Things to See and Do
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Welcome to Mojave, Gateway to the Mojave Desert!
To many a visitor hurrying through to far-off destinations, the desert may seem like a bleak, lifeless place. Not so! For those with the time to take a second look, the Mojave Desert is a place teaming with a rich variety of wildlife, amazing natural wonders, and fascinating historical sights.
The town of Mojave, situated at the northwest corner of the desert, makes an ideal hub for tourists seeking a destination away from the maddening crowds. Here are some destination suggestions, and as this web page grows, we will be adding driving tours to many of the more interesting locations. For additional information, contact the Mojave Chamber of Commerce at 661/824-2481.
Historical Sites:
- The mining ghost towns of Garlock, Randsburg, and Johannesburg Rand Mining District. Take Highway 14 25 miles north to the intersection of the Red Rock-Randsburg Road to visit historic mining communities of Randsburg and Johannesburg.
- Randsburg Railway
- Soledad Mountain Mining District. Southwest of Mojave on Silver Queen Road off Highway 14. Gold and silver mining since the 1890's. Plans underway to revive historic Golden Queen Mine.
- Tehachapi and the famous Tehachapi Loop railroad site. West of Tehachapi, visible from Freeway 58 near Broome Road interchange, and on Tehachapi-Woodford Road. Historic railroad loop designed by William Hood in 1876 to help the Southern Pacific Railroad gain the summit of Tehachapi Pass. Perhaps the most famous railroad engineering site in the United States.
- Tomo-Kahni, or Winter Home, is the historical site of a Kawaiisu (Nuooah) village
- Antelope Valley Indian Museum
- Edwards Air Force Base 15 miles east of Mojave on Highway 58. Home of "The Right Stuff," where exotic aircraft are flight-tested. Museum. 15 miles east of Mojave on Highway 58. Home of "The Right Stuff," where exotic aircraft are flight-tested. Air Force Flight Test Center Museum
- Blackbird Airpark
- Burro Schmidt Tunnel
- Tehachapi Heritage League and Museum
- Dryden Flight Research Center On Edwards Air Force Base (below). 15 miles east of Mojave on Highway 58 to Edwards Interchange. Where aviation and space legends have been developed for the last half-century. Alternate landing site for the Space Shuttle. Daily (Monday thru Friday) tours. On Edwards Air Force Base (below). 15 miles east of Mojave on Highway 58 to Edwards Interchange. Where aviation and space legends have been developed for the last half-century. Alternate landing site for the Space Shuttle. Daily (Monday thru Friday) tours.
- U.S. Borax open pit mine. World's largest open pit borax mine. 31 miles west of Mojave on Highway 58. Tours. Visit the mine's visitors center and the 20 Mule Team Museum in Boron.
Natural Wonders:
- Afton Canyon Natural Area
- Red Rock Canyon State Park 28 miles north of Mojave on Highway 14. State Park, site of hundreds of films.
- Tehachapi Mountain Park and Double Peak
- Lake Isabella
- Mitchell Caverns
- Mojave National Preserve The Preserve encompasses 1.6 million acres of
mountains, jumble rocks, desert washes, and dry lakes; outdoor enthusiasts appreciate the opportunity for solitude here not easily found at other southern
California parks. - Devil's Punchbowl State Park
- Saddleback Butte State Park
- Death Valley National Monument
- Desert Tortoise Natural Area. East of California City. Operated by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.
- Jawbone Canyon - apprx. 20 miles north of Mojave on Highway 14. BLM visitors center and book store: 760.373.1146. Off Highway Vehicle recreation areas.
- Kern River Valley Take Highway 14 to Highway 178 north of Red Rock Canyon to visit this beautiful mountain valley and Lake Isabella via historic Walker Pass. Take Highway 14 to Highway 178 north of Red Rock Canyon to visit this beautiful mountain valley and Lake Isabella via historic Walker Pass.
Other Attractions
- Exotic Feline Breeding Compound
- California Living Museum
- Mojave Airport
- Bird watching: Silver Saddle Ranch & Club, east of California City on 20 Mule Team Parkway.
- China Lake Naval Air Warfare Center Ridgecrest, 70 miles north of Mojave and highway 14. Home of some of the Navy's most exotic missiles, including Sidewinder. Ridgecrest, 70 miles north of Mojave and highway 14. Home of some of the Navy's most exotic missiles, including Sidewinder.
- Maturango Museum. 100 Las Flores Avenue, Ridgecrest. 760.375.6900.
- Inyo-Mono Ski Resorts. Mojave is the gateway to Inyo and Mono County ski resorts and winter wonderlands.
- Camelot Golf Course, 3430 Camelot Blvd., Mojave. 824.4107.
- The wind turbines and Oak Creek Pass. Between Mojave and Tehachapi on Oak Creek Road. Historic route of early explorers and site of wind energy turbines.
- Willow Springs International Raceway Race tracks used for auto and motorcycle racing and testing. West of Rosamond on Rosamond Blvd. Race tracks used for auto and motorcycle racing and testing. West of Rosamond on Rosamond Blvd.