Lancaster City, California, is nestled in the foothills of the Tehachapi, San Gabriel, and Sierra Pelona mountain ranges.
This underrated tourist destination offers stunning desert landscapes, world-class race tracks, eerily colored poppy fields, diverse wildlife, remarkable aviation museums, vast crimson canyons, and much more.
At Lancaster, you will see the beautiful Mojave desert, which offers a wide range of outdoor recreational activities such as camping, hiking, stargazing, rock climbing, picnicking, and several others.
The community is known for its cultural events and arts scene, including the annual California Poppy Festival. It draws more than 60,000 visitors to the region to see the extensive blooms of the state’s official flower.
Want to know more about this place? Scroll down as we take you through some things to do in Lancaster (CA) to make your trip here worthwhile.
Fun Things to Do in Lancaster (CA)
1. Don’t Miss the Thrilling Displays at Los Angeles County Air Show
The air show event is a two-day celebration in October; it is an annual event.
It features remarkable flying pieces of the US Air Force and Navy, a wide variety of military jets, skydiving, helicopters, vintage military aircraft, hot air balloons, a science fair, exhibits depicting the history of aviation, and much more.
Every alternate year, the venue alternates between William J. Fox Airport and Edwards Air Force Base.
Attend this event and enjoy a fun and amazing show.
2. View the City In Hot Air Balloon Rides
With Don’s Early Light hot air balloon flights, you’re sure to admire breathtaking aerial views of the Mojave Desert and Antelope Valley.
Try this amazing experience in Lancaster and create unforgettable memories to remember. You will not regret it!
3. Watch a Game at Lancaster National Soccer Center
Watch football at this famous Lancaster National Stadium.
It has 35 football fields and hosts many football tournaments throughout the year, such as Cal South State Cup, LA cup, California cup, and others.
Visit this place, and you are guaranteed to have a fun-filled experience
Things to Do in Lancaster (CA) at Night
1. Stargazing at Prime Desert Woodland Preserve
The Prime Desert Woodland Preserve offers hiking trails that traverse remote areas of the desert.
It provides excellent opportunities to explore the stunning beauty of the Mojave Desert and its native flora and fauna. Also, it is a perfect place for night stargazing.
Hike into the wild and sandy desert to view exotic wildlife.
You can see ravens and hawks patrolling the skies, numerous rabbits, coyotes, lizards, quail, squirrels, rabbits, Joshua trees, cacti, and several others.
It is also home to the Elyse Clifford Interpretive Center, which emphasizes the regional flora and fauna, history, culture, and geology of the Mojave Desert.
Various exhibits include live animals, historical artifacts, pictures, interpretation of regional Native American history, mining history, minerals found in the desert, and more.
2. Catch a Baseball Game at The Hangar
Baseball is a significant part of Lancaster culture.
Here you will see the Lancaster Jethawks, the city’s official minor league baseball team.
They won two California League championship trophies.
They usually play at The Hangar Stadium, which is the team’s home ground and can hold over 7,000 spectators during a match.
3. Get Some of the Best Coffee at Liquid Bean Coffee House
Opened in 2001 as a family business, Liquid Bean Coffee House has been voted the best coffee shop in the Antelope Valley.
The restaurant is open every day of the week and offers quick and easy service from a double drive-thru lane.
There are many coffees and beverages, including frappes, gourmet espresso drinks, and coffee ice cream floats.
They also serve non-coffee drinks, including bacon or sausage sandwiches or baguette croissants. Fresh pastries, including scones and muffins, are served daily for breakfast.
Things to Do in Lancaster (CA) For Couples
1. Learn a Thing or Two at Native America’s Culture at Antelope Valley Indian Museum
The Antelope Valley Indian Museum contains thousands of historical and contemporary exhibits related to regional Native American culture.
Items on display include pottery, sandals, baskets, jewelry, paintings, textiles, rugs, hunting gear, ropes, sculptures, and more.
The outdoor area of the museum offers educational trails and picnic areas. The museum is open to the public on weekends from 11 am to 4 pm.
