Don't just make a Barstow stop on the way to Vegas to go to the restroom or to get fast food; check…read moreout the NASA Goldstone Visitor Center... 4 stars!!!! Learn all about the satellite ground station located in Fort Irwin, CA that tracks and communicates with interplanetary space missions at this visitor center. Located in the second floor of the historic Harvey House at the Barstow Amtrak Train Station, the visitor center offers interactive exhibits to learn how the Jet Propulsion Laboratory tracks and communicates with interplanetary spacecrafts. Not just kids, but also adults can find this center a worthwhile stop in Barstow. As a bonus, you can also learn about the historic Harvey House as well as visit the Western America Railroad Museum and the Route 66 "Mother Road" Museum, all during the same stop.

Wow I didn't think much of this place until I got home to read the brochures and went online…read more Goldstone is one of three complexes around the world known as the Deep Space Network (DSN) that provides the ability to communicate with spacecraft! This is on the top floor of the Amtrak train station in Barstow, Ca. There work is within the two-way robotic spacecraft communication and radio astronomy. The Goldstone Deep Space Network Visitor's Center is OPEN Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 9am-3pm and Saturdays 10am-4pm with no cost to visit and no reservations required. They are closed on Federal Holidays. Historic Harvey House (Casa Del Desierto) 681 North First Avenue, Barstow, CA 92311 The main Harvey House entrance faces South toward the Railroad Tracks and this is located on the second floor. This is a road that is not traveled by much traffic.

If you want to keep some illicit stuff at a local tavern, then all I can do is wonder what the…read moreBar-stows away for you. It's a delightful colourful little bus station where the Greyhounds stop, and it also has transit for local areas and the desert and valleys. It's super pretty and super cute and we liked it. It's also a rest stop for travelers as well, so you'll meet all kinds of people here, and don't forget that the Amtrak is coming through here. It just has a little bit of everything, including all your typical food and convenience store needs - like a big truck stop of sorts. Definitely four stars from me.

I think Amtrak should abolish the prolonged stops for "Smoke Breaks" that essentially encourages an…read moreunhealthy habit, causes unnecessary delays, and has passengers reboard reeking of smoke that permeates the cabin. For those who are addicted to smoking and need their fix who can't smoke on board, this could be the catalyst as a blessing in disguise to help them quit or realize they have a left threatening problem. I think it would be a good corporate branding move to help save lives and not enable such a detrimental habit.

Nice place to rest bathrooms are pretty clean. Get out and stretch your legs let the dogs play.read more

This rest area is great. Clean, well lit. Janitors were…read morethere til 10 pm. Alot of trucks on otherside. People coming and going. I had to sleep there, to late for me to safely continue driving. I felt safe and comfortable. I am a lady senior citizen, and felt very safe here.

Best service motel in Barstow…read more Guy with long hair and glass takes care of property with his mother. Thank you God for how helpful he was. Yes it was the cheapest motel ever but best service always better for paying such a low price. Prices $35 to $45 for single unit. $35 to $65 for double. Was able to check in with my military Id after motel 6 would not take it and even with a reservation. Best part is Bar 66 is across street with the owner Paul ready to give you best bar service ever. The taco place across street is hit or miss with quality. The sound of squeaking train brakes makes you feel like you are part of the Barstow train yard. Room from picture is what you would expect for low price. Suggested simple repairs to manager guy, to bring up quality of unit I was in, but with such a low price figure it's a good enough place to crash on to Vegas.

I stay up very late doing night photography, and had asked if I could have a dark, quiet room. They…read moremade sure I had one, and it was both. The rooms also have thick brick walls and are basically duplexes, sharing only one common wall with another. The rooms are very bare-bones and nothing fancy and are a bit faded, but remember the price!! It's a great value for the money. You get a flat-screen TV, microwave, fridge, comfortable bed, and lots of thick carpeting. The wifi was rock solid the entire two nights I was here. Also, there's plenty of parking. The customer service was super friendly and nice. I will definitely come back again. Great great place.

