Scenic 395 - The Official Guide 2026

2026 Scenic 395 15 Ridgecrest Three museums bring you the history of Ridgecrest A brief stay in Ridgecrest, Califor- nia – located at the southeastern base of the Sierra Nevada Mountain range and on the upper Mojave Desert – will allow you to experience and enjoy the quiet yet active life that the area brings. The three museums in the city will help you under- stand and appreciate the phenomenon of history that the U.S. Navy and Civilian workers have brought to our region. The Maturango Museum, founded in 1962, features the natural and cultural history of the area. This museum has an array of inside and outside display areas that are fascinating and educational. Spend an hour (or more) looking at geo- logical, botanical, and zoological stories, or at the creations of local artists. Go out- side and walk among the historic artifacts on your way to the Desert Tortoise habitat near the museum. The Historical Society of the Upper Mojave Desert, founded in 1986, features the records and artifacts of the history and development of Ridgecrest, the Indi- anWells Valley, and the surrounding ar- eas. This museum owns and has restored the community’s first civic buildings for you to explore. These include the Historic USO Building – this USO Club started in WorldWar II when Ridgecrest had about 100 citizens! There is also the first county jail in Ridgecrest, the first firehouse, and the first fire engine houses. Recently, a one-room schoolhouse built in 1905 has been restored and used to create the re- gion’s only Veterans Memorial Building. The China Lake Museum, founded in 1993, tells the story of the Navy and civilian workers and their accomplish- ments beginning duringWWII. The museum displays a large variety of air 12 2021-2022 Scenic 39 Ridgecrest PHOTO BY AARON CRUTCHFIELD The Maturango Museum is located on East Las Flores Avenue. Three museums bring you the history of Ridgecrest A b ief stay in Ridgecrest, C lifornia – located at the southeastern base of the Sierra Nevada Mountain range and on the upper Mojave Desert – will allow you to experience and enjoy the quiet yet active life that the area brings. The three museums be- low will help you understand and appreciate t e phenomenon of history that the U.S. Navy and Ci ilian workers have brought to our region. The Maturango Museum, founded in 1962, features the natural and cultural histo- ry of the area. This museum has an array of inside and outside display areas that are fas- cinating and educational. Spend an hour (or more) looking at geological, botanical, and zoological stories, or at the creations of local artists. Go outside and walk among historic and Native American artifacts on your way to the Desert Tortoise Habitat near the mu- seum. One can register in advance in the ear- ly Spring and Fall to take a guided tour onto the nearby Naval Air Weapons Station to see ancient petroglyphs – the greatest (both the largest and the best preserved) concentration of Native American rock art in the country. The Historical Society of the Upper Mo- jave Desert, founded in 1986, features the Continued on Page 13 The Maturango Museum is located on East Las Flores Avenue. Photo by Aaron Crutchfield See Museums on Page 16 The Historic USO Building, home of the Historical Society of the Upper Mojave Desert, is on West Ridgecrest Boulevard. Photo by Aaron Crutchfield