Looking for a Small Mountain Town With Immediate Hiking Access after work

Hey guys, I’m a remote worker from SoCal, but I just found out that my company is bringing me back into the office this September. So, I have one last summer to work from anywhere in the U.S., and I want to make it count. Ive been to the Sierras 15+ times as they my favorite mountain range so want to do as many hikes there this Spring and Summer. Ideally to pick the town based on the trails I want to do.

Typically, I bounce around the country in Airbnbs, hiking on weekends, but this time I want to fully immerse myself in hiking, including after work. I get off at 4 PM local time, so I'd a place where I can step outside (or drive max 30-40 minutes) and be on an epic trail. I think the obvious answer is Mammoth? But ideally would be a little more secluded and more in nature. Think cabin in the woods Walden Pond type.

If I had my choice, I would do a starlink setup so I could work from whenever, but thats not an option because It may be hard to work out of my Subaru Outback all day. Something ive done before is tent camp in the mountains, drive 20-30 mins to a city and work from a coworking or coffee shop, but its hard working 8 hours in a coffee shop. I once stayed just north of Anchorage, AK, and it was amazing—secluded, great hiking right outside, 10-11 PM sunsets, and weekend backpacking within a few hours’ drive. That’s the vibe I’m going for, but somewhere different this time.

I was thinking in:

April/May: A town on the western side. So I can hit Yosemite on the weekends. Ive driven through some of them but not familiar them and if there is nice hiking nearby in May. Some ive read are Sonora, Twin Harte, Groveland, Oakhurst, Big Trees, Sierra City, Nevada City, Etc

Mid June-July: Id think a town more toward the eastern side may be ideal for the bigger hikes. I think this would depend on which backpacking trips I want to do and the quality of some shorter hikes that I can do from 4-8pm on weekdays. I was thinking Tahoe or North of there but may be 3-4 hours from the weekend backpacking trips that I may want to do in the middle Sierra potentially. But I have not explored Tahoe or North of it so not sure how they compare. Also open to Sequoia and Kings canyon backcountry ones.

Also any absolute best of all time favorite day hikes or 2-3 night backpacking trips you like? May plan my stay around some of the ones Id like to do.