A living ghost town in the desert, Randsburg is filled with rich mining history and serves as a constant reminder of a bygone era. Located just off Highway 395, visitors who stop at this historic town immediately feel like they’ve stepped back in time. Randsburg looks like a real “Wild West” town! Among its many historic structures is the Randsburg General Store which has been around for over a century. It’s one of the oldest general stores in Southern California.

Located just off Highway 395 in Kern County, Randsburg offers a living snapshot of what a real California mining town once looked like! Visiting the quiet community today, you’d never guess that it was once a bustling town of 3,000 miners and their families.

Randsburg General Store/Facebook

These days, Randsburg is a historic attraction that invites visitors to come and see what life was like in the Old West. The town’s main street is filled with old structures and historic sites, including the longstanding Randsburg General Store.

m01229/Flickr

The General Store is a Randsburg landmark that’s been around since 1896. Known for its long, old-fashioned counter, antique backbars, and active malt machines, this old store is definitely a blast from the past.

Randsburg General Store/Facebook

The nostalgia is definitely strong at the General Store. Home to a real century-old soda fountain, you have to try one of their old-fashioned ice cream sodas, phosphates, or banana splits. They also serve up malts, shakes, freezes, and sundaes.

Randsburg General Store/Facebook

The store is also home to a full-service restaurant that serves breakfast and lunch. The menu consists of good old-fashioned food like hamburgers, chili, beef sandwiches, hot dogs, and more.

Randsburg General Store/Facebook

In addition to the restaurant and soda fountain, the General Store carries a wide assortment of groceries and dry goods. Restock on supplies for the road and take home a souvenir to remember your time in Randsburg!

Randsburg General Store/Facebook

Spend the day traveling back in time with a visit to the living ghost town of Randsburg. During your visit, be sure to grab a bite and rest up at the Randsburg General Store - a living legend of old California. Visit the store’s website here.

Randsburg General Store/Facebook

Have you been to this historic general store in Randsburg? This living ghost town looks straight out of a different era. While you’re exploring Southern California, how about a taco road trip? Yum! Share your thoughts and experiences with us in the comments!

Randsburg General Store/Facebook

m01229/Flickr

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Address: Randsburg General Store, 35 Butte Ave, Randsburg, CA 93554, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

Rural Southern California Attractions November 04, 2022 William Suphan What are the most charming small towns in Southern California? While Los Angeles, San Diego, and other big cities seem to get all the attention, there are many small towns that are well worth a visit. Idyllwild is a gorgeous little mountain town with lovely shops and restaurants, and it’s even a pleasure to simply drive through. It’s the perfect location for a day trip to get respite from the summer heat of the big cities. Trabuco Canyon holds onto a bit of Old West charm and is just outside of the whole Los Angeles sprawl, nestled in the Santa Ana mountains. It’s a great place for hiking trails, and there’s a great steakhouse as well. What farms in Southern California let you pick your own fruit? Southern California is awash in you-pick farms for the freshest and most delicious produce you’ll ever find! The Carlsbad Strawberry Company has been inviting people to pick fresh strawberries for over 50 years. When it’s strawberry season, this is the place to be. After strawberry season, make the most of cherry season at Windy Ridge Cherry Ranch in Leona Valley. The ripe, lush red cherries are an absolute delight, and later in the year, make sure to return to pick peaches, plums, pears, and more!  What are the most picturesque rural scenic drives in Southern California? Southern California’s scenic byways are legendary, and few things are better than a road trip to get away from it all. Of course, the most famous in the nation is the Pacific Coast Highway that runs most of the length of the state, Officially called California SR-1, this road starts in Dana Point, Capistrano Beach and ends way up in the redwoods near Leggett. While it will take you through some big cities, most of the length of it is purely gorgeous coastal nature and is worth several days to fully enjoy. An honorable mention is CA-76 which starts in Oceanside and then carries you up alongside beautiful Palomar Mountain, past Lake Henshaw, and then ends shortly after at CA-79.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Rural Southern California Attractions

November 04, 2022

William Suphan

What are the most charming small towns in Southern California? While Los Angeles, San Diego, and other big cities seem to get all the attention, there are many small towns that are well worth a visit. Idyllwild is a gorgeous little mountain town with lovely shops and restaurants, and it’s even a pleasure to simply drive through. It’s the perfect location for a day trip to get respite from the summer heat of the big cities. Trabuco Canyon holds onto a bit of Old West charm and is just outside of the whole Los Angeles sprawl, nestled in the Santa Ana mountains. It’s a great place for hiking trails, and there’s a great steakhouse as well. What farms in Southern California let you pick your own fruit? Southern California is awash in you-pick farms for the freshest and most delicious produce you’ll ever find! The Carlsbad Strawberry Company has been inviting people to pick fresh strawberries for over 50 years. When it’s strawberry season, this is the place to be. After strawberry season, make the most of cherry season at Windy Ridge Cherry Ranch in Leona Valley. The ripe, lush red cherries are an absolute delight, and later in the year, make sure to return to pick peaches, plums, pears, and more!  What are the most picturesque rural scenic drives in Southern California? Southern California’s scenic byways are legendary, and few things are better than a road trip to get away from it all. Of course, the most famous in the nation is the Pacific Coast Highway that runs most of the length of the state, Officially called California SR-1, this road starts in Dana Point, Capistrano Beach and ends way up in the redwoods near Leggett. While it will take you through some big cities, most of the length of it is purely gorgeous coastal nature and is worth several days to fully enjoy. An honorable mention is CA-76 which starts in Oceanside and then carries you up alongside beautiful Palomar Mountain, past Lake Henshaw, and then ends shortly after at CA-79.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

While Los Angeles, San Diego, and other big cities seem to get all the attention, there are many small towns that are well worth a visit. Idyllwild is a gorgeous little mountain town with lovely shops and restaurants, and it’s even a pleasure to simply drive through. It’s the perfect location for a day trip to get respite from the summer heat of the big cities. Trabuco Canyon holds onto a bit of Old West charm and is just outside of the whole Los Angeles sprawl, nestled in the Santa Ana mountains. It’s a great place for hiking trails, and there’s a great steakhouse as well.

What farms in Southern California let you pick your own fruit?

Southern California is awash in you-pick farms for the freshest and most delicious produce you’ll ever find! The Carlsbad Strawberry Company has been inviting people to pick fresh strawberries for over 50 years. When it’s strawberry season, this is the place to be. After strawberry season, make the most of cherry season at Windy Ridge Cherry Ranch in Leona Valley. The ripe, lush red cherries are an absolute delight, and later in the year, make sure to return to pick peaches, plums, pears, and more! 

What are the most picturesque rural scenic drives in Southern California?

Southern California’s scenic byways are legendary, and few things are better than a road trip to get away from it all. Of course, the most famous in the nation is the Pacific Coast Highway that runs most of the length of the state, Officially called California SR-1, this road starts in Dana Point, Capistrano Beach and ends way up in the redwoods near Leggett. While it will take you through some big cities, most of the length of it is purely gorgeous coastal nature and is worth several days to fully enjoy. An honorable mention is CA-76 which starts in Oceanside and then carries you up alongside beautiful Palomar Mountain, past Lake Henshaw, and then ends shortly after at CA-79.