The Perfect Weekend in Mammoth Lakes with Kids

Mammoth Lakes is a popular destination town on Highway 395 for hiking in the summer and skiing in the winter. We took the family up to Mammoth Lakes to spend some time doing some of the short hikes, eating at our favorite restaurants and just exploring the town. Here is how we spent the weekend and let us know what you recommend we do next time in the comments.
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5198 Arlington Ave # 937
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#californiathroughmylens #mammothlakes #highway395

[@glenacebrown9995]

Your kids are precious! My toddlers are 33 & 35 years old now & this brings back great memories of trips with them. Thank you so much for posting this.

[@kevperz]

as a father of a 2 year old, i really appreciate these videos. keep up the good work

[@sophallaseng9606]

The twins are adorable. 💕🥰

[@californiathroughmylens]

Thank you!

[@TravelSmallLiveBig]

Dad tax = free cookie! 🤣 I admire you both for adventuring with twins. My niece has twins so I. Get. It.

[@franktraynor]

As a parent I really appreciate the videos with ideas for trips with kids.

[@iamkhmertoo]

Modern day Huell Howser. Been following this channel for a long time. Hello from Central Valley!!!

[@alant.541]

You're absolutely right.

[@californiathroughmylens]

Really appreciate that, very kind of you!

[@gabrielsholisticcare]

Twins are adorable, I loved the spilt milk cannot cry 😭 over that!

[@sticky42oh]

As a new father, I really appreciate this series. Thank you for all your awesome videos

[@miekofrm108]

Our little family with two kids happened to be in mammoth lakes when you posted the video! We made it to McLeod Lake, Schats Bakery, and Mt. Whitney Hatchery that you included in the video! Your recs added so much fun to our trip, thank you!!

[@lorraineoback4962]

I'd never given much thought to Mammoth Lakes as a destination, but after watching your video it's found a place on my "must visit" list. I love the warmth depicted in your family experiences keeping it real by including the dumped milk, but appreciate that you manage to keep a good balance and maintain the focus on travel. Thanks for another great video.

[@katoby6980]

Me neither. I went one month ago and believe me now I love the place beautiful. Do your research before going I did not, there are many places to go that you dont have enough time to do it in the first visit.

[@HolgerRuneFan]

I live in Mammoth so I'm biased, but it's definitely a must see place, it's gorgeous during fall, summer and winter. The lakes basin itself is more beautiful than anything in Yosemite.

[@mikebawolski2920]

I just got back from a trip to Lake Tahoe and Bishop. We also visited Mammoth and ate at the Brewing Company. I got the Bahn Mi sandwich and it was awesome, although mine didn't come with a fried egg. We also went to Big Pine and ate at the Copper Top BBQ, based on one of your earlier videos. I always try to watch your videos of areas I am going to travel to because they are so informative and entertaining. Thanks for that, and keep up the great work!

[@HockeyPwnsBaseball]

Copper Top is the best BBQ I've had on the West Coast, and it's close to Schat's Bakery too

[@californiathroughmylens]

That is awesome you got the Bahn Mi, most people don't get it haha. I am glad you went to Copper Top as well, it is so good!

[@becca3127]

Thanks for the content!!

[@sblade07]

Omg your babies are simply adorable! 🥰

[@rionnarobin1]

nice to see your beautiful family grow, adorable twins!

[@maryjbelle]

Awesome 🤩

[@vsandoval4900]

Beautiful video thank you !!!

[@arimbi320]

As always...great view and food....and being good parents. Love the leo twins

[@iamacookie6]

you truly are living your best life my dude, so happy for you

[@dollygurrrl]

It’s wonderful to show others how to enjoy things as a young family - y’all are precious!!!

[@vanassamelendrez2858]

You two are such cool parents!

[@VivekHaldar]

Your videos are a treasure trove of road trip ideas! Thanks for all the work you put into these.

[@skletke7543]

Your family is so beautiful, lucky you!

[@00Mandy00]

So fun! Doing stuff with little ones can be entertaining.

[@Airnewzealand15]

So cool seeing the kids growing up on the channel! Been following you guys since 2017. Bless ya!

[@bullymili]

Great video. Love your kids. Beautiful family. Thank you for sharing.

[@maddog6620]

Super Beautiful mountain

[@momerencyclaude]

amazing share as usual thank you guys

[@parkerhousemedia]

Great video thanks so much !

[@doreenlatimer6379]

Fun travelling on toddler speed and seeing life through their eyes.

