Mono City, CA

Tucked just north of Mono Lake against the rugged backdrop of the Sierra Nevada, Mono City is a quiet, close-knit residential community of a couple hundred people. Sitting right off Highway 395, it gives residents sweeping views of the Mono Basin, wide-open high desert skies, and quick access to the Eastern Sierra. You get a peaceful, tucked-away neighborhood feel while staying within an easy drive of Bridgeport to the north and Mammoth Lakes about a half-hour south.

Living here means embracing a slower pace and true mountain-desert solitude. Everyday essentials, local dining, and schools in the Eastern Sierra Unified district are just five minutes down the road in Lee Vining. With Mono Lake's famous tufa towers practically in your backyard and the eastern gateway to Yosemite just up the pass, outdoor recreation is right outside your door. It is an appealing spot for anyone seeking quiet desert living with front-row mountain scenery.