The restored train depot at Kelso, California is a gem. Three floors of exhibits including art…read more It is worth a visit when in the Mojave Desert area. NOTE-this is NOT in the city of Barstow!.It is near Baker and Cima California.

Not really in the city of Barstow, more towards Cima. It's a visitors center, gift shop, and museum…read morewith exhibits in Mojave National Preserve. There's a 20 minute introduction movie you can watch about Mojave. They also have actual flush toilets rather than pits in the ground.

Was looking for some inspiration/recommendations when it came to adding additional activities to my…read morepre-existing itinerary. The woman who worked the register at the help center was extremely helpful, friendly and professional. They have lots of route 66 souvenirs and California souvenirs to choose from like keychains, postcards, shot glasses, cups, and refrigerator magnets. They also have tons of brochures to choose from that will surely help you find a fun activity or two to do from Nevada to Arizona to California.

Review#325....Going down Memory Lane to 'California Welcome Center,' City of Barstow…read more Thought I should just add this review in for 'California Welcome Center,' which was located right inside Barstow Outlets on Tanger Way. Once parked at Barstow Outlets, you should visit the Welcome Center because they will hand you a booklet of discount coupons. Since I have not been back for a few years, I'm not sure they still do that?! Just as I said, Lovin' Barstow Outlets even though it seemed to be a smaller Outlet, they make a nice rest stop since there were clean restrooms with several stalls and a food court. I didn't need to make 2-location rest stops because Barstow Outlets already owned everything I needed.

PRICING - This particular RV park is pretty pricey, we paid $6 per night to stay here. If your a…read moresenior citizen then it's $3 per night. LOL!! CAMPING - The camping is very good for what it is. This place is set up for "Dry-Camping" and it's great. This location is run by the BLM and it's actually really nice. Each camp site has a table and a fire pit along with a structure that will provide shade. RESTROOMS & SHOWERS - The restrooms look really nice from the outside, new building and the construction is nice however don't let that fool you. There are no showers and the toilets are ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING!! Dirty, smelly and full of bugs. If you have to go potty use your own rig or go out in the desert. THINGS TO DO - Depending on the weather because it gets really hot here and it gets really cold herww we. We took walks and explored the local train tracks. There are two very old train bridges right near the campsite and we watched the trains go by a dozen times each day. We also went down and watched all the trucks cross the river. The campsite is located near the end of the Old Mojave Trail so lots of 4 wheel drive keeps and trucks come out of the canyon and cross the river. And last but nit least we explored Afton Canyon and the old Mojave Trial. We actually went and visited the Lava Tubes, the Mail Box, The Travelers Monument and the old train station out on Cima Road. OTHER CAMPERS - We have never seen any other campers other then a guy that took a nap in his car. CUSTOMER SERVICE - There really isn't any customer service. You drop your cash in a metal box and that's it. We did watch the video and then printed the fire-pit permit so I guess someone might stop in and ask for it but we never saw anyone that worked for the campsite or the BLM. OVERALL "5 STARS" At the end of the day this is a really nice BLM park and it's a great place to camp as long as your self contained. The train tracks are very close to the campsite and it's really fun listening to them go back and forth. Lots of wildlife so keep an eye on your puppies and Afton Canyon is beautiful. WARNING!! The road in and out of the campsite is usually maintained and is passionless if your driving a Class A, Class C and or if your pulling a 5th wheel or bumper trailer. We were in a 31' Toy Hauler and had 4WD so we were fine. If it was raining I think the trip out might be challenging so make sure your keep in eye on the weather.

I stayed there with some friends after finishing the Mojave Road (east to west). It's the desert so…read moreMay-September expect high temperatures, bugs, and a scorching sun. The trains are super cool, the scenery is beautiful and it's pretty chill. The sites are also huge: you can cram 5 trucks into one spot without trying too hard and still have room for tents. If I was in the neighborhood and it wasn't mid-summer I'd definitely stop by again.