Top Five Destinations of Lancaster, CA

I?m not sure what it is that makes Lancaster, California seem pretty far away when it isn?t that far from Los Angeles. It?s still over an hour drive there from downtown even with good traffic and with bad traffic it can approach two hours to get there. The Metrolink ride takes over two hours from Union Station. Still, it?s just six miles farther away than San Clemente to the south along the 5, which is still in Orange County. Then again, I started to wonder what county Lancaster is in and when I looked it up, it is Los Angeles County, so you can drive 70 miles to the north and east and still be in the same county. That doesn?t tell me much.

I know that I pass Vasquez Rocks on the way to Lancaster, and that means one more hike than what I pass to the south. Then again, if I drive 62 miles to the east, I?ll get to San Bernardino and I?ll pass several roads that I can take into the Angeles National Forest to go for a hike. I know there is a mountain range that separates greater Los Angeles and Lancaster, which might explain the different feeling. Then again, it takes 65 miles to get to Ventura and it has the Santa Monica Mountains between it and the city center and it?s even in a different county (the apt titled Ventura County.)

I just know going to Lancaster feels different compared to the other cities I mentioned. It doesn?t feel like a part of the rest of what I think of as Greater Los Angeles. Then again, maybe it?s my mind that?s the problem. Maybe it?s because I?ve been to the first item of the five on my list for Lancaster and it feels like a completely different world.

Visit the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve

The key to visiting the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve is to be sure you visit in season. If you click on the link you?ll understand why. If you don?t, I?ll just say there are meadows of orange that seem to go on forever and the best chance in southern California to see fields of the state flower.

Eat at Lemon Leaf Caf?

Because I like to go to the Poppy Reserve and because it seems like a long trip to do so, I often crave sustenance while there. Looking at the menu of the Lemon Leaf Caf?, I think I?ve found a strong contender for my next visit. I could definitely make a meal out of The Berserko or the Grilled Prosciutto Pesto pizzas.

Go to The Hangar for a Lancaster Jethawks game

Because you can?t see poppies at night, if I ever underestimate the amount of traffic and end up in Lancaster on the wrong side of sunset, I?ll check out a Lancaster Jethawks game. Considering that they are an affiliate of the Astros that currently have the best farm system in baseball per Keith Law, it should be a fun game.

Drink at Bravery Brewing

Maybe it was a long day driving and a long day hiking amid the flowers and I need a beer. The tasting room at Bravery Brewing opens at 4 pm Wednesday through Friday and 2 pm on Saturday and Sunday. I look forward to tasting the Chinatown and the Orange Pineapple Kobi.

Eat at Bex Grill

Just in case the Lemon Leaf Caf? doesn?t work, it?s good to have a backup plan. That?s where Bex Bar & Grill comes to my rescue. The BexBQ Sampler already has me hoping just a little that I?ll need a second plan.

Any suggestions for things that I missed? Any additional recommendations for the area? Just let me know in the comments.