Barstow - city in San Bernardino County, California, United States

Barstow is a city of 24,000 people (2018) in the southern desert of the state of California. The city's location at the junction of Interstate 15 and Interstate 40, as well as its position on the old Route 66, make it a frequent pit stop for travelers passing through on their way to more exotic destinations.

Understand

Get in

By plane

Barstow does not have commercial airline service. The closest commercial airport is LA/Ontario International Airport (IATA: ONT) about a 1-hour 14 minute () drive south of Barstow on Interstate 15, passing through Victorville, Cajon Pass, and Rancho Cucamonga en route. The next nearest commercial airport is Las Vegas McCarran International Airport about 2 hour 15 minutes () drive, northeast, on Interstate 15.

• Barstow-Daggett Airport (IATA: DAG), 34.853611°, -116.786667°. General aviation but no commercial flights.

By car

Interstate 40 and Interstate 15, both major cross-country highways, intersect in Barstow. I-15 comes from Southern California to the south and the Las Vegas area to the north. I-40 comes from Northern Arizona. The historic (but decommissioned) Route 66 also passes through. California State Route 58 enters from the west, connecting Barstow to Bakersfield.

By train

• Amtrak, 685 North First Ave. The Southwest Chief line stops in Barstow. The westbound train stops in Barstow at 3:40AM and the eastbound stops at 9:55PM, so plan accordingly.

By bus

• Greyhound, (Bus stop) Barstow Travel Center at 1611 E Main St (Behind McDonald's at Barstow Station at E Main and I-15 (Exit #184)), 34.89122°, -116.999°, +1 760 256-8757. Greyhound travels primarily on Interstate 15 (San Bernardino, Barstow, Las Vegas). Other variations of this route go towards downtown Los Angeles along the 210 without going into San Bernardino. They have an additional stop at Carl's Jr at 2856 Lenwood Rd. 2017-08-30
• Flixbus, (Bus stop) Barstow Travel Center at 1611 E Main (Bus will board at the Barstow Travel Center. Please proceed to the bus parking behind the station along the tracks.). 2020-06-15
• Barstow to Fort Irwin bus, +1 760 380-3598. Tu Th Sa. Bus service between the Fort Irwin Army Base and the city of Barstow. $2.75
• B-V Link (Rt #15), +1 760 948-3030. M W Th 7:50AM-6PM. Bus service between Barstow, Victorville and the Inland Empire. One way $6, round trip $12, senior or disabled half price

Get around

By foot

The downtown area of Barstow is small enough to easily get around by walking.

By car

Main Street, L Street, Rimrock Road, and Montera Road encircle Barstow, while Barstow Road bisects the city.

Barstow is a small town with no traffic problems.

By bus

• Victor Valley Transit Authority, +1 760 948-3030. M-F 7AM-7PM, Sa 9AM-5PM, Su 8AM-4PM. VVTA provides service on three bus lines that run hourly. For areas not covered by the routes, dial-a-ride service (+1 760 256-0311 ) is available. $1.25, senior or disabled $0.65, child 6-17 $1, under 5 free

See

• Desert Discovery Center, 831 Barstow Rd, 34.89074°, -117.02218°, +1 760 252-6060. Tu-Sa 11AM-4PM. The highlight of the DDC is the 6,700-pound (3,039kg-) Old Woman Meteorite, the second largest meteorite ever found in the United States. Free 2015-06-26
• Main Street Murals. 24 hours. A series of 16 murals depicting the history of Barstow are painted on the sides of buildings along Main Street. All of the murals have jackrabbit painted into them, some obvious, some require searching. Free
• Mojave River Valley Museum, 270 E. Virginia Way (Exit I-15 at Barstow Road, go north two blocks then turn left.), 34.88785°, -117.02334°, +1 760 256-5452, mrvm@verizon.net. Daily 11AM-4PM except Christmas Day. Presents the history of the Mojave River Valley from the arrival of Father Garces in 1776 through the space program. Free 2015-06-26
• Barstow Harvey House, 681 N. First Ave, 34.904°, -117.025°, +1 760 256-8617. The "Casa Del Desierto" is one of the hotels built by Fred Harvey during the effort to build his vision of "3,000 Miles of Hospitality" along the Santa Fe Railways. No longer in operation as a hotel, the Harvey House houses the Barstow Route 66 Museum, the Western America Railroad Museum, the Barstow Chamber of Commerce and the Barstow Visitor's Bureau. 2015-07-28

