Bishop - city in Inyo County, California, United States

Bishop is the largest city in the Eastern Sierra region of California, offering the largest selection of accommodation and services.

Understand

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

Get in

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 Airport (IATA: BIH), 37.371088°, -118.366113°. General aviation only, no commercial flights Alaska Airlines and United Airlines offer service to Mammoth Yosemite Airport (IATA: MMH) - a 30-minute drive from Bishop.

Get around

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. 

See

• Bishop Mural Society, 1180 N. Main St, 37.373481°, -118.394551°. 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, 4.5 mi (7.2 km) north of Bishop, off U.S. Hwy 6, 37.401°, -118.346°, +1 760 873-5950, lawsmuseum@aol.com. 10AM-4PM. 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. Donation

Do

• Bishop Mule Days Celebration, +1 760 872-4263. Memorial Day Weekend. 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.

• Wanaaha Casino (formerly Paiute Palace), 2742 N Sierra Hwy, +1 760 873-4150. 24 hrs. Table games 10AM-2AM, daily. 2021-12-08

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.

Buy

Bishop has a number of antique and retail stores.

• Pegasus Gallery, 275 S. Main St. (at Lagoon St.), 37.360050°, -118.395418°, +1 760 937-2060, bkebkb@hotmail.com. W-Su 1PM-5:30PM. Art, books and collectibles. Hand-made jewelry and funky hats and accessories, rare books and a new art show each month are the norm.

Eat

• Erick Schat’s Bakkerÿ, 763 N. Main St, 37.367854°, -118.395539°. 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, 399 N. Main Street, 37.363741°, -118.395544°, +1 760 873-3311. Great place for coffee and has free wireless internet (accessible from the side street outside for after hours).
• Black Sheep Espresso Bar, 124 S. Main St. (inside Spellbinder Books), 37.361127°, -118.395083°.
• Starbucks, 905 N. Main St. (at Sierra St.), 37.3667491754675°, -118.395373337215°, +1 760 872-6582. Wifi
• Mahogany Smoked Meats, 2345 N. Sierra Hwy, 37.376079°, -118.417704°, +1 760 873-5311. 7AM-6PM. Offers exceptionally good bacon and other smoked meats alongside their deli fare.
• The Upper Crust Pizza Co, 1180 N. Main Street, Suite 100, 37.373302°, -118.395058°, +1 760 872-8153. 11AM-closing. Not affiliated with the Upper Crust chain; their pizza is incredibly good.

Drink

• Mountain Rambler Brewery, 186 S Main St, 37.360661°, -118.394537°, +1 760 938-2308. 2017-12-11
• Owens Valley Distilling Co, 237 E South St, Unit E, +1 442-228-5041, ovdcompany@gmail.com. Sells bottles of vodka, gin, rum, and cocktails. Also patio and inside seating for cocktails, mocktails and a short food menu with Chicago style hot dogs, Italian beef, and bar snacks. 2021-12-08

Sleep

• Best Western Bishop Holiday Spa Lodge, 1025 N Main St, 37.371798°, -118.395498°, +1 760 873-3543.
• Best Western Creekside Inn, 725 N Main St, 37.366840°, -118.395790°, +1 760 872-3044.
• Days Inn Bishop - W. Line Street, 724 West Line St, 37.361217°, -118.402252°, +1 760-872-1095. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. 2016-08-01
• Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, 636 North Main St, 37.366393°, -118.395181°, +1 760 872-2423.
• Joseph House Inn, 376 Yaney St, 37.369178°, -118.398174°, +1 760 872-3389, myriam@josephhouseinn.com.
• Motel 6, 1005 N. Main St, 37.371572°, -118.395525°, +1 760 873-8426.
• Vagabond Inn Bishop, 1030 N. Main St, 37.371877°, -118.394972°, +1 760-873-6351. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Large pool, jacuzzi, barbeque areas, free Continental breakfast, free Wi-Fi, guest laundry.

Go next

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