Ridgecrest: Museums, Stargazing and Events

There are various interests to choose from when planning a stay in Ridgecrest: natural history, paleontology and technology, stargazing, or an event. The topics of interest differ both in content and in whether a recurring event is involved. So when planning your trip, it is worth looking at the specific offerings and dates that matter to you.

Museums with different areas of focus

The El Paso Gallery features permanent exhibits on local natural history, paleontology, archaeology, mineralogy and geology. It brings together several areas of expertise: natural history and geology alongside archaeological and paleontological topics. If you are choosing what to see based on your interests, you can weigh these areas of focus against one another in advance.

The China Lake Museum offers a different focus. Its exhibits include the largest collection of tactical airborne weapons, as well as related items. The museum offers guided tours and hands-on STEAM activities. Access to the military base is not required to visit. Check the latest visitor information before your trip, especially if you plan to include the museum in your schedule.

Stargazing and event dates

Cerro Coso’s annual Star Party combines stargazing with science education for all ages. The event includes telescope viewing at the Dr. Alex Shlanta Astronomical Observatory; telescopes are provided by CLAS members. This hands-on observing complements the science education. Since the date and program of this recurring event should be checked again, review the latest information before your trip.

The City of Ridgecrest hosts Trunk-or-Treat every fall, and it is open to all ages. Specific dates may change. At Food Truck Fridays, food trucks and vendors come to Balsam Street in Ridgecrest one Friday each month; the event schedule may also change. The events differ in focus and frequency: the Star Party combines observing and education, Trunk-or-Treat is a fall event, and Food Truck Fridays take place one Friday each month. Check the dates for each event if you want one of them to determine your stay.

Wildflowers and a long-running exhibition tradition

The Maturango Museum’s Annual Wildflower Exhibit features wildflowers collected within a 50-mile radius of Indian Wells Valley. The tradition has continued at its current venue since 1986. These two details provide different points of reference: the radius describes the collection area for the flowers on display, while the year indicates how long the exhibition tradition has continued. If the exhibit is a focus of your trip, check the latest event details.

Regional visitor information and hotel search

In the wider region around Ridgecrest, tours of Little Petroglyph Canyon are currently unavailable because Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake does not allow petroglyph tours. If you want to include this site in your regional plans, take the current restriction into account and check its status again before your trip.

If that is the case, you can plan your travel dates around it. If your plans are flexible, you can instead choose the museum, exhibition or stargazing focus that matters most to you. This way, the specific reason for your trip serves as a starting point for finding a hotel.

Discover more destinations: Bakersfield, Shafter, Lost Hills, Buttonwillow, California City, Arvin, Lebec, Kernville.

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