Overview
California City occupies a curious place in American history. In the late 1950s, developer Nat Mendelsohn purchased a large tract of Mojave Desert land with the ambition of building California's third-largest city by area. Streets were graded, lots were sold, and an ambitious street grid was etched into the desert floor — but the population never followed at the scale envisioned. Today the city covers roughly 203 square miles, making it one of the largest cities by land area in California, yet its population sits around 13,000.
What visitors find is something genuinely unusual: mile after mile of paved and unpaved streets named and numbered as if a metropolis exists, running through open desert with virtually no structures beside them. This quirk of planning history has made California City a destination for urban explorers, photographers, and curious travelers interested in American land speculation and desert geography.
Beyond the ghost-grid curiosity, the surrounding Mojave Desert offers real outdoor recreation. The California City Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) recreation area draws dirt bikers and off-road enthusiasts from across Southern California. The landscape is austere and dramatic, with wide skies, Joshua trees, and the El Paso Mountains visible to the north.
Before You Go
Visas
California City is in the United States. For visa requirements, consult TravelerPulse's Visas section and the official U.S. Customs and Border Protection website, as rules vary significantly by nationality.
Climate
The Mojave Desert climate means hot summers and cold winters with low humidity year-round. Summer daytime temperatures regularly exceed 100°F (38°C) and can be dangerous for outdoor activity. Spring and autumn offer the most comfortable conditions. Winter nights can drop below freezing, so pack layers if visiting between November and February.
What to Pack
- Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat regardless of season
- Plenty of water — at least one gallon per person per day for any outdoor activity
- A paper or downloaded map; cell coverage can be patchy in outlying areas
- Vehicle emergency kit if you plan to explore remote streets or OHV trails
Getting There
California City is located in Kern County, roughly 100 miles northeast of Los Angeles and about 25 miles north of Mojave. Most visitors arrive by private vehicle.
By Car: From Los Angeles, take Highway 14 north through the Antelope Valley to Mojave, then head north on California City Boulevard into town. The drive typically takes around two hours depending on traffic through the San Fernando Valley. From Bakersfield, take Highway 58 east to Mojave, then north on California City Boulevard.
By Air: The nearest commercial airports are Meadows Field in Bakersfield and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Mojave Air and Space Port is closer but does not offer scheduled commercial passenger service. Renting a car at whichever airport you fly into is the practical choice.
By Bus: Kern Regional Transit operates limited bus service in the Kern County region; verify current routes and schedules directly with Kern Regional Transit before your trip, as service to California City is infrequent.
Getting Around
A personal vehicle is essentially required to explore California City. The city's layout is spread across an enormous area, and there is no local transit system to speak of.
Many of the unbuilt grid streets are unpaved dirt tracks. A standard passenger car can navigate the main paved roads and Central Park Drive without difficulty, but exploring the outer ghost-grid streets may require a vehicle with higher clearance. Check conditions after rainfall, as desert wash areas can flood quickly.
For OHV riding, a dedicated off-road vehicle or dirt bike is needed for the recreation area trails. Riders should verify current access rules and any permit requirements with the Kern County OHV office before heading out.
Things to See & Do
Explore the Ghost Grid
Driving the abandoned street network is the experience most associated with California City. Central Park Drive circles what was intended to be a large city park — the artificial Central Park Lake exists and is a local landmark. Aerial photographs and satellite maps reveal the extraordinary scale of the grid, and some visitors use drone photography (check local FAA regulations and obtain any necessary permissions before flying).
Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation
The California City OHV Recreation Area is one of the more accessible OHV areas in Southern California, drawing motocross and trail riders. Verify operating status, hours, and any permit or fee requirements directly with Kern County Parks before visiting, as conditions and rules change.
Fossil Hunting in the El Paso Mountains
The El Paso Mountains to the north of town are known among hobbyist paleontologists for marine fossils from ancient Mojave seabeds. Randsburg Road provides access to this area. Collecting rules on public lands vary — check with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Ridgecrest field office for current regulations.
Stargazing
Light pollution is minimal in and around California City. On clear nights the Milky Way is visible to the naked eye, making the desert around town a reasonable stargazing location without any specialized access required.
Photography and Urban Exploration
The contrast between the ambition of the original street grid and the empty desert reality is visually striking. The combination of paved cul-de-sacs, fire hydrants, and street signs surrounded by scrubland makes for distinctive photography.
Food & Drink
California City has a modest selection of local diners, fast food chains, and small restaurants concentrated along California City Boulevard and the commercial center near Town Center Drive. Options are limited compared to larger cities, and dining hours can be shorter than travelers accustomed to urban areas might expect.
Stock up on supplies in Mojave or, if arriving from the Los Angeles direction, at grocery stores along Highway 14 before entering California City. If you plan to spend time outdoors, bringing food and especially water with you is strongly advised — there are no services in the outer grid areas or on OHV trails.
Alcohol is available at local markets and some restaurants. Verify hours and availability locally, as individual business hours change.
Practical Information
Emergency Services
For any emergency in California City, dial 911. The city has a small fire station and law enforcement through the Kern County Sheriff's Department. The nearest hospital with a full emergency department is in Mojave or further in Ridgecrest or Bakersfield — verify the nearest facility before your visit.
Connectivity
Cell service from major carriers (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile) is generally available in the town center but can be unreliable or absent in the outer grid streets and desert. Download offline maps before exploring.
Fuel
Fill your tank in California City or in Mojave before heading into the desert. There are no fuel stations in the outlying grid or OHV areas.
Money
ATMs are available at local banks and some convenience stores. Carry cash for smaller establishments that may not accept cards.
Safety
The most significant safety concern in California City is the desert environment itself. Heat-related illness is a genuine risk from May through September. Always carry more water than you think you need, let someone know your plans before exploring remote areas, and do not rely solely on a cell phone for navigation.
Vehicle breakdowns in the remote outer streets of the grid or in OHV areas can leave travelers far from help. Carry a basic emergency kit, a paper map, and ideally a satellite communicator if venturing far from the town center.
Wildlife including rattlesnakes and scorpions is present in the Mojave Desert. Watch where you step and avoid reaching into rock piles or dense brush. Flash flooding is possible in desert washes during and after heavy rain, even when skies appear clear locally.
