Eastern California Museum is a humble museum in the Eastern Sierras but packs a big punch as far as entertaining everyone in the family. Rather than there just being one topic, such as you would find at the Manzanar Historic Site, there are several topics to please diverse interests. My husband loved the displays about the LA aquifer and how Los Angeles bought all the water rights in the area, depriving farmers of the water they needed to grow their crops. The engineering of the aquifer was an incredible feat too. I loved the Manzanar exhibit, with the origami cranes, Japanese slippers, and best of all, photos of the people who lived at Manzanar and carried out all the events of normal life such as high school graduation. My daughter loved the gift shop, where she found a fantastic scratch and sketch book that kept her busy for the long drive home. And my son enjoyed the exhibit about Norman Clyde who was the first to climb many of the mountain peaks in the Eastern Sierra and all over the West. We all enjoyed the gems, such as gold nuggets and a fire opal in a rock. And the old-fashioned medicine bottles were interesting. The Paiute Indian beadwork and baskets were gorgeous.

The museum is kind of dusty and simple, not curated with modern supplies. But it made all of us happy from our discoveries, and that's what matters!
Seven minutes north, check out the Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery, no longer working, but with a gorgeous German-style building, pond with ducks, and mountains views.
To check out a real fish hatchery and feed the fish, go to Fish Springs Hatchery, 23 minutes north.
15 minutes south, check out the western town of Lone Pine.
Another good stop 1 1/2 hours south of here is Indian Wells Brewing Company where you can try unusual flavors of soda and see quirky roadside attractions like a skeleton driving a truck.
30 minutes north and another 22 minutes west, go for a hike you will always remember at Big Pine Creek North Fork Trail, a gorgeous place under towering pines and soaring mountain views!

Directions

Eastern California Museum is located at 155 N Grant St, Independence, CA 93526. Parking is free.
Open daily 10-5.
Entry is free and a donation is appreciated. You could also buy something in the great gift shop to support the museum!

Click on map for interactive view