Bishop

Bishop and the beautiful Owens Valley have been described as "California's Hidden Treasure". Bishop is located in the middle of California, where Highways 6 and 395 intersect.

Climate

By bus

Eastern Sierra Transit Authority (ESTA) offers bus service from Ridgecrest to Reno with stops in every community along the way, including Lone Pine, Independence, Big Pine, Bishop, Mammoth Lakes, June Lake and others. The CREST bus service offers one-way or round-trip fares which are reasonably priced. Reservations are recommended. For current schedules, and fees, call +1 760 872-1901 or +1-800-922-1930, or visit the website.

By car

From southern California, northern California, or a major city in Nevada, you'll drive about 4 to 5 hours to reach Bishop. From any direction, the roads are well-maintained and the views are spectacular.
Highway 395 passes through Bishop as the main street.

From Los Angeles

Take Interstate 15 or Highway 14 north to Highway 395. Keep driving north through the high desert up the Owens Valley.

From Las Vegas

Take Highway 95 north, then travel west through Death Valley National Park or over Westguard Pass (Highway 168) to connect with US Highway 395, then head north a short while to Bishop.

From San Francisco

In the summer, drive eastbound through Yosemite National Park to connect U.S. Highway 395, then drive south about 60 minutes. During winter months, Tioga Pass (Highway 120) may be closed due to heavy snow, but Bishop is still accessible via Highway 50 or I-80, connecting with U.S. Highway 395 in the Carson City and Reno, Nevada area.

By plane

• Eastern Sierra Regional AirportGeneral aviation only, no commercial flights

Alaska Airlines and United Airlines offer service to Mammoth Yosemite Airport (MMH) - a 30-minute drive from Bishop.

By bus

The Eastern Sierra Transit Authority (ESTA) provides transit service throughout Inyo County and Mono County, and inter-city service as far north as Reno and as far south as Lancaster. For more information, call +1 760 872-1901 or +1 800-922-1930 (toll free), or visit at the website.

Car rentals

• Enterprise Rental Cars in Bishop
• Reno-Tahoe Airport Rental Car Agencies

On bike

The Eastside Bike Share has 20 cruiser bikes available at two stations for community members and visitors alike to check-out and ride around town on errands or for recreation. One station is located at the Toiyabe Bishop Clinic and the second station is located at the Bishop City Park. 

• Bishop Mural Society

  address: 1180 N. Main St
  Don't miss the self-guided tour of the murals all over town. Painted by the Bishop Mural Society at their annual Symposium each year, the murals depict the history of the Owens Valley and Bishop. Brochures are available at the Society offices and several businesses on Main Street.

• Laws Railroad Museum and Historic Site

  phone: +1 760 873-5950
  address: 4.5 mi (7.2 km) north of Bishop, off U.S. Hwy 6
  A collection of historic buildings and railroad equipment memorializing the Carson and Colorado Railroad, once the only connection that the Owens Valley had to the rest of the world.

• Bishop Mule Days Celebration

  phone: +1 760 872-4263
  This festival celebrates the heritage of the mules in Bishop. More than 700 mules compete in 181 events during the weekend. Concerts, food, dancing, and crafts also featured as well.

Rock climbing

Bishop is near some of the best rock climbing and bouldering areas in North America. The three bouldering areas that are near the town of Bishop, the Happy Boulders, the Sad Boulders, and The Buttermilk Country.
The Happy Boulders contains over 450 established boulder problems, ranging from VB to V10. Some of the most classic and notable problems include The Hulk, Atari, and Action Figure. The Happy Boulders are located in a narrow canyon. The climbing is done, primarily on freestanding boulders within the canyon, but there are also many amazing problems along the rim of the canyon. There are many different varieties of problems, with everything from slabs to roofs. The rock is volcanic and highly featured. The rock creates many positive holds, ranging from large flakes to small pockets and everything in between. They are approximately five miles north of the town of Bishop. The only way to access the bouldering area is by driving down chalk bluff road. There is a parking area, and then a short five to ten minute hike into the area.
The Sad Boulders area is located quite close to the Happy Boulders, and is accessed from the same road, Chalk Bluff Rd. The Sad Boulders is becoming a much more developed area, with many great problems being established.
The Buttermilks boulder area can be broken into two areas, the Pollen Grains and the Peabodys. The Pollen Grains is a collection of approximately 20 free-standing boulders. There are many high-ball problems at varying difficulties. There are over 60 problems in total, ranging from VB to V9. Some of the classic problems include Suspended in Silence, the Beekeeper's Apprentice, and Jedi Mind Tricks. The Peabodys is a much larger bouldering area, and for that reason a much higher traffic area. The area has over 300 problems, ranging from VB to V12. Some of the classics include the Iron Man Traverse, Soul Slinger, and Hero Roof. One of the most interesting, if not classic problems is an unrated problem on the womb boulder known as A Birthing Experience. You really have to see it worked to understand.

Bishop has a number of antique and retail stores.

• Pegasus Gallery

  phone: +1 760 937-2060
  address: 275 S. Main St.
  Art, books and collectibles. Hand-made jewelry and funky hats and accessories, rare books and a new art show each month are the norm.

• Erick Schat’s Bakkerÿ

  address: 763 N. Main St.
  The bakery is an excellent place to pick up many baked goods such as breads, rolls, and pastries that are all baked fresh daily. They basically have more sugar and treats in this amazing store than is believable. There is also a sandwich bar, and if the baked goods seem too expensive, a half price rack day old rack is in the back of the shop.

• The Looney Bean

  phone: +1 760 873-3311
  address: 399 N. Main Street
  Great place for coffee and has free wireless internet (accessible from the side street outside for after hours).

• Black Sheep Espresso Bar

  address: 124 S. Main St.

• Starbucks

  phone: +1 760 872-6582
  address: 905 N. Main St.
  Wifi

• Mahogany Smoked Meats

  phone: +1 760 873-5311
  address: 2345 N. Sierra Hwy
  Offers exceptionally good bacon and other smoked meats alongside their deli fare.

• The Upper Crust Pizza Co

  phone: +1 760 872-8153
  address: 1180 N. Main Street, Suite 100
  Not affiliated with the Upper Crust chain; their pizza is incredibly good.

• Mountain Rambler Brewery

  phone: +1 760 938-2308
  address: 186 S Main St

• Best Western Bishop Holiday Spa Lodge

  phone: +1 760 873-3543
  address: 1025 N Main St

• Best Western Creekside Inn

  phone: +1 760 872-3044
  address: 725 N Main St

• Days Inn Bishop - W. Line Street

  phone: +1 760-872-1095
  address: 724 West Line St

• Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites

  phone: +1 760 872-2423
  address: 636 North Main St

• Joseph House Inn

  phone: +1 760 872-3389
  address: 376 Yaney St

• Motel 6

  phone: +1 760 873-8426
  address: 1005 N. Main St

• Vagabond Inn Bishop

  phone: +1 760-873-6351
  address: 1030 N. Main St
  Large pool, jacuzzi, barbeque areas, free Continental breakfast, free Wi-Fi, guest laundry.

• Mammoth Lakes and Mono Lake are to the the north along US Route 395.