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

Understand

Climate

Bishop
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D       1.1     54 23       0.9     58 27       0.5     66 31       0.3     73 36       0.2     82 44       0.2     92 51       0.2     98 56       0.1     96 54       0.2     88 47       0.3     76 37       0.5     63 28       0.8     53 22 Average max. and min. temperatures in °F Precipitation+Snow totals in inches    Data from NOAA (1981-2010)
Metric conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D       28     12 −5       23     14 −3       13     19 −1       7.6     23 2       5.1     28 7       5.1     33 11       5.1     37 13       2.5     36 12       5.1     31 8       7.6     24 3       13     17 −2       20     12 −6 Average max. and min. temperatures in °C Precipitation+Snow totals in mm

Get in

By car

Highway 395 passes through Bishop as the main street.

By air

• 1 Eastern Sierra Regional Airport (BIH  ^IATA) (two miles east of town). General aviation only, no commercial flights 

See

• 1 Bishop Mural Society, 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. 

• 2 Laws Railroad Museum and Historic Site, 4.5 mi (7.2 km) north of Bishop, off U.S. Hwy 6, ☏ +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, fax: +1 760 872-2328. 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. 

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 Beekeepers 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

• 1 Mountain Light Studio, 106 South Main St. (at Line Street), ☏ +1 760 873-7700, fax: +1 760 873-3233, gallery@mountainlight.com. Su-Th 10AM-6PM, F Sa 10AM-8PM. Renowned mountain photographers, the late Galen and Barbara Rowell’s famous Mountain Light studio is located at the center of Bishop. Their stunningly beautiful photographs are one of the best introductions to the spectacular countryside to be seen beyond Bishop. 

• 2 Pegasus Gallery, 275 S. Main St. (at Lagoon St.), ☏ +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

• 1 Erick Schat’s Bakkerÿ, 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 (on Main Street). Great place for coffee and has free wireless internet (accessible from the side street outside for after hours). 

• 2 Black Sheep Espresso Bar, 124 S. Main St. (inside Spellbinder Books). 

• 3 Starbucks, 905 N. Main St. (at Sierra St.), ☏ +1 760 872-6582. Wifi 

• Mahogany Smoked Meats. On the north side of town offers exceptionally good bacon and other smoked meats. 
• 4 The Upper Crust Pizza Co, 1180 N. Main Street, Suite 100, ☏ +1 760 872-8153. 11AM-Closing. Not affiliated with the Upper Crust chain; their pizza is incredibly good. 

Drink

• 1 Rossi's, 102 N. Main St, ☏ +1 760 938-2308. 

Sleep

• 1 Best Western Bishop Holiday Spa Lodge, 1025 N Main St, ☏ +1 760 873-3543, toll-free: +1 800 576-3543, fax: +1 760 872-4777. 
• 2 Best Western Creekside Inn, 725 N Main St, ☏ +1 760 872-3044, toll-free: +1 800 273-3550, fax: +1 760 872-1300. 
• 3 Days Inn Bishop - W. Line Street, 724 West Line St, ☏ +1 760-872-1095. 
• 4 Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, 636 North Main St, ☏ +1 760 872-2423. 
• 5 Joseph House Inn, 376 Yaney St, ☏ +1 760 872-3389, myriam@josephhouseinn.com. 
• 6 Motel 6, 1005 N. Main St, ☏ +1 760 873-8426, fax: +1 760 873-8060. 
• 7 Vagabond Inn Bishop, 1030 N. Main St, ☏ +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

Routes through Bishop

END ←	W  E	→ Tonopah → Ely
Reno ← Mammoth Lakes ←	N  S	→ Big Pine → Hesperia