SoCal Field Trips - the AV and Beyond

We don't go on a lot of field trips, but I'm hoping to change that.  Below are a list of field trip ideas in Southern California (with an emphasis on those in the AV and surrounding areas). Sprinkled throughout are a few posts of our field trip adventures.


Antelope Valley

Blackbird Airpark (Palmdale)
"Blackbird Airpark, an annex of the Air Force Flight Test (AFFT) Museum at Edwards AFB, was officially dedicated on September 27, 1991. It is the world’s only display of a Lockheed SR-71Atogether with its predecessor A-12, along with the once ultra-secret D-21 drone and the only remaining U-2 “D” model in the world."  (Blackbird Airpark Site

We've tried to go here a couple of times but it was closed despite being during park hours, so hopefully one day we'll make it in. You can see the planes from the road though.


Musical Road (Lancaster)
Takes less than 30 seconds to see (or rather hear) but still very neat! Learn about it and see video of it here.








Prime Desert Woodland Preserve (Lancaster)
 "First proposed in 1985, the Prime Desert Woodland Preserve is the result of the efforts of many local residents and the Lancaster City Council. This scenic location nestled within an urban area has been established to provide visitors an opportunity to learn about the animals, plants and the region in which we live, as well as a place to simply relax and enjoy nature."

Neat little place but you definitely don't want to go in the summer heat. You can walk the trails and visit the Interpretive Center. There are also presentations given.

I'm looking for our pictures from this visit, but you can visit site to learn about its hours, etc and see pictures.


Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve

"Each spring, the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve comes alive with the seasonal surprises of the Mojave Desert Grassland habitat. The duration and intensity of colors and scents vary from year to year. The wildflower season generally lasts from as early as mid-February through late May,with a variety of wildflowers creating a mosaic of color that changes daily."

We've been to the reserve but not actually in it so I am hoping to catch it next spring, god willing.


MOAH - Museum of Art & History (Lancaster)
"Lancaster Museum of Art and History (MOAH) houses a collection of post-war period and contemporary art in the areas of painting, sculpture, prints, drawings, photography, film, installations and new media.The museum also houses a collection of art pertaining to the Antelope Valley region. This art was created by artists that lived in, worked in or were inspired to create by the region. Rotating art exhibitions focus on contemporary artists, as well as the art housed within the current collection."

Visit the site for information on hours and special exhibits.


Western Hotel Museum

"Built around 1888, the Western Hotel Museum is downtown Lancaster's oldest surviving structure." Located in downtown Lancaster. Visit the site to learn about its hours. 










Antelope Valley Indian Museum (Lancaster) 

"Built in the 1920s among towering rock formations in the Mojave desert, the museum is a unit of the California State Department of Parks and Recreation system."

Visit the Antelope Valley Indian Museum site to learn more about the museum and its hours of operation.









Arthur B. Ripley Desert Woodland State Park
"Added to the State Park System in 1988, Ripley Desert Woodland is located just west of the Poppy Reserve on Lancaster Road at 210th Street West. Donated to the State by Arthur "Archie" Ripley, the park protects and preserves an impressive stand of native Joshuas and junipers which once grew in great abundance throughout the valley. Today, only remnant parcels of this majestic woodland community remain in the valley, the rest having been cleared for farming and housing."

Haven't made it here yet but it is on our list, god willing.

Visit CA.gov's park page for this park for hours and other information. Admission is free.


Between AV and Santa Clarita

Vasquez Rocks (Aqua Dulce - between AV and Santa Clarita)
Natural Area Park is a 932-acre park located in the Sierra Pelona Mountains, in northern Los Angeles County,California. We went here and it was awesome!!!!!! Totally different (but better) than I had anticipated.  Lots of television shows and movies  have been filmed here.

Read about our trip here (at the above link)





Santa Clarita Valley

Newhall Aquarium Learning Center (Newhall)
Neat for little kids. It's not very big at all but my kids still enjoyed it. Read about our experience here.






Los Angeles Metro Area
These are places we have been itching to go to but haven't made it yet!


  • The Getty Center (site)The J. Paul Getty Trustn is the world's largest cultural and philanthropic organization dedicated to the visual arts. All the homeschool charter schools that we've gone to in SoCal have always had field trips here but we've never made it.