About the Mammoth Lakes, California Area 

With a growing population of approximately 8,000 people, Mammoth Lakes is a spectacularly scenic mountain resort town. The population of this busy hub can expand to over 50,000 at the height of the winter season, as visitors flock to enjoy world-class skiing at Mammoth Mountain. The area provides an unparalleled number of top-notch outdoor recreational opportunities, not only in winter but all year round. Enjoy a first class lifestyle in a friendly, charming community, as well as a full range of museums, art, history and music. Visit this idyllic mountain town and you may not want to leave. 

Location 

Mammoth Lakes is a town situated in the southern half of Mono County, in the heart of California's Eastern Sierra Nevada mountain range. With many of its trails and roads lying adjacent to the crest of the Sierra, the town is located in the Inyo National Forest, Mammoth Ranger District. It is north of the Owens Valley, on the edge of Long Valley Caldera. Situated in the east central portion of California, Mammoth Lakes lies east of the Sierra Nevada, between Yosemite National Park and Nevada.  

Geography/Terrain 

With a total area of 4 square miles, Mammoth Lakes sits at an altitude of 7,800 feet. The surrounding area encompasses the jagged spires of the Minarets, the valleys of Bloody Canyon and Rock Creek, and the smooth granite domes of Yosemite National Park's high country. This geologically active area has extraordinary natural features, including hot springs, craters, steam vents, soda springs, and an obsidian dome. Mountains and forests encircle the town. Mammoth Mountain is to the west, the Sherwin Range is to the south, and the massive forests of the Ansel Adams and John Muir Wilderness Areas surround the town. The eastern entrance to Yosemite National Park is located just 32 miles north of town and it is a 100-mile drive to the valley floor. 

Distance to 3 closest major cities  

Mammoth Lakes is located approximately 165 miles south of Reno, NV; 310 miles north of Los Angeles, CA; and 310 miles northwest of Las Vegas, NV. 

Jobs 

The economy of Mammoth Lakes is primarily tourism-based. With over 8,500 rental units, the lodging industry produces a substantial income for the town. There are planned investments to further develop Mammoth Lakes as a leading mountain resort, with world-class amenities, a new pedestrian village, and additional mountain attractions. 

Some of the major employers in the town include: Mammoth County Water District, Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, Mammoth Premiere Resorts, Mammoth Sporting Goods, and Snow Creek Resort. Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation and food services provide 37.1% of the employment in the area; educational, health and social services provide11.2%; and finance, insurance, real estate, and rental and leasing provide 10.8%. The unemployment rate in Mammoth Lakes is 5.2% and the town has enjoyed a 4.55% increase in available jobs within the last year. The average time to commute to work is 14 minutes. The median household income is $50,501, and the average per capita income is $26,618.

Housing  

The development of Mammoth Mountain ski area has led to an explosion of property values in town, but housing prices are currently holding steady. The town has a full range of housing options, from luxurious estates, to resort properties and simple cabins in the mountains. You can have a home with views of the Sherwins, Mammoth Mountain and Crowley Lake Basin. You can back onto a golf course, a creek, or a ski slope. You can choose to back onto hundreds of miles of trails, have a large equestrian residence, live in a gated community, a golf community, surrounded by aspens and pines, or have ski in-ski-out luxury. Mammoth Lakes has everything from family-style townhomes and mountain condos to modest starter homes; everything from cabins to multi-million dollar mansions. There is something here for every taste and price range.
 

Parks/Sports/Recreation/Golf 

The town of Mammoth Lakes offers some of the finest, year round recreational opportunities in the world. The area is renowned for its beautiful lakes and streams, extensive hiking trails, fascinating geological formations, and world-class alpine skiing. Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, situated about 5 miles from town, is one of the largest ski resorts in the country. It boasts 150 trails, 30 lifts, 3,500 acres of ski terrain, a vertical drop of 3,100 feet, and a ski season that is longer than almost any other resort in the country. About 20 miles from town you will find smaller and quieter June Mountain Ski Area. June Mountain has two summits, ski terrain to suit all skill levels, and some of the best powder skiing and snowboarding in California. But winter fun isn’t limited to downhill skiing. Some of the many other winter activities include cross-country skiing, backcountry skiing, snowmobiling, snow-shoeing, dog sledding, and snow play. There are miles of snow-covered roads, thousands of acres of open expanse and geologic wonders, such as Hot Creek Geological Site and Inyo Craters, which can be readily explored and enjoyed by snowmobile. 

The warm weather holds a different range of sporting delights. There are extensive hiking locations available, such as Mammoth Mountain, Panoramic Dome, Sky Meadows, Owens Valley and Crystal Lake. Or, you can enjoy a scenic and relaxing ride in a hot air balloon. Bikers can take advantage of the miles of roads, mountain trails and Mammoth Bike Park. The Eastern Sierra area is one of the prime destinations in the country for Motocross biking. There are several equestrian locations, such as Millpond Equestrian Center in Bishop, Sierra Meadows Ranch Equestrian Center and the Mammoth Lakes Pack Outfit. For an invigorating game of tennis, you can choose from the courts at the Mammoth Lakes Community Park or Snowcreek Athletic Club. 

The numerous lakes and streams in the Mammoth Lakes Basin and surrounding areas afford wonderful opportunities for boating, canoeing, kayaking and sailing. From the Owens River Gorge to world-renowned Yosemite, there are endless numbers of challenging climbing opportunities available throughout the region. The Mammoth area lakes provide virtually any kind of fishing experience you could want, particularly Lake Mary. Local rivers and creeks where you can fish include Owens River, Walker River, Hot Creek and Rock Creek. For some deep relaxation, you can choose from any of the natural and man-assisted hot tubs in the area, with Hilltop Tub being the best-known and most popular site. 

