Category: Independence, CA

If you have any interest in this country’s history and how we unfairly treated an entire culture – take a drive to Independence/Lone Pine on the last weekend in April for the Manzanar Pilgrimage. 2014 photos.

Independence, CA: Getting Ready & Getting There

Books: “Farewell to Manzanar” by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston & Jennifer Ideda

Getting There:  Drive. It’s about 4 hour drive from Los Angeles. As you drive there, just think about all the Japanese Americans during WWII who were transported here, forced to give up their homes and businesses, and not even knowing where they were going.

Independence, CA: Getting Around & Accommodations

Getting Around – Since you pretty much have to drive to get here, using your own vehicle is best. Parking is easy and free, or at least very reasonable.

Accommodations – Not too much to choose from, but here they are:

Independence, CA: Things to Do

Things to do – It’s all about history here. Especially at Manzanar. Just allow yourself to feel everything that comes up as you transport yourself back to WWII:

    • Manzanar National Historic Site is the current site of the Manzanar War Relocation Center, which was one of ten camps where Japanese American citizens and resident Japanese aliens were incarcerated during WWII.
    • Manzanar Pilgrimage during the last weekend in April each year is quite a powerful and amazing experience, especially if you are a history buff. People from all over the country attend the pilgrimage each year.
    • Museum of Western Film History in Lone Pine is great if you are a western movie buff. Really fun and informative. There were hundreds of movies and TV shows filmed in this area. Fun trip down memory lane!
    • Lots of hiking in this area. Mount Whitney is spectacular.