Welcome to Rainbow Tarns Bed & Breakfast
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Over 70 Years of History!
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Situated between Bishop and Mammoth Lakes, on the eastern side of California's High Sierra Mountains, is the quiet and secluded wilderness estate of Rainbow Tarns. Located just one mile from the tiny community of Tom's Place, you enter into a wonderland with green meadows (complete with grazing sheep), rugged high desert hillsides and finally, enchanting meadow ponds (tarns) shaded by Aspens, Willows, Poplars and Pine trees. Feel free to visit the pages in this site, then indulge yourself by visiting us in person.
Over 70 Years of History...
Rainbow Tarns was originally built as a one-room log cabin in 1940. It was used for the next few years as a summer vacation retreat and fall hunting cabin. That original structure now serves as the great room in the bed and breakfast. Around 1947, Rainbow Tarns and its three spring fed ponds (the tarns) became a you-catch’em fishing facility and for the next twenty-five years it provided Sierra fishermen a place to wet their line and return home with a stringer full of fish. In 1972, after a major two-story addition was added, it became a private home for a family of four, providing the children of that family with a magical playground for adventure and exploration as they grew up. Then in 1988, a woman in her sixties bought the property and opened it to the public again as a bed and breakfast. One more major addition was made to the structure in 1990, bringing the facility to its present configuration. Brock and Diane purchased the property in 1997, fulfilling Brock’s dream of many years to be able to live in this idyllic setting, “A little piece of heaven.” Even though it was meant to be their home, they decided they wanted to keep it running as a bed and breakfast so they could share the peace and tranquility of this special place with others. In 2013, Rainbow Tarns Bed & Breakfast will be celebrating its 25th year of continuous operation. We hope you will be able to visit us in 2013 during our yearlong celebration and enjoy the beauty and serenity of Rainbow Tarns.
2013 Internet Specials
In these trying economic times we want to do our part to help in economic recovery. These packages will be in effect during all of 2013, excluding holidays*.
The Seasons
The seasons here are unlike other parts of California, as Rainbow Tarns enjoys 4 full seasons. This is due to its ideal elevation.
Winter
The Tarns may be frozen over on some days but when they are not you can still see fish breaking the surface as they rise to feed. All around us there is snow so you can cross country ski or snow shoe through the meadow or up the canyon where you will find good sleading areas too. Or you can head to Mammoth for the best down hill skiing and snow boarding in the West. If you want to escape the snow you can head down to Bishop where you can fly fish on the Lower Owens River, climb through the bluffs in search of indian petroglyphs or play golf at the Bishop Country Club. Read more about the Seasons
Mammoth Lakes Area
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| Weather data provided by the National Weather Service | ||||
| See the 7-Day Forecast Here |
Photo Galleries
Getting Married?
You won't find a more relaxed and natural environment to accommodate up to 175 guests, and you'll have the entire place to yourself with no events before or after yours.
What would you do at Rainbow Tarns?
What would you do at Rainbow Tarns?
Tell a Friend about Us!Your InnKeepers
Brock & Diane Thoman
Owners/ Innkeepers
Originally from La Canada in Southern California, Brock and Diane had never planned on being innkeepers. Having vacationed in the Eastern Sierras since their youth, their love of the area only grew as their 3 sons learned to enjoy the beauty and diversity of the region. More about your InnKeepers