Bridgeport became the county seat of Mono County in September of 1836, when it was discovered that the current county seat, Aurora, was actually in Nevada. The Victorian style county courthouse was built in 1881, reminiscent of the town's original New England flavor. The town's population is about 500.

U. S. Highway 395, which follows the eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada, passes through Bridgeport. California Highway 182 leaves northward and crosses into Nevada.
Bridgeport is situated at 6468 feet above sea level in Bridgeport Valley. The peaks and eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada rise along the western side of the valley, and the deserts of Nevada stretch to the east. The Bridgeport Indian Reservation is comprised of northern Paiute people.

The peaks of the Sierras are forested and snow-capped well into summer. Several roads lead into the mountains for recreation such as camping, hiking, boating and fishing.