Lancaster is a city in far northern Los Angeles County in Southern California, 8 miles (13 km) from the Kern County line.
Understand
Get in
The Musical Road
Created for a Honda commercial, America's only "musical" road is on Avenue G near Lancaster, CA, between 30th St. W. and 40th St. W. You must travel westbound in the left-most lane of the three-lane road. Grooves cut into the road at intervals cause tire vibrations so that a car driving at 55 miles per hour hears the William Tell Overture (known to many as the theme from the Lone Ranger). The section of road proved so popular that it was re-located to this less populated stretch of highway and is now sponsored by the city of Lancaster. Videos of what you can expect to see and hear can be found on YouTube.
By car
California State Highway 14, the Antelope Valley Freeway, is the primary north - south route in and out of Lancaster. It ends in Los Angeles in the South and heads North to Reno, Nevada.
California State Highway 138 heads east out of the "next door" city of Palmdale to the south and heads west along Avenue D, 6 miles north of Lancaster in unincorporated Los Angeles County. CA-138 runs co-extensively with CA-14 from Avenue D to Palmdale Blvd. Highway 138 leads to the "Grapevine" area of Interstate 5 to the west, and the Inland Empire (Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario) to the east.
By plane
- General William J. Fox Airfield (IATA: WJF), 34.741111°, -118.218611°. There is no longer schedule air service to the Antelope Valley region but is open for general aviation.
Los Angeles area airports of LAX, Bob Hope in Burbank, Ontario, Long Beach, and John Wayne in Orange County, or Bakersfield's Meadows Field may be used if willing to drive a couple of hours.
By rail
The Lancaster Metrolink Station is the final destination on the Metrolink Rail system's Antelope Valley Line from Los Angeles' Union Station. Other nearby stops include the Palmdale Transportation Center and the Vincent-Grade/Acton Metrolink stations in Palmdale. Amtrak, the national rail carrier also has its Thruway Bus that stops at both the Lancaster Metrolink Station and the Palmdale Transportation Center.
By bus
Greyhound Bus Lines stops at the Lancaster Metrolink station and also at the nearby Palmdale Transportation Center. If continuing to your final destination using the local public bus system, the Antelope Valley Transit Authority, it is advisable to get off at the Palmdale Transportation Center instead, since it is the principal hub for the AVTA and you have more connection options (5) there than the Lancaster Metrolink station, which connects to only 2 lines.
Get around
By bus
The Antelope Valley Transit Authority operates public transit buses throughout Lancaster with routes near most major hotels, parks, shopping areas and medical facilities. One-way fare (as of March, 2013) is $1.50. A day pass is $3.75.
By train
Lancaster is the end of the line for the Metrolink Antelope Valley Line at the Lancaster Station on Sierra Highway. The only other stop in the Antelope Valley is at the Palmdale Transportation Center. The Antelope Valley Line continues to the Santa Clarita Valley, San Fernando Valley, and Los Angeles.
See
- Museum of Art and History, 665 W Lancaster Blvd. (on the northeast corner of the intersection of Lancaster Blvd. and Elm Avenue), 34.69799°, -118.14187°, +1 661 723-6250. M closed, Tu W 11AM–6PM, Th 11AM–8PM and F–Su 11AM–6PM. Post-war and modern art in photography, drawing, film, sculpture, painting, installations and new media. Free (Donation encouraged)
- Western Hotel Museum, 557 W Lancaster Blvd. (east of the Lancaster Post Office on the north side of Lancaster Blvd.), 34.69834°, -118.13901°, +1 661 723-6250. Associated with the Museum of Art and History, this is Lancaster's oldest surviving structure and holds many artifacts from the area during the 19th century and from local native peoples.
- National Soccer Center, 43000 30th Street East (drive east on Avenue L to 30th St. E.), 34.66271°, -118.07693°, +1 661 723-6089. M-Th 4:30PM-9PM, F closed, Sa Su 9AM-5PM. A major center for high school and youth-league soccer tournaments with 35 playing fields.
- Antelope Valley Indian Museum, 15701 East Avenue M (drive east along Avenue K to 150th St East; turn south to Avenue M; turn east to entrance at 158th St East), 34.6458°, -117.8496°, +1 661 946-3055. Sa Su 11AM-4PM. The museum contains a collection of objects made by various indigenous peoples of California, the Great Basin, and the Southwest. Adults $3, children under 12 free 2021-12-13
Do
- Antelope Valley Fair, 2551 West Avenue H (take Highway 14, exit Avenue H, head west), 34.71903°, -118.17495°, +1 661 948-6060. Open 2PM to midnight most days. The Antelope Valley Fair occurs during August each year at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds. Other events are held at the fairgrounds throughout the year.
- California Poppy Festival, Lancaster City Park (take Highway 14, exit Avenue L, head east to 10th St. W., turn north, enter at City Park Drive), 34.6658°, -118.1494°. 10AM-6PM daily. The California Poppy Festival is held at Lancaster City Park during one weekend each year in April while the state flower, the California Poppy, blooms across the valley.
