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youngsters. At these parks, indoor recreation centers offer supervised games, crafts, and fine art activities. Outside, you will find tennis and volleyball courts, baseball diamonds, football fields, soccer fields, skateboarding facilities – even a city-owned water park that rivals privately owned facilities such as Six Flags Hurricane Harbor. There are a generous number of playground activities, and other sports activities at the mountain ski resorts and the beach are only an hour’s drive away. Calendar of Events
The Antelope Valley’s more than 400 acres of developed park land includes at least 20 parks, a dedicated water park, 18 lighted softball fields, 45 soccer fields, and 17 tennis courts. More than 3,000 acres of parkland are included in nine county natural area parks. Many parks feature swimming pools, with swimming lessons available for both adults and children. DryTown Water Park & Mining Co. – Palmdale Oasis Park, 3850 E. Ave. S (at 40th Street East), Palmdale, 661/267-5611 Palmdale’s DryTown Water Park opened the summer of 2006. The facility features an assortment of water slides and attractions, and is located at the corner of Avenue S and 40th Street East. Also new to Palmdale is the Best of the West Softball Complex and a competition-size pool at Marie Kerr Park; Palmdale Oasis Park also received a new competition-size pool and the accompanying Oasis Recreation Center. Palmdale Amphitheater – Marie Kerr Park, 39700 30th St. West, Palmdale, 661/267-5675 The Palmdale Amphitheater opened at Marie Kerr Park in the summer of 2005. Some of the events planned there include concerts and films, all presented outdoors. Many of the concerts feature top performers. The city’s free Starlight Concert Series have featured such recent acts as Expose, the Village People, Pam Tillis and Herman’s Hermits. All concert-goers need to enjoy great entertainment is a lawn chair or blanket. Concert information is available by calling 661/267-5611. Both the Palmdale Amphitheater and Palmdale Oasis Park also are home to free Family Movie Nights, where family-oriented films such as “Shark Tale,” “Elf,” “The Princess Bride,” Madagascar,” “Spiderman” and “Ghostbusters” are presented under the stars. Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve – Lancaster Road (Avenue I), 15 miles west of Highway 14, 661/724-1180 or 942-0662 From mid-March to mid-May, fresh rains transform this 1,780-acre reserve from a parched high-desert landscape to fields of golden poppies and other wildflowers. Eight miles of trails lead from the visitor center through the fields. Arthur B. Ripley Desert Woodland – West of the Poppy Reserve on Lancaster Road (Avenue I) at 210th Street West, 661/942-0662 This 560-acre woodland preserves some fine examples of California juniper and Joshua trees. On the north side of the park near the entrance, springtime visitors can take a self-guided walk among acres of wildflowers. Located 5 miles west of the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve. Fort Tejon State Historic Park – Fort Tejon exit off Interstate 5, north of Lebec, 661/248-6692 Fort Tejon is a mid-1800s military outpost and supply depot located in Grapevine Canyon, the main route between California’s great central valley and Southern California. The fort was established to protect and control the Indians who were living on the Sebastian Indian Reservation, and to protect both the Indians and white settlers from raids by the Paiutes, Chemeheui, Mojave and other Indian groups of the desert regions to the southeast. Fort Tejon was first garrisoned by the U.S. Army on Aug. 10, 1854 and was abandoned 10 years later on Sept. 11, 1864. There are restored adobes from the original fort, and the park’s museum features exhibits on army life and local history. The park also has a number of beautiful 400-year-old valley oak trees. The park features numerous programs and activities, as well as first-come, first-served camping. Prime Desert Woodland Preserve – Avenue K-8 and 35th Street West, Lancaster, 661/723-6070 The Prime Desert Woodland Preserve safeguards the Antelope Valley’s native flora and fauna growing along nature trails for future generations. Saddleback Butte State Park – 17 miles east of Lancaster on Avenue J East, western edge of Mojave Desert, 661/942-0662 This 2,955-acre state park, elevation 3,651 feet, surrounds Saddleback Butte and protects the butte, Joshua tree woodland, and other plants and animals that once were common throughout the high desert area. Camping, picnicking, hiking, photography, bird-watching, and desert nature studies are the principle activities in the park. Hunting, shooting and off-road vehicles are not permitted in the park or surrounding area. Sports Most sports activities in the Antelope Valley may be found at schools, parks and at Lancaster’s professional baseball stadium, Clear Channel Stadium, home of the Jethawks minor league baseball team. Sports enthusiasts may participate in youth basketball, adult basketball, adult soccer and adult slow-pitch softball. Lancaster and Palmdale are well known for their softball leagues and tennis programs. Also, for the youngsters, there is plenty of Little League baseball activity. Ballooning Magnificent hot-air balloons can sometimes be seen soaring over the Antelope Valley. A hot-air balloon sails serenely with the wind; the altitude is adjusted with short blasts from propane burners that lift the balloons into the sky. Rides usually begin early in the morning, and agencies throughout the region offer balloon ride packages that can meet just about every budget.
