Back in 2015, I had the pleasure of visiting Zzyzx Road and the desert compound that sits at the end of this uniquely named road. I've come back for visits sporadically in the years since I first ventured down this road. Every time I've come here, I found the eerie experience, a solitude that is almost impossible to find in a major city. The solitude is ended when you run into a staff member here, which I've always encountered every time I've visited. From what I gather, the place is safe place to visit... let's keep it that way. Every time I drove down Zzyzx Road, and walked the area at its end, I've never had issues at all. I have indeed come across staff here in every visit, and they had no issue with me whatsoever. Some were friendly, and chatted with me for a bit. They never gave any indication that I was tresspassing, nor did they prohibit me at all from walking around the area. I did ask every time, and every time I was given the OK. There weren't any signs indicating that this place is off limits to the public. Maybe that has changed recently, but there were no such signs or any indications the few times I went there. I last travelled down Zzyzx Road five years ago or so. In reponse to Anne K (the business owner): You picked my review out of many to make this false allegation, despite the fact that plenty of other reviews describe similar experiences. If I was trespassing and committing crimes, then why didn't your staff members have an issue with me? Every time I visited Zzyzx Road, I came across one of your staff members. They were friendly, curteous, and didn't give a single indication that I was doing anything wrong. Also, there were no signs posted that the area was off-limits to the public. If what you say is true, then your staff members could have called law enforcement. Why didn't they do that? It seems that you're cherry picking my review, for motives that are unclear. If you have any issues to report, give the bureau a call (Long Beach Resident Agency). They, above all, should be able to determine who is right or wrong. 2nd response to Anne K (the business owner): I'm not "the most recent review with the most photos." I re-uploaded my photos and updated my review AFTER you left a reply to my original review. My original photos were posted back in 2015. You say that you responded because you were concerned about people "wanting to recreate my photos." If that was true, you would have responded to a more recent review, not my review (which was posted on 2015). Also, you came out making false allegations, claiming that I was illegally trespassing. I stand by what I said. Your staff never indicated any wrongdoing on my part. And back in 2015, there were no signs indicating these areas as closed to the public. Committing defamation is not the way to deal with concerns of trespassing and vandalism. Get it together, Anne. read more

I would call this place an off the beaten path little gem. Definitely quiet place to relax and enjoy some nice desert scenery. read more

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Okay, here I sit, reviewing a road with a very peculiar name. I grew up in the southern California desert just north of Joshua Tree, and this sign is one that has always caught my attention while traveling to Vegas. I've actually watched a show that talked about the history of it, but I won't go into that in this review. I'm simply going to give this sign, and road for that matter, a 5 star rating. The name "Zzyzx" is certainly one that turn heads and has gained more popularity over the years due to the amazing thing called social media. As a child driving in the back seat of my parent's station wagon, I never would have thought to take a picture with this sign. But it actually makes me happy to see that so many people take the same liking to it as I always have. If you are traveling on Interstate 15 between Barstow and Las Vegas and see this sign, which you will, do yourself a favor. Pull over, get out of your vehicle, and snap a picture in front of it. Everyone should have at least one picture with the now famous Zzyzx sign. read more

CSU Desert Studies Center - Colleges & Universities Near Me - Baker, California

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Getting to Zzyzx (pronounced: Zi-zex) Road is easy peasy! Just take I-15 and get off at Exit 239! This road is between CA and Las Vegas, NV. Who on earth named it this & why? What's at the end of this road? To start off with, this road was named so by Curtis H. Springer. He was kind a quack of sorts. Springer was a minister and a doctor, but had no legal licenses to do either! He wanted this place to be the last word in the English language and the last word in health. After driving the 4.5 miles of Zzyzx Road, you will see the Soda Springs welcome sign near the end of this road, the sign still stands. It was Soda Springs in the 1860s and used by the military. Springer renamed this place Zzyzx Mineral Springs and Health Spa in 1944. Some have claimed this to be the fountain of youth. Anyways, the government at some point in time realized that Springer had no claim to this land 30 years later and reclaimed the land. Springer was evicted. His mark in history will forever be etched here. When we got to near the end, there was a gate that kept us out. I believe California State University runs its Desert Studies Center from this site. Nadine and I noticed that there is a restroom and some signs to look at while we were here. We did not see any animals along our way. Maybe if we are assured of being able to see the town, we'd come back. We were disappointed it was closed off! read more

