghost-town atmosphere of Keeler to the quaint communities of Lone Pine and Independence, the Eastern Sierra is full of places with character. Manzanar offers a humbling reminder of the area’s history, while Hot Creek reveals a completely different side of the landscape. Then there are the countless alpine lakes, mountain roads, fall colors, wildlife, and scenic viewpoints along the way.

Places such as Bishop, Lone Pine, Mammoth Lakes, June Lake, Lee Vining, Convict Lake, and the Alabama Hills all offer something different.

But for me, the biggest draw is nature. There is something about the combination of mountains, lakes, open space, and relatively few crowds that makes the Eastern Sierra feel completely different from places such as Yosemite.

These videos follow my solo road trips through this remarkable part of California, with camping as an essential part of the experience.

If you’re planning an Eastern Sierra road trip, exploring US-395, looking for camping and outdoor adventure, or simply want to discover one of my favorite parts of California, come along for the journey.

More Eastern Sierra Resources