Ridgecrest

Ridgecrest is a desert town in Indian Wells Valley in Kern County, California, surrounded by four mountain ranges: the Sierra Nevada, Cosos, Argus, and El Paso Mountains. The settlement covers roughly 21 square miles (55 square kilometers) of desert land and serves as a supply center for the surrounding area.

The settlement began in 1912 as Crumville, named after local dairy farmers who worked their farms there. After the Naval Ordnance Test Station was founded in 1943, the place grew rapidly and developed into the present town.

The Maturango Museum presents displays on nature and culture, and guides visitors into Little Petroglyph Canyon, where thousands of rock drawings by Native peoples cover the walls. The petroglyphs come from different eras and document the lives of past communities in this desert region.

The desert surroundings require sun protection and plenty of water, especially in summer months when temperatures rise sharply. Most shops and services are located along the main roads that run through the center and are easy to reach.

In July 2019, an earthquake measuring 7.1 shook the region and ranked among the strongest geological events in California in decades. The quake caused visible cracks in roads and buildings, and let residents experience the power of the earth's crust firsthand.