Sightseeing
Not far from town, you can feel like you are on a different planets. Hidden Gem in the area.
"The Trona Pinnacles are an unusual geological feature in the California Desert National Conservation Area. The unusual landscape consists of more than 500 tufa spires, some as high as 140 feet, rising from the bed of the Searles Lake basin."
"Over thirty film projects a year are shot among the tufapinnacles, including backdrops for car commercials and sci-fi movies and television series such as Battlestar Galactica, Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, Disney's Dinosaur, The Gate II, Lost in Space, and Planet of the Apes..."
20 locals recommend
Trona Pinnacles
Not far from town, you can feel like you are on a different planets. Hidden Gem in the area.
"The Trona Pinnacles are an unusual geological feature in the California Desert National Conservation Area. The unusual landscape consists of more than 500 tufa spires, some as high as 140 feet, rising from the bed of the Searles Lake basin."
"Over thirty film projects a year are shot among the tufapinnacles, including backdrops for car commercials and sci-fi movies and television series such as Battlestar Galactica, Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, Disney's Dinosaur, The Gate II, Lost in Space, and Planet of the Apes..."
Hottest, Driest, and Lowest National Park aprox 1.5 hrs. Guide book at the house contains 25 pages of things to see and do there.
Recommend putting Badwater Basin as destination in the GPS for the most sights to see on a day trip. The sign to enter the park is 1.5 hrs from my house and there is no other official entrance. The sand dunes are another 30 min just after Stovepipe Wells (keep an eye out for a sign 'Sea level' in this area. Along the route there is multiple different stops identified with signs that are worth looking at. At Badwater basin remember to look up at the mountain to once again see the sea level. Recommend stopping at artist palet on the way back since its a one way road.
104 locals recommend
Death Valley National Park
Hottest, Driest, and Lowest National Park aprox 1.5 hrs. Guide book at the house contains 25 pages of things to see and do there.
Recommend putting Badwater Basin as destination in the GPS for the most sights to see on a day trip. The sign to enter the park is 1.5 hrs from my house and there is no other official entrance. The sand dunes are another 30 min just after Stovepipe Wells (keep an eye out for a sign 'Sea level' in this area. Along the route there is multiple different stops identified with signs that are worth looking at. At Badwater basin remember to look up at the mountain to once again see the sea level. Recommend stopping at artist palet on the way back since its a one way road.
Sequoia National Park is home to the General Sherman Tree, the largest tree in the world aprox 4.5 hrs
393 locals recommend
Sequoia National Park
Sequoia National Park is home to the General Sherman Tree, the largest tree in the world aprox 4.5 hrs
Sequoia National Forest is located in the southern Sierra Nevada mountains of California. The U.S. National Forest is named for the majestic Giant Sequoia trees which populate 38 distinct groves within the boundaries of the forest. Aprox 2 hrs
9 locals recommend
Sequoia National Forest
1839 South Newcomb StreetSequoia National Forest is located in the southern Sierra Nevada mountains of California. The U.S. National Forest is named for the majestic Giant Sequoia trees which populate 38 distinct groves within the boundaries of the forest. Aprox 2 hrs
"The Trail of 100 Giants is the most popular attraction in the Giant Sequoia National Monument, and it’s easy to see why. The trail is easy to get to, it’s short, flat, and paved, and it’s got a lot of really impressive trees. Nonetheless, this is still the National Forest, so it’s not exactly crowded - there might be 5 or 6 groups on the trail at any given moment. There are about 20 really big trees along the trail." aprox 2 hrs
The road is closed for winter and may still be closed due to recent fires.
110 locals recommend
Trail of 100 Giants Trailhead
County Route 107"The Trail of 100 Giants is the most popular attraction in the Giant Sequoia National Monument, and it’s easy to see why. The trail is easy to get to, it’s short, flat, and paved, and it’s got a lot of really impressive trees. Nonetheless, this is still the National Forest, so it’s not exactly crowded - there might be 5 or 6 groups on the trail at any given moment. There are about 20 really big trees along the trail." aprox 2 hrs
The road is closed for winter and may still be closed due to recent fires.
Red Rock Canyon State Park features scenic desert cliffs, buttes and spectacular rock formations. The park is located where the southernmost tip of the Sierra Nevada aprox 30 min
26 locals recommend
Red Rock Canyon State Park
37749 Abbott DriveRed Rock Canyon State Park features scenic desert cliffs, buttes and spectacular rock formations. The park is located where the southernmost tip of the Sierra Nevada aprox 30 min
It is a 0.5-mile (0.80 km) mining tunnel dug with hand tools and dynamite over a 38-year period by William "Burro" H. Schmidt. BEFORE roads and cars, people accessed places like this...with a 4wd truck with good suspension is an adventure. aprox 45 min on dirt road
Burro Schmidt Tunnel
Burro Schmidt Tunnel RoadIt is a 0.5-mile (0.80 km) mining tunnel dug with hand tools and dynamite over a 38-year period by William "Burro" H. Schmidt. BEFORE roads and cars, people accessed places like this...with a 4wd truck with good suspension is an adventure. aprox 45 min on dirt road
Mammoth Lakes
must visit destination for relaxation
Mount Whitney
highest point in the continental US.
