Naval Air Weapons Station (NAWS) China Lake is lacking a better word the Groom lake of the US Navy…read more It is where the Navy and USMC (also US Allies test here) test weapons systems and do research. The base is massive at just over 19,000 square miles. It is also quite restricted and unless you have official business on the base you cannot roam around at will. In addition because of its size and location there is not really a lot to see and do even from its more remote perimeters. Having been to the northern and southern boundaries unless desert scrub is you thing there are better ways to spend your time. However, it is host to two of the Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Nine and Thirty One. The aircraft of VX-9 "The Vampires" and VX-31 "The Dust Devils" can be spotted out and about in the R-2508 Complex aka 'Sidewinder Low Level" as well as Pt. Mugu.

Taught a Linux+ Certification class there. The training rooms are very nice. There are…read moreprojectors, screens, whiteboards, and markers that work. The staff there is very helpful and accommodating. They prepared my badge ahead of time so I didn't have to wait at the check in office.

Though this site gives some amazing history about the pinnacles I would not have known otherwise,…read morethe road to get here is very long, very rocky and in some places questionable if I should cross them. It was extremely hot even though it's April. I didn't walk around as the temps too high. The highlights - you cross over where the salt has dried from the lake ( wash your car as soon as you can as salt bad for it!), the beautiful scenery of the pinnacles (obviously) but the mountains behind them, the history lesson, the train cars sitting on the tracks was kinda fun and interesting and best of all the Navy flying planes doing test runs. Loved that. So hard to believe so much of this was under water and that where these were created. It's other worldly with how alive our planet is and constantly changing. It's free to come here but be warned about deep sand, very rocky roads and the heat. Bring water and have plenty of gas in the tank. There's nothing around for quite a ways.

Out of this world! Free admission but make sure the roads are in good shape. I drove out in an SUV…read moreand some parts of the road were a little sketchy. Once you arrive at the Pinnacles, you can hike up really close to see them first-hand. The pinnacles were created out of tufa ("porous rock formed as a deposit when springs interact with other bodies of water" per Wikipedia), when the area was under a lake. If you visit in spring, you'll see some wildflowers as well. Very interesting spot and worth a stop on your way to Death Valley. Highly recommended!

A wonderful historic site, and a great spot for weekend fun!…read moreTheir open mic night is full of fun and talented folks in town. I'm not musically talented myself, but I enjoy popping in there to enjoy great music with some quality people. We recently attended a dance event by the Big Band Xpress (I have been dying to check it out for months, but struggled to get the time to go!), and I am head-over-heels in love with it! The band was to-die-for and played a great mix of big band music. We danced the night away and even had a hard time keeping up with some of the dancing pros! It is fantastic that the USO Building hosts family-fun events and date-night-worthy fun too!

Historic Building that has been lovingly restored and worth some time to browse the photos,…read moreartifacts and of course, shop in the gift shop!!

Great items. Wish I could buy stuff the military has access to. Great prices. Friendly &…read moreaccommodating staff. Thank you. Above & beyond.

I've a bit of the wanderlust running through me, and it's getting stronger with each day passing…read more To try and negate some of this growing restlessness, I thought perhaps reviewing one of my past adventures would help to calm the stormy seas inside of me before I go insane. I have a dirty past. Quite literally. I am one of very few chicks that dug dirt and rocks from a very tender age (mind the bad pun). And they continue to excite me even after a decade away from school. There's hardly anything more exciting than hiking to gods know where for some geologic/paleontologic mindjob. Was that TMI? Oops, my bad. But, please, don't go anywhere! Allow me to share one of my fondest geology trips with you. I loved my majour in college. What's not to love about a study that allows you to spend more than half of your collegiate time outdoors, rain or shine? I was never much one for classroom settings. Don't let the geeky exterior fool you. I'm the type to bring a laptop out into the wild unknown to play my video games. ^_- Whoever said you can't have it all? All that's missing is a wonderful companion to share it all with. My Spring Fieldtrip assignment was to map Rainbow Basin, outside of Barstow, California. I believe the area we had to map was about 3 square miles, up and down peaks and in and out of valleys. 9 glorious days did we spend out there. Rainbow Basin is a gorgeous stretch of land. If you haven't been there yet, promise me you will. If only for a day. The best part is during sunset in the main valley. There's a specific point in the valley where you crest a rise and just sit there, waiting for the magickal moment where the sun dips just low enough in the sky to light up the cliff face where there's a huge syncline composed of various oxidized layers (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rainbow_Basin.JPG). These layers, composed of various different minerals, oxidized over time to produce different shades of colours - red, purple, yellow, green, blue... The beauty is when the sun lights up these different layers to give you the most amazing display of coloured rock ever. Hence, the name of the basin itself. I'm thinking of a road trip back there this summer to view this phenomenom once more; only this time, I'll be bringing a camera to document my memories. Will you join me? Bring your sleeping bag, but forget the tent. We'll snuggle under the summer stars together.

