10 Fun Things to Do in the Victor Valley

If you're a newcomer or visitor to Victorville, California, be sure to put these 10 great activities on your local bucket list.

By Rebecca Treon on January 25, 2023

Eric Reed

If you’re a newcomer to the Victor Valley, chances are you’re aware of the many things the region offers that make it a great place to put down roots, like the awesome roster of family-friendly community events, easy access to outdoor recreation and a rich cultural history.

“The Victor Valley is a unique place to live and play – within an arm’s reach of California’s beaches and the Sierra Nevada Mountains, but it offers its own features worthy of appreciation,” says Kara Garcia, executive district clerk with the Hesperia Recreation & Park District.

“It has a deep history of those seeking adventure and innovation in the West, and the beautiful desert scape and sunsets are incredible. There’s still a small town feel – people move here to escape the busy city and stay for the sense of freedom that comes from living on the edge of the vast Mojave Desert.”

Here are 10 fun things to do in Victorville and the Victor Valley.

1. Experience Mojave Narrows Regional Park

Mojave Narrows Regional Park is an 886-acre oasis, featuring lush plant growth, acres of trees and more than 1,500 species of wildlife. It features fishing, equestrian trails, disc golf, wildlife photography, hiking trails and camping, plus there’s a playground with a splash pad.

Off the Grid Brewing

2. Raise a Glass

The Victor Valley has plenty of spots to wet your whistle. At Off the Grid Brewing Co., guests can try a beer flight; at Oak Hills Brewing Co., ales are brewed El Mirage Dry Lake Off the Grid Brewing in a traditional style. At D’Vine Wine Bar, sip wine by the glass with live music, and at The Social, enjoy a craft cocktail and sink into one of their plush leather couches.

3. Go Off-Roading

Go off-roading at El Mirage Dry Lake, which features an off-highway vehicle recreation area. It is part of a 24,000-acre tract of public and private land that also includes the El Mirage Dry Lakebed, Shadow Mountains, El Mirage Basin and the Twin Hills area.

Sue Bridges

4. Visit the Route 66 Museum

In Victorville, the California Route 66 Museum is a trip down memory lane – or rather, one of America’s most iconic highways. Visitors can soak up the nostalgia with the museum’s interactive exhibits, including photo-ops like the VW Love Bug and 1950s-era diner.

5. Stop at Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch

Before his death in 2019, Elmer Long spent years transforming his yard into a folk art destination by planting metal “trees” and stocking them with bottles of all colors and sizes. The result is a unique roadside attraction that has attracted visitors from around the world.

6. Get the Goods at the High Desert Farmers Market

Every Thursday at Victor Valley College, the High Desert Farmers Market welcomes local farm stands selling produce, vendors, a food court with items to nosh as you shop and grocery items, like meats, seafood and baked goods.

7. View Movies in the Park

Summertime means outdoor movies at Civic Plaza Park in Hesperia, so grab your blankets and snacks and enjoy Movies in the Park. Hosted by the Hesperia Recreation and Park District, the event screens throwback hits like “Jurassic Park” after the sun goes down.

Hesperia Parks

8. Attend Hesperia Days

This annual event kicks off with a parade followed by a 5K race and festivities at Hesperia Lake Park, including the American Music Festival, plus a kid’s fun zone, food trucks, vendors, a rubber ducky race and fireworks. The following day, the festivities wrap up with a gymkhana – a type of rodeo.

9. Jam at Bobcat’s Summer Concert Series

Hesperia rocks on Friday nights in August, with two bands taking the stage to entertain locals, featuring cover bands like So Petty, a Tom Petty tribute band and Femme Halen, an all-female Van Halen group.

10. Walk the Hesperia Historical Marker Tour

Thanks to the Mohahve Historical Society, there are more than a dozen granite markers throughout Hesperia where you can learn about the fascinating history of the area. Stops include the site of Hesperia’s first General Store, the Stratton Homestead, and the area’s first schoolhouse.