Explore the Mojave and Its History on the Way Back to Los Angeles

Wake up early and enjoy a comfort-food breakfast to fuel up for a long day of exploring, and for the long drive back to Los Angeles. The American diner vibe is strong here, with plenty of cozy booths, a lengthy menu, and large portions.

The Maturango Museum exhibits art, artifacts, and interpretive displays that focus on the natural and cultural history of the Northern Mojave Desert, including the indigenous inhabitants who populated the region for more than 13,000 years.

The Rand Desert Museum focuses on the history of the Rand Mining District, an area encompassing Randsburg and a handful of nearby communities that experienced a profitable mini-Gold Rush in the 1890s. The collection includes artifacts from everyday life in the district, as well as information on prehistoric sites in the Upper Mojave.

The cliffs and canyons here are both stunning and baffling. The improbable layers, colors, and formations make Red Rock Canyon seem as if it's melting. The landscape here is roughly where the southernmost point of the Sierra overlaps with the El Paso Range, according to the California Department of Parks and Recreation. There are trails that lead into a few of the gorges, and alongside the Badlands-style cliffs, so bring along water and a hat.

The extensive menu at Las Margaritas is predominantly traditional dishes from Mexico and other parts of Latin America, from queso fundido to hearty burritos to a variety of fish and shrimp dishes, although there are some nods to domestic comfort food. Expect a fun, traditional atmosphere and great service.

Clearly more an oddity than an attraction, this is the closest public spot to view the acres of planes being retired or stored at Mojave Air & Space Port. Estimates suggest that there are roughly 4,400 planes at any one time, most of them 747s, and more than a few that are being used for parts.
The dirt road that follows the fence line can be a little rustic and is probably best for vehicles with a little clearance. Bring binoculars to get a closer view. Survey the aeronautical landscape for a while, then begin the drive back to Los Angeles.