Tourism
Background
Barstow offers a unique blend of history, natural beauty, and modern attractions that cater to a diverse range of tourists. As a pivotal stop along the iconic Route 66, the city boasts a rich historical legacy, with vintage motels, roadside diners, and quirky museums showcasing the vibrant spirit of the past. Beyond its nostalgic charm, Barstow also serves as a gateway to stunning desert landscapes, including the mesmerizing Rainbow Basin Natural Area and the rugged Calico Mountains. Outdoor enthusiasts can partake in activities like hiking, off-roading, and stargazing under clear desert skies. The bustling Tanger Outlet Center provides a shopping haven for those seeking retail therapy, while the Western America Railroad Museum delights train aficionados with its impressive collection. Whether it's tracing the footsteps of pioneers, exploring geological wonders, or indulging in retail adventures, Barstow promises an unforgettable journey through the heart of California's desert allure.
The Historic Harvey House, a landmark on the National Register of Historic Places, was designed by Francis Wilson and constructed by the Santa Fe Railroad in 1911. Wilson’s design melds Classic and Mission Revival motifs.
Perhaps no other highway in the U.S. is as fabled as Route 66. It has been immortalized in song and literature. In the early 1900s, the route was known as the National Old Trails Road. In 1926, it became U.S. Highway 66, and within a decade it was paved all the way from L.A. to Chicago. Tourists from
around the world still cruise through Barstow on the historic thoroughfare.
Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex
The NASA Deep Space Network (DSN) is an international network of antennas that supports interplanetary spacecraft missions and radio and radar astronomy observations for the exploration of the solar system and the universe. The network also supports selected Earth-orbiting missions.
The DSN currently consists of three deep-space communications facilities placed approximately 120 degrees apart around the world: at Goldstone, near Barstow; near Madrid, Spain; and near Canberra, Australia. This strategic placement permits constant observation of spacecraft as the Earth rotates, and helps to make the DSN the largest and most sensitive scientific telecommunications system in the world. The complex provides tours upon advance requests.
The Old Spanish National Trail, America’s 15th National Trail, traverses through Barstow and was called the “longest, crookedest, most arduous pack mule route in the history of America,” by Explorer John C. Fremont. For traveling Mexican caravans between 1829 and 1848, the Old Spanish Trail was known as the shortest path to riches between Los Angeles and Santa Fe.
Calico Ghost Town is the state’s official Silver Rush Ghost Town as designated by state legislation in July 2005. 1881 marked the beginning of one of the largest silver strikes in California history and the birth of Calico. This authentic silver mining town lives on as one of the few original mining camps of the Old West.