[@Albert13tv]

fun trip, the lakes look beautiful!

[@susieuramoto7491]

I used to go fishing with my Dad at Twin Lakes when I was a kid. Thank you for reminding me of those great memories. 🙏🏻🥰

[@tesstimmons422]

I was in Mammoth last weekend. Great Backpacking. So much fun hiking. This video is great!

[@pappysproductions]

You guys make beautiful kids. You are a beautiful family. I love seeing you all in videos. Mammoth looks beautiful..... so do those donuts!

[@JaniceStewart863]

Your daughter being rocked to sleep by the hike was just epic. Just beautiful. Enjoyed watching this. I know this is far removed from Mammoth, but since you are in Southern California, it might be interesting to bring the kids to the Korean Friendship Bell in San Pedro. It is such a beautiful and meaningful spot, but a very family friendly place, and a great place to fly a kite, which kids usually love to see.

[@YCHuen-ed4sk]

Very nice video, beautiful family.

[@GrannyLovesSquares]

❤️The cuteness overload was serious. Sweetpea said:🎵 bye bye🎵 at the end, melted my stress filled day❤️ Beautiful👨‍👩‍👧‍👦.

[@TheDaubSquad]

Oh my! We travel with (albeit a lot older) kids, too! So glad to see all four of you here!

[@albertopa58]

Lovely hikes. I am reminded almost 30 years ago hiking Utah's and Arizona's canyon country with my son on a similar toddler hiking pack. Fun times. God bless you and your family.

[@anthonywarthold]

Amy & Josh you look like great parents. We’ve only ever spent a night at Mammoth and want to go back to explore. Thanks for sharing guys 🙏

[@roulab8657]

When I saw Mammoth Lakes for first time, years back, I was inspired to write poetry. What a beautiful place, great for everybody especially for young families, by the way, yours is adorable . Fantastic video as always, even though I have been there many times in person I enjoyed watching it. Thanks Josh

[@freedomfighteredgar4598]

because I saw this video is that we decided to go to that beautiful place at the end of August, thanks for sharing your adventures with us

[@jennyray1476]

Omg the twins are already walking geez that just flew by ....their both so adorable

[@iamwindchakra]

Those hiking backpacks come in handy!

[@ursinidaho]

Your children are so very cute! I loved when they were flinging the fish food. Kids are so entertaining! I lived and taught skiing in Mammoth. In the eighties. It's a beautiful place.

[@texasgina]

I took your recommendation after the live chat tonight and subscribed to this channel. Its been such a long time since I took a road trip up to Yosemite and I remember going to the fish hatchery and all of the lakes that you’re showing. Wow memory Lane. So beautiful I can’t imagine having done it when my twins were that little. They did great

[@jphan21]

Wow, the lakes look so beautiful! Thanks for the video, definitely going to use it as reference for our family trip.

[@californiathroughmylens]

Glad the video was helpful and I hope you have a fun trip!

[@Roadtosomethingnew1]

Glad you all had the chance to get out and have some fun. Those lakes are gorgeous. Miss Cali

[@californiathroughmylens]

Thanks for watching the video! I agree, it is such a beautiful area.

[@subramanianannamalai8333]

your kids are just awesome and fun. thanks for sharing this trip, as always i enjoyed it very much.

[@californiathroughmylens]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@garyleibitzke4166]

Damn, it seems like just yesterday they were born.

[@californiathroughmylens]

I agree, it is crazy how fast it goes. They are almost 2!

[@LifeOfReillyTV]

Great video, guys!! Jude and I watched it the whole way through and picked up some great tips! Just so you know, McLeod is how you would spell McCloud in Scotland/UK!

[@karencaskey6210]

The Twins are getting so big! Keep up those outdoor adventures with them because they will have such an appreciation of nature when they are older. It seems like just yesterday that our twins were throwing rocks into every body of water that they could. Now they are 17 and we'll be backpacking in Yosemite in just a couple of weeks. Your videos, by the way, have been super helpful in planning many of our family adventures, including our own 395 road trip last summer. We spent time in Mammoth and Lone Pine and many spots in between. Your videos on the bristlecone pine forest were the first time I had ever heard of that place. Soooooo glad we went and saw them, and my teenage boys were VERY impressed! Keep sharing varied content geared towards all ages. Even though we are well past the toddler years, I think these types of videos are good so that people can see that you can enjoy nature and travel with little kids. Keep exploring and safe travels!

