Scenic 395 - The Official Guide 2021/2022

31 2021-2022 Scenic 395 Bishop Located in the center of town less than 1 block from 7 motels . Reservations Accepted 635 N. Main Street, Bishop, CA www.yamatanibishop.com 760-872-4801 Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar Brown’s Town • 760-873-8522 Millpond Campground 760-873-5342 Owens River Campground 760-920-0975 Glacier View Campground 760-872-6911 In The Eastern High Sierras www.brownscampgrounds.com FREE CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST Refrigerators & Microwaves • DirecTV • Free Wifi Newly Remodled • All New Rooms 190 West Pine St. - Bishop, CA • 760-873-4215 Bishop ideal to visit year-round B ishop’s location has long provided an ideal spot to visit year round, making it suitable for swimming, fishing, hiking and camping. With a number of events dating back decades, the Eastern Sierra town draws tens of thousands every year, according to Bishop Cham- ber of Commerce CEO Tawni Thomson. Even during a pandemic, such as what hit California and the coun- try in 2020, there’s still plenty to do. “Social distancing isn’t a problem in the Bishop or Eastern Sierra area,” Thomson says. “People come here because they want to enjoy solitude or go down a long walk on a dirt road.” The closest place to having a crowd most years would be the Wanaaha Casino, formerly known as Paiute Palace. Thomson also notes Bishop has a lot to offer beyond its main street, which is part of U.S. Highway 395. “If what you’re seeing is only from Main Street, then you are literal- ly missing 95% of what Bishop is,” Thomson says. “We’re diverse in the way that people who live here and visit here,” she said. “Some people come here because they enjoy a specific sport or activity. Some people come because they like the slower, relaxed pace of life we have out here. Some people come for the sheer beauty of things and opportunities for landscape or wildlife photography.” Thomson said while Bishop is a small town, it fills a big role. “If you want to eat, we have Italian, Mexican, Thai, Japanese and Chinese places,” she said. “Our community and businesses are di- verse.” Some hidden gems are available. “A five minute drive from downtown is the Laws Railroad Museum and Historic Village. It’s great for families and you feel like you can step back in time a hundred years to see a operational mining depot.” Another gem, she said, is the Paiute Shoshone Cultural Center, which provides a story of the natives. “We have many interesting venues for those who are interested in early California history,” Thomson said. During the summer, Thomson said a 20 minute drive west on Highway 168 will take visitors to the Bishop Creek Canyon, South Lake and Lake Sabrina. “Those are absolute must sees,” Thomson says. “It might be a 100 degrees on the valley floor but take that 20 minute drive and it will 20 degrees cooler in the canyon.” The area, she said, provides ample opportunities for people who want to go camping, fishing or hiking. “Even picnicking or simple sight-seeing is great because it’s beauti- ful up there,” Thomspon said. Fishing itself provides a year-round opportunity, according to Thomson. “You can fish year-round for trout in the Bishop area,” she said. “A lot of people don’t know that. They might buy a year-round fishing li- Continued on Page 32 COURTESY PHOTO Cyclists enjoy a ride on Warm Springs Road.