Just a few comments on the local Mojave area around Edwards, not on this specifically posted…read more(business)location. Although the posted commentary of the first reviewer certainly sounds typical, I'd somewhat question the comment about hot nights in the Mojave. My personal experience has been that typically, about 4 PM every day, a strong wind comes up across the Mojave and temps usually can drop over 50 degrees from day to night. North of Edwards, in the eastern reaches of California City, there used to be (not sure if still there) a long dirt road-trail across the desert, that one might drive, knowing that you were traversing the old and famous 20 mule-team Borax Trail, from Death Valley to the railhead at Mojave. (See: http://home.earthlink.net/~cyberkiwi/desertexploration/trborax.htm) East of Edwards, there is an area famous for Hot-Air Ballooning. South of Edwards, east of Lancaster, off a desert road, a hillside encropment, host an open mine entrance, with old tracks and an unsafe old wooden ladder, that descends into the almost vertical depths of the old mine, only to find the bottom-of-the-shaft filled with water. A friend once slowly descended into the water, to find a horizontal water-filled shaft with air-pockets under the roof. (Not recommended!) If you can access Edwards itself, South Edwards may yet have traces of the old Edwards Sled-Track, on which the Astronauts rode a rocket-sled across the desert, to experience G-forces. The track was moved to Holloman AB, New Mexico years ago. Along the south rim of Rogers Dry Lake Bed, are the old remaining buildings and roads of the original Edwards, nee Muroc Army Air Station, made famous in air-flight history, with famous names like Chuck Yeager, X-1 rocket ship and more. Just walking through this area, when the wind blows, one can almost feel the winds of history! And finally (here), there is the famous Edwards Rocket Base, on the ridge overlooking Rogers Dry Lake, somewhat south-east of Edwards. Here is a website (link) to another website with a quote that 'paints-a-magnificent-picture', of the time-and-place of Rocket Base in history, as told in the Foreword to an online Hollywood Documentary screenplay. Enjoy! http://www.fiwd.org/Reality.htm

Another amazing night spent at Mountain Park. Took about 9 kids for my sons party. Awesome place…read morefor the kids to play and explore. Roasting hot dogs and eating s'mores, what more could you want on a beautiful Tehachapi night? Highly recommend if you have never been here.

If you're looking for a park in the middle of nowhere, but still just outside town, where you can…read morecamp or visit on a day trip, this is your place. Granted you have to be in Tehachapi, or know where Tehachapi is, or be wanderIng around southeastern California, or have a sweet GPS. Given all the above transpiring, if you find yourself in the lucky position of needing to do a summer XC run with your sophomore weak-of-heart running daughter, just don't tell her about the steep uphill. You do get to run back down afterward anyway. Should you be able to trick your kids into the run or perhaps a hike, magnificent views await at the overlooks partway and all the way up. We're talking Twitter-background-wallpaper-quality shots (not that I would know). Should I wind up randomly or intentionally in T-town, I'll take another hike, provided I can talk the daughter into it ("no honey this isn't the one you remember, it's an easy hike":).

Big Horn Mine is a nice escape from the city, without having to travel too far…read more All trails will have you thinking it's a difficult hike, when the main thing to keep in mind is that you need to dress appropriately. Wear hiking boots/shoes and this will be a breeze. The recent fires still show some burn scars and lack of shade, so ideally get in/out before early afternoon. Other than that it's lovely.

Did a little exploring, no signs or maps and we still found it. Such an amazing view!read more

Amazing! Everyone was so kind and welcoming. It was a bit of uncertainty making my way to the top,…read morebut once the road ends and the parking lot begins you've arrived! Amazing experience. Thank you Primo and staff!

Today's the 4th of July & they are CLOSED. The entrance gate was locked when we got there! We…read morewaited around about 15 minutes before seeing another person trying to come out of the gate and could not. (Hope she didn't wait long for police to get there & let her) It would have been nice if the site didn't say open. Another hiker said that someone told her they didn't want anyone in the area just in case they wanted to set off fireworks. Hopefully, I can review it again and have a personal experience. But for now just wanted to make others aware that it's closed today.

