Looking for short vacation indeas SW area

[jeff92804]

Hi, We have a short vacation opportunity for June 1-June 5. Currently we have no ideas of where to go that is new to us. We only want to go 1 day drive...450-475 miles max from Anaheim. That will leave us 3 days to visit before a return trip. We have a dog and like to hike. We also have a car we tow. We love going to national and state parks. We have been to Yosemite, kings, sequoia and death valley already. State parks are preferred over national when we are taking the dog. Please share any nice ideas for locations that you may have. We want to try someplace new and are struggling to make up our minds. Obviously some places we would be too late to even book a campsite so that is a factor too. I wont get to check back on this thread until later today, so I wont reply right away. Please just make this a free for all of your location preferences or ides here.

Thanks

[jeff92804]

bikendan, redwoods are definitely a nice trip. We did that one a few summers ago. We want to try Shasta area sometime as well. The 600-700 miles is a bit of a stretch for a 4-5 day trip though.

[bikendan]

how about a trip to the NorCal coast?
do Wine Country on the way to the Redwoods.

the western Sierra foothills are a great place to visit also.

[jeff92804]

So we decided on St George for this trip. Thanks for the ideas. We have Lone Pine, Crowley Lake, Joshua Tree, Monument Valley and Lake Tahoe on our current list to decide from for 2 more 5 day weekend trips later in the summer too. Thanks again.

[Naio]

Big Sur?

[2gypsies1]

Joshua is very nice but you're talking in June. It will be hot there. You need some elevation. 🙂

[JT]

"Or maybe the Virginia Lakes area, north of Lee Vining?"
----

Shhhhhhhhhhhhh, Dan! 😉

[jeff92804]

Thanks! Lots of great ideas. We have been to some of them, but others we have not. We are looking at Joshua Tree as an option for this trip too, but weighing lots of choices. This will be a great list for future trips too. I appreciate it as we often run out of ideas for places less than 500 miles away. Please keep them coming. 🙂

[profdant139]

No doubt about the eastern Sierra. Since you tow a car, here is an idea --stay in or near Lee Vining (either RV park or campground). Use your car to get up to the Tuolumne Meadows area -- 120 should be open around Memorial Day. Lots of world-class hiking up there. The only downside is that pets are not allowed on the trails.

Or maybe the Virginia Lakes area, north of Lee Vining?

[Gonzo42]

+1 on Bodie Ghost Town. We only were there half a day and want to go back for more.

Film museum in Lone Pine is certainly worth your visit regarding hundreds of films made in the area.

In Mammoth you can tour the Devils's Postpile.

Plenty of trout fishing between Bishop and Bridgeport.

[2gypsies1]

TyroneandGladys wrote:
Buckskin State Park or Lake Havasu State Park both Arizona state parks both great.

June would be 120 degrees at those parks. :E

[rexlion]

Take a look at Cathedral Gorge SP, Panaca NV (north of Las Vegas). Very unique and interesting place.

[TyroneandGladys]

Buckskin State Park or Lake Havasu State Park both Arizona state parks both great.

[2gypsies1]

Off Pavement wrote:
There is some good hiking and lots of scenery near Lone Pine. Boondocking is available at Alabama Hills just west of town, there is a pretty nice BLM campground Tuttle Creek Campground - Lone Pine, CA as well as commercial campgrounds Lone Pine RV Park Reviews. The US Forest service offers camping at Whitney Portal too... Whitney Portal Campground

Many old movies and western TV shows were filmed in the Lone Pine area. Food, fuel, and RV supplies available in town.

This was my first thought. Drive up Hwy 395. There are awesome places to explore.

[PUCampin]

What have you seen up 395? Lots to see along the Eastern Sierras and White Mountains, and lots of camping at county campgrounds, Bishop Creek, Mammoth,

Stay in or near Big Pine and take a day trip to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine forest in the White Mountains and visit trees over 5000 years old.

Bishop creek is a beautiful area to camp and hike.

Mammoth is a nice area to visit, and so much more than the skiing. Use any of the national forest campgrounds just East of town, in the lakes area, or in the Reds meadow area, or Mammoth Mountain RV. Visit Schat's Bakery. Go fishing on lake Mary, take the Red's meadow shuttle to Devil's Post Pile and Rainbow Falls, lots of hiking to do.

June Lake loop is just past Mammoth

Mono lake is just up the road, so it Lee Vining, the junction with 120 which goes to Tenaya Lake and Yosemite High county.

Bodie ghost town is a little past Mono Lake.

One could easily spend weeks exploring the Eastern Sierra, pick a couple things to see and come back for more later. It is easily one of my favorite places to visit. Mammoth is only 300mi from my home, about 380 from Anaheim, and the road is straight. There are some neat places along the way such as Red Rock Canyon, Fossil Falls, Manzanar, and once you pass Inyokern and the Sierras begin to rise to the West, the scenery is spectacular.

Good luck wherever you decide to go, just GO!! We do not get to go near as often as I would like!