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Lancaster lies in the Antelope Valley, the western corner of the Mojave Desert, ringed by the San Gabriel and Tehachapi mountains. The town began in 1876 as a stop on the Southern Pacific Railroad line between Los Angeles and San Francisco, and for decades it was a quiet farming and ranching community where alfalfa fields and Joshua trees met the open desert.
Everything changed with the rise of aviation. Nearby Edwards Air Force Base and the aerospace plants of the Antelope Valley became the birthplace of supersonic flight, test planes and the space shuttle, and Lancaster grew into one of the largest cities in Los Angeles County. The Aerospace Walk of Honor along Lancaster Boulevard celebrates the test pilots who flew here, with historic jets displayed on pylons.
Downtown's walkable BLVD district has shops, restaurants and the Lancaster Museum of Art and History, and the city even has a famous Musical Road that plays a tune as cars drive over it. Each spring the nearby Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve turns the hills bright orange, while desert preserves and the Antelope Valley Indian Museum reveal the region's natural and Native heritage.
The BLVD is Lancaster's redesigned downtown on Lancaster Boulevard, with a tree-lined walking street, restaurants, breweries, shops and the city's art museum and performing arts center close by. It hosts street fairs, a farmers market and seasonal events. Evenings are the best time to visit when restaurants are busy.
The Aerospace Walk of Honor along Lancaster Boulevard honors test pilots who made history at nearby Edwards Air Force Base and Air Force Plant 42, with granite monuments set in the sidewalk. Each marker tells a pilot's story. Walk the route through The BLVD and read a few plaques; it takes about half an hour.
The Musical Road in Lancaster is a stretch of Avenue G where grooves cut into the pavement play part of the William Tell Overture when you drive over them at the posted speed. It is a quirky roadside attraction. Drive in the left lane at about 55 miles per hour with the windows down, and watch for traffic.
The Lancaster Museum of Art and History, known as MOAH, is on Lancaster Boulevard and shows contemporary art exhibitions, often by Southern California and Antelope Valley artists, along with local history collections. Exhibits change regularly. Admission is usually free, and it fits easily into a walk along The BLVD.
The Western Hotel Museum is one of Lancaster's oldest buildings, a late 1800s hotel on Lancaster Boulevard now preserved as a small history museum. Rooms show how early travelers and residents lived in the desert town. It is run by the city with limited open days, so check the schedule before you visit.
The Antelope Valley Indian Museum is a state historic park east of Lancaster, set in a Swiss chalet style home built against rock outcrops. It displays Native American artifacts from California, the Great Basin and the Southwest. Opening days are limited, and there is a short nature trail next to the building.
The Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve west of Lancaster protects rolling hills that turn bright orange with California poppies in good spring bloom years, usually March to April. Several miles of trails cross the hills. Stay on the paths, check the bloom report before driving out, and come prepared for strong wind.
The Prime Desert Woodland Preserve is a city nature preserve with easy trails through Joshua trees, junipers and desert scrub. An interpretive center explains the plants and animals of the Mojave Desert. It is a short, quiet walk inside the city; go early or late in the day, as midday summer heat is intense.
Saddleback Butte State Park east of Lancaster protects a Joshua tree woodland around a granite butte that rises above the valley floor. A hike of about 2 miles each way climbs to the summit for wide desert views. The park has a campground and picnic areas; bring plenty of water and avoid summer afternoons.
Apollo Community Regional Park is a Los Angeles County park in Lancaster with three small lakes named after Apollo 11 astronauts, plus fishing, picnic areas and walking paths. It sits next to the General William J. Fox Airfield. It is a peaceful place for an easy walk; please do not feed bread to the ducks.
The Lancaster Performing Arts Center is the city's main theater, presenting touring musicians, comedians, dance, theater productions and family shows in a comfortable hall just off The BLVD. Tickets are generally affordable. Check the season calendar online, and pair a show with dinner on Lancaster Boulevard.
The Antelope Valley Fair is held each August at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds in Lancaster, with carnival rides, livestock shows, concerts, rodeo and motorsports events, and fair food. It has been held for about a century. Evenings are cooler and busier; check the concert lineup and buy tickets ahead.
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California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
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Photo: Alan Wilson from Stilton, Peterborough, Cambs, UK, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Alan Wilson from Stilton, Peterborough, Cambs, UK, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Alan Wilson from Stilton, Peterborough, Cambs, UK, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
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