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Tehachapi Loop Photos

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Fire road entrance
Sal R.

OK, It took me a while to find this place due to confusing directions. So here's my take. To get to best spot to view the loop there are two ways: you can either: Go West on highway 58, take exit 142. Make a right at the off ramp. Make a right on to Woodford-Tehachapi. Continue in a windy road for about 15 miles. You will see the loop to your left. No actual parking here so park where you see a fire road entrance blocked closed with a chain & padlock. You're here. Option two: Stop by the Tahacipi Train Depot. Continue West from the Depot on Tehachapi Blvd Turn left on Red Apple Avenue Turn right on Westwood Turn left on Woodford-Tehachapi road. Travel for about 15 miles and you'll see the loop on your right. Park. Grab water. Follow the fire road and enjoy the view.

Train on the Tehachapi Loop
Brandon K.

Very cool and educational! Was lucky to arrive right as a train was going around the loop. Parked on the side of the road and walked across to viewing area. Would be awesome to see it in the snow!

Christopher H.

Tehachapi, California. An interesting site. Why would a train track go in a circle? Because the hill is steep. The loop allows the train to gain the necessary power to go over the mountain, and the necessary space to slow down after trekking the mountain. Prior to the loop, trains would get stuck and cause major traffic jams that force trains behind it to reverse a good distance. It's just a mess. Interesting local myths on how engineers determined the ingenuity to allow the requisite spacing to accomplish this feat. #1 Rancher asked his son to go get the cattle. The son did so with good speed and the father inquired, 'How'd you get up and down so fast?' The son replied, 'I just followed the donkey trail (which looped like a hiking trail.' #2 Engineer's daughter was wondering how to complete this task. The daughter brought up a solution by spinning up or something like that. Either way, leave it to kids to come up with practical solutions cause we adults think too hard causing us to miss the solution that requires common sense **shrug** Access/Roads: A Paved. Very windy and narrow. Parking: F No real designated spots except a couple turnouts. If there is a crowd, good luck~! Distance: C Appx 130 miles north of DT Los Angeles. Appx 50 miles east of Bakersfield Costs: A Free. Nearby Attractions: Tehachapi Area sites (listed below) is appx one hour north or 60 miles: Tehachapi Mountain Park/Recreation Park Tehachapi Heritage Museum Tehachapi Depot RR Museum Errea House Museum Tomo Kahni State Historic Park www.cleeshyun.com IG cigarcpa

Sharlene C.

This spot is worth venturing off to! After you get off the freeway it's a while before you wind your way up the hill to this spot. It's such a lovely road drive...that alone is worth it. It's a simple pleasure to hear and see the train moving through this loop and just the open scene is breathtaking. We were able to stop along and got some great pictures!!

Train on the Tehachapi loop

Fun place to drop by and watch a train make the loop. The trains move slowly so it may not be great with the kids if they aren't into trains but our family enjoyed it.

Tehachapi Loop
Kristian D.

For train enthusiasts, the Tehachapi Loop was a unique engineering marvel and remains an impressive sight. For most people, it is just a big loop of train tracks. Located next to Highway 58 between Bakersfield and Tehachapi, viewing the loop is only possible on the Woodford-Tehachapi Road when exiting at Keene. The location of the historic monument has a small turnout for parking. Really, there is not much to see here - especially if a train is not passing through. It is cool to see when a long train loops over itself when climbing or descending, but you really never know when a train is scheduled. Fortunately, the surrounding area is very beautiful along the winding road. Tehachapi Loop will soon be eclipsed by the High Speed Rail cutting near by over 200 MPH, but this loop will probably still serve freight for another 100 years.

Tehachapi Loop was constructed from 1874 to 1876.
PatrickJ T.

If you are a train enthusiast, then I highly recommend taking a trip to the Tehachapi Loop. It is a short detour off of Hwy 58 about 20 minutes from Tehachapi. It is an Engineering marvel! One of the seven wonders of the railroad world!! So what makes the "loop" so special? Well, it is very cool to watch a long train travel along the rails until it eventually wraps around itself. I read that as a 4000 ft. train gains elevation around central hill of the loop it will cross 77 feet above its rear cars in the tunnel below. Suffice it to say that the whole process is quite cool to watch. Only downside is that it can take a longtime to see any freight train coming through. Last time we were there, we waited about an hour before a train long enough came by. 4 stars for this railroad wonder!

