The city of Ridgecrest is located at the Eastern base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in the upper Mojave Desert.  A small town of approximately 30,000 people, Ridgecrest provides a fine quality of life and offers many technical and recreational opportunities in close proximity.  Ridgecrest borders the Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons Division at China Lake and supports it's operations and personnel.  It is 2-3 hours from the Southern California beaches and skiing and snowboarding in the High Sierras or the Los Angeles mountains.  Death Valley National Park is just to the East of Ridgecrest, and locally there is a vast amount of open land, clean air, fresh water which promotes outdoor activities such as swimming, mountain bike riding, running, golfing and many other organized activities. 

Visit the Ridgecrest home page to learn more about our fine community!

China Lake Mountain Rescue Group

Naval Air Warfare Center, China Lake

Death Valley National Park
Mammoth Mountain
California State Parks
   

Continue to see Ridgecrest at a Glance...
(Photos by: Dr. Bill Ferguson)

Springtime in Ridgecrest brings spectacular wildflowers and
thunder shower patterns.

Snowfalls last for one or two days every year or two, bringing beauty and fun to the valley.  This is a view looking to the west at Owens Peak and "5 Fingers".

The Trona Pinnacles are a natural formation of rocks which leave
you feeling like you are in another world!  This area has been seen in several movies.  (15 minutes from Ridgecrest).

Above and below:  The Petroglyphs on the Naval Air Warfare Center a
land mark in themselves.  The Petroglyphs can be seen only on an escorted tour
arranged by the Maturango Museum.  See the Ridgecrest home
page for more details.

An aerial view of Ridgecrest looking to the East at the Panamint
Mountains.  Just beyond these mountains is Death Valley National Park.

Another springtime view from the Rademacher Hills which
are South/Southeast of Ridgecrest.

The Joshua Tree is a local of the Mojave Desert.  These are found nearby in Walkers Pass, about 10 minutes west of Ridgecrest.  They usually grow only at 3,000 to 5,000 feet of elevation.