Oh, I like that. What is funny is that if you jump
over to the east side of the state, Mono Lake is
claimed by SoCal even tho it is due east of the Bay
Area. I think that old idea is about water supply.š
Iām 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.