Overview
Lee Vining is in California's Eastern Sierra wedged between Mono Lake and the Sierra Nevada mountains.
1 sights · 3 places to eat · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Lee Vining
Mono Basin National Forest Scenic Area Visitor Center
Provides regional information to travelers. Features wildlife and geology exhibits, and docent-guided tours. Visitors can also obtain permits for recreational activities.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 84°F; winter lows dip to about 21°F. Wettest: Jan and Feb.
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- MMH Mammoth Yosemite Airport, Mammoth Lakes — 28 mi away. Directions
- BIH Eastern Sierra Regional Airport, Bishop — 58 mi away. Directions
- FAT Fresno Yosemite International Airport, Fresno — 88 mi away (major hub). Directions
Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $58–$58 a night (typical $96), from 2 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$100, mid-range ~$170, comfortable ~$220.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Climate
Get in
Place Yosemite Area Regional Transit System (YARTS)
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.
See
Mono Lake, with its strange and wonderful tufa formations, as well as millions (no exaggeration) of migratory gulls.
Eat
Eat Mono Cone
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.
Eat Whoa Nellie Deli
Open from the end of April through November 1. The finest cuisine at a gas station in America (that's right, "cuisine"). Chef (right again, "Chef") Matt Toomey prepares such unexpected entrees as Lobster Taquitos, Ragin' Cajun Chicken Jambalaya, Buffalo Meatloat, Salmon Salad and other tantalizing treats. 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.
Eat Nicely's
A modest, friendly diner, with large breakfasts and a cocktail lounge. The only restaurant open in town during the winter.
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
Nearby
Mono Lake
Park · 6 listings · 7 mi away
Bridgeport
City / town · 6 listings · 21 mi away
Mammoth Lakes
City / town · 32 listings · 23 mi away
Devils Postpile National Monument
Park · 5 listings · 24 mi away
Yosemite National Park
Park · 114 listings · 28 mi away
Yosemite West
Park · 6 listings · 39 mi away
Rock Creek Lake
Park · 1 listings · 41 mi away
El Portal
City / town · 3 listings · 41 mi away
My experience
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