Overview
Ridgecrest is a city in Kern County in the Mojave Desert of California.
2 sights · 2 things to do · 5 places to eat · 4 bars & cafés · 6 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Ridgecrest
China Lake Museum
China Lake has been involved in development and testing of some of the most famous air weapons and related systems of the 20th and 21st centuries. Legendary air weapons like the Sidewinder air-to-air missile and Shrike a…
Maturango Museum
This museum brings the natural history, culture, geology and archaeology of the region under one roof. It is a busy visitor's center for travelers headed to Death Valley and other Mojave Desert points of interest. Also a…
Petroglyph Tours
The jewel in China Lake's cultural-resources crown is the Coso Rock Art National Historic Landmark, a swath of 36,000 acres that include Big Petroglyph Canyon and Little Petroglyhp Canyon where roughly 250,000 pre-Europe…
Desert Empire Fair
There are two major events at the fairground the first being the High Desert Spring Festival which runs mid-May. And second the Desert Empire Fair which mid to late October. The Ridgecrest Motorsports Complex at the fair…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Oct. Summer highs reach about 87°F; winter lows dip to about 30°F. Wettest: Jan and Mar. (climate data from nearby Tehachapi)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- BFL Meadows Field, Bakersfield — 79 mi away. Directions
- BUR Hollywood Burbank/Bob Hope Airport, Burbank — 106 mi away (major hub). Directions
US Highway 395 - Northbound travelers will turn right off the highway onto CA Highway 178 Business (also called South China Lake Boulevard), which proceeds north and then northeast about 2½ miles to Ridgecrest. Southbound travelers will take the CA Highway 178 East exit near the town of Inyokern, then proceed east (left) 8 miles to Ridgecrest.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning China Lake Museum, Maturango Museum
- Lunch La Fiesta/Sandwiches 'n Things
- Afternoon Petroglyph Tours, Desert Empire Fair
- Dinner Mon Reve
- Evening Flight Line Tap Room
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
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Photos
Map
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Get in
By car
US Highway 395 - Northbound travelers will turn right off the highway onto CA Highway 178 Business (also called South China Lake Boulevard), which proceeds north and then northeast about 2½ miles to Ridgecrest. Southbound travelers will take the CA Highway 178 East exit near the town of Inyokern, then proceed east (left) 8 miles to Ridgecrest.
CA Highway 14 - Northbound and southbound travelers will exit onto CA Higwhay 178 East, which drops down the last slope of the Sierra Nevada foothills into Inyokern, then on eight miles into Ridgecrest.
CA Highway 178 - Eastbound travellers take 178 to Highway 14. The roads merge and continue north three miles before 178 East splits off again (right-hand turn). (See CA Highway 14, above.) Westbound travelers coming from the Death Valley area find that 178 goes directly into downtown Ridgecrest, becoming Ridgecrest Boulevard. 178 passes through Ridgecrest, but it involves two 90-degree turns and three different street names. Traveling east from Inyokern, 178 is known as Inyokern Road. In Ridgecrest, 178 turns abruptly south at the intersection of Inyokern Road (which proceeds onto Naval Air Weapons Station, China Lake) and follows North China Lake Boulevard. Two miles south at the intersection of China Lake Boulevard and Ridgecrest Boulevard, 178 turns eastward again and follows Ridgecrest Boulevard out of Ridgecrest and on to Trona and Death Valley.
Get around
Like most places in California, Ridgecrest is best navigated by car. Public transportation is extremely limited and may require arrangements in advance.
If you need to rent a car in Ridgecrest, here are your commercial options:
Place Avis
Place Dollar Rent-a-Car
Place Enterprise Rent-a-Car
Ridgecrest also has the usual accommodations for travel by bicycle and on foot.
By taxi
Place Ridgecrest Taxi
See
See China Lake Museum (formerly U.S. Naval Museum of Armament and Technology)
China Lake has been involved in development and testing of some of the most famous air weapons and related systems of the 20th and 21st centuries. Legendary air weapons like the Sidewinder air-to-air missile and Shrike anti-radiation missile are displayed alongside some of the most modern air weapons - JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition) and JSOW (Joint Stand-off Weapon) - that became household names during the early months of the U.S.'s wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Also featured is the unique history of China Lake, known for a generation as "The Secret City" where scientists and engineers broke new ground far from the prying eyes of enemy spies.
See Maturango Museum
This museum brings the natural history, culture, geology and archaeology of the region under one roof. It is a busy visitor's center for travelers headed to Death Valley and other Mojave Desert points of interest. Also available are a wide collection of gifts and memorabilia from the Upper Mojave Desert. The museum has great displays of local flora and fauna, work of local artists, and regular special programs. (See Do below for information about tours of the petroglyphs - the greatest collection of Native American rock art in North America.)
