Olancha (Timbisha: Pakwa' si) is a census designated place in Inyo County of the U.S. state of California.

[2] Olancha is located on U.S. Route 395 in California, 37 miles (60 km) south-southeast of Independence.

[6][7][failed verification] Olancha is an unincorporated community located in the Owens Valley on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada mountain range at the elevation of 3,650 feet (1,110 m), in Inyo County, California.

It is on US Highway 395 near the junction of State Route 190, approximately 200 miles (320 km) due north of Los Angeles.

To the east of town lie some sand dunes, as well as a hot spring known as "Dirty Socks".

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 7.9 square miles (20 km2), over 99% of it land.

[8] Olancha was established by Minnard Farley, who came to the area in 1860 and discovered silver ore in the nearby Coso Range.

The remains of a stone wall from this mill still exists and has been designated as a California Historical Site (marker #796).

Lake was shortly put into custody in Independence after complaints from Olancha inhabitants for swimming nude.

The California Historical Landmark reads: The 2010 United States Census[11] reported that Olancha had a population of 192.

[14] Federally, Olancha is in California's 3rd congressional district, represented by Republican Kevin Kiley.