A Californian Roadtrip

From high deserts filled with Joshua Trees to mountains topped with snow. Cities bustling with diversity and oceans filled with incredible wildlife. California has it all. For the last few years, I have visited California in the summer. Having an international school job allows me time each year to visit family, most of whom live in Los Angeles County. Each time I visit, I drive up Highway 395, exploring the rich itinerary of the Golden State with my family. These trips are restoring because nature and open land recharge me. In my blog post, I want to show the beauty of Highway 395 from Los Angeles County to Reno. Please take time to enjoy the beautiful sights with me.

The road trip should only take around 7 hours, which is short for US standards. However, with many stops and hoping to enjoy the sights, my family and I split the trip into two days with car camping at Rest Stops (free!). On the first day, we decided to stop in three areas. The first was Red Rock Canyon. The desert mountains and plains were a sight, and the rock formations felt like they were out of this world. The beauty of the high desert came into focus upon seeing the fantastic rock formations at Red Rock Canyon. It was worth a short stop to stretch our legs and walk around the park

After, we continued up the 395. The sights continued to shock as geological views changed. Dusty red rocks transformed into a landscape of stunning panoramas as either side of the road was lined with ranches and the Sierra Nevada mountain ranges as black volcanic rock sprinkled around the plains. The weather was still hot, which is typical for July. But I was shocked that the mountains were topped with snow from the winter. We then stopped for lunch in the town of Lone Pine and proceeded to explore Alabama Hills. Again, walking around Alabama Hills was an excellent way to stretch out our legs. Afterward, we left for car camping after passing a cute town called Bishop, which has the greatest and what felt like the most random Dutch Bakery called Schat's Bakery, a staple of the town's history.

The next day we continued on Highway 395. The snow-capped mountain range continued as things got greener. The melting snow created beautiful waterfalls and streams. Due to the heavy snow and rainfall this year, we also saw lakes filled that last year looked bare. Lee Vining was a cute little town that we stopped by to get food, but before that, we passed the June Lake Loop, which gave us stunning views. Onward we went toward Lake Tahoe. We passed Mono Lake and were transported to the incredible scenery of rolling hills, streams, and mountains filled with pine trees. It is one of my favorite parts of California and a highlight of Highway 395.

Upon reaching Lake Tahoe, we proceeded to go to the southwest of the lake to Emerald Bay before moving on to Reno. Emerald Bay offers some of the most stunning views of the lake. In the middle of the bay is an island called Fannette Island. After a mile walk down the bay, we found a Scandinavian Mansion built in the early 20th century by logging business people—a stunning experience accompanying nature, including a waterfall. The drive continued toward Reno on a beautiful day filled with nature exploration.

If you ever find yourself in Southern California and the National Parks are too full, I suggest driving up Highway 395. You will find beautiful little towns, changing landscapes, and an endless drive across open land lined with stunning mountain ranges.

Til next time, California!

And, to anyone traveling California, explore responsibly.

By: Rainier Lee

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