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“For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move.” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Are you looking for a fun escape only 32 hours from downtown LA? Well, I have a fun idea for you! Yesterday we ventured an hour north of Apple Valley, California on Highway 395 and explored the town of Randsburg, California. This town sprung up when gold was found on a nearby mountain back in 1895. It grew so fast and then everyone disappeared almost as quickly as son as the gold ran dry. The main drag remains strikingly similar to how it once was. A handful of businesses even operate our of the old buildings. If you are ever in the area or driving through on the 395 I would highly recommend a pit stop!
We ate at the Randsburg General Store but then I was smitten with the saloon across the street. My advice… progressive lunch! Have a burger and brew at the saloon and then go across the street to the General Store for the amazing hot fudge sundae!
TIPS: Check the social media pages and verify current hours before you visit to ensure the places you want to visit are open. And remember, you are heading out to a ghost town in the California desert so fill up your tank before you leave home and bring plenty of snacks and water for your adventure!
And I would always recommend that you stop for anything interesting! On our way there we stopped by the cutest cactus shop at the corner of Highway 58 and Highway 395. And then, as we headed for home we took advantage of the remaining sunshine and metal detected a bit in the hills just outside of town! You can read more about our tips for metal detecting here. The kids had a great time and I was surprised that there were SO MANY CANS strewn about. Old ones too. I can’t get enough of history and interesting towns here in California!