Beautiful place. Love the colors and formations. Geology is wonderful. Enjoyed the scenic drives as…read morethe valley walls get closer and closer as your car wanders through the basin. The road Is nicely graded that goes through a wash. Very epic, scenic panoramic views. Highly recommend spring, fall or winter times to visit as it can get hot!! We went in February, Not too far of a drive from Barstow or on the dirt road. We also hiked among the Mojave desert vegetation and enjoyed the Joshua trees. Think we got a glimpse of the lakebed with Goldstone. Great picture taking opportunities!

Wow words cannot say how much I appreciate the DMV. I have been to many DMV locations and everyone…read moreto have been the workers appear to not enjoy their jobs. I live in the Inland Empire and due to Covid it has wrecked havoc not just on peoples lives but also personal schedules. My son had a permit that was expiring and he had only two days to take the behind the wheel test. The only choices I had was Blythe or Ridgecrest I choice hating to drive far but it was closer than my other choice. I arrived at the office 1 hour ahead of time and my son was able to take his test. During the test their was an incident and Natalie was his examiner. I have nothing but praise for Natalie and the office manager. This office should be a role model for all DMV in terms of customer service and care. They greet you with a smile and are eager to help you with your concern, not with a frown and discouragement. The office is very orderly small but I get it small town. I telling anyone who is willing to wait the entire day in an DMV office or in the hot sun should rethink it. You can use that time to drive up north and enjoy a welcoming smile and great service. It's people like Natalie who encourages the kids to do their best even though she has her job being the examiner she puts them at ease. The drive up to Ridgecrest maybe a little long but the wait is very short. It's people like Natalie and the Ridgecrest DMV that makes people drive up worth the while. I hope this post doesn't ruin a good thing and send flocks of people up north, what I wanted to do is tell everyone their is a DMV in Ca. that will send you off with a smile and a long but short drive home. It's worth the drive than spending the day at DMV south of there. THANKS Natalie and the Ridgecrest DMV staff!

Based on the location this is the Department of Motor Vehicles…read more I have been to four different California DMV's: Long Beach, Santa Monica, Culver City, and Ridgecrest. That's not counting the Nevada DMV in Las Vegas. The Ridgecrest DMV, hands down, the very best. I have never had to wait more than 5 minutes in line. The people working there are friendly, efficient, and actually know what they are doing. Whenever my boss based in Los Angeles had to deal with the DMV, he made an excuse for coming up to Ridgecrest in order to use the Ridgecrest DMV. They are that much better.

Searles Lake has Borax. For that matter most of the area and its history are essentially the tale…read moreof Borax and other minerals that folks far more heartier than myself came to this area (as well as Death Valley) and braved Dante's Inferno like conditions. The only town, Trona, has a few places to stop and 2 gas stations now and while the prices are high befitting its remote location it's an essential stop. Death Valley is not just a name. It can be brutal for the unprepared so I always stop here and fill up for added safety margin. There are some things to do like the Trona Pinacles etc. Beyond that its JAHM or Just Another Historical Marker

This is really a five- star DMV. It's small inside, but not chaotic like some. Employees were…read morefriendly and efficient. My son took his drivers test today, and passed; they all wished him good luck. Great DMV!! 8/8/25

Closed Tuesdays and Thursdays now. The wait times are through the roof. This used to be one of the…read morebest DMV locations in So Cal. Now it's as bad as the rest of them.