Palmdale

outdoors, nature, camping & recreation

The Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve is a state park located northwest of the city that is dedicated to the state flower, the California Poppy. Typically the month of April provides the best viewing time for the rolling hills of orange poppies. Additionally, the city of Lancaster will host the annual California Poppy Festival at Lancaster City Park on a single weekend in April every year.

Big Rock Creek Camp

is a camping area near Devil's Punchbowl southeast of the city.

Devil's Punchbowl

is a county protected natural hiking preserve along Big Rock Creek similar to a miniature Grand Canyon located southeast of the city.

Joshua Ranch Trail

is a natural preservation area, temporarily closed due to a housing development under construction.

Littlerock Dam and Recreation Area

southeast of the city, is a county operated park with a public use lake and several campsites.

Saddleback Butte State Park

is located in the buttes north of Lake Los Angeles to the northeast of the city and features a small camping area. It is known to be an ideal location for late night stargazing and viewing meteor showers on clear nights.

zoo's

The Feline Conservation Center also known as The Cat House, in Rosamond to the north of the city is a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection and preservation of the world's endangered felines. Visitors can wander the compound to see many types of wild cats, which range in size from the house-cat size fishing cat to the 600+ pound Caesar, a Siberian Tiger. A Twilight Tour is available to allow viewing of the nocturnal species.

Tippi Hedren's Shambala Preserve

is located in nearby Acton to the southwest of the city. It is an animal preserve which houses many animals frequently used in the filming of motion pictures.

local experience, culture & museums

The Antelope Valley Indian Museum, located east of the city is a museum dedicated to the local Native American tribes who lived in the region for hundreds of years. It contains various Native American artifacts and sells souvoniers.

The Musical Road

which was created for a Honda commercial and is currently America's only "musical" road, is located on Avenue G in Lancaster north of the city. Grooves have been cut into the road at intervals in such a way that a car driving at 55 miles per hour hears the William Tell Overture known to many as the theme from the Lone Ranger. The section of road proved so popular that it was re-located to this less populated stretch of highway and is now sponsored by the city of Lancaster itself. Videos of what you can expect to see and hear can be found on YouTube.

NASA Dryden Flight Research Center

located at Edwards Air Force Base, located east of Rosamond north of the city, is a massive testing and training ground for the Air Force and NASA. There is a museum on the base and tours are available. Note that this is an active military base so ID will be required and visitors may be required to submit to a search.

Palmdale Civic Center

is the location of the Poncitlan Square and the Larry Chimbole Cultural Center downtown.

Joe Davies Heritage Airpark at Palmdale Plant 42

and the "next-door" Air Force Flight Test Center Museum's Blackbird Airpark Annex show off displays of various aircraft built or tested at Palmdale Air Force Plant 42.

Palmdale Playhouse and Art Gallery

Palmdale Schoolhouse

at McAdam Park is the only remaining building of the original village of Palmenthal in the late 1800s.

live entertainment & festivals

The Antelope Valley Fair and Alfalfa Festival is held for ten days in the late summer at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds in Lancaster to the north of the city.

The annual California Poppy Festival is held at Lancaster City Park on a single weekend in April every year.

The Palmdale Amphitheater, located at Marie Kerr Park on the western side of the city, is a 10,000 seat outdoor amphitheater, featuring the Starlight Concert Series hosting many world famous performers on evenings in the summer.

The Palmdale Fall Festival

is an annual festival said to be one of the best in California and held every October at Marie Kerr Park.

The Palmdale Jazz & Wine Festival

is an annual event held in September at the Palmdale Amphitheater.

Palmdale Playhouse and Art Gallery

Thursday Night on the Square

features an outside market, live entertainment, various arts and crafts, refreshments, and children's activities on Thursday Nights in the summer.