The Mountains called and we listened! We went up to Bishop over the weekend and LOVED every single second of it. The Drive is about 4 hours give or take depending on traffic. Bishop is world famous for its scenery, hiking, fishing, climbing, hunting, bakeries, and for its mules resting upon magnificent beauties such as the Sierra Nevada mountains and Mammoth Lakes
Bishop known for the small town feel and big backyard could not be accurate.
We stayed at the Eastside Guesthouse and Bivy.
This charming lodge is located on the Main Street in Bishop. Centrally, located to delicious eateries and staples in town all within walking distance. The backdrop to the Eastside Guesthouse are these towering Mountains dusted in snow. The picturesque setting immediately welcomes you and inspires the mood of relaxation.
Here is what we loved about Eastside Guesthouse:
No TV in the Rooms.
That is right you read that right, NO TV.
You do have wifi access but the fact that you can unplug and opt to retrieve into Nature.
That is exactly what we did.
We played outdoors and absolutely loved it. The Eastside Guesthouse offers Complimentary Bikes for their guests.
Location, location, location!
The accommodation provides a shared lounge and a garden with a Mountain View.
If you are looking for a unique experience with like minded outdoor enthusiasts this spot is for you.
Providing a space for Climbers, Hikers and Snow lovers a relaxing environment to refuel after your day of exploring and playing outdoors. The lounge area offers plenty of seating with a cozy fireplace to read books and play board games for you to enjoy. There are books and games available for guests. If you need to bring in your food and prefer to meal prep before and after your adventures what is available for you is everything you need as if you were in your own Kitchen and Refrigerator to place your food and drinks. Exchange stories and bond with fellow travelers in a comfortable setting. The relaxing ambiance is tranquil. Enjoy the sunset and the view of the Sierras as you BBQ and sit outside in the patio area. If you prefer not to bring in any food and want to explore the delicious eateries. You will have plenty to pick from within walking distance.
For us specific to being out all day, every day hiking, and fishing we did a combination of meal prep and enjoyed local food. We could not get enough of Erick Schat’s infinite selection of breads and treats made on the premises. This kid approved stop was one for the win.
The Room and Crew:
On trend with a minimalism vibe. The Room is clean, plenty of lighting which makes it pratical for night time reading. Making it fun for kids are the Bunk beds. Adding a twist to a traditional over night stay.
The staff is attentive and knowledgeable about the neighborhood and area.
They make you feel right at home and as soon as you walk after check in , they direct you to the locally roasted coffee to enjoy. It is delicious. The nights and early mornings were a bit chilly so this coffee hit the spot. This was the first time visiting Bishop so we were informed and quickly brought up to speed on the local favorites and popular stops to visit. Having first hand information from an insider was fantastic! We made our list and all weekend long had full itineraries in place.
We made a visit to the Visitors Center before our Check in since we arrived about 45 min early and have to tell you that you can not go wrong with this visit to Bishop. It reminded me of a delightful weekend in the South with the small town charm and how friendly everyone is. How can you be a short distance from L.A. and Orange County?
Here is what you can find in Bishop, CA
Boulder climbing
At the Happy Boulders The Volcanic Tableland offers exceptional bouldering opportunities.
the volcanic rock in this area created channels, cracks and underhangs that draws climbers from all over the world to experience the Bishop Tuff for themselves. If you are not a climber but still want to enjoy the trails and amazement of these formations. This is a place for you to roam.
Please note, many of the spots and landmarks we found are on dirt roads.
Fishing:
Owens River is a beautiful river that you can drive to and park along the side of the road.
It is free to fish. You can walk and discover your perfect spot and spend hours on end enjoying the sounds of nature and watching cows walk by as you sit and wait for your catch of the day.
Trail Hiking:
Cardinal Mine Historical Trail
Perfect for The family and History Buffs
The principal gold mine location is a hit! It is about a mile with a short uphill stretch that leads you to the famous gold mine. The dilapidated mine head frame serves as a primary relic of the frontier industry.
So much to see and do in this unique part of California. We were captivated by the Geographical History. A short drive up towards Mammoth, you will discover Convict Lake another fantastic hike around a stunning lake. We were able to get to the Panum Crater, the northernmost and youngest of the chain. It is a classic example of the rhyolitic eruptions that occur in this area. The top of the ring is circumnavigable by way of the Rim Trail, a longer trail in soft sand. There is also a shorter trail that climbs to the top of the plug dome which offers spectacular vistas of the Sierra Nevada and the entire Mono Basin. There is little shade, so be sure to bring water and sunscreen. During the summer, there are naturalist guided tours that last about an hour and a half. Check the schedule for details. Panum is reached via a short dirt road, off Highway 120 east about three miles east of Highway 395.
The adventure awaits you!
Call them weird, call them bizarre, call them what you will, but the unusual rock formations that grace Mono Lake’s shores are known to geologists as tufa (too’-fah). Tufa forms in a variety of ways at Mono Lake, but the most visible and remarkable formations are the towers that grace Mono’s shoreline. The greatest concentration of these towers is located at the South Tufa grove just off of Hwy 120 East, at the south end of Mono Lake. Many first-time visitors to Mono Lake, unfamiliar with the geologic term “tufa” have been known to ask directions to the “tofu.” The most unusual feature of Mono Lake are its dramatic tufa towers emerging from the surface. These rock towers form when underwater springs rich in calcium mix with the waters of the lake, which are rich in carbonates. The resulting reaction forms limestone. Over time the buildup of limestone formed towers, and when the water level of the lake dropped the towers became exposed.
Biking Adrenaline in Mammoth
MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN BIKE PARK : Boasting 3,500 acres and over 80 miles of single track, Mammoth Bike Park has terrain for every ability level. Perfect for beginners who just want to lap the Discovery Zone, or those who prefer to pedal themselves up the mountain, like cross-country or e-bike riders. Upgrade your ticket to include lunch at The Outpost.
We will be back again!
Make sure you make your way up to Bishop and book your stay at the Eastside Guesthouse and Bivy https://eastsideguesthouse.com/
The details:
General
- Free parking
Activities
- Golf course (within 3 km)
- Fishing
- Skiing
- Hiking
- Cycling
- Bowling
Food & Drink
- Tea/Coffee Maker
- Refrigerator
- Microwave
- Dishwasher
- Kitchen
- Dining area
- Kitchenware
- Stovetop
- Toaster
- Barbecue
- Coffee machine
Bathroom
- Shower
- Free toiletries
- Toilet
- Private bathroom
Room facilities
- Air conditioning
- Seating Area
- Washing Machine
- Extra Long Beds (> 2 metres)
- Heating
- Private entrance
- Soundproofing
- Hardwood or parquet floors
Outdoor view
- Patio
- View
- Mountain view
General
- Towels
- Linen
- Dining table
- Outdoor furniture
- Outdoor dining area
- Entire unit located on ground floor
- Toilet paper
- Board games/puzzles
- Walk-in shower
- Trash cans
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Body soap
- Socket near the bed
- Lockers
- Smoke alarm
- Fire extinguisher
- cribs
To get more information on Bishop head on over to the https://www.bishopvisitor.com/ to get the rundown of events and information.