Established in the 1840s along the Mormon Corridor, Barstow is a lively city in the Mojave Desert of Southern California. Gold and silver were discovered nearby in the 1860s, which saw an influx of miners to the region. Barstow is named after William Barstow Strong, who served as the president of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway.
Things to do in Barstow
Occupying the 1911-built Casa Del Desierto is the Route 66 “Mother Road Museum”, where you’ll find vintage cars, photographs and artworks related to the legendary driving route. Also within the Spanish Renaissance-style building is the Western America Railroad Museum, which showcases the history of the railways in the Pacific Southwest. In addition to its railroad artefacts, it exhibits historic locomotives and rolling stock.
Another museum you should visit in Barstow is the Mojave River Valley Museum, which explores the scientific and cultural heritage of the Mojave Desert. It overlooks the greenery of Dana Park with its children’s playground and shaded benches. At the Desert Discovery Center, you can get up close to the “Old Woman” - one of the largest meteorites found in the United States.
Want to stretch your legs? Head to the Robert A. Sessions Memorial Sportspark to explore its network of leafy walking trails. This recreational green space also encompasses basketball courts, soccer fields and batting cages and hosts regional softball tournaments on its illuminated diamonds. If you’re travelling with kids, they’ll love the well-designed Barstow Skate Park.
Getting around Barstow
Barstow is around 1.5 hours’ drive from Los Angeles and just over two hours from Los Angeles International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Regular trains connect from Los Angeles and Chicago to the Barstow railway station while buses travel throughout the city, connecting most of its attractions.