I hve not yet been here, however my recent guests said that when I do go to be ready to climb upwards a lot.
Big Pine Lakes
I hve not yet been here, however my recent guests said that when I do go to be ready to climb upwards a lot.
Artists Palette
one way street in death valley
you can see mt. Whitney from here and a lot of movies were filmed here
21 locals recommend
Alabama Hills
you can see mt. Whitney from here and a lot of movies were filmed here
Badwater Basin
rememberto look up at the mountain to see the 'sea level' sign
Devil's Golf Course
Salt Pool Roadlisten for sound
Grocery store
Grocery store where I buy my ribeye steak. They will even season it for you and you are more than welcome to cook it on the grill in the back yard.
Stater Bros. Markets
800 N China Lake BlvdGrocery store where I buy my ribeye steak. They will even season it for you and you are more than welcome to cook it on the grill in the back yard.
Activites
Opening day for skiing and riding of the 2019/20 winter season is Nov 9! aprox 3 hrs
109 locals recommend
Mammoth Mountain
10400 Minaret RdOpening day for skiing and riding of the 2019/20 winter season is Nov 9! aprox 3 hrs
Kern River Outfitters
6602 Wofford BlvdWhite water rafting on Kern river. aprox 1.5 hrs
I have not yet gone with them but if you are looking for horseback riding, this could be an option. aprox 30 min away
Robison Horse Ranch and Trail Rides
5701 Robison StI have not yet gone with them but if you are looking for horseback riding, this could be an option. aprox 30 min away
Adventure awaits you. ATV rentals, dirt bikes & buggies. Jawbone Canyon aprox 45 min away
Fun Time ATV Rentals Inc
32629 CA-14Adventure awaits you. ATV rentals, dirt bikes & buggies. Jawbone Canyon aprox 45 min away
Ridgecrest Regional Wild Horse and Burro Corrals
3647-A Randsburg Wash Rdmore information in house manual
Museum and Historical Site
Mojave Desert, natural, cultural history exhibits art galleries educational programs. you also want to contact them for the Coso Petroglyph tour.
19 locals recommend
Maturango Museum
100 E Las Flores AveMojave Desert, natural, cultural history exhibits art galleries educational programs. you also want to contact them for the Coso Petroglyph tour.
Living ghost town must see. aprox 30 min mining district town, the gold and silver mining belt of Kern County, named after the Witwatersrand of South Africa.
7 locals recommend
Randsburg
Living ghost town must see. aprox 30 min mining district town, the gold and silver mining belt of Kern County, named after the Witwatersrand of South Africa.
In 1942, the United States government ordered more than 110,000 men, women, and children to leave their homes and detained them in remote, military-style camps. Manzanar War Relocation Center was one of ten camps where Japanese American citizens and resident Japanese aliens were incarcerated during World War II.
approximately 1.5 hours
14 locals recommend
Manzanar National Historic Site Visitor Center
5001 US-395In 1942, the United States government ordered more than 110,000 men, women, and children to leave their homes and detained them in remote, military-style camps. Manzanar War Relocation Center was one of ten camps where Japanese American citizens and resident Japanese aliens were incarcerated during World War II.
approximately 1.5 hours
Lone Pine Film History Museum
701 S Main Stlearn about what movies were filmed here
Food
My favorite around town.
Papa John's Pizza
820 N China Lake BlvdTakeout pizza for good price. Dont recommend delivery since it cost almost double.
Delicious tacos. There is also a restaurant in Ridgecrest and can be found on google maps.
Bernardino's Restaurant
6601 W Inyokern RdDelicious tacos. There is also a restaurant in Ridgecrest and can be found on google maps.
Ephen Tacos
221 East Ridgecrest BoulevardSuper delicious tacos in a re modeled carwash.
Papa John's Pizza
820 N China Lake BlvdTakeout pizza for good price. Dont recommend delivery since it cost almost double.
Saigon Flavor
208 E Valley BlvdSuper delicious Vietnamese food. Takeout is also available here.
Pita Fresh
1140 N China Lake BlvdOne if my favorite Mediterranean restaurant.
Drinks
Beanster's Espresso
1601 Triangle DrIf you dont want Starbucks... go here
Brewery in the middle of nowhere, approx 15 min
"Indian Wells Brewery is called, “The Biggest, Little Brewery in the World.” Craft brews include Black Stout, Death Valley Pale Ale, Death Valley Cream Soda, plus over 20 other styles of beer and over 100 flavors of soda. Indian Wells Brewing is partnered with Arrowhead Mt. Spring Water, Rocket Fizz Candy & Sodas, and other national beverages to produce, distribute, and create the finest beverages in the world. New items are produced every month. Stop by and visit the brewery."15
12 locals recommend
Indian Wells Brewing Company
2565 N CA-14Brewery in the middle of nowhere, approx 15 min
"Indian Wells Brewery is called, “The Biggest, Little Brewery in the World.” Craft brews include Black Stout, Death Valley Pale Ale, Death Valley Cream Soda, plus over 20 other styles of beer and over 100 flavors of soda. Indian Wells Brewing is partnered with Arrowhead Mt. Spring Water, Rocket Fizz Candy & Sodas, and other national beverages to produce, distribute, and create the finest beverages in the world. New items are produced every month. Stop by and visit the brewery."15