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Aside from its name, Zzyzx Road is pretty much indistinguishable from many other desert roads. It does have an exit along I-15, which is one of the last exits before getting to Baker. This exit functions as a place to take some pictures and not much else. Off the exit there actually isn't that much to see here, so most people just whizz by. The history of the road is more interesting than going there. A few others have already mentioned how the road got its name. It was named by a quack doctor who sold his useless products to hapless patients. The town here used to be called Soda Springs, then it was changed to Zzyzx. It's basically supposed to be the last word in in the English language. This turns out to not be true. He just made it up, and there is no such word according to any dictionary. This was just a marketing ploy so he could say his products were "the last word in health." If you go far enough, you can get to the remains of the spring and look around. It's mostly abandoned, but CSU uses the site as part of their Desert Studies program, so you might see some people around. The pond is home to some rare fish that were put their by the quack, and have been unable to survive any other place. read more

CSU Desert Studies Center - Colleges & Universities Near Me - Baker, California

"Zai-zex" is how you might want to pronounce the name of this road... I have visited Zzyzx Road twice now and have not been able to see what others have. When you look at the photos, you'll see that there is wildlife here such as Bighorn sheep, fox, and duck. I didn't see any... Other people have photos of a lake. When we went, the lake was dry. Some people were able to go to the end of the road where there used to be a resort. Alana and I didn't get to that point because there was a gate. Seems like there's a Study Center here... and restrooms... Maybe I'll try again and hopefully, the gate will be open. However, there was a sign that informed visitors to call and ask for the gate to be opened... shall we call??? read more

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The famous, funny, & very unique road.......................................... Are you ready for it?!!! It is called "ZZYZX Road" I am surprised to see there is a Yelp page already started for this road and I had to make sure I checked in. Zzyzx Road sure brings back many great memories as my family go road tripping, brought back great memories especially with my kids. You will pass this famous, funny, & unique road on your way to California or on your way to Las Vegas. During our road trip many years ago, I would bring this road to my kids' attention, trying to pronounce it to them or when playing the alphabet game when we ended up with the letter "Z"., I would use this road, when it was my turn playing the alphabet game and my kids would think I am making this up until we pass this road, they had to see it to believe me. Many times I keep telling my other half to stop near the sign for a photo, but he always misses. Until my recent road trip., my wish finally came true. It was a bucket list of mine and glad I am able to cross it off my list. The history of Zzyzx Road: Remember its not just any old road this one is in the books, Zzyzx formerly Camp Soda and Soda Springs is a settlement in San Bernardino County, California. It is the former site of Zzyzx Mineral Springs and Health Spa and now the site of California State's Desert Studies center. The arrow points south down a road that soon turns to sand and bends around a basalt outcropping to Zzyzx Springs, an old health resort started by a charismatic quack named Doc Springer in the early decades of the 1900s. A Los Angeles radio personality, Springer used the airwaves to drum up business, which, at the height of his career, was brisk. His resort might still be thriving today if he hadn't built his establishment on land he didn't own. Doc Springer was eventually evicted. Definition of Zzyzx: The last place on Earth, it was originally founded by a crazy old man, since it would be the last word in the dictionary, and hence the last place on earth, its an abandoned town somewhere between Las Vegas and LA. Did you know there is even a movie called Zzyzx Road, I had to rent it on Redbox, I was curious!! Overall- I love and enjoy passing this road on my road trip and it sure brought back great memories. On your next drive to California or Vegas, don't miss this road, Zzyzx Road, Oh and don't forget to stop to take your photo as the road sign makes a great photo op.! but please be careful if you do. #18/100 for 2017 read more

