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North AmericaUnited StatesCalifornia

Ridgecrest

California, United States · North America

About Ridgecrest

Ridgecrest is worth a stop: 15 minutes from China Lake Acres, 27km from Trona Pinnacles.

Ridgecrest is a town located in California, United States. With a population of 28,780, it is an important destination in North America.

On a road trip, Ridgecrest sits in United States, where you drive on the right. It's in the America/Los Angeles time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Ridgecrest to your route.

About Ridgecrest

Ridgecrest is a city in Kern County, California, United States, along U.S. Route 395 in the Indian Wells Valley in northeastern Kern County, adjacent to the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake (NAWS, or China Lake). It was incorporated as a city in 1963. The population was 27,959 at the 2020 census, up slightly from

Read more 27,616 at the 2010 census, making it the third-largest city in Kern County. Ridgecrest is surrounded by four mountain ranges; the Sierra Nevada on the west, the Coso Range on the north, the Argus Range on the east, and the El Paso Mountains on the south. The most isolated community in Kern county, it is approximately 82 miles (132 km) from the Lancaster/Palmdale area, 110 miles (177 km) from Bakersfield, and 120 miles (193 km) from San Bernardino, the three nearest major urban centers. Private air travel in and out of the city is provided through the Inyokern Airport. There are currently no scheduled commercial flights. The city has been near the epicenter of major earthquakes, including one in 1995 and a series of quakes in July 2019.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Ridgecrest

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Ridgecrest?

Ridgecrest offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Ridgecrest?

Plan your road trip to Ridgecrest with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Ridgecrest as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Ridgecrest located?

Ridgecrest is located in California, United States, North America. The coordinates are 35.6225 latitude, -117.6709 longitude.

What is the population of Ridgecrest?

Ridgecrest has a population of approximately 28,780 people, making it a town in United States.

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Quick Information

Population
28,780
Continent
North America
Country
United States
Region
California
Timezone
America/Los_Angeles
Coordinates
35.6225, -117.6709

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in United States

Police
911
Ambulance
911
Fire
911
Driving side
right

AAA roadside assistance: 1-800-222-4357. Right turn on red is legal in most states unless signed otherwise.

Full driving guide for United States

Tags

North AmericaUnited StatesCaliforniaTown

Worth the detour from Ridgecrest

1 notable place within an hour's drive.

photogenic

Trona Pinnacles

More than 500 calcium carbonate tufa spires rising up to 140 feet from a dry lake bed, used as an alien landscape in dozens of films. Five miles of usually 2WD-passable dirt road off SR-178.

27 km · about 30 min drive

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Ridgecrest.

China Lake Acres

🇺🇸 United States

9 km awayPop. 1,876

Inyokern

🇺🇸 United States

13 km awayPop. 1,099

Searles Valley

🇺🇸 United States

29 km awayPop. 1,739

Weldon

🇺🇸 United States

56 km awayPop. 2,642

California City

🇺🇸 United States

62 km awayPop. 13,277

North Edwards

🇺🇸 United States

69 km awayPop. 1,058

Boron

🇺🇸 United States

69 km awayPop. 2,253

Kernville

🇺🇸 United States

70 km awayPop. 1,395

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence