For many of Angelinos (who come from Los Angeles, FYI), the city of Barstow is best known as an intermediate milestone on the road to Las Vegas along the interstate 15. First, Barstow is not at all geographical halfway along the route 40 miles further out than in Las Vegas than in Los Angeles. It is only thanks to the traffic in Los Angeles that the time required for a trip to Barstow is the same from any city. Secondly, the city has much more opportunities than gas stations and fast food. The next time you find yourself in the city.
Rainbow pool
Barstow sits near the southwestern edge of the Mojave Desert, not far from where the dry desert basin rises sharply to almost 12,000 feet of the peaks of the San Bernardino Mountains. The city itself owes much of its historical prosperity to the wealth of mineral resources that were extracted from the Mojave. Gold, silver and later borax were found in large quantities in the region. Today, the federal government owns most of the land under the care of either the national park service or the Bureau of Land Management. Although the desert may seem a harsh landscape, devoid of life, is replete with affairs. The rainbow pool offers excellent opportunities for scenic hikes and off-road. The name comes from the layered layers of rock in the multi-colored stripes stretching across the Kaliko mountain range.
Railway Museum of Western America
The other economic driver who put Barstow on the map was his location as a link in the American West. First as a transit point for herds en route to Los Angeles from Utah (via Salt Lake Road) and from New Mexico (via the Old Spanish Route from Santa Fe). Later, partly from mining and partly to the geographical position, the city became a major depot for the South Pacific, and then the Santa Fe Railway. In fact, the city is named after William Barstow Strong, the former president of Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe Railway. Fans of the golden era of the railway will delight the wonderfully preserved locomotives and other relics of the departed Wild West.
Skyline drive-in
If you're looking for something to do and feel a bit nostalgic, look no further than Skyline Drive-In Cinema. Skyline is one of the most comfortable on the left in Southern California, and worth a visit. On two screens, screenings of the latest feature films alternate with a random catchy cast. Visit the concession stands for the bath with popcorn oil, then fold the seat back and enjoy the sound, served on the FM-frequency on your car stereo.
These offers will severely scratch the surface of natural, historical, and recreational opportunities for people in Barstow, California.