CSU Desert Studies Center - Zzzzzzzyzx road!' - Colleges & Universities Near Me - Baker, California

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Vegas bound! I was in the middle of some zzzzzs & much needed sleep when I found myself awake and seeing the exit to zzyzx road! Zzyzx is the perhaps one of the most unique street names ever. In numerous road trips to Vegas, it's always managed to catch my attention and I have a feeling I am not the only one ;). Hmm what does it stand for? My interpretation is: Zz for the "zzzs" you get during the road trip to Vegas! Y for "yeah, we are almost there" Z for "definitely need more zzzs/sleep before getting to Vegas!" x for "x marks the spot, more than halfway there!" Zzyzx road, gotta love it! Unique name and one step closer to the city of lights :) read more

CSU Desert Studies Center - Exit 239 - Colleges & Universities Near Me - Baker, California

Can I buy a vowel, please? Whoa! That was over three years ago? but I distinctly remember our quick visit to this oddball town with no vowel, Zzyzx (pronounced Zye-Zex like "Isaac's"). We passed by this exit on our drive from Las Vegas to San Pedro CA to visit the Battleship U.S.S. Iowa. Told my hubby to drive slow by the road sign on the exit so I could take a photo... being the obliging and adventurous hubby that he is LoL! he did better! Not only did we take a photo of the road sign but we exited and drove in to check out the place. Wasn't sure if it was a town, community or if we were even allowed inside but we did pass a steward/caretaker (or some official) in his SUV heading out and didn't stop us or signaled us to turn back so we continued on. We drove past a dry lake bed, got out and took photos. On the end we reached a pseudo-town, not sure what to make of it. Seemed out of place, like an oasis... a clump of tall palm trees, unkempt green plants and water, just out of place in the wasteland. Zzyzx has a unique history that you must Google and read. Very interesting. Most of the concrete buildings still stand, which we saw. There were a couple of low concrete buildings, doors and windows gone, and some buildings along the shore also. We wanted to wander more inside but wasn't sure if we were trespassing. Found out later that daytime visitors are welcome to check it out! If you happen to travel between Las Vegas and Los Angeles in the Mojave Desert along I-15 you will see the highway sign for Zzyzx Road. Exit I-15 at Zzyzx Rd, six miles southwest of Baker. There's more to this place than an oddball name! The old resort is 4 1/2 miles south. Just another one of our offbeat places adventures:) Review #0576 read more

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Any time we make the trek to Cali from Vegas, we always pass Zzyzx Road. How do you pronounce it? (ZIE-ZIX)...at least that's what the guy on Youtube said... Stone Sour has a song called Zzyzx Road.....pretty cool song Reviews say there's not a whole lot out there at the end of the road....I believe them, I ain't wasting time and gas trying to find out myself.... Is it the last word in the dictionary? According to the URBAN dictionary, it is... If you wanted to know more about Zzyzx Road, just scroll down to Death Valley J.'s in-depth review...Any relation to Vegas J.???? Don't know.... What I do know, is that you're just about 90 minutes/93 miles away from the Las Vegas strip.....Maybe less than 90 minutes, depending how much lead you got in your foot, and what time of day or night you are driving. Just watch out for the Po-Po!!! ALOHA!!! YELP 100 CHALLENGE 2013-(98/100) "Zippin' Past Zzyzx Road" read more

