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Lee Vining is in California's Eastern Sierra wedged between Mono Lake and the Sierra Nevada mountains.

Understand

Climate

Lee Vining
Climate chart (explanation)
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
 
2.3
 
 
40
20
 
 
 
2.8
 
 
43
22
 
 
 
1.9
 
 
51
27
 
 
 
0.6
 
 
58
32
 
 
 
0.6
 
 
67
40
 
 
 
0.3
 
 
76
47
 
 
 
0.4
 
 
84
53
 
 
 
0.5
 
 
83
52
 
 
 
0.3
 
 
75
45
 
 
 
1
 
 
65
36
 
 
 
2.1
 
 
53
28
 
 
 
2.7
 
 
42
21
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation+Snow totals in inches
See Lee Vining's 7 day forecast    Data from NOAA (1981-2010)
Metric conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
 
58
 
 
4
−7
 
 
 
71
 
 
6
−6
 
 
 
48
 
 
11
−3
 
 
 
15
 
 
14
0
 
 
 
15
 
 
19
4
 
 
 
7.6
 
 
24
8
 
 
 
10
 
 
29
12
 
 
 
13
 
 
28
11
 
 
 
7.6
 
 
24
7
 
 
 
25
 
 
18
2
 
 
 
53
 
 
12
−2
 
 
 
69
 
 
6
−6
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation+Snow totals in mm

Get in

  • Yosemite Area Regional Transit System (YARTS). Shuttle operates weekends-only in June and September, daily in July and August. The YARTS shuttle travels on Highway 395 and 120 from Mammoth Lakes to Tuolumne Meadows and Yosemite Valley, with stops in Lee Vining at the Mono Basin Visitor Center, the Lake View Lodge, and the Tioga Mobile Gas Mart. Ticket prices include park entry, and can be purchased in advance at the Cedar Lodge in town or from the shuttle driver.

Get around

Map
Map of Lee Vining

See

Mono Lake, with its strange and wonderful tufa formations, as well as millions (no exaggeration) of migratory gulls.

Do

Buy

Eat

  • 1 Mono Cone, 51508 US-395, +1 760 647-6606. With the appearance of a traditional American hamburger stand serving burgers, fries, and soft-serve ice cream, they do serve all that. Plus they serve more adventurous versions with vegetarian options, crab cakes, a gazillion types of ice cream, and more. Closed during winter.
  • 2 Whoa Nellie Deli, 22 Vista Rd (just off SR120 about a quarter mile west (uphill) of US395, part of the Mobil Gas station), +1 760 647-1088. Open from the end of April through November 1. One of the most unexpected places in Lee Vining is this gourmet restaurant, the Whoa Nellie Deli, in this small town gas station, with a menu including lobster taquitos and jambalaya. Do not fail to eat here at least once; it's good enough to have attracted reviews in Sunset and Gourmet magazines. On a weeknight expect to see as many as 30 other diners enjoying the views overlooking the lake. Due to the somewhat limited off-season options this stop may be the best bet in the area.
  • 3 Nicely's (Highway 395 at Fourth Street), +1 760 647-6477. A modest, friendly diner, with large breakfasts and a cocktail lounge. The only restaurant open in town during the Winter (when it's open Thursday-Monday).

Drink

Sleep

Campgrounds can be found outside of town in the Mono Lake area.

Go next

  • Yosemite - the famous granite domes of the iconic national park are located to the west on Highway 120.
  • Bodie - historic ghost town with over one hundred buildings, now preserved in "arrested decay" by the California park system.
  • Mammoth Lakes
Routes through Lee Vining
RenoBridgeport  N  S  Mammoth LakesBishop
MantecaYosemite N.P.  W  E  BentonEnds at N S


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