There is no doubt that golf enthusiasts will enjoy their favorite sport in Mammoth Lakes. The Sierra Star Golf Club is a beautiful resort located at approximately 8,000 feet in the eastern Sierra Nevada Range. Not only does the club offer stunning mountain views, but it is also one of the most challenging alpine courses to be found anywhere. This 18-hole course features narrow, tree-lined fairways, well-trapped greens, and tranquil lakes and streams. Mammoth Lakes is also home to Snowcreek Golf Course, a 9-hole public course located at the foot of the Eastern Sierra Mountains. Snowcreek provides a challenging round of golf, with some of the fastest greens that the Eastern Sierra has to offer.
 

Special Attractions/Events 

Mammoth Lakes boasts a wealth of special events, art festivals, music concerts and sporting events throughout the year. The Mammoth Lakes Jazz Jubilee in July draws over twenty world-class bands to perform at various locations in town. During the summer months you can enjoy the blues at Bluesapalooza and Festival of Beers, classical music at the Sierra Summer Festival, and chamber music at both the Mammoth Music Festival and the Felici Piano Trio. In November, spend an intriguing evening at the Sierra Classic Theatre's Murder Mystery Dinner, followed by the many Christmas celebration concerts, caroling and arts and crafts festivals in December.
The area hosts numerous fun-filled Art and Crafts festivals throughout the year, featuring music, art, photography and other quality handicrafts. Enjoy Art a la Carte at Mammoth Creek Park, where you can sample culinary delights from a selection of Mammoth Lakes' finest restaurants and wine from California's most renowned wineries, while listening to music and viewing fine arts and crafts. In August, the Mammoth Lakes Fine Arts Festival hosts forty first rate artists. The Labor Day Arts and Crafts Festival features both local and visiting artists selling unique specialty items of jewelry, pottery, paintings, glass, photography, and more. 

Mammoth Lakes has over 50 restaurants and lounges in town, providing a wide variety of delicious foods to enjoy after a day on the slopes, or hiking the trails. The Mammoth Wine Club hosts delightful evenings of tasting and learning about wines. The area boasts several excellent galleries, as well as museums and historical sites which explain and portray the area's cultural heritage. The Hayden Cabin, found on the banks of Mammoth Creek, displays a historic log cabin, complete with mining implements, photographs and fascinating memorabilia from the area's early years. Bodie Ghost Town is the largest unrestored ghost town in the West, with weather-beaten buildings and a fascinating museum. Mammoth Ski Museum, with its skiing history, art, and memorabilia, is one of the largest collections of this type in the world, encompassing 500 years of the sport.
The Village at Mammoth, which opened in 2003, boasts 16 unique retail shops and 12 great eateries. There is also lodging in the Village, consisting of 279 one, two and three bedroom condominium suites. The Gondola provides access to the full range of winter mountain activities as well as the continuous variety of summer events and entertainment.
 

Interesting Facts/Historic Buildings and Places 

Mammoth Lakes’ known history began in 1877, when four prospectors who were hunting for the Lost Cement Mine organized the Lakes Mining District near Lake Mary. The following year, General George Dodge bought the claims and organized the Mammoth Mining Company. News that the company was the "largest bonanza outside Virginia City, "sparked a short-lived rush to the Mammoth gold mines. More than a thousand people flocked to Mammoth City in the summer of 1878 and approximately 1,500 the following year. Prospectors, teamsters, cattlemen, merchants, and suppliers followed after them, breaking many new trails to the mining camps. Unfortunately, the bonanza did not materialize, the Mammoth Mining Company shut down its mill in 1889, and the property sold at a sheriff's sale. By 1888, only half a dozen prospectors remained in the area. 

In the 1900's a different group of pioneers came to Mammoth, and the Village of Old Mammoth had its beginning. The Camp consisted of a hotel, a store, a garage, a bakery, and a post office. Along the Mammoth Creek or in the nearby forest, tents were set up. Many of these visitors were from Bishop and Los Angeles, coming for the summer. In time, they built cabins along the creek and in the Lakes Basin. The few caretakers who stayed to protect the properties during the winter received mail and supplies by dogsled. 

In 1937 a new highway was completed near the junction of the Old Mammoth Road and Hwy 203. Old Mammoth, which had been a quiet and remote area, relocated astride the new highway. The area began to develop a reputation as a summer retreat and sportsman’s paradise, offering camping, hiking, fishing and incredible natural beauty. These features enticed summer visitors to Mammoth and with them came the businesses to support them. The town was incorporated in 1984. Ultimately, Mammoth Lakes claim to fame was its world-class skiing at Mammoth Mountain.

Mammoth Lakes was rated No. 3 on the list of 50 Best Places to Live by Men's Journal magazine, in 2002. Some well-known residents have included Andrea Mead Lawrence, skier and Olympic medallist; and Danny Kass, 2006 Olympics silver medal winner in snowboarding.
 

The real estate in Mammoth Lakes and Mono County will meet all of your needs and desires as Mammoth offers great condos and townhomes, beautiful single family residences from cozy mountain cabins, to luxurious ski in-ski out residences with incredible views of the surrounding mountain ranges. And last but not least, vacant land is available for both residential and commercial needs. Property in the Mammoth Lakes/Mono County can fit every price range! 

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