Loop
Jen H.

Such a neat place to visit. If you like trains, or even if you don't, you should be able to appreciate this architectural wonder of the Railroad world. It is a literal loop of railroad tracks and at the right time, you can see trains ascending and descending through the loop. We were given directions from one of those volunteers at the Railroad Depot Museum. Our directions were to go down Tehachapi Road (from "Old Town") and continue as it becomes Red Apple Avenue. At the first T-intersection, then turn right. Keep going until the next T-intersection and turn right again. This will put you on Woodford-Tehachapi Road. It is a small winding road among the hills. The key was to finally identify the signage for the Tehachapi loop. Once you see that sign marker, be on the lookout for a turnout. You can turn down the turnout and you find yourself at an awesome view of the loop. You know how you can pretend to be a giant when eating broccoli? (Hey, I admit it!) well, that is how the loop is. It is as though you are looking at a train set and the tracks! My son loved it. Definitely worth a stop if you are in Tehachapi.

Freight train headed-up the Tehachapi Loop
Kevin D.

I'd heard about this for years but didn't think about checking it out until I was driving down the 58 headed towards Mojave and saw the signs for the historical marker from the highway. I'm a fan of engineering marvels and things off the beaten path so I pulled-off the freeway to see what this was all about. It's about three miles from the Keene exit off the 58. The road leading from Keene to the marker is a bit curvy and is a fun road, winding it's way through the trees, roughly parelleling the tracks in many places. Eventually you'll see a wide-spot on the side of the road large enough for four or five cars with two large plaques across the road from it. From this vantage point it's easy to see the tracks down below and watch long freight trains wrap back around themselves. I stopped-by there mid-day on a Thursday and there was only one other car up there however on weekends I could see it being busy and hard to find a place to park. Quick tip: When you're done checking-out the view turn-around and head back to Keene to get back to the 58. If you continue on Woodford-Tehachapi road you will have to wind your way through the communities of Golden Hills and Tehachapi which is fine if you want to grab a bite to eat, but if you just want to head-back to the highway it's faster to just go back to Keene.

Mary D.

The Tehachapi Loop is a must...just take the extra time and wait out at the Tehachapi Railway Historical markers until a train comes we waited 20 minutes plus and so worth it. I took a video but could not post it.

Cloudy day at the loop

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2 years ago

Not a business it's a Railroad Loop, Vista point. Track first laid ~1888 with thousands of Chinese laborers

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7 years ago

Definitely something to see when visiting Tehachapi even if trains aren't your thing.

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10 years ago

So fun! Phenomenal. So glad we drove here to see the loop from Los Angeles. We were able to see two long trains and the weather was perfect.

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Review Highlights - Tehachapi Loop

Continue West from the Depot on Tehachapi Blvd Turn left on Red Apple Avenue Turn right on Westwood Turn left on Woodford-Tehachapi road.

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Cesar E Chavez National Monument - Interactive timeline to write and hang your comment on the years operating to you (zoom into the pic for more info)

Cesar E Chavez National Monument

(27 reviews)

This is such a peaceful and welcoming National Monument located in Keene, CA, just east of…read moreBakersfield. This National Monument has a visitors center, museum, gift shop, a beautiful walking trail with flowering plants and trees as well as a path with various cacti. In the warmer months it's easy to spot lizards and rabbits, as well as having year-round birds and squirrels. You can learn about civil rights, agricultural labor history, and how Cesar formed a Union that is still in existence today. The Park is located in Kern County (the southernmost county of the California agricultural belt) just 30 minutes east of Bakersfield, in the mountains below Tehachapi. It was the first location of the Union headquarters he formed, the United Farm Workers (UFW). His office has been preserved within the museum exactly how it was the day he passed away. Cesar, and his wife Helen, lived and are buried within the Monument (his dog is buried with them too!) in a beautiful and serene garden. Their house is on the property and was left the way Helen had it the day she passed away. There isn't access inside their home, but they do allow special events in their courtyard area that you'd need to inquire about. Entrance and parking are both free to the public, but you can make donations if you'd like. I love visiting this Monument a few times a year, as it's so peaceful and calming. We usually bring lunch and sit at one of the many picnic tables provided.

