California's diverse terrain makes it a perfect destination for many vacationers. It's the only state in which you can wake up in the morning and surf, and then drive to the mountains to ski or snowboard in the same day. Although many associate California with sunshine, ocean and beaches, the mountains of California provide a wealth of recreational activities and breathtaking natural beauty.
Located in the Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains of California, Mammoth is the highest skiing/snowboarding mountain in California with a peak elevation of 11,053 feet, and includes 150 trails on 3,500 acres of terrain. Mammoth receives an average of over 400 inches of snowfall and 300 days of sunshine. Other winter recreation includes cross country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, sledding, snow cat tours and gondola rides. You can find great shopping, dining and nightlife at the Village, which is at the base of the lifts. In the spring and summer, enjoy hiking, fishing and mountain biking. The ski lifts are open to mountain bikers during the off season.
Mammoth Mountain
1 Minaret Road
Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546
800-Mammoth
Ski Area Operator & Directory
(760) 934-2571
mammothmountain.com
Nestled in the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, Lake Tahoe borders California and Nevada and is a premier and stunning alpine vacation spot. Tahoe has 18 different ski/snowboarding resorts on more than 8,800 acres of mountain. There are a total of 182 ski runs, with the longest run 5.5 miles long. Like Mammoth, there are plenty of other winter activities besides skiing and snowboarding. Lake Tahoe also attracts numerous vacationers in the summer due to the hiking, fishing and golfing. Tahoe sightseeing includes a lake cruise or helicopter tour of the area. The Tahoe nightlife is another reason for the area's popularity. There are six casinos in the South Lake Tahoe area, numerous clubs with celebrity entertainment and bars and restaurants galore.
Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority
169 Highway 50/ PO Box 5878
Stateline, NV 89449
(775) 588-5900
visitinglaketahoe.com
Also found in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California, Yosemite is a different type of vacation spot than Mammoth and Lake Tahoe. Yosemite is a protected national park established in 1890 and encompasses 1,200 square miles of the Sierra Nevadas. According to the park's website, about 5 million visitors come from all over the world to tour the spectacular natural scenery of Yosemite's granite peaks, meadows, lakes and waterfalls. Yosemite is open year-'round, but most visitors tour the park in the spring through the fall. Camping, hiking, rock-climbing and sightseeing are the main activities at Yosemite. Millions of people flock to Yosemite to climb the challenge of Half Dome and to witness its majestic beauty.
Yosemite National Park
9039 Village Dr.
Yosemite Natl Pk, CA
209-372-0200
nps.gov/Yose/index.htm