Do

• Rainbow Basin Natural Area, Fossil Bed Rd (north on Irwin Road for 6 miles, turn left onto Fossil Bed Road, then follow the signs to Fossil Canyon Loop Road), 35.03169°, -117.03419°, +1 760 252-6000. Rainbow Basin is a natural basin that features fantastic and beautiful shapes in its rock formations. The road is one-way narrow dirt road is best driven with a high clearance or four-wheel drive vehicles. Free 2015-06-26
• Skyline Drive-In Theater, 31175 Old Hwy 58 (heading north, it's about 3/10 of a miles (500 m) west from the "Old Highway 58" exit on the I-15, just before Soap Mine Rd), 34.91398°, -116.98338°, +1 760-256-3333. Open seven days a week, first showing at sundown (8PM Summer, 6PM Winter). As one of the last drive-ins in San Bernardino County, this is a chance to experience the classical drive-in cinema under the dark desert sky, while seeing the newest blockbusters. It frequently has packed nights on new movie openings and even has a small (but fully functional diner) attached to the projector house. Bring your own car (obviously). If you wonder why you are not hearing any sound, it is broadcast on FM that you can tune into using your car or a personal stereo. The entry kiosk and diner staff can help you to find the frequencies for each screen. There are two separate screens each showing two new movies per night, allowing visitors to watch two movies for one price (with "theater hopping" allowed between pictures if you don't like the one you picked.) Entrance fee is $6/person 2015-07-28

Buy

• Tanger Outlet Center, 2796 Tanger Way (just South of Barstow along Interstate 15), 34.84803°, -117.08598°, +1 760-253-4813. Daily 9AM-8PM. Dozens and dozens of places to shop for virtually every name brand merchandise one can think of. There are plenty of places to eat for the weary traveler too. 2015-06-26

Eat

• Jenny's Grill Steak & Mariscos, 1231 E. Main St. (exit I-15 at E. Main Street, head west for 1 mile; restaurant is on right hand side in front of Comfort Inn), 34.89791°, -117.00954°, +1 760 255-1500. M-Sa 7:30AM-10PM, Su 7:30AM-9PM. A family run Mexican restaurant with Sonoran, Continental, and Seafood entrees. Good food, and reasonable prices with dinner entrees starting around $6. $8-12 a plate 2015-07-28
• McDonald's Barstow Station, 1611 E. Main St., 34.89112°, -116.99902°, +1 760 256-0812. Lobby - daily 5AM-11PM, drive-thru - daily 24 hours. If not the largest McDonald's in the world, it is certainly the most unique. Barstow Station is a McDonald's with an ice cream shop, candy store, gas station and the home of several radio stations that broadcast to travelers crossing the Mojave Desert. The most unique aspect of Barstow Station is the eating area. You can dine in old train cars and enjoy the view of travelers passing through this town. There is also a stand inside that sells homemade fudge. 2015-06-26
• Lola's Kitchen, 1244 E. Main St., 34.89650°, -117.00902°, +1 760 255-1007. M-F 4AM-7:30PM, Sa 4AM-4:30PM. Excellent Mexican food in the Von's shopping center. Cash only. 2015-06-26

• Del Taco (Del Taco #1), 2871 Lenwood Rd. (exit I-15 at Lenwood Rd., restaurant is on the east side toward Barstow Outlet Center), 34.85210°, -117.08250°, +1 760 253-2641. 6AM - midnight. Opened in 1964, this is one of the first Del Tacos (the chain started in Barstow) and has an extensive menu, serving otherwise long discontinued offerings. A special menu available only at the Barstow restaurants offers a selection of items with increased quantity at a discounted price. 2015-07-28
• DiNapoli's Firehouse, 1358 E Main St, Barstow, CA 92311 (Exit I-15 at E. Main Street, head west 1 block, turn left on Mountain View, restaurant is on the righthand side facing Main Street.), 34.8935677°, -117.0035846°, +1 760 256-1094. 11AM - 9PM. DiNapoli's Firehouse is a dark yet warmly lit and arranged Italian restaurant with Fire Department of New York memorabilia and New York crooners during their heyday lining the walls. Meals cover the gamut of Italian cooking and pasta/baked lunch and dinner variety. $15-25 a plate 2015-07-28

