Barstow: California's Premier Transportation Hub in the Mojave Desert
Situated at the crossroads of Interstate 15, I-40, State Highways 58, and 247 in the heart of the Mojave Desert, Barstow is a city built on transportation. Serving as the California terminus of historic Route 66—which originates in Needles—Barstow's legacy is deeply intertwined with travel. While its Route 66 heritage is prominently featured, it's the railroads that truly define the city's fame.
In Barstow, even the local McDonald's is housed in repurposed train cars, underscoring the enduring influence of the rails. Named after William Barstow Strong, former president of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, the city remains a rail hub. Amtrak trains still arrive at the meticulously preserved historic Barstow Depot. Route 66, running along Main Street, is equally celebrated through motels, diners, museums, and vibrant murals. Explore these treasures of the desert's transportation history, and uncover some unexpected gems along the way!
Must-See Attractions in and Around Barstow
This cluster of elegant early-20th-century buildings offers a concentrated dose of transportation history. Dating back to 1911, these preserved structures provide insight into Barstow's origins and California's enduring love affair with travel—by rail and automobile alike.
Harvey House (Casa del Desierto), a legendary railroad stopover from the late 1800s, showcases menus and uniforms worn by the iconic Harvey Girls (immortalized by Judy Garland in the film). Original copper chandeliers and polished wooden floors evoke an era of refined service and hearty meals between train stops. Upstairs, a NASA Voyager exhibit provides a fascinating juxtaposition of histories.
Route 66 Mother Road Museum is compact yet compelling, featuring historic photos, artifacts, vintage vehicles, a short film, books, maps, and souvenirs from this legendary stretch of the Mother Road.
Western America Railroad Museum, adjacent to the Amtrak depot, honors Western railroading with extensive exhibits, including steam engines and one of the largest collections of railroad date nails in the U.S. Model train enthusiasts will appreciate the Dogtooth Mountain H.O. Railway display.
Desert Discovery Center at 831 Barstow Road houses the second-largest meteorite found in the U.S. Call 760-252-6060 for hours. The Old Woman Meteorite, discovered in late 1975 in the Old Woman Mountains of San Bernardino County, was verified by the Smithsonian Institution's Curator of Meteorites. Found on public BLM land, it's a scientific treasure rather than a mining claim, offering clues to the solar system's origins 4.5 billion years ago.
Main Street Murals
A self-guided driving or walking tour of downtown Main Street—tracing Route 66—reveals an open-air gallery of murals adorning historic buildings. With around 16 murals (and growing annually), they depict the city's founding, tributes to the Mother Road, and homages to notable residents and visitors.
Rainbow Basin Natural Area, just 8 miles north of Barstow, boasts fossil beds, colorful rock formations, scenic canyons, and desert tortoises. Designated an "Area of Critical Environmental Concern," stick to marked "open" roads. From Main Street, head north on First Avenue, left on Irwin Road, left at the Rainbow Basin sign onto Fossil Bed Road, and follow signs.
Ivanpah Solar Power Facility, visible along I-15 toward Las Vegas, spans 4,000 acres as the world's largest solar thermal plant. Fields of mirrors direct energy to towering receivers—an impressive sight from the freeway.
Calico Ghost Town, a short drive from Barstow off I-15 in Yermo, is one of the Mojave's few restored ghost towns open to visitors. Near the Early Man Site, it was a bustling 1880s silver-mining town where Wyatt Earp once roamed. Revived in 1950 by Walter Knott of Knott's Berry Farm fame, it was donated to San Bernardino County as a regional park. One-third of original structures remain; others are replicas. Stroll wooden sidewalks past shops, eateries, and costumed interpreters—gunfights aren't uncommon. Visit the one-room schoolhouse, miners' shacks, and abandoned shafts. Tours include the "Extreme Calico Mine Tour" and an "Off-Road Tour" along the 20-Mule Team route.