2. Visit Quail Run Ostrich Ranch
Quail Run Ostrich Ranch allows you to get up close and personal with many ostriches.
Here you will learn a lot of interesting facts about these birds.
What’s more, the store at Quail Run Ostrich Ranch sells ostrich eggs, meat, honey, fresh apples and cherries, ostrich chickens, body care products, home decor, furniture, dusters, and more.
In addition, there is also a cherry and apple orchard on this site.
Take a tour of this farm and get close to the animals that will make your day full of excitement.
3. Shop at BLVD Farmers’ Market
Farmers’ market is a culinary adventure, a chance to see, taste, and learn about farm fresh produce and food in the city of Lancaster.
Get ready for the BLVD Weekly Farmers Market every Thursday! Shop for fresh bread, baked goods, organic produce, salsa, honey, ready meals, and just about anything you may need.
BLVD Farmers’ Market is also a great opportunity to talk to farmers directly and get their rare tips on how to grow and cook their fresh food. You wouldn’t want to miss this, trust me.
The farmers market is also a meeting place where local musicians meet, moms rock babies, and friends shop together.
At BLVD Farmers’ Market, you can find great gifts, ranging from specialty items to handmade crafts.
The City of Lancaster is a partner of Raw Inspiration, a non-profit operator of California-certified farmers’ markets.
Things to Do in Lancaster (CA) For Kids
1. Visit Greatest Escape
For rainy day fun, take the Escape Room experience. Lancaster’s Greatest Getaway is a special place for visitors to the Antelope Valley.
With three themed rooms to explore, Greatest Escape is one of the best things to do in Lancaster, California.
You must dare to escape in less than 60 minutes, which means you work closely with your team to solve the clues.
The most exciting and terrifying room is The Apartment. Next up are The Jail Break and Beyond the Wardrobe.
The Greatest Escape is great for family fun, birthday parties, team-building events, and even date night fun.
2. Let Them Grab Some Pizza at the Lemon Leaf Café
Lemon Leaf Café began in 2006 as an upscale casual dining spot, offering Southern California cuisine mixed with Greek and Italian inspiration.
You can sign up for breakfast, lunch, and dinner from Monday to Saturday as they offer a wide variety of fresh starters made from local ingredients.
Their food options include baguettes, pressed and wrapped sandwiches, specialty Neapolitan thin crust pizzas, and shareable Mediterranean-style appetizers.
The restaurant’s patisserie offers a wide range of original homemade pastries and desserts that you can take away or for dinner.
Lemon Leaf Café also caters for private special events, and you can purchase a range of the restaurant’s baked goods online for domestic shipping.
3. Let Them Eat to Their Fill at Crazy Otto’s Diner
In the 1970s, Otto Lindsel—a former lumberjack—opened Crazy Otto’s Diner in Antelope Valley. A visit here is one of the best things to do in Lancaster.
During the 1990s, the restaurant gained national recognition for its world record-breaking 1,850-square-foot omelet.
It holds the Guinness World Record for the largest omelet in the world.
The chain currently operates four restaurants in the Antelope Valley region, with two locations in Lancaster.
It has also been voted the best place for breakfast in the region for more than 15 years.
They offer breakfast and lunch every day, and their main strengths are classic American restaurants.
They also serve dinner at specific locations, including the restaurant’s signature prime rib entrée.
Indoor Activities to Do in Lancaster (CA) For Adults (Indoor Activities)
1. Don’t Miss a Show at Regency
One of the hidden gems of downtown California is the Regency Cinema at 742 W Lancaster Blvd.
The handsome two-story facility is a classic, cozy movie theater that offers lounge chairs and three different screens.
The Regency has everything you’d expect from a traditional theater but with a more intimate atmosphere that allows you to enjoy a movie without getting lost in the crowd.
The staff are genuinely friendly, compassionate, and helpful; As soon as you enter the great-looking building, you will immediately feel welcome.
