Located in Kern County California, Tehachapi is a town that’s probably not on many people’s radar. But you know what? The United States is filled with towns that people often look past, but they end up surprising them when they actually give the place a chance. To be honest, we had never heard of Tehachapi until recently. Our daughter was attending Woodward West Skateboard Camp and we used it as a place to stay instead of driving home. Woodward is right down the road, so it’s a perfect place to spend the night after dropping off your kids.
It’s also a great place to visit if you’re a fan of the railroads. Home to the Tehachapi Depot Railroad Museum and the famous Tehachapi Loop; this little town is a dream come true for railfans. With nearly 50 daily freight trains, it’s no wonder trains are a part of the most popular things to do in Tehachapi. Keep reading to find out what else this area has to offer.
Tehachapi Depot Railroad Museum
We couldn’t start off a list of things to do in Tehachapi without it being related to the railroad. Opened in 2010, the Tehachapi Depot Railroad Museum sits along a busy freight line used by both Burlington Northern Sante Fe and Union Pacific Railroads. The museum holds a collection of railroad artifacts and exhibits that detail the history of railroading in the Tehachapi Pass. We really loved the collection of antique rail equipment and old news clippings that are included in the collection. And the all-volunteer staff is extremely knowledgable and friendly.
Railfans should be sure to make this a stop when they’re visiting the area. And even if you’ve never considered yourself a “railfan” it’s still well worth a visit. Admission to the museum is actually free, but please be sure to make a donation.
Visit the Famous Tehachapi Loop
The Tehachapi Loop is a must-visit for railfans. At 3,779 feet long, it’s a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark and a California Historical Landmark. Trains that are at least as long as the loop will actually pass over themselves as they head up or down the pass. And since nearly 50 trains make their way through the loop every day, you’ll never have to worry about missing one. Be sure to bring your camera, because this is an amazing photo opportunity whether you’re a railfan or not. Also, be sure to visit the Tehachapi Depot Railroad Museum to get accurate directions to the viewing area. Google maps and other navigation can’t be relied on to get you to the correct location.
Visit a Winery / Vineyard
As you drive through the desert you probably wouldn’t think Tehachapi would be home to award-winning wineries. But, you’d be wrong. Our favorite place in the area to enjoy a glass of wine is Tehachapi Wine and Cattle Company. They have great choices of wines, a tasting room, and live music every weekend. Relaxing in the outdoor seating while enjoying a great charcuterie board paired with a delicious wine just can’t be beaten. Give them a visit or one of the other wineries while you’re in town.
Self-Guided Tehachapi Wind Farm Tour
The area around the Tehachapi Mountains is filled with wind turbines that date back to the 1980s. And this area is actually the largest wind resource area in the State of California. If you’re around when temperatures are cooler, you can take a hike that will take you through the evolution of the wind industry in the area. This six-mile hike to Highway 58 starts just west of downtown and is filled with beautiful scenery along the way. Be sure to bring plenty of water on this hike. The Tehachapi News also has a great article about these self-guided tours.
Take Flight at Skylark North
Edwards Air Force Base is located right down the road, but they won’t let you fly in any of their planes. Lucky for you, there is Skylark North. Here you can take to the skies and fly with the birds. Skylark North offers glider rides to the public and if you’re the adventurous type it’s an experience that shouldn’t be missed. They offer gentle rides that take you to about 1,500 feet and last about 10 minutes. And they also offer rides that take you over the Tehachapi Mountains to 4,000 feet and last around 30 minutes. All of the glider rides are extremely affordable for the experience you get. It’s really a matter of how daring you feel when you visit.
Visit During a Festival
There is no shortage of festivals to attend in this small California town. July has the Mountain Beer & Wine Fest along with the All-American 5K. June and August have artisan festivals and each month there is first Friday art around town. And October has their famous apple festival that is free to attend. There is no shortage of community events worth attending throughout the year. Visiting during any of these festivals is a great way to spend a weekend in town when combined with the other activities already listed here.
Eat Amazing BBQ
When you’re looking for restaurants in Tehachapi, look no further than Red House BBQ. We’ve eaten a lot of barbeque over the years and we can’t remember when we had any this good. They have an indoor seating area and a large outdoor patio in the back. We like the back cause it’s close to the smokehouse (free smells) and eating BBQ outside at a picnic table just feels right. As for the food, just take your pick. Pulled Pork, Brisket, Pastrami, Pulled Chicken, Hot Links, Ribs; they have it all and it was all good. We ended up spending a lot because there was so much we wanted to try, but it was well worth it. One of our favorites was the Pastrami Fries which shouldn’t be passed up when you visit. They also have a great selection of craft beers to wash down all the delicious barbeque.
If you’re a fan of smoked meats you can’t skip Red House BBQ. The atmosphere was great and the food was out of this world good. We will be back anytime we’re even close to being in the area.
Hotels in Tehachapi
When it comes to hotels in Tehachapi there aren’t a ton of options, but there are a couple that are good places to stay. The Best Western Plus Country Park Hotel is going to be your highest-rated hotel in town. It has all the normal amenities you would expect, is clean, and is in a convenient location. The other hotel we would recommend is the Fairfield Inn & Suites. It checks off all the same boxes as the first recommendation and will make for a good stay while you’re in town. There are a few other options in town and more in the surrounding area, but we would recommend trying the two we listed here first.