Up Through the Eastern Sierras

Take a short side trip to a magnificent area of unique seismic land formations that have been the backdrop to countless Hollywood film and TV productions. Stretch your legs, take in the jagged rocks upturned to the sky and perhaps scramble some boulders. The visitor's center is worth a stop for more geologic and human histories.

The Museum of Western Film History is a fantastic resource to be paired with your next stop, the Alabama Hills. This mid-sized museum memorializes the numerous film productions set in the adjacent Alabama Hills—from Django Unchained to Tremors to Iron Man. But it's really an ode to the Hollywood Western genre, of which so many were created here including the Lone Ranger TV show and countless movies with Gene Autry, Hopalong Cassidy, and John Wayne.
Be sure to grab a map for your trek into the Alabama Hills.
Open daily 10am to 4pm. Closes at 5pm on Mondays.

The Alabama Hills Cafe & Bakery was made for backcountry hikers and campers, especially those who have just trekked up Mt. Whitney. So dig in to the hearty portions and look out for people who are just coming back into society after days in the mountains.
The restaurant is open at 6 AM and closes at 2 PM on Mondays and Tuesdays and 3 PM on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The cafe is closed on Wednesdays.

Take the 25-minute detour up into the mountains to the trailhead where hikers start the trek up the tallest mountain in the contiguous United States, Mt. Whitney. The short drive affords you a peek down into the dry valley below and into the alpine landscape of large granite boulders, conifer forests, raging streams and lots of hikers. A trout pond at the top is a great place for kids to fish (bring your own rods and equipment).

In the foothills of the mighty Sierras, strange granite boulders formed, which make up the Alabama Hills. A map from the Film museum shows where shows like the Lone Ranger was shot, and many other beloved movies. Drive to some locations, or hike to places like the Mobius Arch, and take in the surreal beauty.

More than 10,000 Japanese Americans were incarcerated at Manzanar internment camp during World War II from March 1942 to November 1945. This is one of ten such camps in the United States run by the U.S. government. In total, 110,000 were incarcerated at these military-style camps during WWII. To learn more about this sad chapter of American history, explore the exhibits in Block 14 (as the visitor center will be closed by now.) The entire site is open for visitors to explore on their own. The site is open daily from sunrise to sunset.
The visitor center is open from 9am to 4:30pm Thursday through Monday, and closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

Get in line to order up and waiters will take your food to you. This is a lively roadhouse with all the classic roadhouse fare: burgers, sandwiches, steaks, and salads. Bon appétit!
Closed on Wednesdays.

It's been a long day. Rest up at your hotel for another exciting day tomorrow.