Things to do in Mojave Desert
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Hole-in-the-Wall
On Black Canyon Rd, east of Kelso-Cima Rd, is the heart of the preserve - the Hole-in-the-Wall formation. These vertical walls of tuff (pronounced 'toof'), which look something like cliffs made of unpolished marble, are thought to be from a powerful volcanic eruption that blasted rocks across the landscape some 18.5 million years ago. Explore the nature trails, then ask the rangers if Wild Horse Canyon Road, a gorgeous 9.5-mile drive up to Mid Hills, is currently passable. If you have two cars, an 8-mile hiking trail starts at Mid Hills and heads back downhill to Hole-in-the-Wall.
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Cima Dome
Visible to the south from I-15, Cima Dome is a 1500ft hunk of granite spiked with volcanic cinder cones and crusty outcroppings of basalt left by lava that flowed from over seven million years to around 10,000 years ago. At one point the number of cones is so great that they are protected as the Cinder Cones National Natural Landmark. On Kelbaker Rd, you can see this anciently charred landscape up close, or take the 4-mile round-trip hike up Teutonia Peak (5755ft), which starts off Cima Rd, 6 miles north of Cima. It wanders through the world's largest Joshua Tree forest.
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Edwards Air Force Base
Southeast of Mojave, Edwards Air Force Base is a flight test facility for the US Air Force, NASA and civilian aircraft, and a training school for test pilots with the 'right stuff.' It was here that Chuck Yeager flew the world's first supersonic flight; the first space shuttles glided in after their missions; and in 2004, SpaceShipOne became the first civilian aircraft to reach suborbital altitudes - twice. At press time, the base was open to visitors on a limited basis.
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Mitchell Caverns
In the E of the preserve, the Providence Mountains create an impressive wall of rocky peaks. In the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, Mitchell Caverns are known for their driplike formations called speleothems. Tours often sell out early. Call for current schedules and make reservations at least two weeks in advance. Short nature hikes start nearby. The caverns are 6 miles west of Essex Rd, off I-40.
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Pioneer Saloon
About 10 miles north of the California border on I-15 is the enclave of Jean. Turn off at Nevada Landing, a steamboat-style casino hotel, for the 7-mile trip west on NV 161 to Goodsprings, where this little roadside shack dates from 1913 (which makes it southern Nevada's oldest bar). Riddled with bullet holes, the saloon still boasts a vintage cherrywood bar and movie-star memorabilia.
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Casa Del Desierto
Murals optimistically adorn boarded-up buildings in downtown Barstow. North of Main St over the railroad tracks is historic Casa Del Desierto, a 1911 Harvey House designed by famed Southwestern architect Mary Jane Coulter. Inside is the artistic Route 66 'The Mother Road' Museum and the Western America Railroad Museum, which displays memorabilia and a growing stock collection.
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Kelso Dunes
Three miles W of Kelbaker Road, the weathered Kelso Dunes rise up to 600ft above the Devil's Playground. Like Death Valley's Eureka Dunes, these 'booming' dunes can produce a musical sound when sand slips down their faces - try running down 'em to jumpstart the effect. The dunes are a 3-mile round-trip hike from the parking area.
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Afton Canyon
Coming from Barstow, take the Afton Rd exit off I-15 and drive a graded gravel road for 3 miles to Afton Canyon, the terminus of the Mojave Rd. Afton Canyon is designated as an Area of Critical Environmental Concern to protect plant and wildlife habitat, and to preserve scenic values of the riparian area within the canyon.
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Desert Studies Center
Take the Zzyzx Rd exit, 6 miles west of Baker, and follow a washboard gravel road 4 miles down to dry Soda Lake. On the site of a mid-20th-century mineral-springs resort run by Doc Springer, aka the 'King of Quacks,' California State University's solar-powered Desert Studies Center offers all-inclusive weekend courses.
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Santa Anita Race Track
The Marx Brothers' A Day at the Races was filmed at Santa Anita Race Track , the home of the legendary Seabiscuit. Thoroughbreds race here from 26 Dec through late April and again in the fall. During race season, tram tours take you to the jockeys' room and training areas. Reservations are required for tours.
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Antelope Valley Indian Museum
About 17 miles east of Lancaster, the Antelope Valley Indian Museum, between 150th & 170th Sts, has Native American artifacts from California and across the SW. From Hwy 14, go east on Ave K and follow the signs to a Swiss-style chalet up among the boulders on the N side of the road.
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Mad Greek
Near the world's largest thermometer in Baker, these gyros, Greek salads, strawberry shakes and desserts galore are easily the best food along I-15 for over 100 miles. It's worth stopping in even if you're just barreling through from LA to Vegas.
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Peggy Sue's Nifty Fifties Diner
A 15-minute drive north of Barstow, off I-15 exit at Ghost Town Rd, Peggy Sue's has thick milkshakes, chicken-fried steaks, a pizza parlor, a nostalgic candy store and a video arcade full of teens from the nearby military base. It's rowdy.
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Magic Lamp Inn
California's first winery was founded in Rancho Cucamonga. On the western outskirts of town are two retro steakhouses, the rustic Sycamore Inn and the Magic Lamp Inn , with a fabulous neon sign and dancing most evenings.
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Sycamore Inn
California's first winery was founded in Rancho Cucamonga. On the western outskirts of town are two retro steakhouses, the rustic Sycamore Inn and the Magic Lamp Inn, with a fabulous neon sign and dancing most evenings.
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Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve
The Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve outlines 7 miles of easy walks among the wildflowers, starting from the interpretive center. To get here, exit Hwy 14 in Lancaster at Avenue I, then drive 15 miles west.
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Di Napoli's Firehouse
A charmingly old-school Italian joint in a strip mall, the friendly family's servers dish up minestrone soup so hearty it could fuel an expedition, plus gigantic calzones, pastas, chicken parmesan and salads.
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Mojave River Valley Museum
Near the Desert Discovery Center, off I-15 at the Barstow Rd exit, the Mojave River Valley Museum focuses on local history, culture and natural science. Its bookstore is easily best in the region.
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Whistlestop Oasis
This unlikely gourmands' haven serves up scrumptious pork chops, sandwiches and more. There's just one cook in the kitchen, so go ahead - have an ice-cold beer and shoot some stick while you wait.
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Idle Spurs Steakhouse
In the saddle since the 1950s, this casual spot with an atrium patio and full bar east of town is a fave with RVers. Get yer prime rib, lobster and shrimp Louie here, folks.
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Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden
In the college town of Claremont, Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden claims the world's largest collection of Californian plants, including wildflowers, palms and cacti.
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Arthur B Ripley Desert Woodland State Park
5 miles W of Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve, Arthur B Ripley Desert Woodland State Park has precious stands of Joshua trees and native junipers.
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Mojave National Preserve
You can spend an entire day or just a few hours driving around the free Mojave National Preserve, taking in its sights and exploring some of them on foot.
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Skyline Drive-In
A classic from the 1960s, Skyline Drive-In is one of only two dozen drive-in movie theaters left in California. It shows two double features daily.
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First McDonald's Museum
Follow Cajon Blvd south into San Bernardino, where you can drive by the First McDonald's Museum, which has historic Route 66 exhibits.
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