Translating as “Western Land”, Hesperia forms part of the High Desert in San Bernardino County’s Victor Valley. It was originally home to the Serrano people before the Spanish established a ranch in 1781, with the town officially laid out in 1891 by developers of the US & Santa Fe Railroad.
Things to do in Hesperia
If you’re interested in the cultural and natural history of the High Desert, visit the Victor Valley Museum & Gallery. See baskets, pottery and tools from the area’s indigenous peoples and get up close to a carreta wagon that crossed the Mojave Desert from Salt Lake City. A highlight of the collection is a life-size replica of a mastodon and her calf.
Animal lovers should book a guided tour of the Hesperia Zoo, which is home to big cats, playful lemurs and monkeys from around the globe. Established in 2001, the zoo provides a sanctuary for native, rare and endangered species from six different continents. In addition to sunset tours, the zoo offers encounters with its resident sloths and picnics with its primates.
Sprawling south of Hesperia is Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area, which centres around a large reservoir on the West Fork Mojave River. It is traversed by the Pacific Crest Trail, a 4,260-kilometre-long walking route that connects Mexico to Canada. In addition to boating, water skiing and fishing, Silverwood Lake is a popular setting for swimming in the warmer months.
Getting around Hesperia
Hesperia is just over an hour’s drive from the centre of Los Angeles and 1.5 hours from Los Angeles International Airport. Buses connect from destinations across Los Angeles to Hesperia and travel throughout the city. Renting a car will give you greater freedom to explore the area.