Barstow

Barstow is a city 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 itself does not have commercial airline service. The closest commercial airport is LA/Ontario International Airport (ONT ^IATA) about a 1-hour 14 minute (77 mi (124 km)) 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 (153 mi (246 km)) drive, northeast, on Interstate 15.

• 🌍 Barstow-Daggett Airport (DAG  ^IATA). General aviation but no commercial flights.  

By car

Route 66 sign in Barstow

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

Barstow train station

• 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, (Depot) 1611 E Main St (Behind McDonald's at Barstow Station at E Main and I-15 (Exit #184)), ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone]. 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. (updated Aug 2017)
• 🌍 Bolt Bus, (bus stop) Carl's Jr at 2856 Lenwood Rd (Off at the Lenwood Rd exit on I-15 (Exit #178).). Service from Los Angeles, Ontario and Las Vegas (updated Aug 2017)
• Barstow to Fort Irwin bus, ☎ [phone]. Tu, Th, and Sa. Bus service between the Fort Irwin Army Base and the city of Barstow. $2.75. 
• B-V Link (Rt #15), ☎ [phone]. M, W, Th 7:50AM-6PM. Bus service between Barstow, Victorville and the Inland Empire. One way $6, round trip $12, seniors/disabled are 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

• Barstow Area Transit, ☎ [phone]. M-F- 7AM-7PM, Sa 9AM-5PM, Su 8AM-4PM. BAT provides service on three bus lines that run hourly. For areas not covered by the routes, dial-a-ride service ([phone]) is available. $1.25, Senior/disabled $0.65, children 6-17 $1, under 5 free.. 

See

Western America Railroad Museum

• 🌍 Desert Discovery Center, 831 Barstow Rd, ☎ [phone]. Tu-Sa 11AM-4PM. The highlight of the DDC is the 6,700 pound (3,039 kg) Old Woman Meteorite, the second largest meteorite ever found in the United States. Free. (updated Jun 2015)
• Main Street Murals (See website for a map of locations). 24 hours. A series of 16 murals depicting the history of Barstow are painted on the sides of buildings along Main Street. A note of interest is that 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.), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 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. (updated Jun 2015)
• 🌍 Barstow Harvey House, 681 N. First Ave, ☎ [phone]. 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 is the location of the Barstow Route 66 Museum, the Western America Railroad Museum, the Barstow Chamber of Commerce and the Barstow Visitor's Bureau. (updated Jul 2015)

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.), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]. 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. (updated Jun 2015)
• 🌍 Skyline Drive-In Theater, 31175 Old Hwy 58 (Heading north, the Drive-In is about 3/10 of a miles (500 m) west from the "Old Highway 58" exit on the I-15, just before Soap Mine Rd.), ☎ [phone]. 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. (updated Jul 2015)

Buy

• 🌍 Tanger Outlet Center, 2796 Tanger Way (just South of Barstow along Interstate 15), ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone]. Mo-Su 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. (updated Jun 2015)

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.), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]. 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. Pricing avg. $8-$12 a plate. (updated Jul 2015)
• 🌍 McDonald's Barstow Station, 1611 E. Main St., ☎ [phone]. Lobby - Daily 5AM-11P, 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. (updated Jun 2015)
• 🌍 Lola's Kitchen, 1244 E. Main St., ☎ [phone]. M-F 4AM-7:30PM, Sa 4AM-4:30PM. Excellent Mexican food located inside the Von's shopping center. Cash only. (updated Jun 2015)

Del Taco

• 🌍 Del Taco (Del Taco #1), 2871 Lenwood Rd. (Exit I-15 at Lenwood Rd., restaurant is on the east side toward Barstow Outlet Center.), ☎ [phone]. 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. (updated Jul 2015)
• 🌍 Idle Spurs Steakhouse (Idle Spurs), 690 Old Highway 58, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Tu-F 11AM-9PM, Sa-Su 4PM-9PM. Situated in a renovated house just outside of the Main St. district, big steaks, full bar, homey atmosphere, music on the weekends. Pricing avg. $15-25 a plate. (updated Jun 2015)
• 🌍 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.), ☎ [phone]. 11AM - 9PM. DiNapoli's Firehouse is a dark yet warmly lit and arranged Italian restaurant with FDNY 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. Pricing avg. $15-25 a plate. (updated Jul 2015)

Drink

• Bar 66, 1624 W. Main St. (Take the West Barstow exit), ☎ [phone]. 4:30PM - 2AM. A casual bar on legendary Route 66. Very friendly, great staff and low-key until about 9 PM 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. (updated Nov 2018)

Sleep

• 🌍 Best Western Desert Villa Inn, 1984 E. Main St, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. Swimming pool, complimentary continental breakfast and Internet access. Pet friendly. $65-130 (Doubles). (updated Jun 2015)
• 🌍 Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, 2700 Lenwood Rd, ☎ [phone]. $100–220 (Doubles). (updated Jun 2015)
• 🌍 Motel 6, 150 Yucca Ave, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]. $45–55 (Doubles). (updated Jun 2015)
• 🌍 Rodeway Inn, 1261 East Main St, ☎ [phone]. $40–60 (Doubles). (updated Jun 2015)
• 🌍 Sleep Inn on Historic Route 66, 1861 W. Main St, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Outdoor pool, workout center, complimentary continental breakfast and Internet access. Pet friendly. (updated Jun 2015)
• 🌍 Stardust Inn, 901 E Main St, ☎ [phone]. $35–60 (Doubles). (updated Jun 2015)

Go next

• 🌍 Calico Ghost Town, 36600 Ghost Town Rd, Yermo (13 mi. (21 km) east on I-15), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Daily 9AM–5PM except Christmas Day. A family destnation 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 (Located 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.). 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. Adults $5, Children (12 and under) $1, Seniors (62 and over) $2. (updated Jun 2015)
• 🌍 Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex, 93 Goldstone Rd, Fort Irwin (35mi (65km) north), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Guided tours of the 53 square mile (137 square km) 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. (updated Jun 2015)
• 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 located adjacent to the town.
• Baker - Located approximately 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.

Routes through Barstow

Los Angeles ← Victorville ←	W  E	→ Needles → Albuquerque
Las Vegas ← Baker ←	N  S	→ Apple Valley → San Bernadino
END ←	W  E	→ Needles → Kingman
Santa Monica ← Victorville ←	W  E	→ Amboy → Kingman
Bakersfield ← California City ← Jct N S ←	W  E	→ END