If you're looking to camp and you don't want to drive too far from Los Angeles, Red Rock Canyon…read moreState Park is a great option. They have several campgrounds which is first and first serve. There's also several hiking spots in the area, which are less than a mile. There's also a visitor center, which has a lot of information about the park and clean bathroom. Great spot for photos!

+ Interesting hiking spot. There isn't one defined trail at Ricardo Campground. Rather, it's more…read morelike a network of paths. Please come and create your own adventure. + The highlight of this hiking area is the badlands that resemble Badlands National Park in South Dakota. Lotta ridges and cliffs formed by millennia of erosion. . 2 restrooms by the trailhead. First hiking parking lot restrooms I've seen without roofs. Has its own pros and cons: + The stench doesn't condense in one room. - But no weather protection. + Easier to communicate for help in case of emergency. - Less privacy. Also, - Hot, dry climate. - No shade. + Nice that there are restrooms throughout the grounds, - but the water fountains aren't working. -- Have to pay $6 digitally to park there. Can't we just slip $6 in physical bills somewhere and call it a day? Better yet, make it $2 or free altogether? lol

It is so beautiful and amazing. The view is surreal. When…read moreyou go into the nature center and visit the snakes and beetles it's cool but then you walk out to an observatory type deck and it's breathtaking!

This hike was ok but extremely hot! 4 of us hiked to the Devil's Punchbowl in the springtime. The…read morehike is just ok, with no shade. Go early in the morning when it's cooler, and bring lots of water, snacks, add electrolytes to your water, and bring a water filtration system just in case. The highlight was the little river that we came across to cool off. That was a game changer! The Devil's Punchbowl view was highly over rated in my opinion ... view of the desert . Would I do it again? Definitely a big NO! There was a shorter trail, near a little river, that I would have preferred to hike instead. One in our group wanted to hike the Devils Punchnowl so we hesitately agreed. I did t know anything about the hike and relied on the persons in our group that knew more about the hike. We were instructed to drink 1 bottle of water before the hike, and to bring 2 standard bottles of water, and told that would be enough. We should have had a least 2 gallons of water per person! We conserved on drinking water, especially since one person in our group lost a bottle of water in a ravine, due to a not fully closed backpack. Always do your own research on how long the trail is, consider the temperature conditions, and bring lots of water! Don't depend on anyone else regarding your water needs.

Woke up one morning and decided I needed some time to journal and enjoy the outdoors. I brought a…read morechair and sat by the lake for four hours. It was chilly but so beautiful. It was just me and a couple people fishing on the other side of the lake. I was basically by myself and it was heaven. It is $5.00 for a car to get in, no exceptions. When you drive up you will see the tree art, so cool. The sandy area by the lake was clean, no trash. Spots where you park have a picnic bench, perfect place to sit for a nice lunch or dinner. The website states there is no swimming, or activity involving bodily contact with the water. Brite Valley aquatic provides the greater Tehachapi area with domestic and agriculture water supplies. There is a pavilion that can be rented out for parties. $75 a day and $75 cleaning deposit. That includes entry fee for up to 25 vehicles. You will need to book 2 weeks in advance, call the TVRPD district office at 661-822-3228 Great place to have a kids party, playground right next to tables. There is a camp host when you pull up and you will pay them, if they are not in the shack you still need to pay through the drop box.

Had an amazing time. Spacious cites a d great fishing. Very clean. Thank you Don and Don! Very…read morefriendly staff!

This was my first time coming here, and I really enjoyed it. The trail has two fairly steep hills…read moreone going up and one on the way back so it's about a 2-3 mile hike depending on your pace. I'd rate it easy to moderate because of those hills. I brought my 5-year-old, and she was able to handle it, but she did complain on the way back, so next time I probably won't bring her. The views are really nice, and there are a few smaller trails around the area. I'm definitely planning to go again. I went a bit late around 9 a.m., and the sun was already pretty strong, so going earlier would be better. Overall, I 100% recommend this hike.

This is one of my favorite trails as you have an opportunity for a great workout. I enjoy the…read moretrails as it has a mix of moderate and advanced. You have a great opportunity for a bike ride, jog, or run that brings in a workout well worth it.