All types of youth and adult baseball teams enjoy playing on the numerous baseball diamonds found in almost every Antelope Valley park. On summer nights local fans flock to the professional Jethawks games at Lancaster Municipal Stadium. Clear Channel Stadium – 2400 West Ave. I, Lancaster, 661/723-6077 Formerly known as The Hanger, the stadium is located west of Highway 14 at Avenue I and 25th Street West. The 4,500-seat stadium is home of the Lancaster Jethawks, an Arizona Diamondbacks farm team that plays about 70 home games annually between April and September. Sports enthusiasts may participate in youth basketball, adult basketball, adult soccer and adult slow-pitch softball. Lancaster and Palmdale are well known for their softball leagues and tennis programs. Also, for the youngsters, there is plenty of Little League baseball activity. Camping Saddleback Butte State Park features a 3,651-foot-high butte with spectacular views. The primitive campground at this 3,000-acre park has limited accessibility, and there is a nature trail through a unique botanical community. Information: 661/942-0662. Camping also is available at Hungry Valley, one of the area’s off-highway vehicle areas. See the appropriate entry under “Off-Highway Vehicle Parks.” The Antelope Valley Fairgrounds in Lancaster feature an RV Park with wide-open spaces, reasonable rates and full hookups, which include water, electricity and sewer. Hookup for 30-amp 50-amps are available on a limited basis and pets are allowed. The park can accommodate RVs and fifth-wheels of all lengths. For information, call 661/206-0427, www.avfair.com. Fishing The Antelope Valley offers a variety of places to cast your fishing line and catch a few fish. The most consistent fishing spot (because of water levels) is the California State Aqueduct that is open for year-round fishing. There are also Elizabeth Lake west of Palmdale, Littlerock Reservoir and Creek, and other nearby mountain lakes and streams.
Golf The Antelope Valley offers a wide range of golf courses for all skill levels.
Off-Highway Vehicle Parks Hungry Valley SVRA includes more than 19,000 acres with 4,000 acres designated for open riding. The open-riding zone has 130 miles of trails and wide variety of trails and terrain for riders of all skill levels. Camping is also available. The park is located off Interstate 5 at Gorman. Information: 661/248-7007. Racing The Antelope Valley is a haven for motor-sport enthusiasts, boasting two popular racetracks.
The San Gabriel and San Bernardino Mountains to the southeast of the Valley provide a winter wonderland with some of the best skiing and snowboarding in Southern California.
Skydiving Instruction is available in skydiving and gliding, as are rides that will interest anyone with a love for aviation. During training, important points of skydiving are essential for safety and an enjoyable experience. California City Municipal Airport, 661/373-4867, welcomes you to learn how to skydive safely. Soccer Lancaster and Palmdale have recognized the importance of youth soccer, the fastest-growing sport in the nation, by building new soccer parks and centers.
Softball Little League and Pony League are well-established sports organizations active in all the communities offering softball opportunities for youth and adults. Lancaster City Park’s Big 8 Softball Complex is expected to pump nearly $3 million into the local economy annually as the city plays host to 45 local, regional and national tournaments, including one featuring 125 teams from across the nation. The Big 8 is the largest single-site softball complex in Southern California. The city of Palmdale also has a state-of-the-art softball complex. Its Best of the West Softball Complex opened in November 2005. Clubs and Organizations The Antelope Valley has a wonderfully diverse variety of youth and adult clubs, as well as countless organizations of every kind from which to choose. |
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Lancaster National Soccer Center, 43000 - 30th Street East, Lancaster.he Antelope Valley’s wide-open spaces beg for outdoor activities. The familiar lament of young people that “there’s nothing to do” can be quickly and easily extinguished. The Antelope Valley’s climate and physical environment are conducive to a wide variety of recreational activities. Wherever you look – in the cities, the desert or surrounding mountains – opportunities abound.
Imagine the full day you might have – getting soaked in Palmdale’s water park, a first-run film in the afternoon, and a minor league baseball game at night. Or, skiing in the mountains during the day and going to a free concert in the evening.
For indoor fun, there are clubs for dancing, movie theaters, museums, performing arts centers, concerts, a skating rink, bowling alleys, indoor team sports, swimming, and a multitude of fine restaurants for dining.
The area is definitely a sports Mecca for the entire family. There are all types of sports, such as golf, team sports (including professional baseball games played at Clear Channel Stadium, home of the Jethawks), horseback riding, auto racing, camping, swimming, fishing, hunting, bicycling, hot-air ballooning, skydiving, gliding, off-road motorcycling, tennis, and much more.
Lancaster, Palmdale and the outlying communities have plenty of parks (some with pools), as well as recreational programs for both adults and