Comfortable and casual coffee spot. Sit and relax on the porch and look out over the lake. Free wi fi too.
This is an excellent museum on the Japanese internment camp located here during WWII. The displays and movie inside are informative and give a vivid picture of life here for the American families who were taken from their homes and brought here to live and be monitored. They are adding more recreated out buildings for the driving tour. The staff is informative and was especially helpful to a friend whose mother lived there with her family as a small child.
This is an interesting and, (if not in the middle of a hot day), easy walk. The basalt formations here were carved by water flowing over an immense lava flow eons ago. It is just part of the volcanic activity visible in the Owens River Valley.
This is an essential stop for anyone visiting the area. There are displays, free guides, and a book store with all of the local information you need. The rangers are on hand to answer questions about the local area, Mount Whitney, and even Death Valley (the highest and the lowest!). The weather and current conditions of roads and trails is available. They also have nice rest rooms and you get your first full view of Mount Whitney here.
http://www.victorvilleca.gov/site/citydepartments.aspx?id=132
The Mono Lake Committee Bookstore has an excellent selection of books on the region and locally made arts and crafts. But the best reason to stop is that they also have computers and internet for visitors and they have great tips on where to stay and what to do, both for the immediate area, Bodie, and for nearbyYosemite.
Great place to stop for a picnic or just to stretch your legs. Plenty of large shady trees, grass, and a lovely creek. Schat's bakery is just across the street!