Los Angeles Area Mojave Desert Town Has Unique Attractions
By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClb.com Travel Blogger
It wasn’t quite like getting invited to Switzerland or Carmel, but when a press invitation came my way to visit Lancaster, CA, I took interest in it.
Lancaster isn’t exactly what comes to mind when you think of California Dreamin’ for it has no beach, ocean or even a lake. In fact, it’s in a desert, closer to Death Valley than here in Hermosa Beach.
But food and cocktails are promised and, after all, it’s June Gloom in the South Bay Beach Cities. The timing could not be more perfect so I’m headed to Lancaster the weekend of June 10-11.
And looking forward to it.
Food & Drinks, Events & Things To Do In Lancaster
The itinerary involves food (and drinks) at the new Rio Brazilian Grill and what I envision as big ‘ol country breakfast at Katz N Jammers.
There’s also visits to the Lancaster Museum of Art & History (granted, I’m not much of a museum guy but I do appreciate where I’m at and its history) and a Mojave Desert “experience” at a place called the Prime Desert Woodland Preserve.
Finally, it’s Thunder on the Lot weekend, a motorcycle and car show featuring Harley Davidsons and American Muscle Cars plus bands all day and into the night.
Maybe I’ll even get to drive on the “Musical Road,” a row of rumble strips spaced a certain distance apart that plays a series of pitches when a car drives over them at around 55 mph (this is located on Ave. G, between 30th and 40th streets).
In my advance research, I even noticed there’s two local breweries and wine tasting in Lancaster. Hmmm.
Like most people who live in Los Angeles, I have somewhat of a connection to Lancaster. It’s along the lone highway to Mammoth Ski Resort, meaning hundreds of people pass through it each weekend during the ski and snowboard season.
I’ve been through Lancaster and its adjacent neighbor Palmdale too many times to count, not just going to and from Mammoth but also dozens upon dozens of times to Willow Springs Raceway during my motorsports PR days.
Willow Springs is not a place that holds races but rather is a test track, has been used in numerous car commercials, is the training ground for the celebrities who raced in the Toyota Pro-Celebrity race during the Long Beach Grand Prix and hosts the annual adults-turn-into-kids event for automotive journalists known as MPG Track Days.
I’ve also been to the Antelope County Fair (Aug. 19-28 in 2016) and bar-hopping in a surprisingly nice downtown village called The BLVD.
Finally, a former girlfriend – whom I still like, by the way – is originally from Lancaster. (After informing her of my visit she’s quite anxious to see what I’ll be posting about her hometown.)
So I’m not exactly going into this trip blindfolded, tho most of my knowledge is like the cars roaring by Lancaster on the 14 freeway – passing at best. So let’s see what this ‘ol town has to offer PubClub and other visitors!
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