Sweet Treats Along Highway 395: Because Summer Adventures Deserve a Reward

Summer in the Eastern Sierra means long days, beautiful hikes, alpine lakes, bike rides, road trips and, if you’re traveling with kids, the occasional need for a little extra motivation.

Because somehow, “We’re almost there!” loses its effectiveness after the third uphill stretch.

Whether you need to break up the long drive up Highway 395, celebrate finishing a hike, or simply cool down on a summer afternoon, here are a few sweet stops worth adding to your Eastern Sierra adventures.

Eastern Sierra Ice Cream Company | Independence

Driving north on Highway 395, Independence is a great place to stretch your legs—and Eastern Sierra Ice Cream Company makes the stop even better.

This seasonal ice cream shop makes its ice cream right in Independence, with a rotating selection of flavors. Grab a cone, enjoy a break, and give everyone something to look forward to during the long drive north.

Sometimes a little ice cream motivation goes a long way when you hear “How much longer?” from the back seat.

Good Earth Yogurt | Bishop

By the time you reach Bishop, you may be ready for another cool-down. Good Earth Yogurt on Main Street offers organic self-serve frozen yogurt with plenty of toppings.

Kids can create their own masterpiece—which may or may not contain more toppings than yogurt—while the grown-ups have options too, including sandwiches, locally made pie and cheesecake, and even a wine bar.

Café Crêpe | Mammoth Lakes

Once you make it to Mammoth, the summer adventures really begin—and a sweet crêpe makes a pretty good reward after a hike, bike ride or day exploring.

Café Crêpe serves made-to-order French crêpes with both sweet and savory options, along with coffee and espresso drinks. Nutella, fruit, caramel, cinnamon...there are plenty of choices for a post-adventure treat.

And if half the family wants dessert while the other half wants “real food,” everyone wins.

Local Scoop | Mammoth Lakes & June Lake

If ice cream is more your style, Local Scoop is an easy addition to a summer day, with locations in both Mammoth Lakes and June Lake.

Small-batch ice cream, rotating flavors, milkshakes and Liège waffles make it a great reward after a day outside—or a convincing incentive to get everyone out there in the first place.

Plan a hike, paddle or beach day around the June Lake Loop, then finish it off with a scoop. Somehow, ice cream tastes even better surrounded by Eastern Sierra mountains.

Sweeten Your Summer on the 395

The Eastern Sierra has no shortage of summer adventures, but not everyone in the family is always equally excited about that next hike, bike ride or long stretch in the car.

Luckily, a sweet treat along the way can make the adventure a little more fun for everyone. Whether it’s ice cream after a hike, frozen yogurt on the drive north, or a crêpe after a morning exploring Mammoth, there’s always room for something sweet.

After all, summer in the Eastern Sierra is about enjoying the journey—and the treats along the way.