A Smorgasbord of Love on Valentine’s Day in Bishop

Photo: Good Earth Yogurt & Wine Bar

Written by: @gigi.de.jong

Suggested itinerary for Valentine's Day in Bishop.

Valentine’s Day Itinerary

Valentine’s Day is a day to celebrate love. Especially the love shared with a cherished partner. It’s a day to set aside time to spend with your partner and indulge a little, or a lot, in things that make you both happy.

Bishop offers a unique experience for locals and visitors from near and far a chance to reconnect. It’s a wintertime playground for lovers of all ages and abilities to connect, not only with each other, but with nature. You may have time to plan a whole day’s worth of places to go, activities to do, food to eat, things to see, and objects to buy. But most of all, it’s a day to spend some time with each other.

Here’s a smorgasbord of Valentine’s treats that you can choose from. We’ve put together a full day itinerary for leisurely lovers and amorous adventurers of food, activity, relaxation, and gift giving. Do all, part, or mix-and-match from these suggestions to enjoy this special day with someone special.

Click the toggles above each image below for descriptions on what to do, where to eat and stay, and things that make Valentine’s Day special!

Begin this day of love with breakfast at the 19^th Hole Bar & Grill at the Bishop Country Club, which serves a full breakfast with options from healthy to hearty. Set among the lovely greens and fairways of this championship 18-hole golf course, just 2-miles south of Bishop, this quaint and comfortable restaurant has one of the most beautiful views of the snow-covered Sierra Nevada.

Know before you go. Check their website here for current hours of operation. 

Go for a stroll

Follow up this satisfying meal with an easy hand-in-hand walk along Bishop Creek Canal nearby. Head back toward town and turn right onto East Line St. and follow the road for ½ mile and park in the clearing by the bridge over the canal. Dress in layers as the day could be anything from cold to warm, with the possibility of a chilly breeze to ruffle your hair and put color in your cheeks. Walk as long and as far as you wish and turn back at any point to return to your vehicle. Breathe in the fresh air and lift your gaze to the mountains on either side of this beautiful, broad valley.

Give a gift

Back in town! Is it gift-giving time? We think so. Spoil your loved one with a gift that is uniquely Bishop from The Toggery on N Main St. in downtown Bishop. For 95 years this “old-style, old West, charm and function, clothing store” has served the Eastern Sierra offering a variety of western wear, accessories, and gifts. “Heck, we even have some of the classic Stetson and Resistol hats from the 1960s-1970s, for those who would appreciate some vintage headwear.”

Stroll on around downtown through the stores that offer a range of items from sporting goods at Eastside Sports and Sage to Summit, to home decor objects at Anne Marie’s Home Boutique, to super sewing and quilting supplies at Sierra Cottons and Wools, to books and locally crafted objects of art, such as painting, photography, jewelry, and ceramics created by local artists at The Project Room, Spellbinder Books, C5 Studios, and the Inyo Council for Arts Gallery.

Hungry again? Is this the moment for you and your significant other to take time out of your day to have a leisurely lunch together? Slide into a comfortable booth or a quiet table at Whiskey Creek Restaurant and settle in for a romantic lunch date. Have a glass of wine or light cocktail and ease into a one, two or three course meal. It’s Valentine’s Day. Indulge.

Know before you go. Check their hours of operation here and perhaps book a table in advance when it’s a busy time of year. 

Science has shown that a good meal of carbs and sugars will trigger the ‘sleep’ and ‘happy’ hormones in the body. Capitalize on this warm and fuzzy feeling by going for a lazy hot soak at Keough’s Hot Springs just 8 miles south of Bishop. Keep each other company in the soothing waters of the hot soaking pool, or swim and splash together in the bigger warm swimming pool.

Now, perhaps it’s time to stimulate relaxed muscles and revive the senses by taking a short walk up the hillside path behind the baths. It’s an easy rambling walk that will give you a lovely view of the Owens River and the White Mountains beyond.

Go climbing! At Sage to Summit the indoor climbing gym offers a great introduction to climbing, or a super session for honing your climbing skills. The store stocks top-of-the-line sporting goods and provides climbing shoe rentals for your indoor adventure.

As the sun sets on your delightful day raise a glass and toast to your love at Good Earth Yogurt, Pie, and Wine Bar on N Main St. in downtown Bishop. Start your evening with an aperitif that could be sweet or savory. Share a charcuterie plate of cheeses and meats with confits and crusty bread, or dip into a sweet yogurt bowl with berries and balsamic. There are all kinds of tempting treats to tantalize your tastebuds set in a beautiful, relaxing and inviting space.

Know before you go. Check their hours of operation here.

Continue the love feast at Molcajetes Fusion at 179 N Main St. in Cottonwood Plaza. This is surf and turf like you’ve never seen or tasted before. Inspired by Latin American flavors, this is the perfect union of seafood and steak. From the strongest flavors to the most delicate, this fusion of taste sensations is only matched by its exquisite presentation. It’s a feast for the eyes as much as it is for the belly. A long, luscious meal here may need a reservation, so if this on the Valentine’s card for you call to make a reservation in advance. 

Know before you go. Check their website here to call for hours and reservations. 

On a wintery night in the Eastern Sierra the snowy mountains, the Sierra Nevada, may be aglow under a bright moon and a canopy of stars. Take a slow drive up U.S. Highway 395 to Convict Lake Resort about 35-miles north of Bishop. Here you will find fine dining in one of the most spectacular settings ever. This is pure elegance at altitude in a real winter wonderland. Reserve your spot at Morrison’s, serving delectable dishes which can be paired with the perfect cocktail, beer, and/or wine from an extensive selection.

Know before you go. Check the Morrison’s website here and call to confirm hours of operation and book a table. Note that winter weather can affect travel.

Good Night!

After a long day of sharing and caring, it’s time for a luxurious night together.

Don’t drink and drive. Plan your romantic getaway from the suggestions above so you can walk to your room or cabin after dinner and drinks; and sink into a glorious slumber of satisfaction from a day filled with love.

If your Valentine’s Day ends in Bishop book your lovers’ night at the luxurious Creekside Inn. This newly refurbished hotel is sumptuous, yet rustic. The rooms are beautifully furnished with cozy beds and plush linens. It will be the cherry on the top of a sweet Valentine’s Day.

If you’ve chosen the adventurous dinner option book your Valentine’s night at Convict Lake Resort. Cozy mountain cabins are set among the firs and aspens of this glacial valley that formed Convict Lake, one of the deepest in the Sierra Nevada at 140-ft, below Mt. Morrison, one of the tallest in the area at 12,241-ft. The resort is rustic, charming, and splendidly well-appointed.

Click on the banners below to book online. 

Happy Valentine’s Day

Call (760) 873-8405 or come in to the Bishop Visitor Center, at 690 N. Main St., for more information about lovely things to do and sweet places to go on Valentine’s Day and any other day in Bishop.