CSU Desert Studies Center - Colleges & Universities Near Me - Baker, California

We've all seen it on the road to and from Vegas and wondered how it's pronounced and where it led to. It's pronounced "ziz-x" and curiosity got the best of me so we made the detour to see what this road was all about. After driving 4 miles past a beautiful and breathtaking view of the Mojave Nature Preserve, we arrived at a desert studies center and Lake Tuendae. At the end of the road are remnants of an old settlement and the name Zzyzx was given to the area by Curtis Howe Springer who was later arrested for misusing the land so it was claimed by government. Today, you can take the drive, take in some great scenery along the way, and walk around the natural preserve. It's worth the detour to kill the curiosity budding up inside of you and ready to explode. read more

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Off the 15 fwy heading towards Vegas or heading towards LA whichever way you are heading. First off gotta love the name lol. So once exiting you're on a paved road then after a few feet later it's unpaved. And what you see is nothing but maybe other people's trash or stuff. Basically there's really nothing to see unless you go further in which I'll have to do another time since we were pressed for time and didn't know how far to go and chance it. From what I've heard there is a small oasis , a resort , a research center you definitely can't see any of those while exiting the road so you may have to drive a few miles in on paved and unpaved road. We shall see next time I get a chance to stop by. read more

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Ok I'm writing a review about an off ramp. Ok now I think I've reviewed almost everything I have come across. But this is the strangest. We always laugh at this and argue about how to pronounce it, I'm right. Lol. Yes we saw the movie that featured this off ramp too and have passed it numerous times just didn't know it had a check in!! Let alone I could review it along with all the fellow Yelpers!! Vegas baby. read more

CSU Desert Studies Center - As we were exiting 10:54 am 2/2/16 40* didn't want to roll down the window burrrr. - Colleges & Universities Near Me - Baker, California

I was curious what was on this road for about 20 years now. On a recent trip to Vegas, we pulled in here, and it was quite amazing. It was a 5 mile road, looking over at salt flats! With a desert research center at the end of the road. It was quite beautiful there. Some guy we met at the end of the road said he say a heard of rams. We only saw footprints (hooveprints??) though. I added 3 photos, click (3 photos) right above this review to see them. read more

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When you see Zzyzx Road and try to pronounce it... Ziz-zix. Kinda. Iono. That is my way of saying it. Or you can say z-z-yopjdaopsjpsx. It's fun to say. :D It means, though, that you are on your way to Las Vegas (YAY) or on your way to LA/SD (yay as well). It means you're on the outskirts of Baker, so you'll make sure you hit a small town closeby. There's a Zzyzx Fountain Springs or something of that sense on the end of the road :D I just like saying and seeing Zzyzx. read more

CSU Desert Studies Center - Haha - Colleges & Universities Near Me - Baker, California

The distance between L.A. and Vegas draaaaaags on, and not at all in a cool drag queen strut in slow motion sorta way. It's the kind of drag that the ol' homeless gal on 3rd Street does with her toe as she struggles to push her overflowing worn out shopping cart. Not even sure where the cart originated from - it's that banged up. I don't have to murder the pavement at the moment so I'll pursue the first part of this road's name and Zzzzzzzzzzzz... 2018 Challenge #99 read more

Zzyzx Road is not just a weird name for a desert turn off in the middle of nowhere. This road has a rich history leading to a former health spa once built and occupied by a quack doctor/religious dude named Curtis Springer. He squatted here back in the 1940's and up to 1974 building up his health spa. Now if you travel a couple miles down this side road expecting a glorious oasis in the desert, you'll be very disappointed. If you're like me and want to see a piece of history while on your way to other desert exploring it will be worth the diversion. read more

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I've passed this exit countless times, and I finally got my boyfriend to take the detour, and get off on this strange exit. He didn't want to, because he said it reminded him of the movie "The Hills Has Eyes" and didn't want that to happen to us lol! So we get off and were driving on a narrow paved road, and the came to a point where the pavement ran out. We were skeptical about driving on the rocky unpaved road, but then I saw a Ram in the distance crossing the road, and I made him continue driving so I could get a picture it. When we reached the end of the road we pull up to a abandoned little town or compound. The most creepy parts were the weird looking palm trees, and the abandoned crashed boat. However for some reason the lonely little swing set, gave me a really eerie feeling. I wanted to take a picture sitting on it, but I was too creeped out, I was just getting some funky vibes from it. All in all I'm glad I got my boyfriend to stop, and go in this little adventure with me! It's a check off my road side oddities check list! read more

