This is it! I'm rounding out 2016 with a recap of our recent weekend getaway to Mammoth Lakes, California. The lovely pines, snow and Christmas decor around town really got us into the Christmas spirit. Our trip took place right before Mammoth Mountain opened for the season but we managed to find plenty of things to do around town.
Best Eats
1. Schea Schat's Bakery - The coconut macaroons are worth writing home about and the sandwiches and soups in the cafe are hearty and filling. My little foodie heart exploded when I saw the sandwich maker slicing turkey from a whole roasted turkey for my sandwich. We made sure to stop here on our last day to pick up goodies and a loaf of their famous Sheepherder bread to bring home.
2. Mimi's Cookie Bar - We came here for a sweet treat and Mimi's did not disappoint! This adorable little shop is filled to the brim with delicious baked goods and gifts for your favorite baker. We tried the Florentine cookies, hot chocolate (complete with giant homemade marshmallow) and a pie-in-a-jar and they were all really good. There are a bunch of gluten free items too!
3. The Eatery - Our best savory meal was at The Eatery located inside the Mammoth Brewing Company Tasting Room. You can't miss the cool vintage truck sitting out front. My favorites were the "It's Not a Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich" and house made tots which looked like tater tots on steroids.
Places that did not make the list: Toomey's (close to the center of town but overpriced, over salted and overrated) and Giovanni's (mediocre Italian food).
Best Activities for Kids
1. Hot Creek - One of the best things we did during our trip was drive out to Hot Creek to check out the geothermal pools. It's a short drive from town and the pay off for the short, easy hike was incredible. We loved seeing the bright blue waters of the geothermal pools, the bubbling water in the creek and the incredible view of the mountains in the background. The photos do not do the place justice.
2. Mammoth Scenic Loop - The Mammoth Scenic Loop is 16 mile drive through a forest of Jeffrey Pines. We blasted Christmas music and were the only car on the road for most of the drive which made it easy to pull over for spontaneous snowball fights and crowd-free photos in the snow.
3. Build a snowman - We found a local park and spent the morning building a snowman. This was Parker's first real snow activity and he loved it! Don't forget to bring a carrot for Frosty's nose.
4. A visit to the Fun Shop - The Fun Shop filled with toys and novelty items. You could easily keep a kid entertained for an hour here, there is so much to see and touch. We let Parker wander the aisles and pick out a souvenir. They also have a great ice cream selection.
Ready for the photos? We recently purchased the Sony RX100 and I love it! It's compact, takes great photos and allows me to send the photos directly to my phone so I can update my Instagram @parkerproject on the go.
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| Do you want to build a snowman? |
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| Welcome to the family, Kobe the snowman! |
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| Can someone get me the recipe for the coconut macaroons from Schat's? |
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| P found a friend his size at the bakery. |
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| Warhead sour challenge while waiting for our food at The Eatery. |
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| Who needs toys when you have pinecones? |
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| A view of Hot Creek from the top. |
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| I'm not sure what this is called but it was very cool looking. |
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| Playing in the snow in the forest along the Mammoth Scenic Loop. |
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| Squint and you can see the herd of deer in the grass. |
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| Parker so excited to see "walking animals". He ran back to the car to grab his camera to snap a photo. |
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