It all started with a lone pine tree. In the middle of the 19th century, Lone Pine, California was founded as a mining supply town. You can still see original buildings (in ghost town form) in the nearby town of Cerro Gordo, located to the east.

In the early 20th century, Lone Pine's natural beauty and untouched scenery made it a favorite location for Hollywood Westerns. It has since been featured as the setting in more than 250 movies, from Hoppalong Cassidy to G.I. Jane.

Each year, the Lone Pine Film Festival celebrates the town's rich movie history. When you travel to Lone Pine, you'll find a myriad of things to do.

Hardier souls might try ascending Mt. Whitney, the highest mountain in the contiguous U.S. More mellow mountain activities can be found in the nearby Alabama Hills. Here, bizarre rock formations jut out of the valley. They're ideal for hiking or four-wheeling. Look for these rock formations in particular in Old West movies—they've been featured in many a flick.

Other recreation opportunities include historical activities like visiting ghost towns or the Manzanar National Historic Site, where Japanese people were tragically detained during World War II.