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The oddest named road ever. Thomas on Waze called it "Zed Zed Y Zed X" as opposed to the appropriate "Za Zix". It's a road to nowhere. The public is not allowed up to the desert research station. The road dead ends at a parking lot with restrooms and a few picnic tables. It's a really pretty drive up the road. You drive along a dried up lake bed - lake bed on the left - hills on the right. You can easily see 5+ miles into the distance. The biggest reason I'm giving this 5 Stars is because we found a Big Horn Sheep grazing on the side of the road. And he posed for us. read more

I don't know why but I always get so excited to see the Zzyzx Road! lol Maybe because we know we are getting closer to Las Vegas! read more

CSU Desert Studies Center - Colleges & Universities Near Me - Baker, California

Pull over and say Zzyzx 23 times and you will win your first hand of blackjack when you get to vegas. Trust me it happened. read more

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Unique name! Might be the most unique road name that I have ever heard of. Hard to believe that Zzyzx Road has a Yelp page. How cool!! I really have nothing to add about this exit off Interstate 15. I always look forward to reading the name. I guess I see it as a sort of roadside attraction easily seen from the freeway. Similar to the world's largest thermometer several miles north in Baker, CA. Zzyzx is simply one of the coolest names ever!! That's all folks. read more

CSU Desert Studies Center - Zzyzx Road!!!! - Colleges & Universities Near Me - Baker, California

Zzyzx was finally entered as a geographical name in 1984. Prior to that from 1944-1974, a self-proclaimed medical doctor and Methodist minister named Curtis Howe Springer manage it as a mineral springs and healing center. It was said that Springer advertised the Zzyzx Mineral Springs and healing center on his syndicated radio show in Los Angeles and "asked" from his listeners for donations for his miracle potions one of which was an anti-baldness cream called Mo-hair. It was the lawsuits from bald men and when Springer tried to sell adjacent plots that finally got the government's attention to the site which eventually ended up with them seizing the property. Today, it is the site for California State University's Desert Studies Center. But it is the anticipation of the sign's appearance from drivers traveling the long and weary road to and from Las Vegas that make for much talk and interesting stories. I have to see you again Zzyzx, we always have unfinished business you and I. read more

Obscure exit about 7 miles from Baker and about 100 miles from LAS. Zzyzx Road is a 4.5-mile-long (7.2 km), part paved and part dirt, rural collector road in the Mojave Desert. It runs from Interstate 15 generally south to the Zzyzx settlement. We have joked about how the name came about...sign guys finished all the road signs and got here...hey all I got is a bunch z's and a couple x's and y's...well put em up...Zzyzx...actually according to Wikipedia...The made-up name Zzyzx was given to the area in 1944 by Curtis Howe Springer, claiming it to be the last word in the English language. read more

Who doesnt love this place in the middle of nowhere? Seriously who hasnt stopped here at least once to say what the heck this road's name is beyond messed up and I love it. For those of you that are like wth is he doing a review on such an f'd up sounding place, it actually does exist. Its one of the last exits off of the I-15 in California before reaching Nevada between So Cal and Lost Wages. Pro Tip: There is nothing special here except for the sign haha So for a fun lil change of pace, stop here for a photo op, pit stop, or ummm to stretch your legs. Regardless its just one of those places that you have to know and if you dont know you are not in the know thus you can never be kewl or in the know about anything else. Yeah its like that. read more

