MOST THINGS IN CALIFORNIA, at least according to common wisdom, are racing in the direction of the future, and at quite the impressive clip. Freeways, skyscrapers, technology, thinking homes, and the ultra-sleek cars we drive all have a patina of tomorrow-tude, a move-quickly vibe the Golden State has long possessed. But there's a different sort of patina to admire in a certain remote corner of Mono County, and it involves a town that looks the same as it did back in the 1870s, give or take: It's Bodie State Historic Park, a storied spot that has remained amazingly unchanged over the decades. Wait, scratch that: We mean the centuries. The mining burg is now a popular educational attraction, one that draws visitors eager to learn about this period in our state's history, but there's a special date that shimmers each summer: Friends of Bodie Day, when people dress in period style and come together to celebrate the special, sepia-toned town.
AUGUST 8... is when you'll want to be there, starting at 11 in the morning (though do feel free to arrive when you can; Bodie is, as mentioned, a lengthy stretch from most places). Several happenings are on the roster, with tours always a major draw; pursuits for the kid contingent, an array of vendors, and other sights/sounds that lend a throwback feeling to the experience will enhance the atmosphere. While you'll still need to pay a day-use fee when entering the gate for the state historic park, joining the festival fun is free. And, nope, you don't need to dress for the occasion, though several people will be out in weathered chaps and well-worn boots. If you can't clip-clop by the Aug. 8 party, there are three more Bodie Ghost Walks still to go in 2026, with one materializing in late August and two otherworldly evenings on the September schedule.
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