Remember going on field trips in elementary school? Weren’t they just the best days ever: getting to ride the bus, being outdoors in a new place, sometimes your parents or friends’ parents got to come along? Ah, those were the days. Growing up in Southern California, our field trips were geared towards Spanish Missions, the Gold Rush, and Native American history. By far, one of my favorite field trips we took was to the Calico Ghost Town in San Bernardino County. It was every kids’ dream: panning for gold, walking though the old silver mines, breaking open geodes, saloons, guns…the list goes on and on.
Related: Calico Ghost Town: Welcome to the Wild Wild West
As I grew older, I often dreamt about returning to Calico Ghost Town and experiencing it through older, more mature eyes: I studied history in college and recently found out that some of my great uncles were actually silver miners. I wondered if a visit to Calico would live up to my memories of the place.
I drove by it frequently: the CALICO on the mountain is visible from the I-15 freeway, and I’ve made that drive many times over the last decade. Unfortunately (for me), Calico was always at the end of my 10-hour drive, and instead of taking the time to visit, I would push on and get to the end of my journey.
That all changed a few months ago and I found some time to check out Calico again. Here are some of my best insider tips to making the most of your visit to Calico Ghost Town!
Getting to Calico Ghost Town
Physical Address: 36600 Ghost Town Road, Yermo, CA 92398
Hours: Open daily from 9:00am-5:00pm, except Christmas Day
Whether you’re driving north or south on the I-15 freeway, you’ll be able to see the “CALICO” lettering painted on the mountains, just north of the Ghost Town Road off-ramp. If you get lost, just look for the mountain and head towards it!
Arrive early in the day
Calico Ghost Town is literally in the middle of the desert. There is precious little shade, provided by scattered trees and historically restored buildings. It’s hot. Bring water. The earlier in the day you begin your adventure, the more time you have to enjoy the town without having the sun hanging directly over your head.
Crowds tend to appear in the middle of the day, along with the numerous tour busses that you pass on the freeway. By arriving early, you’ll be able to move around a little easier, have fewer photo-bombers in your pictures, and shorter waits for the various activities. Plus, you’ll score a better parking spot if you’re early!
Have good walking shoes
The best way to experience the Calico Ghost Town is to do a self-guided walking tour. The little pamphlet you receive at the entrance to the town boasts that “a leisurely tour takes approximately 30 minutes.” If you want to take pictures and explore a little deeper, plan on doubling that time!
Since the town is on a mountain slope, remember to wear your walking shoes. If you’re not the best walker, bring a cane or walking stick to help you get up the incline. Some of the pictures you can take are off the beaten path and a small amount of bouldering might be required.
Slow down and explore Calico Ghost Town
There are so many original buildings and structures to enjoy, if you race around trying to “see” everything, you might miss the best parts! Some of the original structures look like piles of…well…nothing.
The picture above illustrates my point exactly. While these piles of stones don’t really look like much now, they are in fact the old Chinatown Ruins. As was typical of old mining towns, a large population of Chinese immigrants worked and lived close to the mines.
In Calico, many of the Chinese worked as cooks and waiters in the restaurants, worked at boarding houses, ran laundry facilities, and San Bernadino County records show that 2 Chinese immigrants owned restaurants in Calico.
Get swept up in the romantic history of Calico Ghost Town
My favorite part of exploring Calico Ghost Town was stopping in Lil’s Saloon towards the end of my adventure. I found some ragtime/”saloon” music, ordered a Sarsaparilla, and sat down next to an old card table. I was surrounded by portraits of squirly characters, such as Wild Bill, Calamity Jane, Wyatt Earp, and other scoundrels. The old air smelled of crushed velvet, dirt, and history, and I shut my eyes to soak up every second I could. THIS is what makes travel worthwhile.
Ready to travel back in time to the Wild Wild West? Have you ever visited a ghost town before? What was your experience?
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