[@jerichosgv]

My family and I love every spot you showed !!! We make it up once or twice a year. We are coming up soon for the Village Margarita Festival !!!! Please make more videos in Mammoth Lakes with family trails and areas of fun. Thank you !

[@seanli9769]

Thanks!

[@californiathroughmylens]

Thank you so much!

[@arsyyutadco1979]

We're going to mammoth this weekend and we might just use your video as our weekend itinerary! Thanks for sharing!

[@candicespencer2021]

Your kiddos are beautiful!

[@keithjohnson5398]

Been up there a couple of times for week long backpacking trips with my neighbors.

[@moreno1024]

Can’t wait to get back. Love Mammoth. Everything is expensive up there but worth it. You can also do the gondola to the top of the mountain and we always stop at Toms Place on the way back. Good food and portions.

[@fathercubed769]

Awesome video! And so funny how your little girl pushed back your son at the end of video. I can definitely relate to that.

[@californiathroughmylens]

haha yea they like each other most of the time but you never know what they will do haha

[@alant.541]

Love your videos! You two are amazing parents with the cutest twins. Been going to Mammoth for decades and did not know about Crystal or MacLeod Lakes. Thanks. 👍

[@californiathroughmylens]

Thanks so much, so kind of you to say! McCleod Lake is an amazing hike to do next time for sure!

[@ruready2rock856]

Great video! I love that whole area!

[@californiathroughmylens]

Me too, such a beautiful spot!

[@alvaroalonso9695]

Thank you, you should make more videos like this one

[@TRUTHx247]

You’re so lucky to be able to travel like that with your kids being so young especially in this current time we live in. My bestfriend went hiking with her family & another family only to be staIked & harassed by some Ioners who appeared to be on drugs. Luckily the family they were with had a strap for protection. I can’t imagine what would have happened because their kids were as young as yours with the other 2 being a bit older (both under 10). Praying for your family’s safety always. 🙏

[@herminquijano]

Wow I didn’t know you had kids . Congrats ! I haven’t checked your Chanel out in a while . I love your channels bro

[@jennysjourney02]

I went in November of 2020 and it was really pretty with the snow. We stayed at The Village Lodge Mammoth, it was really nice. Our favorite restaurant was the Smokehouse BBQ, we ate there twice. I also got coffee at Black Velvet and I agree, it's high quality coffee, so good. Breakfast Club is a great place for breakfast too. A lot of the roads were closed but we did see the earthquake fault line and the Forest Chapel, found that one by accident after crossing the windy bridge at Twin Lakes. This is a great video.

[@shelleydiamond6468]

This is sweet - & good to know about a donut place. Love Mammoth and started taking my kids there when they were toddlers. In June my son, now in his 30’s and a newlywed , took his wife to Mammoth. He wanted to show her how much this place meant to him growing up. I’m sure your kids will cherish it for many years as well.

[@californiathroughmylens]

That is so cool to hear! I hope my children feel the same way!

[@shelleydiamond6468]

@@californiathroughmylens I was there too and loved that I could share it ! You are starting your young ones on the right path for sure !

[@birdman5223]

Mahogany meats is a must. Gr8 content guyz☺️

[@_Dana_B]

Looks like so much fun! We were there one month ago after we left Yosemite on Memorial Day weekend! Looks like you guys had a lot of fun!. P. S. You have a beautiful family, Josh!😍

[@californiathroughmylens]

Thanks so much, very kind of you to say 😀

[@paultownsend2707]

Great video guys keep up the amazing content my wife and I love to visit the USA from Australia and always enjoy your videos as you have some great suggestions for our next trip in September !

[@Califoreigners]

Happy to see it’s all kids that like to dump out the milk bought for them on the road! Hahaha Excited to see the fish hatchery open. Tried to go by earlier this year and they were closed. Always appreciate how you guys manage to document traveling with the kiddos 👏👏

[@maddog6620]

Cool 😎

[@kindguy4106]

Amazing place! Be careful

[@prowrestlingisart6742]

We only spent half a day in Mammoth on the wat to Tahoe and Yosemite but your video definitely provided us with good reasons to return and spend more time there. Thanks Josh!

