Barstow, California
The gateway to the Mojave — bottle-tree forests, a desert film set and the long straight run.
Barstow is where California begins — after the Colorado River crossing and the long, baking run through the Mojave. It's a desert rail and military town that wears its Route 66 history in neon and dust, and it's the last big stop before the traffic and smog of the LA basin. Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch and the ghost town of Calico are the rewards for surviving the heat.
“44°C at 2pm — the bike's thermometer is the only honest one. Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch at golden hour made the whole Mojave worth it; the light through the glass is unreal.”
History
Barstow grew as a railroad junction and military supply depot — the Marine Corps base nearby still defines the town. Route 66 met the Mojave here, and the long desert run from Kingman to Barstow is the emptiest, hottest, most mythic stretch of the whole road. Calico, a rebuilt 1880s silver-mining ghost town, sits in the hills above.
Why Visit
For the Mojave crossing itself — one of the trip's most memorable days — and for the genuine Route 66 desert-town atmosphere. It's a practical, affordable overnight between the emptiness and the chaos of LA.
Best Motorcycle Roads
Route 66 — Kingman to Barstow (National Trails Highway)
The long, straight, lonely desert run over the Colorado and through the Mojave — the day your thermometer hits 44°C and you learn what riding really is.
Fort Irwin Road (desert loop)
A scenic, empty desert road north of town for riders who can't get enough of the silence.
Best Hotels
Fairfield Inn Barstow
Mid-rangeReliable Mojave stop after the long desert crossing — pool, breakfast and parking. Exactly what you need.
Sahara Motor Hotel (reborn)
BudgetA restored mid-century Route 66 motel with retro charm and a pool to fall into after the desert.
Best Restaurants
Bagdad Café (Newberry Springs, en route)
Roadside
The remote desert diner made famous by the film — a true middle-of-nowhere stop. Don't miss it.
Must Try · Cherry pie and coffee
Rosato's Italian
Italian
A surprising find — genuinely good Italian food in the middle of the Mojave.
Hidden Gems
- Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch (en route, Oro Grande) — a forest of bottle-topped metal trees, a folk-art masterpiece.
- Calico Ghost Town — a partially restored 1880s silver-mining town, touristy but fun.
- The Barstow Station diner — built from old railway carriages, a Route 66 oddity.
Photography Spots
- Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch — the light through the bottles at golden hour is magical.
- The empty straight of National Trails Highway disappearing into the heat haze.
- Calico's wooden buildings against the desert hills.
Sunrise & Sunset
Around 5:55am. The Mojave is best in the first hours — ride early, photograph the light.
Behind the bottle trees at Elmer's, or the hills above Calico.
Practical Information
- Pilot Travel Center on East Main Street — big, reliable, easy bike access.
- Maverik on Montara Road — clean and handy on the west side.
Barstow's outlets and diners have large free lots with easy bike parking. Downtown has free street parking. Most motels offer parking right outside your room.
Suggested Walking Routes
Barstow Station & Route 66
A short walk around the railway-car diner and the old Route 66 strip.
Calico Ghost Town
A 1-mile wander through the rebuilt mining town — kitsch but characterful.
Weather & Ride Difficulty
Mojave desert — brutally hot in summer (45°C+), the hardest day of the trip. Spring and autumn are perfect. If riding in summer, soak a cooling vest, start before dawn, drink constantly and finish by lunch. This is the desert that punishes the unprepared.
The riding is easy — long, straight, well-surfaced. The challenge is entirely the heat and the distance between services. Fuel at every opportunity and carry more water than you think you need.
Nearby Attractions
- Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch (Oro Grande)
- Bagdad Café (Newberry Springs)
- Calico Ghost Town (Yermo)
- Mojave National Preserve (north)
Frequently Asked Questions
Manageable with the right kit and timing — soak a cooling vest, start before dawn, drink every 15 minutes and rehydrate with salts at lunch. Never gamble on fuel or water. If you're nervous, ride it in May or September instead.
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