Pit stops along U.S. 395 in California

Instead of blasting your way to Mammoth on U.S. 395, slow down; there now are more reasons to enjoy the drive. A new Eastern Sierra Cultural and Heritage Alliance map details 20 sites to visit along California’s mother road, including national parks, museums and visitor centers such as Death Valley National Park and the Mammoth Ski Museum.

To entice visitors to dally at as many sites as possible, the alliance has started a Passport Stamp Program, and the rewards for a stop are free items. Each location will give you a souvenir when you get a stamp in your passport at any of the sites. Request the passports and maps from www.visitmammoth.com (click on Request Information, then check Museum Guide), or call (888) 466-2666.

While you are driving from site to site, you can immerse yourself in the highway’s long, rich history by listening to audio from the Roadside Heritage 395 project. “Eastern Sierra Audio Tours, Paiutes, Prospectors, Pioneers” is the first in a series of CDs and MP3s with stories of the people and places that shaped the highway. Information and downloads are available at www.roadsideheritage.org. CDs also are free at visitor centers and museums along the highway.