Getting from Las Vegas to Los Angeles is a pretty easy and relatively quick drive. The only downside? Miles of dirt, or so I thought. After a little bit of research I learned there are actually a lot of fun surprises hiding in the desert if you know where to look for them. So instead of getting there as quickly as possible through miles of dirt, I decided to turn my road trip into a desert adventure!
I started my road trip at Harry Reid International Airport where I picked up my rental car.
23 mins to 7 Magic Mountains
Once you say goodbye to the city and start to disappear into the desert landscape you’ll arrive at 7 Magic Mountains. This colorful art display looks as if it was dropped into the desert by aliens and is a fun burst of color in an otherwise drab landscape. This location is free to visit!
57 mins to Alien Fresh Jerky
Alien Fresh Jerky, as the name suggests, is a gift shop whose main product is jerky. Although the jerky is definitely worth trying, the fun part about this shop is all of the aliens inside. For a few minutes you can escape the desert heat and step into another planet. This location is free to visit, but I guarantee you’ll want to make a purchase once you get inside.
1 min to World’s Tallest Thermometer
Almost right next door to Alien Fresh Jerky is the World’s Tallest Thermometer. Its function is pretty self explanatory, but it is worth stopping by and seeing just how hot the desert heat is. If you can see that high up of course. This location is free to visit!
50 mins to Calico Ghost Town
Travel back to a time of pioneers and silver mining. This town has been around since 1881 and the buildings have been restored to look almost exactly the way they used to. Unlike some of the other stops you can spend plenty of time in Calico. There are shops to explore, a train ride, a restaurant, and more. The entrance fee is $8 for ages 12 and up, $5 for youth (ages 4 – 11), and free for children 3 and under.
9 mins to Peggy Sue’s 50’s Diner
After a long journey in the desert heat you have probably worked up an appetite. Lucky for you, Peggy Sue’s 50’s Diner is only a 9 minute drive from Calico. This quirky old fashioned diner/ice cream/pizza shop. The inside of Peggy Sue’s is decked out in Hollywood Memorabilia and transports you back to the 50’s with its retro decor. On top of eating a great sandwich, you can also check out the gift shop and the Diner-saur Park. The Diner-saur park is right behind the diner where you can sit by the pond, admire the landscape, and look at the terrifying collection of Dinosaur statues.
37 mins to Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch
The last stop on the journey is Elmer’s Bottle Tree ranch. You can walk around a full forest of trees made out of recycled bottles and other recycled art pieces. It’s a spot you truly have to see to appreciate and a perfect place to stretch your legs one last time before your final hour and a half journey into Los Angeles. This location is free to visit, but donations are greatly appreciated!
Quick Tips:
Leave early
Some of these locations close in the early evening so make sure you leave early so you make it to every stop
Get snacks and gas immediately
In the desert gas stations can be far and few in between so make sure your tank is full before you get too far.
You also don’t know what traffic will be like, especially as you approach Los Angeles, so it’s smart to have snacks. Hanger will only amplify your road rage.
Download your map ahead of time
You’re entering an area with bad cell phone service. To keep yourself from getting lost it’s better to be on the safe side and download your maps before you hit the road.
Make a playlist and download it
Nothing makes the time go by like a good playlist! Like the maps, make sure you download in advance. There is nothing worse than your music shutting off mid sing along.
To wrap it up…
If you leave at the right time and spend minimal time at each location you may be able to get from Las Vegas to Los Angeles in about 6 hours, but I highly recommend taking your time, having some fun, and making a day of it. If you end up taking the roadtrip you’ll find that the journey is just as good as the destination.
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