Visiting Yosemite (Mammoth Lakes, Twin Lakes, Sonora: ski resort, hotel, house)

[keninaz]

We are going to visit Yosemite for the first time.
Years ago we had an RV reservation that was cancelled two days before we left due to an unforeseen storm that left the campsite snowed in.
What else might be interesting to see on the outside of the park?

We are older and cannot walk far but there are still things we would like to see in our lives.

[Snort]

In Lee Vining, on the eastern side of the park, you can have a pretty good meal here:
https://www.yelp.com/biz/tioga-gas-m...eli-lee-vining
I imagine it's still a seasonal restaurant, so call ahead to find out if it will be open when you get to the area.

After visiting Yosemite, you can drive to some of the Gold Country towns. It's an hour and a half to Murphys and along the way you can stop to visit Jamestown, Sonora, and Columbia.

[Electrician4you]

June Lake Loop.
Convict Lake.
Devils Postpile
Tahoe isn’t too terribly far

[Adriatica]

Mono Lake is fascinating.

If you're into food, there is Erna's Elderberry House just south of Yosemite, a unique 5 star restaurant (and hotel): The Elderberry House Restaurant - Château du Sureau

Yosemite is great for all ages and abilities and even with limited walking ability, you'll still have a wonderful time. Enjoy!

[evening sun]

The Valley tour bus is well worth taking, it will drive you around the valley floor & live narrate by a ranger along the way. No walking required on tour, unless you want to get off at one of the stops for photos. You get the tickets at the ranger booth, inside the Lodge check in lobby, or they may be available online. Where will you be staying?

[Mr5150]

Sonora Pass

Lake Tahoe

[Podo944]

Out the east entrance to Lee Vining is the interesting Mono Lake off the 395 which is one of our favorite roads to drive! North of Lee Vining you can visit Bodie Ghost town, and further north is a town called Bridgeport and you can ask for directions to get to "Twin Lakes" which is beautiful. Last time we stopped by in the fall there were deer everywhere!
South on the 395 is June Lake, very pretty drive on the "loop" that starts just north of it, you should see signs. Mammoth Lakes is not far from there, we went to the ski resort once in spring when there was still a lot of snow and took the Gindola ride up the mountain. It was incredible!
South of Mammoth is the town of Bishop, with a very popular bakery called "Schats". Cute fun place to stop. If you go say hi to the friendly folks at the visitor center, ask them for directions to "The Buttermilks" where you may see people doing the sport of "bouldering". Some of the fittest people I've ever seen!
Keep going south to visit Manzanat Historic Park. Sobering because it's where many Japanese were interned. Very informative rangers there. Go even further south and you'll come across Lone Pine. See the Western Movie Museum then drive through the Alabama Hills to see where Hollywood filmed many westerns! It's also a nice drive up to Whitney portal. There's a little shop up there and you can get a snack. Also, every time we've journeyed on that road we always time it to stop for dinner at the Merry Go Round restaurant in Lone Pine. A small quirky place with delicious Chinese food, and the people are very nice.
(Our fave is their specialty dish of pan fried noodles with the variety of meats! Can't go wrong, and it's big enough for 2!)
Restaurant, Chinese Restaurant, Classic Chinese- Lone Pine, CA

If you're in an RV you could take your time and enjoy a couple of days, and while you're driving, the scenery and mountains are pretty impressive.