I really wanted to love this place, but.... You can finish the rest. Zzyzx Road is located between Baker Blvd and Rasor Road. I really don't understand the hype. I have stopped here a few to answer to a text message (safety first), take an important conference call from my car, go number #1, or to take a quick nap. But that's about it. If I can do it over again, I would have just stopped at Baker or Rasor Road. At least both those locations have a gas station, a store, or other people. Zzyzx road doesn't have any lights and is pretty much pitch black at night. I'm not going to bore you with any of my personal experiences at Zzyzx. Just take my advice and do yourself a favor. DO NOT STOP HERE AT NIGHT! 2017 Yelp Review #114 read more

I finally took that crazy Zzyzx Road exit that I have passed by so many times before. Being the only one on the road, I started having a little fun on the winding curvy road. That was until I came across a rough section of unpaved road. I almost turned around but the rough section only lasted 0.2 miles. After this section I was stopped by the police. Trying not to look guilty for maybe... driving a couple miles over the speed limit, the police officer questioned me. Luckily he was only looking for a missing person... well maybe not so lucky for that person. But at the end of my interogation, he did tell me that they found that person. The 4.7 mile Zzyzx Road takes you by some interesting rocks and palm trees and ends up at a pond next to a compound that looks abandoned. http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=RoGuDu1egfAvVgb4WmZwUw&select=SI4Ytpmd9BzicFbAqzV6Fg Here is a You Tube video posted by Ron C. on the past of the Zzyzx Minera Springs. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91rdB5fDMaA Here is a You Tube video that Mary M. posted on the present day of the now Desert Studies Center... that looks abandoned again. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fam1Ub0wXKk There were a couple of signs with private property on it, so I didn't really go any further. It still was an interesting drive into the 'Blast From the Past'. read more

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This is definitely more than just a cool road name, but a historical landscape worth visiting. And not to mention well maintained bathrooms at parking and on the site. That's very important too for people driving in a long stretch and if you are hesitant to come because of the lack of restroom. First of all, how to get there. From where we headed (From LA to Vegas on the fwy 15N bound), you just make a right and goes all the way down till you see some palm trees from no where that it gives you a sense of "Oasis"vibe, you are heading the right direction. You will see a field of what seems to be a lakebed before, but dried out with a coat of white soda powder over. Not to mention, there is bit of unpaved road. We took a sedan car and had no issue going through it. Then we arrived to a well maintained parking lot and starts off our little "adventure". I think what's cool about it, to me at least, its a piece of history in science of where people used to have dreams about the desert and the world wild west. A place where people used to study and learn about the Mojave Desert. It looks like a great movie set to me. And what made the visit better was to be able to see some wild life. We saw a fox there! I've never seen a wild fox before and definitely fun to encounter one in a deserted place. My friends and I played on the swing, walked through the little "town", scripted haunted story in the space and act along. Then, finally we drove out and walked on the Soda Dry Lake. It was a great place for photoshoot. This place has a unique landscape of what we usually seen as nature. And why not make a short visit on this long journey to Vegas, just make the drive more fun and unique. read more

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Anybody who lives in Southern California and has driven to Vegas has seen this road before. Since I lived 13 yrs in So Cal and 17 yrs in Vegas, I'm very familiar with I-15 Exit 239....Zzyzx Road. After a 30 year fascination with this Road, I finally decided to take the exit and find out what lies at the end of Zzyzx Road. Since I was a child in California taking family trips to Vegas I've been captivated by this road. I remember driving by it imagining space aliens and weird stuff......heard various urban legends about it over the years which built it up even worse. The road is approximately 4.5 miles long and leads East from the I-15......it is anti-climatic as there is only a Cal State University Desert Studies compound at the end of the road....adjacent to mineral springs. It is a nice oasis in the middle of the Mojave Desert, but nothing creepy, scary, or conspiracy theory about it. I am glad I finally put that adventure to bed.....but somewhere in the back of my mind I was kind of hoping for a Hills Have Eyes experience of some kind.....I guess I'll have to try the Lake Delores Water Park next to see if I can find some creepy stuff. Will I return? No. read more

