Location: Ridgecrest
Top Things to do in Ridgecrest
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The 10 Best Things to do in Ridgecrest, California (CA)
Ridgecrest is a city in Kern County, California, United States. It is located along U.S. Route 395 in the Indian Wells Valley in northeastern Kern County, adjacent to the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake (NAWS, or China Lake). The population was 27,616 at the 2010 census, up from 24,927 at the 2000 census. It was incorporated as a city in 1963.
Restaurants in Ridgecrest
1. Little Petroglyph Canyon
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 43 reviews
Cosos Mountains canyon containing rock paintings that pre-date Native Americans.
Reviewed By CRG48 - Berkeley, United States
Just came back from our tour into the canyon and cannot praise the tour guides enough. Bob, Libby, and 3 other guides lead our band of 25 or so folks into the canyon for an absolutely breathtaking experience. There are hundreds of incredibly beautiful petroglyphs to be seen along the mile and half canyon. It is definitely a very special experience I highly recommend. The trek is on sandy ground with many rocks under foot in places. The guides managed our group which had varying degrees of agility in a thoughtful and careful manner. Some of us continued the full length of the canyon which means scrambling over two rock "water falls" and with Bob's direction, it was all managed with good humor and safely. Others chose to stay in the first part of the canyon and still saw hundreds of spectacular petroglyphs. Many thanks to you terrific volunteer guides and the museum for allowing us to see the Western Hemisphere's largest collection of prehistoric petroglyphs in such a pristine, quiet and beautiful setting.
2. Ridgecrest Area Convention & Visitors Center
3. Rademacher Hills
4. The Game Vault - Escape Rooms
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
***Closed Until Further Notice*** To reduce the spread of COVID-19 Proud to be Ridgecrest's premiere escape room company! We offer a truly unique live action form of entertainment. Our rooms are built with strict attention to detail to make you feel like you are right in the middle of the action. Get locked inside of one of our rooms and see if you can puzzle your way out before time is up.
5. Maturango Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 124 reviews
Reviewed By stevebP290MF
Great exhibits on the desert flora and fauna along with next door China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station. There is a nice gift shop, admission fees are reasonable and a friendly, helpful staff. Not a huge museum, but well organized and very informative.
6. Red Rock Books
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17 reviews
7. Furys Sports Bar
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
8. Casa Corona
9. China Lake Naval Weapons Center
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 48 reviews
The largest naval research area in the U.S., 1,200 square miles of desert and mountains, allows a limited number of tours into Little Petroglyph Canyon.
Reviewed By 754steveb754 - Ridgecrest, United States
It is much easier to visit at least part of the weapons exhibits at the China Lake Museum now that some of the exhibits on off-base in Los Flores, next door the the Maturango Museum. However, for now at least, the best displays are still on the base and much harder for folks to get access. If you can get aboard China Lake and see it all, it's worth the time.
10. Petroglyph Park
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By jmartinink
Beautiful artists’ renditions of ancient petroglyphs, native plants, and in springtime great wildflowers, adorn this lovely park. While visiting, do stop in at the Maturango Museum for a chat with a docent. They have a raft of free brochures about the local area, beautiful art exhibits, a natural history section with fun activities for children, and a fabulous gift shop.
