Overview

Know as the gateway to the Sierras, Bishop, California is a small community of just under 10,000 people located about an hour south of Mammoth Lakes.

Location

Bishop is set against a backdrop of the dramatic Sierra Nevada Mountain range in Inyo County California. Find the town just off US 395.

Lodging and Services

Bishop is a small community, but due to its proximity to Mammoth Lakes and the Sierras, there are many options for lodging, including several motels and quaint B & B’s. Restaurants in Bishop include many good casual, family friendly eateries. If you’re looking for luxury, head one hour north to Mammoth Lakes.

Activities

Bishop is a hotbed of outdoor recreation opportunities. In fact, the town is less than one hundred miles from the highest point in the continental United States (Mount Whitney at 14,495 feet) and the lowest (Badwater Basin at -282 feet). The town is also less than two hours away from Yosemite, Kings Canyon, Sequoia, and Death Valley National Parks.

Attractions

For a chance to experience the history of Bishop, check out the Laws Railroad Museum, located just outside of town.

The Manzanar Internment Camp, located about 45 miles south of Bishop on US 395, pays tribute to more than 120,000 Japanese Americans who were imprisoned there during the Second World War. Visitors can experience the site on a 3 mile driving tour. There is also an interpretive center which is home to many period artifacts and photographs.

Getting Here

From Bishop, head north on US 395 for 38 miles. Take the CA-203 exit toward Mammoth Lakes, and continue 3 miles to town. Along the way make sure to enjoy views of Mount Whitney, Lake Crowley, and the beautiful Sierra Nevada Mountain Range.