Mono Lake, located in Lee Vining, is the largest natural lake completely inside California. The water is 2 1/2 times saltier and 80 times as alkaline as ocean water.

It is best known for its eerie Tufa towers. These calcium carbonate towers form at the bottom of the lake when calcium bearing spring water hits the alkaline lake water that is rich in carbonates. They were first exposed when the lake levels dropped dramatically after tributary rivers were diverted to provide water for Los Angeles. The lake lost half its volume over 40 years before an agreement was reached to save it.