[@californiathroughmylens]

It is a beautiful area for sure, especially if you like hiking

[@prowrestlingisart6742]

@@californiathroughmylens we love hiking and saw lots of good options from your video. I remember when we went in June it was extremely windy too

[@RandomRabbit007]

Tahoe and Yosemite are next level. Cant beat those places for natural beauty (although they get crowded for good reason)

[@prowrestlingisart6742]

@@RandomRabbit007 Yeah sometimes I forget that other people want to see and experience the same natural wonders that I do haha

[@SECCHIANIMATIONS]

Just found your channel yesterday. Enjoyed your trip on PCH with Pops. Now watching your family videos. FYI - MacLeod is pronounced just like McCloud... Keep up the great work👍

[@reynarico4384]

Amo Este lugar e estado una semana i me facina

[@Aikynbreusov]

Are the kids twins?????cute.... i love how the boy just dump his drink on the coffe shop floor

[@aceyorba]

Mammoth is awesome..especially if you know someone with property up there. Lodging can be Big Bucks. Not to mention the rip off TOT Taxes. Yes the Gas prices in mammoth are Crazy high. Always fill up in Bishop. Have you ever checked out the Inyo Craters off the Scenic Loop .

[@cmichaelhaugh8517]

The last time I was in the Eastern Sierra I skipped Mammoth in favor of Mono Lake. Need to explore this the next time.

[@Blackfilmguild]

haha! Good job Sunny! You did exactly what I would have done!

[@californiathroughmylens]

😁😂

[@pherdzo9o]

Nice trip broh th beutifl famili congratulacions bubby

[@GwuNC]

Our hack for gas is to top it off at the Vons in Bishop and hopefully it'll last till we done in town. That place is usually a little cheaper.

[@joshhawn3988]

mom looks like she's about to have a nervous breakdown after that trip 😂😂

[@nasimzamani38]

Tons to do in mammoth! Next time go to the main lodge and take the shuttle to the devils postpile monument and hike up to rainbow falls.

[@haekang4545]

Love your youtube.thank you!!!^^*♡

[@slurpyman20]

I Was just there 2days ago. Crazy windy all the days I was there

[@austinshappi27]

I was looking for a drive by shot of Red Mountain… been going to Mammoth for 30 years and still have only ever seen 1or 2 people in that town.

[@kamwickw933]

Love your videos - really inspiring. Glad you got the extra cookie! Don't worry, "McCleod" is always pronounced "McCloud", probably why the signs were interchangeable.

[@maddog6620]

You are awesome 😎

[@californiathroughmylens]

Appreciate the comments and watching the video!

[@jordancook1668]

Next time take the kids on the gondola to the top of the ski area. Pricey but really fun and low effort for an incredible view and it’s the easiest way I’ve ever seen to get to 11k feet.

[@birdman5223]

If a person doesn’t like Mammoth, they don’t like nature😵‍💫 Another great family vlog MrJosh☺️

[@samshepperrd]

Nice thing about hiking above the snow line with kids is not having to worry about snakes. A good idea hiking where the trail isn't well marked is to download the map of the area where you have cell service, fully charge your phone and enable location. A lot of search parties wouldn't be necessary if more people would do this. Also allows a hiker to explore off trail and be able to find their way back. Schatt's is a must. 13:11 Hopefully those kids don't confuse the bear statue with the real thing.

[@californiathroughmylens]

Great tips! I always have an All Trails map downloaded when I go hiking

[@markyuen2312]

Hope you get to go back and hike the rest of Mammoth Lake since you didn't have time to do it this time (with your family).

[@californiathroughmylens]

Would love to spend like a month just hiking there

[@steveschwartz6138]

Great hike. According to Google maps it is McLeod lake.

[@joansidor3409]

Cute kids!! J

[@darinhem5659]

Jackie tapping daddy, saying keep going this is fun

[@californiathroughmylens]

haha that is true 😂

[@chancejensen9324]

Beautiful family. Your wife's genetics game are strong with your kids.

[@ropro9817]

Wow, lucky kids, getting to see so much of California like this! But poor parents... traveling by car with kids can't be easy... 😅

[@californiathroughmylens]

haha it is not always the most fun to go on a road trip but I hope they love traveling when they are older!

[@VideoSchoolOnline]

This may be a dumb question from a fellow southern californian... but is it worth making the trek to Mammoth (with toddlers) compared to just heading up to Big Bear/Arrowhead?

[@jhollie8196]

Have you visited Bodie Ghost Town yet? It’s a great place to visit.

[@cjg6064]

Damn man... I was supposed to be in Mammoth this weekend but the engine on my truck blew up. We had perfect sites at Twin Lakes. I'm so upset we couldn't go. =(

[@DestinationsChronicles]

"Mc Cleod" is Galic for Mc Cloud.