Storied 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 piloted the world’s first supersonic flight, and the first space shuttles glided in after their missions. Free five-hour tours are offered on the first Friday of the month. Reservations are essential and tours fill up quickly months in advance. The website has details.
Edwards Air Force Base
The Deserts
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve
24.95 MILES
The golden poppy is California's state flower and in this park it's given centerstage, especially from mid-March through April when the hills are…
22.09 MILES
On a hilltop on the grounds of the Rio Tinto Boron Mine, California's largest open pit mine, this museum reeks 'corporate promo' but actually has some…
7.83 MILES
This port made history in 2003 with the launch of SpaceShipOne, the first privately funded human space flight, thus laying the groundwork for commercial…
23.15 MILES
This modest, volunteer-run museum recounts milestones in experimental flight testing in the surrounding desert, including the first breaking of the sound…
25.57 MILES
Some 4000 years ago, the Antelope Valley was an important trade route linking American Indian cultures throughout the Great Basin, California and the…
23.99 MILES
This park centers on Saddleback Butte, a 3651ft-high mountain about 15 miles east of Lancaster. It protects native Joshua trees and other desert flora and…
Arthur B Ripley Desert Woodland State Park
29.01 MILES
The Mojave Desert is one of the few places on earth where you see the Joshua tree, which is actually a type of yucca. This park protects the few stands…
23.16 MILES
Despite the name, this low-budget museum is not so much about the famous teams of mules that transported borax from Death Valley to Mojave in the 1880s…
Nearby The Deserts attractions
7.83 MILES
This port made history in 2003 with the launch of SpaceShipOne, the first privately funded human space flight, thus laying the groundwork for commercial…
22.09 MILES
On a hilltop on the grounds of the Rio Tinto Boron Mine, California's largest open pit mine, this museum reeks 'corporate promo' but actually has some…
23.15 MILES
This modest, volunteer-run museum recounts milestones in experimental flight testing in the surrounding desert, including the first breaking of the sound…
23.16 MILES
Despite the name, this low-budget museum is not so much about the famous teams of mules that transported borax from Death Valley to Mojave in the 1880s…
5. Saddleback Butte State Park
23.99 MILES
This park centers on Saddleback Butte, a 3651ft-high mountain about 15 miles east of Lancaster. It protects native Joshua trees and other desert flora and…
6. Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve
24.95 MILES
The golden poppy is California's state flower and in this park it's given centerstage, especially from mid-March through April when the hills are…
7. Antelope Valley Indian Museum
25.57 MILES
Some 4000 years ago, the Antelope Valley was an important trade route linking American Indian cultures throughout the Great Basin, California and the…
8. Arthur B Ripley Desert Woodland State Park
29.01 MILES
The Mojave Desert is one of the few places on earth where you see the Joshua tree, which is actually a type of yucca. This park protects the few stands…