Drink

• Bar 66, 1624 W. Main St. (Take the West Barstow exit), +1 760 979-2197. 4:30PM - 2AM. A casual bar on legendary Route 66. Very friendly, great staff and low-key until about 9PM when the music starts and the place starts jumping. Special events and happy hours go on all year, so check the website out to see what is coming up. 2018-11-08

Sleep

• Best Western Desert Villa Inn, 1984 E. Main St, 34.88703°, -116.99454°, +1 760 256-1781, brett@Innvestment.net. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. Swimming pool, complimentary continental breakfast and Internet access. Pet friendly. $65-130 (doubles) 2015-06-26
• Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, 2700 Lenwood Rd, 34.84434°, -117.08493°, +1 760 253-9200. $100–220 (doubles) 2015-06-26
• Motel 6, 150 Yucca Ave, 34.89761°, -117.00710°, +1 760 256-1752. $45–55 (doubles) 2015-06-26
• Rodeway Inn, 1261 East Main St, 34.89704°, -117.00835°, +1 760 256-7581. $40–60 (doubles) 2015-06-26
• Sleep Inn on Historic Route 66, 1861 W. Main St, 34.89360°, -117.05017°, +1 760-256-1300. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Outdoor pool, workout center, complimentary continental breakfast and Internet access. Pet friendly. 2015-06-26
• Stardust Inn, 901 E Main St, 34.89887°, -117.01521°, +1 760 256-7116. $35–60 (doubles) 2015-06-26

Go next

• Calico Ghost Town, 36600 Ghost Town Rd, Yermo (13 mi. (21 km) east on I-15), 34.94910°, -116.86459°, +1 760 254-2122, calicotown@parks.sbcounty.gov. Daily 9AM–5PM except Christmas Day. A family destination with mines, gunfights, and more. A short train ride gives a brief history of the town and the surrounding desert. $6, youth 6-15 - $6, under 5 free.
• Calico Early Man Site, Minneola Rd, Yermo (15 miles northeast of Barstow; take Interstate 15 north and exit Minneola Road; follow the signs 2 miles north on graded dirt roads to the site), 34.94739°, -116.76095°. Guided tours: W 1:30PM and 3:30PM; Th-Su 9:30AM, 11:30AM, 1:30PM, and 3:30PM. This archaeological site is the location of a stone tool workshop, quarry, and camp site used by nomadic hunters and gatherers around 200,000 years ago, one of the oldest sites found in North America. Adult $5, child (12 and under) $1, senior (62 and over) $2 2015-06-26
• Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex, 93 Goldstone Rd, Fort Irwin (35mi (65km) north), 35.30038°, -116.80500°, +1 760-255-8688, gdscc.tours@jpl.nasa.gov. Guided tours of the 53-square-mile (137-km²) complex housing the massive antennas that NASA uses to communicate with its deep space missions to the planets. All tours must be scheduled in advance. Note that the tour requires entry to the Fort Irwin Army Base so ID is required and vehicles may be searched. Free 2015-06-26
• Mojave - 70 miles west of Barstow on Highway 58, Mojave is a hotbed of aerospace activity, with the Mojave Spaceport the headquarters of Scaled Composites, the first private company to launch a human into space. Edwards Air Force base, a landing site for the space shuttle and a center for the development of experimental aircraft, is next to the town.
• Baker - About 60 miles to the northeast of Barstow on I-15, Baker is the only significant town on the interstate in the remote desert stretch between Barstow and the Nevada border. It offers food, fuel and lodging, is home to the world's tallest thermometer, and is the starting point for those journeying north to Death Valley.