Location: Independence
Top Things to do in Independence
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What to do and see in Independence, California (CA): The Best Things to do
Independence is a census-designated place in Inyo County, California. Independence is located 41 miles (66 km) south-southeast of Bishop, at an elevation of 3930 feet (1198 m). It is the county seat of Inyo County, California. The population of this census-designated place was 669 at the 2010 census, up from 574 at the 2000 census.
1. Manzanar National Historic Site
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 499 reviews
Manzanar NHS tells the stories of 120,000 Japanese Americans excluded from the West Coast and confined during WWII. Manzanar was the first of ten camps and held 11,070 people, 2/3 of them American citizens. Today, visitors explore the site by walking or driving to see foundations, trees, rock gardens, and stone alignments. Extensive exhibits feature historic photos, film footage and audio programs, a scale model, a children’s exhibit, and special programs. Open daily. Free admission.
Reviewed By PDXtraveller707
This place was very moving, including an easily accessible indoor museum and a driving tour around the perimeter of the camp... the guard tower along the road and stone gates, as well as the absolute desolation of the place were striking... the stories and incredible photographs of the individual people and families are so moving, heartbreaking and yet, how people survived and even built a community within this place is awe-inspiring... well well well worth any time you can stop. We got there right before the museum closed and were still able to do the driving tour... it was amazing... I’m so glad it is preserved for us all to remember what Japanese Americans went through. An awesome stop.
2. Eastern California Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 63 reviews
The mission of the Museum is to collect, preserve, and interpret objects and information related to the cultural and natural history of Inyo County and the Eastern Sierra, from Death Valley to Mono Lake. The museum's permanent exhibitions include Native American basketry and crafts, Norman Clyde, Water Wars, Manzanar, Mary Austin, farming, ranching, pioneer families, geology, and a rotating special exhibit each year. The Museum also houses about 27,000 historic photographs of the Eastern Sierra region.We also have a museum giftshop.
Reviewed By foodiefool_10 - Carson City, United States
This is a smaller museum that successfully covers some very important historical topics. It covers E Sierra history like you'd think. It also has an extensive Native American basket collection that is used by experts to compare specimens - the beauty of some of these baskets is breathtaking. This museum can give you an overview of the early 20th century water grab that Los Angeles inflicted on the Owens Valley and dried the huge lake just outside Lone Pine. You can also get an overview of Manzanar, a WWII Japanese interment camp just south of Independence. It is a close-up and touchingly presented topic - not to be missed. What makes this more special is that the museum will give you the only information you'll get on the subject as the Park Service is too afraid to man their museum at Manzanar.
3. Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 49 reviews
Reviewed By HangtownCindy - Independence, United States
Putting forth my usual disclaimer I am in the hospitality industry and I'm currently helping to restore a historic Hotel in Independence California and then the general manager of that hotel so I may be biased towards the area but I don't think so. Those in the know keep highway 395 and the Owens Valley to themselves because there is so much to do and see here and it remains an undiscovered wonderful Paradise. This place is one of the hidden gems just a short distance off of 395 just north of Independence. If you're traveling in this quarter in the summer you have found your ideal picnic spot they're wonderful shade trees soft green grass and ponds filled with trout and ducks to entertain you will you experience a cool breeze and look down on 395. This wonderful hatchery is ran by volunteers and is worth a stop to learn how trout used to and still do make their way into the high Lakes of the Sierra Nevada. The volunteers are knowledgeable I'm passionate about this historic landmark and there's even a fun thrift shop to explore where the proceeds go to help fund their programs. Even if you're just passing through the area take the time to turn off and spend a little bit of time exploring this historical landmark if you're an architectural buff there's even more fun in store for you.
