Would you like to move to 3,000 square miles of beautiful poppy fields, Joshua trees, and a vast open desert? If you answered yes, then the Antelope Valley in Southern California is the place for you! Located at the northern tip of Los Angeles County and the southern tip of Kern County, this unique valley is a diverse community of four major cities. Palmdale and Lancaster are the largest and most well known cities of Antelope Valley with many sprawling residential communities. Rosamond and Mojave, the lesser known areas also have a lot to offer. Furthermore, within these four cities, there are over 20 little towns: Quartz Hill, Little Rock, Pearblossom, and Leona Valley, to name a few. With a population of over 542,000, these neighborhoods offer wonderful opportunities to meet new people. .
Here are a few ways to get involved in the Antelope Valley community when you move there.
Shop, Explore, and More
After you move to the Antelope Valley, you may be wondering how to get involved and meet people. The Antelope Valley Mall in Palmdale is a great local hang out. One of my favorite places is downtown Lancaster, where you can explore the recently revamped BLVD. The BLVD has the charming Boss Chic Coffee Bar, where you can sip on your favorite coffee in a homey atmosphere, while you shop in the cute boutique.
If it’s the arts that you’re interested in, Antelope Valley has a lot to offer. There’s the Museum of Art and History (or MOAH) in Lancaster, which houses a collection of everything from modern Southern Californian art to ancient Egyptians artifacts. Featured artists include Van Saake, La Monk, Lee, and Burgess. For the classical music fanatic, there is the Antelope Valley Symphony Orchestra. You can attend their concerts for your listening pleasure, or if you are so inclined, you can audition to perform with them. Finally, for the movie buff, you can head over to the BLVD Cinema. This movie theater plays all your favorite new movies, while you relax in comfy recliners. These indoor activities are great options during inclement weather.
You can also further your education in Antelope Valley by attending Antelope Valley College. With locations in both Palmdale and Lancaster, this college proudly serves the broad and diverse communities typical of this area.
Enjoy the Natural Paradise in Antelope Valley
The Antelope Valley is so much more than just the BLVD and shopping, though. It has some of the most unique natural beauty in the state of California. The beautiful Poppy Reserve is a sight to see. In springtime, millions of poppies consume the valley with their vibrant orange color. What a great activity for spring break! Since the super bloom started going viral on social media, new rules have been set in place to keep our natural landscape safe. However, designated paths were set to allow patrons to enjoy the vibrant hues of the super bloom while keeping the ground safe to regrow the following year.
The Saddleback Butte State Park is another sight to see in this high desert area. The key plant life here is the beautiful joshua tree, so indigenous to the area. This park is a great place for hiking, camping, or just a simple springtime picnic.
You can also take a 7.5 mile hike through The Devil’s Punchbowl, located in Pearblossom on the eastern end of the Antelope Valley. Explore the miles of trails in this beautiful high desert landscape, covered in joshua trees and other natural plant life. This natural area was badly damaged by fire in 2020 and is slowly recovering, so protect the environment by being cautious not to tread on new plant life.
Experience Unique Adventures
The Antelope Valley is also home to the only musical road in America and one of 3 in the world. The musical road in Lancaster plays the William Tell Overture when driving at 55 mph. You may have seen it in a Honda Civic commercial or even on the popular BBC show Top Gear. This unique feature is definitely worth the road trip.
If you continue west after passing the musical road, you will come across the beautiful Apollo Park where you can feed ducks and geese or jog around the beautiful track. Fun fact: Apollo Park was home to the Apollo 11 Command Module True-Size Replica for many years.
Also, be sure to check out the Prime Desert Woodland Preserve in Lancaster. This scenic location, right in the middle of an urban setting, offers visitors the opportunity to learn about local fauna and flora through an interactive, hands-on experience.
Living in the Antelope Valley is such an amazing experience, from exploring a museum of art to connecting with nature. Even with so many people and so much space, it still manages to have that small-town feel and always feels like home. And when you crave some big city action, it’s only a little over an hour’s drive to Los Angeles. Whether you’re seeking an outdoor adventure, a day of shopping, or a place to call home, the Antelope Valley has what you’re looking for.
If you do plan to make Antelope Valley your home, you can move there in style by choosing a mover that you can rely on to safely transport all your beloved belongings and help you turn your new residence into a home. And if diversity, community, and a beautiful environment are important to you, be sure to pick a green moving company that honors diversity and supports the community. Not sure where to start searching for a moving company in Antelope Valley? Be sure to check their reviews online and what awards they have won for moving services, as well as for serving the community.
Do you or have you lived in the Antelope Valley? Are you moving to the Antelope Valley soon? Tell me all about why you love the Antelope Valley in the Comments section!