- The Hangar, 45116 Valley Central Way (exit Highway 14 at Avenue I, drive west one block to Valley Central Way), 34.70278°, -118.17283°, +1 661 726-5400. Home of the Lancaster Jethawks minor league baseball team, affiliate of the Houston Astros.
- Lancaster Performing Arts Center, 750 W Lancaster Blvd. (on the south side of Lancaster Blvd. between Fig and Fern Avenues.), 34.697405°, -118.143923°, +1 661 723-5950. (Box office) M-F noon-6PM, Sa noon-4PM, Su closed. Lancaster's live performance venue.
- Prime Desert Woodland Preserve, 43201 35th St. W. (corner of K-8 and 35th St. W.), 34.66758°, -118.19233°, +1 661-723-5928. 100-acre preserve with more than 3 miles of trails among pristine Mojave desert flora. Many types of desert inhabitants can often be seen (jackrabbits, roadrunners, lizards). Park: 6AM-sunset; Interpretive Center: weekends only
- Antelope Valley Sportsman's Club, 34.7073373°, -118.4111012°, +1-661-724-1291. One of several area outdoorsman's clubs, providing outings to take game birds.
Buy
Eat
- Black Angus Steakhouse, 44690 Valley Central Way, 34.69443°, -118.17085°, +1 661 942-5225. M-Sa 11AM-10PM; Su 11AM-9PM.
- Wee Vill Market, 18348 W Avenue D, Fairmont, 34.7744444°, -118.4596887°, +1-661-724-2200. Veteran-owned mini market and kitchen with counter service for diner fare.
- J & J Donuts, 42202 50th St W, Quartz Hill, 34.649467°, -118.2202651°, +1-661-471-9435. Highly regarded donut shop on 50th W with a plethora of other local restaurants to the north and south.
Drink
- Britisher, 849 W Ave I, 34.70421°, -118.14589°, +1 661 948-5506.
- Coaches Sports Bar and Grill, 43451 Gadsden Ave, 34.67301°, -118.14352°, +1 661 942-8919.
- Maxdons Cocktails, 1340 W Avenue I, 34.70409°, -118.15475°, +1 661 948-4228.
- Medrano's Mexican Restaurant, 44276 10th St West, 34.687768°, -118.147834°, +1 661 948-4247. Su-Th 11AM-10PM; F Sa 11AM-1AM. Full Sports Bar, Holiday Events, Karaoke. Dancing on Friday Nights.
- Schooners Patio Grill, 2797 W Ave. L, 34.66071°, -118.18152°, +1 661 943-0800. M-F 11AM-2AM; Sa Su 10AM-2AM.
- Big Shotz Bar & Grill, 227 W Pillsbury St, 34.69104°, -118.13218°, +1 661 948-0115.
Sleep
Budget
- Hikertown, 26803 W Ave C 15, 34.7765208°, -118.6081372°, +1-310-817-1595. Youth hostel catering to hiking groups. 2021-12-13
- Sawmill Campground, Sawmill Campground Rd, Lake Hughes, 34.716604°, -118.5970983°. U.S. Forest Service campground in Lake Hughes. RVs to 16', first-come first-served, not reserveable.
Mid-range
- Hampton Inn and Suites, 2300 W Doubleplay Rd. (exit Highway 14 at Avenue I, turn west, go one block to Valley Central Way, turn north, go one block to W. Doubleplay Rd., turn east), 34.70114°, -118.17126°, +1 661 940-9194. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM.
- Holiday Inn Express, 43719 17th Street West (exit Highway 14 at Avenue K, turn west, drive one block to 17th St. W., turn north, drive two blocks), +1 661 951-8848. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM.
- Motel 6, 43540 17th Street West (exit Highway 14 at Avenue K, turn west, drive one block to 17th St. W., turn south half a block, access to hotel from entry on 17th St. W.), 34.67440°, -118.15993°, +1 661 948-0435. $49.99
Splurge
- Homewood Suites by Hilton, 2320 Double Play Way (exit Highway 14 at Avenue I, turn west, go one block to Valley Central Way, turn north, go one block to W. Doubleplay Rd., turn east), 34.70057°, -118.17195°, +1 661 723-8040. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. An all suite hotel equipped with full kitchens and free high-speed Internet. Complimentary hot breakfast, a light dinner with beverages (Monday-Thursday), and a grocery shopping service.
Stay safe
Because of crime in Lancaster, it is best not to go out alone, particularly at night.
Go next
- Rosamond - north of Lancaster on Highway 14, Rosamond is primarily a bedroom community in the desert of the Antelope Valley, although it does have food and lodging options for tourists, and is home to a non-profit center dedicated to feline protection where visitors can see cats ranging in size from the tiny fishing cat up to the Siberian tiger.
- Palmdale - Lancaster's twin city is south on Highway 14. In 1962 Palmdale became the first city in the Antelope Valley to incorporate, and today it is home to over 150,000 people. While it lacks exciting tourist destinations, the town does offer a vast number of hotels, restaurants and other services for travelers.