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Palmdale sits in the southern Antelope Valley at the edge of the Mojave Desert, right along the San Andreas Fault and below the San Gabriel Mountains. It was settled in 1886 by Swiss and German Lutheran families who called their colony Palmenthal, reportedly mistaking the desert's Joshua trees for palm trees. The settlement later moved closer to the railroad, and for decades it was a small farming town of fruit orchards and alfalfa fields.
Aviation transformed it. In the 1950s the Air Force established Plant 42 here, where famous aircraft such as the SR-71 Blackbird, the B-2 bomber and the space shuttle orbiters were built and tested. Palmdale was incorporated in 1962 and grew quickly into one of the largest cities in the high desert, with new neighborhoods spreading across the valley.
Aviation fans come to Blackbird Airpark, home to an SR-71 and other spy planes, and the Joe Davies Heritage Airpark with its collection of test and military aircraft. The famous San Andreas Fault roadcut on State Route 14 shows twisted rock layers, and nearby Devil's Punchbowl, the Angeles National Forest and Joshua tree preserves invite exploring.
Blackbird Airpark is an outdoor annex of the Air Force Flight Test Museum next to Air Force Plant 42, where Lockheed's Skunk Works built famous spy planes. It displays an SR-71 Blackbird, an A-12 and a U-2 up close. Entry is free, but it opens only on limited days, mostly weekends, so check before driving out.
Joe Davies Heritage Airpark is a city-run outdoor aircraft museum beside Blackbird Airpark, showing around 20 military and test aircraft linked to the Antelope Valley's flight test history. Signs explain each plane and its role. It opens on limited days, mostly Friday to Sunday; visit both airparks together.
The Palmdale Roadcut is a famous geology stop where State Route 14 slices through layers of rock folded and crumpled by movement along the San Andreas Fault. The twisted bands of sediment are clearly visible from the road. The best view is from the Avenue S area beside the highway; park safely and do not stop on the freeway.
Devil's Punchbowl Natural Area is a Los Angeles County park southeast of Palmdale where tilted sandstone slabs, pushed up by faults, form a deep rocky bowl. A one-mile loop trail drops into the bowl and a small nature center has live animal exhibits. Trails are steep in places; bring water and sturdy shoes.
Little Rock Reservoir is a mountain lake behind Little Rock Dam in the Angeles National Forest, a short drive south of Palmdale. It is used for fishing, picnics and easy walks along the shore, with views of the San Gabriel Mountains. Water levels vary, facilities are basic, and a forest recreation pass may be needed.
DryTown Water Park is Palmdale's city-run water park, with water slides, a lazy river, a wave-style pool and splash areas for small children. It is a popular way to cool off during hot desert summers and is open seasonally. Tickets are reasonable; bring sunscreen and arrive at opening to grab a shaded spot.
The Palmdale Playhouse is a small city-run theater that presents community theater, children's shows, concerts, dance recitals and film screenings throughout the year. Its intimate size keeps every seat close to the stage, and tickets are usually inexpensive. Check the city events calendar for the current season.
The Palmdale Amphitheater is an outdoor concert venue with a large lawn and fixed seating, hosting concerts, festivals, holiday celebrations and the city's Fourth of July fireworks. Summer evenings are pleasant after the desert heat drops. Bring a blanket or low chair for the lawn, and check the event schedule.
The Antelope Valley Mall is the main enclosed shopping mall for Palmdale and Lancaster, with department stores, a range of national chains, a food court and a movie theater. It is a handy place to escape the heat or wind. Restaurants and big box stores ring the surrounding area along the freeway.
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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
Photo: Thomas Ormston from Darmstadt, Germany, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Alan Wilson from Stilton, Peterborough, Cambs, UK, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Steve Riggins, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Photo: Steve Riggins, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Photo: Steve Riggins, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Photo: Steve Riggins, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Photo: Steve Riggins, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Photo: G-BDXH, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Photo: Thomas Ormston from Darmstadt, Germany, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Alan Wilson from Stilton, Peterborough, Cambs, UK, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Sdkb, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Gwillhickers, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Steve Riggins, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Photo: Sdkb, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Matthew Dillon, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0