Welcome Center Helps Visitors Find Fun

“What is there to do for fun around here?”

It’s often the first question visitors ask when they arrive in a new city—and how we answer matters. A thriving local economy depends on attracting visitors who fuel demand for restaurants, entertainment, lodging, transportation, healthcare services, and more. Tourism doesn’t just bring in dollars; it strengthens the community we call home.

With those benefits in mind, community leaders long envisioned an official California Welcome Center in Ridgecrest—a dream that became reality in November 2021 with the opening of the 22nd California Welcome Center at 880 N. China Lake Blvd.

“Our goal was to build a strong relationship with Visit California,” said Kari Crutcher, executive director. “Oftentimes, people don’t really know where Ridgecrest is. We saw the California Welcome Center program as an opportunity to gain significant visibility.”

Traditionally, Welcome Centers serve as a concierge for travelers—a trusted hub of local knowledge offering maps, brochures, dining recommendations, attractions, and amenities. But the Ridgecrest Welcome Center goes beyond the basics, delivering memorable, high-quality experiences that visitors won’t find anywhere else.

“Our Welcome Center is unique because of the immersive exhibits we offer,” Crutcher said.

One of the newest and most exciting additions is a virtual reality tour of Little Petroglyph Canyon, located in the Coso Mountain Range near Ridgecrest. The area is considered a hotbed of cultural and historical significance, as several Native American tribes lived in and migrated through the region for thousands of years. Little Petroglyph Canyon is home to the largest known concentration of petroglyphs in the Northern Hemisphere.

Because the canyon is located within Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, public access is prohibited. As a result, the Ridgecrest Welcome Center’s VR experience offers a rare opportunity. “This virtual reality tour is the only petroglyph VR experience of its kind in the nation,” said Crutcher. “It allows visitors to explore a place that very few people will ever see in person, while honoring and protecting this culturally sensitive site.”

The Welcome Center also continues to offer a popular virtual reality experience of Death Valley National Park, allowing guests to explore iconic landscapes through Oculus VR headsets. “Ridgecrest is often known as the gateway to Death Valley,” Crutcher explained, “but not everyone who comes through town will visit the park. VR provides an immersive way to experience it—especially for visitors with mobility or accessibility challenges.”

Another standout attraction is the TV and Film Experience exhibit, which highlights major productions filmed throughout Death Valley, Lone Pine, Red Rock Canyon, and the surrounding region. Interactive QR codes connect visitors to filming locations featured in Lady Gaga and Rihanna music videos, Top Gun: Maverick, Iron Man, Star Trek, Star Wars, Jurassic Park, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and Westworld. Video presentations emphasize the region’s dramatic desert landscapes and their continued draw for film and television productions.

A visitor learns the history of the Manzanar War Relocation Center through the virtual exhibit at the California Welcome Center. PHOTO COURTESY CALIFORNIA WELCOME CENTER RIDGECREST

“This exhibit is a perfect fit for us,” said Crutcher. “We manage both the visitor’s bureau and the film commission. Tourism and the film industry work hand in hand, and many of our visitors are here specifically for film projects.”

In addition, the Welcome Center showcases California’s Top Ten Amazing Archaeological Adventures, appealing to visitors interested in history, culture, and exploration.

“The comment we hear most often—especially from locals—is ‘Wow,’” Crutcher said. “People are surprised by what they find the moment they walk in.”

Visitors frequently ask about the Trona Pinnacles, Death Valley, and national parks such as Yosemite. “We see many travelers staying overnight in Ridgecrest while passing through on their way north,” Crutcher added.

At the heart of the Welcome Center is a thoughtfully curated gift shop featuring Ridgecrest- and California-themed merchandise, including items created by local artists. “We’re proud to showcase local artists on consignment and plan to feature new creators in the coming year,” said Crutcher. “It’s also becoming a favorite spot for locals looking for Ridgecrest souvenirs.”

As with all California Welcome Centers, visitors can access brochures, magazines, and information on local attractions, dining, and lodging. The space is also available to the public for meetings, receptions, parties, and other community events.

The Ridgecrest Welcome Center is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 760-375-8202 or email info@goRidgecrest.com.