Attractions for Guests of Mammoth Lakes Vacation Rentals
With mountain peaks soaring to more than 12,000 feet, Mammoth Lakes, California is a year-round outdoor recreation paradise. Wintertime guests of Mammoth Lakes rentals will find some of the best downhill skiing in the country at Mammoth Mountain Ski Area. In the warmer months, the mountains and forests make a scenic backdrop for hiking, climbing, mountain biking, and wildlife viewing, and the area's pristine lakes and streams offer great fishing and boating. Autumn's cooler temperatures bring spectacular fall foliage.Mammoth Lakes vacation rentals are located in the Eastern Sierra Nevada mountain range in Mono County, California about 325 miles from Los Angeles and San Francisco. The town of Mammoth Lakes is situated within the Inyo National Forest at about 7,800 feet in elevation and is bordered by the Ansel Adams and John Muir Wilderness Areas. For information about the area, contact the Mammoth Lakes Visitors Bureau at 888-466-2666 or 760-934-2712, or stop by the Mammoth Visitor Center/ Ranger Station (760-924-5500) on Highway 203 to pick up maps and brochures.
Mammoth Lakes CA is accessible from the north and south by U.S. Highway 395 and from the east and west by Interstate 80 and Highway 50. In the summertime, the area is also accessible via state highways 120 and 108. The Mammoth Yosemite Airport is just ten minutes away; call Mammoth Air Charter (760-934-4279) or Hot Creek Aviation (760-924-9127) for charter flight information. The Reno/Tahoe International Airport is three hours away, and shuttle service is available from Mammoth Shuttle (760-934-6588) and Sierra Express (760-937-8294). The Town of Mammoth Lakes offers free local shuttle service during the spring, summer, and fall, and the Mammoth Mountain Ski Area provides shuttle service between town and the ski area in the wintertime.
In the scenic mountains and forests surrounding Mammoth Lakes, vacationers renting Mammoth Lakes condos can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking in the Ansel Adams Wilderness Area (760-924-5500) and exploring the gorgeous lakes of the Mammoth Lakes Basin.
About 40 minutes from Mammoth Lakes vacation rentals is the Devils Postpile, a group of six-sided basalt columns formed 100,000 years ago that can reached by an easy half-mile hike. Nearby is Rainbow Falls, a picturesque 101-foot falls on the San Joaquin River that is accessed by a moderate mile and a half hike.
At the Mammoth Mountain Ski Area (760-934-2571), situated about 20 minutes from town, visitors can take a scenic gondola ride from the Adventure Center at the base of the mountain to the 11,053-foot summit. About 30 minutes from town, Minaret Vista offers fabulous views of the Ansel Adams and John Muir Wilderness Areas.
About 45 minutes north of Mammoth Lakes is the eastern entrance to Yosemite National Park. Guests of Mammoth Mountain rentals can reach the valley floor of this magnificent national park in about two and a half hours.
About 10 miles south of Mammoth Lakes, off U.S. 395, is the Hot Creek Geologic Site, where visitors can witness a spectacular display of geothermal energy in the hot springs and fumaroles. Nearby, guests of Mammoth Lakes cabins can tour the Hot Creek Fish Hatchery (760-934-2664) from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the spring and summer.
Other attractions in South Mono County include Crowley Lake, a man-made lake that's popular for fishing and water sports, and Convict Lake, a spectacular natural alpine lake.
Mammoth Lakes, California is a fabulous destination for mountain bikers with its spectacular mountain scenery, brilliant sunshine, and varied terrain that ranges from paved roads to challenging trails. In the warmer months, mountain bikers can test their skills on the extensive network of trails at the Mammoth Mountain ski resort.
Other popular outdoor activities for vacationers staying in a Mammoth Lakes cabin for rent include bird watching, nature photography, horseback riding, hot air balloon rides, mountaineering, climbing, and exploring off-road on a 4-wheel-drive vehicle.
Vacationers staying in Mammoth Mountain cabins can enjoy a round of golf amid the spectacular mountain scenery at the Sierra Star Golf Course (760-924-4653), a par 71 course featuring tree-lined fairways, well-trapped greens, and picturesque lakes and streams. The nine-hole, par 35 Snowcreek Golf Course (760-934-6633) also offers scenic and challenging Mammoth Lakes golf. Tennis enthusiasts can play on the six courts at the Community Center Park on a first-come basis or at the lovely Snowcreek Athletic Club (760-934-8511).
Other attractions for guests of Mammoth Mountain condos include the extensive collection of skiing art, literature, and history at the Mammoth Ski Museum (760-934-6592) and the Mammoth Museum/Hayden Cabin (760-934-6918), which showcases mining history and local life in the 1920's.
A variety of cultural events and festivals are held throughout the year at Mammoth Lakes, including the Mammoth Lakes Jazz Jubilee in July and the Mammoth Lakes Beer Festival and Bluesapalooza in August. The Sierra Summer Festival features classical music, while the Mammoth Music Festival showcases chamber music.
The Mammoth Lakes Fine Arts Festival in August features the work of 40 fine artists, and the Labor Day Arts & Crafts Festival offers photographs, jewelry, pottery, paintings, art glass, and more.
Vacationers renting Mammoth Lakes lodging can choose from 50 restaurants offering everything from seafood and steak to a range of ethnic foods. When the sun goes down, visitors can enjoy live music and dancing at several local clubs. Mammoth Lakes also boasts three movie theaters and a video arcade.
Shoppers will find a wide variety of boutiques in Mammoth Lakes offering everything from gifts and souvenirs to apparel and outdoor sports equipment. The work of local artists is featured at several festivals during the year, and several galleries showcase artwork, fine crafts, jewelry, photography, stoneware, and weaving.
Travelers staying in a Mammoth Lakes condo rental will find bargains on designer clothing at the Luxury Outlet Mall. Other Mammoth Lake shopping centers include the Sierra Center Mall, the Old Mammoth Mall, Main Street Plaza, Minaret Village Mall, Sherwin Plaza, and The Village at Mammoth.
