Barstow, CA, the Crossroads of Opportunity

Barstow is a California town is steeped in history. A transportation hub, the city’s Chamber of Commerce is now located in the historic Barstow Harvey House, also known as Harvey House Railroad Depot and Barstow Station. Pictured on this page, it was originally built in 1911 by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway as Casa del Desierto, a Harvey House hotel. It was a respite for those traveling across the country on their way to the Pacific.

Once a mining center and railroad town in California’s Mojave Desert, Barstow is located at the junction of 3 major highways — Interstate 15, Interstate 40 and State Highway 58.

Want to explore Red Rock Canyon and State Park (Pictured on this page)? It’s just an hour away. More in the mood for the bright lights of Las Vegas? It’s just 150 miles away. And the glittering stars in Los Angeles are just 2 hours away by car.

Barstow is a great starting point when touring the western Mojave Desert. Outdoor explorers, amateur geologists and hikers enjoy nearby Rainbow Basin and Owl Canyon Campground, Afton Canyon, Kelso Dunes, and many other adventures, including Calico Early Man Site, historic Harvey House Depot, Calico Ghost Town, a restored silver mining town and the world-class water park complex at Lake Dolores.

Community Links

City Website: https://www.barstowca.org/

Desert Resources: https://www.desertusa.com/cities/ca/barstow.html

Harvey House: https://barstowharveyhouse.com/