Concur with flying into Ontario.
With Inyokern, even though you save additional driving time compared to ONT or LAX, yet typically (depending on where you are coming from) the additional time spent at the airport between what is most often two or more flights to get you to IYK, could likely nullify any saved driving time. It depends on your itinerary and the length of the layover at your connecting point(s). Also rental car options at IYK are considerably more limited, as is your choice of airlines (I think only United goes there, at least last time I checked). But if all the cards fall in the right order for IYK, and if the price isn't a great deal more (which it usually is), it might be a good option.
Also, until somewhat recently, I had thought flying into Las Vegas would be farther away from Lone Pine than flying into LAX. It's actually about dead even. So flying into Las Vegas would get you not only pretty good air fare (usually) and no L.A. traffic, you also have a good chance (as with LAX) of getting a nonstop flight, as well as a very scenic drive through Death Valley on your way to Lone Pine (which you don't get from LAX -- of course, from either ONT or LAX, you get that wonderful drive up the east slope of the Sierra on 395). However, if going through Death Valley during the intensely hot summer months, make sure your car is in good working order, and you carry extra drinking water, etc., in the event of a car breakdown in the middle of nowhere in 120-130 degree temps.
Re: rental cars, with Travelocity, you get all the major companies for comparison, and you never have to pay up front, and you can cancel your reservation (which is all it is) at any time.
CaT
