Bishop
Around Bishop
Photo: Bishopvisitor · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · California · 18k people
Bishop
Locals say Owens Valley · “Mule Capital of the World”
Where the desert meets the Sierra
Rust orangeMidnight blueSage green
Welcome to Bishop, the heart of the Owens Valley. Whether you're here for the climbing, the fishing, or just the wide-open skies, you'll find a friendly town that loves the outdoors. Grab a coffee, hit the trail, and enjoy the quiet beauty.
Clubs for Bishop
No clubs for Bishop yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Bishop. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Bishop. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Eastern California Museum Local history and Paiute culture exhibits.
- Mill Pond Park A quiet park with a pond and playground.
- Bishop River Trail Paved path along the Owens River.
- Alabama Hills Iconic rock formations near Lone Pine, famous for movie shoots.
- Lone Pine Film History Museum Exhibits on movies filmed in the area.
- Mount Whitney Trailhead Starting point for the highest peak in the lower 48.
- Outdoors Hike the North Lake Trail
- Outdoors Fish the Owens River
- With kids Picnic at Mill Pond Park
- With kids Explore the Eastern California Museum
- Evenings Catch live music at the Owens River Pub
- Evenings Stargazing parties at the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest
- Locals love Mountain trailheads
- Locals love Basque restaurants
Through the year
- Bishop Mule Days May Mule shows, parade, and western heritage.
- Lone Pine Film Festival October Screenings and history of movies filmed in the Alabama Hills.
- Tri-County Fair August County fair with rides, exhibits, and local food.
- Death Valley Dark Sky Festival November Stargazing and astronomy programs in the park.
High desert climate with big temperature swings. Sunny most of the year, but winters can be chilly and summers hot. Best: Spring and fall are ideal, with mild temps and clear skies.
Talk like a local
- “The Valley”
- Short for the Owens Valley, the local area.
- “The Sierra”
- Refers to the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Getaways
- Visalia - Sequoia National Park Giant sequoias and mountain scenery.
- Fresno - City life and cultural events Museums, dining, and concerts.
- Hanford - Historic downtown Victorian architecture and antique shops.
- Merced - Gateway to Yosemite Closer to Yosemite's west entrance.
Local flavour
Rooting for Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Lakers, San Francisco 49ers, San Jose Sharks
Eat and drink
- Sheepherder bread A round, crusty loaf from Schat's Bakery, a local institution since 1938.
- Basque-style lamb Influenced by the Basque sheepherders who settled the area, often served with pimentos and chorizo.
- Owens River trout Fresh-caught rainbow or brown trout, often grilled or smoked.
Where people go
- Mountain trailheads Access points to the Sierra Nevada, including trails to Mount Whitney and the John Muir Trail.
- Basque restaurants Family-style eateries serving hearty meals, a legacy of the sheepherding era.
- Hot springs Natural geothermal pools scattered along the valley.
- Desert oases Palm-shaded springs and historic ranches in the arid landscape.
Heritage and traditions
Bishop is proud of its rugged high-desert setting at the foot of the Sierra Nevada, its deep ties to ranching and Basque heritage, and its role as the gateway to some of the West's most iconic landscapes.
This time of year in Bishop
- Fall foliage Fall Aspen trees turn gold in the mountains.
- Lone Pine Film Festival October Celebrates the area's movie history in October.
- Bishop Brewfest October Craft beer tasting with local breweries.
Say it like a local: “the mountains” — The Sierra Nevada
Festivals
- Bishop Paiute Powwow September Celebrates Native American heritage with dancing, drumming, and crafts.
- Millpond Music Festival July Outdoor concerts by local and regional acts at Millpond Park.
- Bishop Brewfest October Craft beer tasting with local breweries.
Landmarks with a story
- Laws Railroad Museum Preserved narrow-gauge railroad and pioneer town from the early 1900s.
- Owens Valley Paiute-Shoshone Cultural Center Museum and gallery showcasing Paiute and Shoshone history and art.
Food traditions
- Sheepherder bread A Basque tradition from sheepherders who baked bread in Dutch ovens over open fires.
- Basque-style lamb Slow-roasted lamb seasoned with garlic and herbs, a staple of Basque ranching families.
- Owens River trout Freshly caught rainbow and brown trout from the Owens River, often grilled over campfires.
- Pinyon nuts Harvested from pinyon pines in the fall, a traditional Paiute food and a local delicacy.
- Basque chorizo Spicy sausage made by Basque sheepherders, often served with beans.
Music and arts
- Paiute drumming and singing At powwows and cultural events.
- Western landscape painting Inspired by the Sierra Nevada and Alabama Hills.
- Film history The Alabama Hills have been a backdrop for hundreds of movies and TV shows.
- Bluegrass and country music At local venues and festivals.
A little history
- early 1900s Owens Valley water wars
- 1942-1945 Manzanar internment
- late 1800s Basque sheepherding
- thousands of years Paiute history
- 1800s Mining boom
Rivalries
- Bishop Broncos vs. Lone Pine Golden Eagles High school football rivalry.
- Game day Mule Days competitions and parade
- Game day High school football games on Friday nights
- Outdoors Soak in a natural hot spring
- Outdoors Stargaze under some of the darkest skies in California
- With kids Go to the Bishop Paiute Powwow
- With kids Visit the Laws Railroad Museum
Locals speak with a relaxed Western accent, often referring to the Sierra as 'the mountains' and the Owens Valley as 'the valley'. Some Spanish and Basque place names are common.
Only here
- The world's largest mule show (Bishop Mule Days)
- The oldest living trees on Earth (Bristlecone Pines)
- The Alabama Hills' unique rock formations
- The deepest valley in the US (Owens Valley)
New here? A few tips
- Drink plenty of water due to the dry climate and altitude (about 4,000 feet).
- Learn to pronounce 'Bishop' as 'Bish-up' (it's just the town name).
- Be prepared for cold winters and hot summers; pack layers.
- Get a map because cell service can be spotty in the mountains.
- Try the Basque food at local restaurants.
Make this page better
Know a place, a festival, a word locals use, or something here that's wrong? Suggest it; someone at Popchat checks every one.
Sign in and join a club here to suggest.
Nearby
Every areaMammoth LakesCaliforniaWhere the Sierra touches the sky, and the stars come down to play.HawthorneNevadaSmall towns, wide open skies.MariposaCaliforniaSmall-town heart at the edge of the wild.VisaliaCaliforniaRooted in the valley, reaching for the pines.FresnoCaliforniaSun-soaked fields and friendly facesHanfordCaliforniaGolden fields, warm hearts.MercedCaliforniaThe gateway to Yosemite, rooted in the valley.SonoraCaliforniaGold Country calm, where the Sierra meets the past.
Bishop, CA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.