If you are nearby, be sure to spend some time in this wonderful place; this is how luxury theaters should be!
2. Check Out the Lancaster Museum of Art and History
The Museum of Art and History has four locations in Lancaster that together offer several thousand different exhibits such as historical artifacts, aviation-related exhibits, artwork by regional artists, a slot machine, local memorabilia, surfboard history, and much more.
It focuses primarily on the Antelope Valley’s regional arts, culture, natural resources, and history.
Various events are also held here throughout the year, including open mic night, annual art competitions, and exhibitions by local school students.
Visit the museum and explore the stunning works of art that will make for a perfect visit.
3. See a Live Orchestra at Lancaster Performing Arts Centre
Established in 1991, this theater offers a wide variety of entertaining and lively performances such as ballets, orchestra, comedy, plays, musical concerts, magic shows, musicals, and many more.
Considered the largest and best theater in the entire Antelope Valley, the Lancaster Performing Arts Center features not only regional talent but also presents world-renowned shows.
Some of the renowned artists who have graced the stage here include Debbie Reynolds, Willie Nelson, Henry Mancini, Penn & Teller, Billy Ray Cyrus, and Natalie Cole.
Get show tickets and enjoy an amazing show.
Romantic Things to Do in Lancaster (CA)
1. Spend Some Time at Saddle Butte State Park
Saddle Butte State Park is a popular spot for hiking, picnicking, and camping, and it is located in the Mojave Desert.
It features Saddleback Butte, the summit of which is more than 3,600 feet above the ground.
Follow mountaintop hiking trails and enjoy spectacular views of Antelope Valley and the Mojave Desert.
The sunset view from the top is heavenly. Here you will enjoy a nice picnic in a picturesque background.
There are also campsites for primitive and RV camping with grills and fire pits.
You can see foxes, lizards, rabbits, coyotes, squirrels, snakes, kangaroo rats, and several others.
Saddle Butte State Park is open daily from 9 am to dusk, and the campsites are open 24/7.
2. Be Part of the California Poppy Festival
This two-day festival takes place every April and is held at the Sgt. Steve Owen Memorial Park.
It features live performances, rides, delicious food stands, fun activities, a petting zoo, trampolines, animal encounters, arts and crafts shops, vintage and modern car shows, a farmers market, and more.
Here you will see more than 200 regional vendors selling products such as ceramics, crafts, home décor, jewelry, candles, clothing, glassware, body care products, and more.
3. Go on a Wine Tour at Agua Dulce Winery
Agua Dulce Winery is the largest winery in the region and is known for its Chardonnay and red wines.
This place has won several awards at many national competitions and has also been awarded as the best producer of quality wine in the region.
Their tours are followed by a delicious lunch.
Spend a leisurely day touring their 400-acre vineyard and tasting some delicious wine.
Free Things to Do in Lancaster (CA)
1. Check Out Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve
The sprawling, brightly colored wildflowers in Antelope Valley create a heavenly visual sight.
Watch the fields painted in vibrant shades of saffron, purple, yellow, blue, and green.
Here at the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve, visitors usually come during the spring because it is the perfect time to visit when the flowers are in full bloom.
Enjoy an invigorating hike along scenic nature trails and view the region’s diverse wildlife. You can see snakes, lizards, rats, larks, scorpions, beetles, and hawks.
In addition, this place also offers cream cups, lupine, owl clover, coreopsis, and more.
2. Visit Western Hotel Museum
The Western Hotel Museum, formerly a hotel, was converted into a museum during its centenary in 1988.
He educates his patrons about the regional history of the Antelope Valley.
It is affiliated with the Museum of Art and History and is one of the oldest buildings in the region.
Its permanent collection displays historical artifacts and local memorabilia, including household items, maps, paintings, traditional mason’s equipment, black and white albums, sculptures, clocks, china, baskets, furniture, dishes, organs, Native American stones, and more.
Every second and fourth Friday and Saturday of the month, from 11 am to 4 pm, the Western Hotel Museum is open to the public.
