Lee Vining, CA

Perched along Highway 395 beside the ancient waters of Mono Lake, Lee Vining is a tiny Eastern Sierra town tucked right against the base of the mountains. Originally settled during the 1850s mining rush, it has grown into a close-knit community of a few hundred residents surrounded by massive open skies and rugged granite peaks. Living here offers an unhurried, small-town atmosphere with dramatic wilderness right outside your front door.

ATTRJoe Shlabotnik / CC BY 2.0

During the summer, Lee Vining comes alive as travelers pass through on their way to Yosemite National Park via Tioga Pass, or head out to explore nearby Bodie and June Lake. Once winter snows close the high mountain passes, the area settles into a quiet, peaceful rhythm. With local schools, a handful of neighborhood spots, and world-class hiking and skiing in the backyard, it is a great fit for anyone looking for true mountain solitude.