The High Desert of California does not have precise boundaries but is located in the western Mojave Desert region just north of the San Gabriel, San Bernardino, and Little San Bernardino Mountains in an area that is between 2,000 and 4,000 feet above sea level.

The Los Angeles County portion of the High Desert contains the Antelope Valley, including Palmdale and Lancaster. The San Bernardino County portion contains Barstow, Newberry Springs, and the Victor Valley, including Victorville, Apple Valley, Hesperia, Adelanto, and Needles. The Kern County portion includes California City and Edwards Air Force Base. The High Desert also includes the Morongo Basin, Lucerne Valley, Yucca Valley, and Twentynine Palms.

 

California Route 66 Museum

The California Route 66 Museum is located in the High Desert on Historic U.S. Route 66 in Old Town Victorville, in the Mojave Desert of San Bernardino County. The Victor Valley Museum offers rotating exhibitions and extensive historical photos and memorabilia. The non-profit museum was founded by the Old Town Victorville Heritage Preservation organization. It is supported by donors and patrons.

 

Fishponds - Mojave

Fishponds is one of the locations where the Mojave River rises to run on the surface of its course through the Mojave Desert in San Bernardino County. The site of the ponds is in the eastern section of Barstow. Fishponds was named after the Mohave tui chub fish that are found only in the Mojave River. Note that the fish term is spelled Mohave, while the river term and region is spelled Mojave.

 

Mojave Road - Mojave Trail

The Mojave Road, also known as the Old Government Road, is a 147-mile unmaintained rough dirt road, previously called the Mojave Trail. The road stretches from Beagle's Crossing on the Colorado River north of Needles, to Fork of the Road along the north bank of the Mojave River which is just east of Barstow. The road was first traveled in 1776 by Spanish Franciscan missionaries. The Mojave Road has been designated a California Historical Landmark and is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

 

Ivanpah Solar Power Facility

The Ivanpah Solar Power Facility is a concentrated solar thermal plant in the Mojave Desert near the border with Nevada. The facility covers 3,500 acres and was commissioned in 2014. It has 173,500 collectors and produces a gross capacity of 392 megawatts. In 2014, it was the world's largest solar thermal power station.

 

Mojave Solar Project

The Mojave Solar Project (MSP) is a concentrated solar power facility in the Mojave Desert located approximately 20 miles northwest of Barstow. The facility covers 1,765 acres and was commissioned in 2014. It has 2,256 collectors and produces 250 megawatts.

 

Solar Energy Generating Systems

Solar Energy Generating Systems (SEGS) is a concentrated solar thermal plant in the Mojave Desert approximately 14 miles northwest of Barstow. The facility covers 1,600 acres and was commissioned in 1984. It has 936,384 collectors and produces 354 megawatts.

 

 

 

Timeline - Kern County

Low Desert - California