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Why does this road even exist? I have always wondered where it takes you, but I'm too scared to find out. Mel R. said below, "you'll most likely see men in ski, Will Shatner, and hockey masks; glints of the moon shining a 20" knife; and zombies." But I'm thinking more along the lines of something out of "The Hills Have Eyes". Do not want. I also haven't figured out how to pronounce this road - someone please tell me. Is it really located in Baker? What the hell is a Baker? I didn't even know that city existed and I've lived in CA my entire life. Okay, I just Wiki'd that shit and it's actually located in the settlement of Zzyzx, and the nearest town is Baker. Interesting, *shifty eyes*. read more

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My friend and I actually pulled off the 15 onto Zzyzx to see what was out there; the answer to that question is nothing. As we were taking the Zzyzx Road exit I told my friend this is how the opening to 'Horror' movies start. We went right off of the exit which leads down a dirt road to a small desert cul-de-sac; it was kind of spooky and cool at the same time. It was sad to see that is desolate area of the desert there was still trash everywhere =( I saw In-N-Out cups, lighters, you name it, it was probably out there and that is a shame. Too bad Yelp doesn't allow you to upload videos because my girlfriend and I did a little dance routine on Zzyzx Road to Vanilla Ice's 'Ice Ice Baby,' which just happened to be on satellite radio when we were getting ready to drive away. I will still always looks forward to seeing Zzyzx Road to and from Las Vegas it always lets me know that I am getting closer in both directions, people use Baker & Barstow as markers for how far they have left, I use Zzyzx Road. read more

CSU Desert Studies Center - Zzyzx Rd View looking South. - Colleges & Universities Near Me - Baker, California

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I can't help but start singing the1981 hit the "Double-Dutch Bus" when I drive by this road. Maybe Zzyzx Road was an inspiration to the 80s funk-master Frankie Smith to write it? Well every time you literally drive by this no-man's-land road (that leads to nothing) on the highway that takes you from Vegas to LA, just start singing- cuz there aint' anything else to do here! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fK9hK82r-AM read more

Zzyzx Road is one of those landmarks to Vegas. The fun part is trying to check-in while driving. I hope your phone has a proper location. All I know is that this landmark tells me that the fun is about to begin or it's a reminder that your on your way home and that hangover is not going to help you at work. Happy travels! read more

I've driven past this odd named exit for years and always wondered what was out there. Due to my love of UX, my intrigue heightened when I learned about an abandoned hot springs about 4 miles from the 15. Finally made the trip out only to discover that the place has basically been taken over by the government. Yup, our tax dollars are hard at work turning this old mineral spa into a desert center research facility. There are extremely clean restrooms, but not a lot else to do that would get me to go out this way again. read more

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Always pass by this road on the way to and from Vegas.. Zzyzx. It took me nearly 15 years to have the courage to attempt to drive out to see what it is. or what is out there. "eerie" path, but from reading from the other yelpers reviews, it totally sabotaged my teenage to adult years of fantasizing that at the end of the road will be a town like The Hills have eyes, or Wrong Turn, or any weird dessert horror flick! hahaha. read more

Zzyzx Road - a stroke of genius, really. Even if I don't know its etymology, coming up with a name like Zzyzx for a road, or a town, if there's one there, to give someone a laugh or put their minds back in thinking mode on the lengthy and sometimes foreboding drive across the Mojave Desert from the Los Angeles area to Las Vegas, and vice versa, was clever. From when I first saw it as a teenager from someone's Buick Riviera (the boring later renditions) to being an adult in a rental car, I always look forward to seeing the Zzyzx Road sign on desolate I-15. So, if it's a stroke of genius, then it deserves a 5, right? Well, theoretically, yes. However, I just noted its placement along I-15. For maximum effect, it needed to go like this: Barstow .... Baker .... Zzyzx Road ... Nevada state line .... seeing the Las Vegas skyline in the distance. However, Zzyzx Road PRECEDES Baker, if driving from Los Angeles. Clearly, this tops my list for the off-ramp or street with the all time goofiest name. The runner up would be Salsipuedes Street, off US 101 in Santa Barbara CA. For the person with a squeaky clean and unimaginative mind, that would mean "Get off if you can" in Spanish, with a presumed reference to the off-ramp. For people whose minds flex a little more, they can have more fun with this one. But, either way, there's nothing quite like Zzyzx Road. read more

Driving on that lonely stretch of Interstate-15 between Los Angeles and Las Vegas? (If you haven't you should - hell, Wall of Voodoo even did an instrumental about it). Well, as you drive up to the edge of the Mojave Desert, just outside of Baker, you'll see a rather bizarre exit sign for "Zzyzx Road." (It's pronounced "rye-six" and not "zy-zix"). One day, instead of driving on, I took the exit. 5 miles later, I'm at a bizarre desert oasis that is now called the "California State University Desert Studies Center." Some history: back in 1944, this religious broadcaster named Curtis Springer filed mining claims to over 12,000 acres of land from the government and built upon it a health spa/resort, which he called "Zzyzx Mineral Springs." There, guests could come and take mineral baths, attend religious services, and take in the atmosphere of the Mojave. By the time the 60s arrived, the BLM kicked Springer out, and his little paradise was left to nature. In the 70s, CSU stepped in and used the place as a station for research, which continues today. Getting to the oasis simply requires driving on a dusty road (better to bring an SUV) for a few miles until you come to a parking area. Then it's a short walk to the facilities, which takes the form of small buildings meant to house the residents of Zzyzx Mineral Springs. It's like a miniature town, with roads given the names "Chub St" and "Blvd of Dreams", and little apartments in the center. Nearby is a pond (the mineral springs?), a swingset, and plenty of palm trees surrounding everything. There's a curious line of tall palms with a strange "fur" covering. On the other side lies the vast expanse of Soda Lake, aka the remains of the ancient Lake Mojave. No water, sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate are all that's left. A good ways into the distance was a chair. Naturally I went out onto the playa and sat in it, taking in the surroundings. Feels like infinity out there. So, Zzyzx Road - a fascinating pitstop on the desert edge with a little bit of history. Check it out. read more

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You know how sometimes in life you think you have your own little cool inside thing? Well, one of our many is driving back to LA from Vegas and commenting in Zzyzx road. What is the name about? Insert not as funny as could be joke of the moment... Where does the road lead to??? It looks like nothinig and there is never enough interest to make the trip back take even longer to go check. Seeing a page for this road on Yelp, I kind of felt like a dumbass that EVERYONE thinks the same thing about the road. I think its a name well chosen just for that alone. The feeling of dumbass turned into a feeling of companionship with all the fellow Yelpers trekking down the same desert highway every day saying to their SO "what they hell were they on when they wrote this? Run Out of real street names?" Ahhh...Vegas, always an adventure. read more

This is one of the markers on your way to, or home from Las Vegas. I was disappointed to see that the sign has been defaced with graffiti. I've never turned off here, but I suspect there is a town that you will enter, and NEVER leave (insert scary music) read more

CSU Desert Studies Center - Colleges & Universities Near Me - Baker, California

As others have mentioned we too decided to exit here and see what it was all about. I have heard a couple of different stories about what exactly was out there. I'm glad we stopped and got to see for ourselves this strange oasis litterally in the middle of nowhere. Apparently, its been many things including and army outpost, mineral spring resort and now a CSU agricultural study area. No one else was around when we visited. There is definitely a spooky sort of vibe that surrounds that place. It really reminded me of one of those nuclear test towns that has been forgotten about. The street signs and old bathhouse really emphasizes that. A very interesting place for sure amd I'm glad we actually stopped to see for ourselves. read more

CSU Desert Studies Center - Wierd looking palm trees. - Colleges & Universities Near Me - Baker, California

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