Nice grounds, but kind of awkward to visit after recent events. Also, you couldn't really walk…read morearound the national monument with the private residence housing. The museum was nice though!

City of Tehachapi - While looking for the Woman's Prison Movie I found this documentary. Looks good. 02/04/2026

City of Tehachapi

(10 reviews)

Yup I've got my Tehachapi Family to visit in my next life! What a different lifestyle than NYC…read more Britt definitely didn't like getting around in the city when she came for vacation. I've watched my Tehachapi Family grow by generations. Along with my Sister in Spirit Britt we have been through the death of loved ones, births and without a doubt lots of heath conditions. I hope Britt doesn't mind me saying that I mentored her in her quest to be Elite. I'm so proud of her and I enjoy seeing her attending events! Yes I used to exchange gifts with Britt years ago. She was the only one. She loved my Yelp Swag so I sent her big boxes. Definitely my Tehachapi grandbaby received a gift. The family grew so huge I had to stop! So I'm posting a couple pictures of my favorite gift from Britt. I've placed it where I can see it on my daughter's entry table. I currently use it for quick cash to give my building employees because at this point in time I need a lot of assistance! Always remember I love you and think of you daily my Tehachapi Fam! PS Do your research on the City and surrounding areas history before you visit. At one time there was a woman's prison located here. There's an old 1950's Black and White Movie about the woman's life imprisoned here. I enjoyed it! If I find it I will post a screenshot.

For the past three years, we have gone to Bakersfield to spread holiday cheer with Clark and Elf…read more This year, it didn't work out so we decided to stay here in town. We had just as much fun. We made some people laugh and have a good time. Our downtown is absolutely gorgeous! The city did an amazing job. If you haven't visited the area, this is the best time to do it. It's amazing! Merry Christmas

Stallion Springs Community Service District

Stallion Springs Community Service District

(3 reviews)

If I could give 0 stars I would ! Management at the Stallion springs CSD is absolutely horrible…read more Specifically Laura (GM) and Jim (Maintenance). I have had issues with the water drainage in the easement behind my house since I've lived here (5+ years). Surrounding neighbors have also said they have tried getting help and have been shoo'd away since 2013. I had to threaten to reach out to the fire department in order to get them to come knock all the weeds down that were growing ABOVE the fence line across the whole easement. Not just my backyard. Every winter my property is completely flooded because the water has nowhere to drain, it all piles in my backyard. Jim's solution was to dig the trench deeper and add a sump, that he promised to maintain and pump out when the easement gets full because again... the water does not drain anywhere. After months and months of calling they finally came out and did a half a** job on the easement, so the problem remains. Jim showed up to my house to look at the flooding, because he specifically told me to call him once it floods so he can see it and pump it out. He showed up to my property with an aggressive attitude, raised his voice at me multiple times and essentially told me that it's my fault ( which it isn't ). The water in my backyard drains to the easement just fine, until the easement is full. Once the easement is full, it fills up my backyard. I have left several messages to Laura reaching for help with no response. I even made visits in person and was pushed away and told she was in meetings and would get back to me. Never once have I received a call back. I believe that Laura and Jim are not fit for their current roles working at the CSD due to their lack of communication, Jim's aggressiveness towards homeowners in need of help, and Laura's inability to address real problems.

Local Resident here, I live on Santa Anita street and have had issues with the easement ever since…read moreI have lived here. Every winter, water accumulates in the easement because it does not drain, which causes excessive growth of weeds, swampy conditions and mosquito attraction. Frustration always rises during the winter as there has been no efforts made by the CSD since it was brought up by other neighbors in 2013. This has been an ongoing issue and we all hope to see some change in the near future. Management is nearly impossible to get ahold of, and this has always been pushed to the side and put on the back burner :(

Tehachapi Loop - landmarks - Updated May 2026

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