Do
Do Petroglyph Tours
The jewel in China Lake's cultural-resources crown is the Coso Rock Art National Historic Landmark, a swath of 36,000 acres that include Big Petroglyph Canyon and Little Petroglyhp Canyon where roughly 250,000 pre-European rock-art carvings can be found. Tours can be arranged directly with the Navy, but doing so can be complicated. People not familiar with the base or the area are strongly advised to join a tour organized by the Maturango Museum. Tours are always on weekends, and because participants are escorted deep onto a military base that does secret development work, special rules apply. No foreign nationals are allowed, and participants must provide bona fide proof of citizenship to get a pass for the tour. Museum staff can explain the process in detail.
Do Desert Empire Fair
There are two major events at the fairground the first being the High Desert Spring Festival which runs mid-May. And second the Desert Empire Fair which mid to late October. The Ridgecrest Motorsports Complex at the fairgrounds has events every other weekend from 9AM-4PM.
Buy
Shop Balsam Street
Balsam St. is a historic main street area in Ridgecrest with boutique shops, salons, and eateries. This street is also host to the city's parades throughout the year.
Eat
Eat La Fiesta/Sandwiches 'n Things
A family-owned and -operated restaurant offering traditional Mexican favorites along with homestyle American favorites. The enclosed patio with misters is a great place to relax with a beer and some nachos on a hot desert evening.
Eat Mon Reve
Meaning "My Dream," Mon Reve is the dream come true for a husband-and-wife team of French expatriates. A truly French experience, the owner has been known to give a friendly slap to an uncouth patron and the waitresses are treated like princesses. But with the generally good-natured haughtiness comes a very friendly and sincere desire to serve great food with warm hospitality. French onion soup, quiches, and full French entrees are paired with a solid wine list and an even better beer list.
Eat Tokyo House
This brightly lit, lively restaurant has three distinct options for diners - sit at the sushi bar, get a table and order from the menu of Japanese favorites or take your group to one of several Teppanyaki grills - seated bars around open grills where highly trained chefs light the grill on fire, fling condiments, aim shrimp at customers' mouths and generally turn cuisine into a circus.
Eat John's Pizza
Provides breadsticks, pasta, salads, pizza, etc. Some of the locally famous dishes include a peanut butter pizza, turkey grinder, and specialty pizzas which are named after notable figures in the community.
Eat Casey's Steaks and Barbecue
Some of the better barbecue in the high desert. A good choice for the larger parties in town.
Drink
Drink Indian Wells Brewing Company
Indian Wells Brewing Company is a local brewery which is experiencing rapid growth. You can now find its products in Whole Foods in most states across the country. The brewery offers tours, and brews alcoholic beverages and soda pops. Their root beer and cream soda are local favorites. Next door, the Indian Wells Valley Lodge offers an elegant dinner looking out over the airport, city, and the base.
Drink The Partners (Partners Bar)
A long-time Ridgecrest bar. Live band nights, karaoke, billiards, satellite jukebox, and a big screen TV. Offer you the local bar entertainment with good people and beverages.
Drink DJ's Pub
DJ's Pub is a hole-in-the-wall joint with great drinks and a relaxed atmosphere. It's across the road from Tommy T's and offers the better value for drink prices.
Drink Flight Line Tap Room
A taproom with a rotating selection of craft brews and seltzers, both on tap and in fridge. Also keeps a wide selection of board games and soda, making for an excellent place to hangout for a few hours.
Sleep
Ridgecrest offers a range of accommodations from three-plus-star hotels to very cheap, bareboards establishments.
Budget
Mid-range
Splurge
Stay safe
Ridgecrest has a very low crime rate with virtually no violent crimes. However while driving use caution as the highways surrounding the area are frequented by impatient drivers who often speed and lose control of vehicles. Report any dangerous driving right away. The area is served by 6 different law enforcement agencies because it is at the intersection of 3 county lines and has a military base. Your main concern in the area is from desert animals: there are many venomous creatures including spiders, scorpions, and many snakes. Ridgecrest is served by Ridgecrest Regional Hospital (RRH).
Go next
One of the best things about Ridgecrest isn't what's in Ridgecrest at all - it's what's just outside of it! Many people who live here have come to recognize it as a kind of hub that is surrounded by an array of outdoor adventures, scenic places, and great getaways.
- Mojave - 60 miles south of Ridgecrest via Highway 14, Mojave is a hotbed of aerospace activity, with the Mojave Spaceport the headquarters of Scaled Composites, the first private company to launch a human into space. Edwards Air Force base, a landing site for the space shuttle and a center for the development of experimental aircraft, is next to the town.
- Death Valley National Park - Northeast of Ridgecrest, Death Valley is a good day trip in the winter, spring and autumn months - if you plan to visit one of the world's hottest places in the summer bring plenty of water.
Nearby
Inyokern
City / town · 1 listings · 8 mi away
California City
City / town · 7 listings · 39 mi away
Kernville
City / town · 5 listings · 43 mi away
Olancha-Cartago
City / town · 2 listings · 49 mi away
Mojave
City / town · 12 listings · 51 mi away
Sequoia National Forest
Park · 11 listings · 55 mi away
Tehachapi
City / town · 9 listings · 55 mi away
Keene
City / town · 2 listings · 57 mi away
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