Barstow, CA. Things To Do

Located in the historic 1911 Casa del Desierto (House of the Desert), the Route 66 “Mother Road” Museum showcases interesting history relating to Route 66, the Mojave Desert and the early railways. During the heyday of trans-American railway travel the historic building served as a railway depot, hotel and restaurant complex which served all long-distance rail travelers. Today you will find a wealth of information about the legendary 2,248-mile Route 66 from the docents and displays and you can also pick up current information about driving Route 66 and crossing the Mojave Desert. Before you leave you can pick up some maps and souvenirs at the gift shop to remind you of your visit.

The remarkable Rainbow Basin Natural Area is a must-see attraction for anyone who finds themselves in the vicinity of Barstow. A short drive along Route 58 to Fort Irwin Rd will bring you to the single unpaved road which winds through an otherworldly landscape of brilliantly colored canyons, crags and valleys which have been carved out of the soft sandstone by millions of years of water and wind activity. You can admire the outstanding landscape on foot or stay in your vehicle and follow the one-way loop road. Primitive camping is allowed at Owl Canyon Campground – you will need to bring in everything you need including water.

You can spend a couple of informative hours learning all about the fascinating history of Pacific southwest Railroads at the Western America Railroad Museum (aka WARM). The museum is housed in an authentic railway depot and showcases a large collection of everything to do with the railroads. You will be able to admire old timetables, uniforms, artifacts and much more. When you move outside you can see railroad operating equipment, rolling stock, locomotive and signaling and track equipment. You can visit the museum for free (donations towards the upkeep of the museum are much appreciated) and there is a small gift shop where you can buy railroad souvenirs.

The Barstow Harvey House (aka Casa Del Desierto or House of the Desert) is more than just a historical building; the former train depot/restaurant/hotel today houses the Western America Railroad Museum, the Route 66 “Mother Road” Museum, the Barstow Chamber of Commerce and the Barstow Visitor’s Bureau. As such, Barstow Harvey House forms the historical heart of Barstow. During the heyday of American rail travel there were several Harvey Houses dotted along the length of the railroad, where passengers could disembark and enjoy a good meal. The Barstow Harvey House was extensively renovated after earthquake damage in 1992.

Barstow Station is a convenient pit-stop for motorists and buses traveling the famous Route 66 between Las Vegas and Los Angeles. The station has a large wrap-around food court where several fast-food restaurants vie for your custom. There are also a few retail outlets and souvenir shops as well as restrooms. You will find a selection of well-known food outlets including a McDonald’s, Subway Sandwiches and Dunkin Donuts. If you have a sweet tooth you will love the candy counter at Double R Gifts which stock a wide variety of snacks for the road including chocolates, jelly beans and lots of other mouth-watering candy.