Explore ancient artifacts in this historical museum.
3. Take a Stroll Along Apollo Community Regional Park
This 50+ acre park features three charming lakes, picnic areas, refreshing hiking trails, grills, snack bars, playgrounds, and more.
You can also spot ducks, geese, rabbits, and swans.
What’s more, the lakes provide access to fishing.
This park was named after the astronauts who traveled on the Apollo 11 space flight.
Go here for a refreshing walk or enjoy a nice picnic by the lake.
Cheap Things to Do in Lancaster (CA)
1. Civic Musical Road Drive-by
This fascinating and beautiful Civic Musical Road is one of Lancaster’s main attractions.
Located between West 30th and 40th Streets on Avenue G, Civic Musical Road consists of grooves that play music every time a car drives over it.
Located at regular intervals on the road are the grooves.
It was originally paved by Honda Motor Company in 2008 as a publicity stunt.
Enjoy a scenic and musical drive on this road while visiting Lancaster.
2. Visit Forrest E Hull Park
Forrest E Hull Park is a wonderful neighborhood park located at 2850 West Avenue L-12, Lancaster, California.
This park features a fenced pet area, a spacious grassy playground, and a paved, lighted walking trail.
Here you will see people having a picnic.
There is a large pitch in the middle of the park, which is perfect for playing soccer or football (or even flying kites if you feel like it!)
Forrest E Hull Park is truly a great place for kids and families to have a day of fun.
3. Go Biking Along the Sierra Highway Bike Trail
The Sierra Bike Trail is one of the most popular bike trails in Southern California.
It connects two cities, Palmdale and Lancaster, via a trail that takes commuters from both train stations for rapid transit around the city.
Not only do these Antelope Valley auxiliaries connect with each other, but it’s also a recreational trail that provides residents with much-needed exercise.
Between Avenue Q and 6th Street East, past the Palmdale Metrolink station, is this super fun stretch of bike paths.
The Sierra Highway Bike Trail is located in Southern California near the desert, so you should definitely bring a water bottle.
Cool Places to Visit in Lancaster (CA)
1. Joe Davies Heritage Airpark
Located in Palmdale, this airport features over 20 real aircraft that were once used by the US Air Force.
In addition, the park displays real rockets, bombers, airliners, aircraft parts, and more.
All exhibits share some history with US Airforce Plant 42, located in Palmdale.
Explore the park and learn more about the country’s aviation history.
Access to the site is completely free for everyone.
2. Red Rock Canyon State Park
This historic state park features huge rustic red cliffs and sedimentary rock formations spread throughout the desert.
Centuries ago, this place was inhabited by native Indians.
Estimated to be more than 10 million years old, this renowned archaeological site is a paleontologist’s heaven.
Numerous fossils can be found at this site, providing significant insight into the ancient environment of the region.
Enjoy an invigorating hike along these dramatic and brightly colored cliffs, or camp here at night and experience nature.
Or you can try fossil hunting and enjoy the picturesque views.
You can see roadrunners, turtles, wild wasps, rabbits, squirrels, eagles, and many more.
Its incredible beauty makes this site a favorite among photographers and filmmakers.
He has appeared in a wide range of films such as Jurassic Park, The Mummy, The Big Land, and Westworld. Destiny’s Child’s Cater 2 U music video was also filmed here.
Primitive camping is possible at Camp Ricardo.
3. Willow Springs International Motorsports Park
Willow Springs International Motorsports Park was established in 1953; this park covers 600 acres and features several race tracks.
Over the years, it has hosted several world-class races such as the NASCAR Cup Series, Grand Prix motorcycle races, Cal club races, American Motorcyclist Association events, and many more.
A number of racing events are held here throughout the year.
Get race tickets and enjoy an amazing experience.
Conclusion
Lancaster is a beautiful city with lots of things to see and do.
Whether you’re looking for family fun or a night in the town, Lancaster has something for everyone.
Why not start planning for your next vacation? It would certainly be fun to explore this list of things to do in Lancaster (CA).
