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Ever wish you could close your eyes and open them standing in a chapter straight out of a cosy small town romance? Put your Kindle down, I have the place for you.

That's exactly what happened when I recently holidayed in Mammoth Lakes. It's a true hidden gem of a town; I had no idea this place existed, but I'm already planning my return.

But you know who got the memo and regularly escapes city life there? A-list celebs like Will Ferrell, George Clooney and the Jonas Brothers (now that's a romance I'd read).

Mammoth Lakes, California, is the kind of town that has you wondering if maybe it would be a good idea to quit your job and become a tavern owner, ski instructor or local sports coach. Maybe my future husband* is watching (or playing) ice hockey at the town's boy aquarium a.k.a ice rink?

(*This writer has a husband, we're talking hypotheticals here.)

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In all seriousness, I'd love to spend the next 600-ish words explaining why you really ought to make Mammoth Lakes your next holiday destination.

Nearby Yosemite, but quieter and just as beautiful. Slopes and outdoor adventure that rival Aspen or Tahoe, but with fewer tourists and less judge-y vibes. Small town atmosphere, friendly locals and down-to-earth hospitality you don't have to drive eight hours from a major city to reach.

Some of the sights and sounds of Mammoth Lakes, California. Image: Supplied.

Family friendly and wholesome, but not at all boring. It's the kind of place that has a festival for everything, from a Margarita Festival to a queer skiing festival. Everyone's welcome in Mammoth Lakes.

Let's get into the perfect Mammoth Lakes holiday itinerary; from getting to Mammoth mountain and where to stay in Mammoth Lakes, to year-round activities, the best local-approved places to eat and drink, and some unmissable Mammoth hidden gems.

Getting to Mammoth Lakes.

Spoiler: It couldn't have been easier. I flew 13 hours from Sydney to San Francisco, which seemed like a breeze considering us Aussies are used to travelling 24 hours to get to Europe.

I stepped off a short connecting flight in Bishop, then enjoyed a scenic 40-minute drive into the town of Mammoth Lakes.

Pro tips: A quick US travel check list:

• Check if you need an ESTA visa, and if you do, ensure you carve out a good hour or so to fill out the online application form (the website can be a bit glitchy).

• Check TSA luggage and toiletries requirements to avoid having to bin your skincare (or Vegemite).

• TikTok would have you believe TSA and security lines are out of control at US airports — I found them to be fairly reasonable, but arrive at the airport with plenty of time and make sure your phone is charged.

Where to stay in Mammoth Lakes: Limelight Mammoth.

Limelight Hotel Mammoth. Image: Supplied.

There are a bunch of hotel chains, bed and breakfast and AirBnB Mammoth Lakes accommodation options, but I can't recommend Limelight Hotel Mammoth more highly.

It's homey and cosy, yet modern and luxe, plus it's just steps from the Village Gondola, which takes you straight up the mountain. You can walk across the street to the local shopping and restaurant village, too, but honestly? You'll probably want to hang out in the hotel's sprawling living room-style areas downstairs to swap stories from the day by the fire.

The hotel has cosy living room inspired areas downstairs, perfect for making new vacay friends. Image: Supplied.

This hotel is one of those where, once you've paid for your room, almost everything else is included.

Think: Unlimited tea and coffee, full buffet breakfast, Therabody leg compression gear and LED masks for use post-slopes, hot tubs, even car hire so you can drive around the town or do a day trip to Yosemite.

Things to do in Mammoth Lakes.

Image: Supplied.

Mammoth Mountain: 3500+ acres of skiable terrain to suit skiers and snowboarders of all levels, 25 lifts and 178 trails. Pro tip: An IKON Pass will grant you full acess to all the runs and mountain facilities, along with 80+ other year-round mountains around the world, including Mount Buller and Thredbo in Australia.

If you've never skied before — or like me, did years ago — I highly recommend a day of adults-only group lessons. The instructors are so much fun and very patient; after one day of lessons, I felt like a pro going down the mountain solo on day two.

Mammoth Lakes Basin: Allegedly even more beautiful in summer. Think scenic bath paths, hiking, golf, a water tubing park, zip lining, kayaking and paddleboarding. I visited June River, Crowley Lake and Twin Lakes in my four days in Mammoth.

Image: Supplied.

Where to eat and drink in Mammoth Lakes.

Image: Supplied.

Gomez Tequileria: A local institution for relaxed (but really good) Mexican, which you can wash down with one of the 1,000 tequila options available. Just watch out for the 'Uncivilized' Mammoth Margarita…

Black Velvet Coffee Roasters: Does a decent Aussie-approved coffee; order a double cortado for the closest you can get to an Australian barista-strength latte.

Mammoth Brewery Co. & Eatery: Local craft beer, BIG burgers, maybe the best onion rings I've ever eaten, live music, quiz nights and local specials and lots of laid-back fun.

Image: Supplied.

The Clocktower: Where locals go to drink! Sit at the bar and watch ice hockey or baseball, plant yourself by the Foosball table or dance wherever you can find a free bit of floor.

Image: Supplied.

Dos Alas: A meal you'll be thinking about for years. This 'CubaRican' restaurant set on an old ranch surrounded by the Sierra Nevada mountain range feels like stepping into someone's cosy living room (complete with colourful relatives!). Wear your stretchy pants, because they don't play when it comes to portions.

If you want a unique spread, order the garlic bread, escabeche (pickled meats and seafood), cubano sandwiches, piñón (a plantain dish known as 'Puerto Rican lasagna'), glazed ham and Budin de Pan y Coco (a coconut bread pudding you can only get in Mammoth).

Image: Supplied.

Limelight Mammoth: All-day dining options, from coffee and a buffet breakfast that's on another level (and yes, you can pack yourself a little lunch to take with you for a lake jaunt or day on the slopes), to Après cocktail hour, hand-thrown pizzas, live music and family-style dinners.

There's also a lounge area for kids (and big kids) complete with big screens, gaming consoles, boardgames and bean bags so parents can actually enjoy their dinner, too.

Happy travels!

Feature image: Supplied.