Eastern Sierra Visitor Center — Attraction in Bishop

A perfect stopping point on a drive up 395 with great views of the Eastern Sierras and any information you might need on the area.

The shop there is not very touristy; by than I mean not much of the usual junk you might expect but it is loaded with a great collection of books on every aspect of the history, nature, geology etc of the extended area.

The staff is always pleasant, helpful and knowledgeable. I have been stopping here (and the smaller building before) for about 35 years. Long ago my work took me up 395 from Santa Clarita a few times a year and I always looked forward to stopping here on the way up and back home.

I went to Death Valley a few weeks ago and took a 30 minute detour to the north just to stop here and get a beautiful view of the Eastern Sierras loaded with record snow pack. I enjoyed the much larger and nicer building since my last visit. I had a very relaxing lunch outside while enjoying the beautiful weather, view and calm quiet...

We were traveling from up north near Donner Pass & admiring the snow capped Sierras. It was unfortunately, near closing time but we were able to spend about 40min inside. We wish there had been more time to take in all the information this superb Center has to show. The displays, books, photos, especially the diorama, brought back a strong reminder of the trail we took to the top of Whitney as a young Boy Scout Troop in 1971. I was 14. The National Park employees were understanding that I wished I had more time to "enjoy" the Center & helped me pick out some souvenirs to bring back for the family at home. We plan to make a return trip on 395 to our destination & I hope to be able glean some of the facts available. The Eastern Sierras is a gem many who visit California never see. There's so much history along this...

The quintessential place to visit before any attempt to summit Mt. Whitney, or just learn about the Sierra Nevada's and Mount Whitney. Also a great place to get information on National Forest camping opportunities in the Eastern Sierra Nevada - just bring your own maps to have the rangers help you out with as they always seem to be short on printed on material, that's not a complaint as it is environmentally friendly to not hand out paper products to everyone passing through. The visitor center has a nice little gift shop with some great reading material (books) on the local environment and history as well as a raised-relief map (terrain model) that gives context to the Sierra Nevada's.

This is the location to pick up your Mt. Whitney ascent permit, and for inspiration you can view Mt....