[Michael.SF.]

I’m a firm believer that nature forms the true boundaries between areas. You are correct regarding Mono Lake, but both Inyo and Mono counties should be part of SoCal, as the Sierra Mountains are the natural boundaries. During the winter months there are times that you cannot get to Inyo an Mono from the north, but instead have to cross at Tehachapi. Granted those are rare occasions today. But almost nobody from Norcal skis at Mammoth. It is definitely a SoCal resort, as is June Lake.

And you are correct on the water. The movie Chinatown touches on this, with Mr. Mulray (John Huston) doing fictionalized version of Mr. Mulholland.

[Sivad]

I reside in the Northern Motherlode and there is no time
of year I can’t easily get to Mono Lake. But if
geography figures into the mix there then it should
figure in across the board when drawing North/South
boundary. My old Cal Poly pal lives in El Dorado Co
and was active in the State of Jefferson project.
I think he wanted to draw the state line at North
Sacramento.😅