Baker, CA

Baker is a tiny desert outpost in eastern San Bernardino County, sitting right along Interstate 15 midway between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. With fewer than 500 year-round residents, it serves primarily as an essential pit stop for travelers and a launchpad for trips into Death Valley National Park and the Mojave National Preserve. The town got its start back in 1908 as a humble railroad stop, but modern life here revolves around the steady flow of highway traffic passing through the Mojave Desert.

ATTRBobak Ha'Eri / CC BY 3.0

Most travelers recognize Baker by its famous 134-foot thermometer towering over the highway, along with quirky roadside staples like Alien Fresh Jerky and the Mad Greek diner. Everyday living here is quiet, remote, and closely tied to the service stations, motels, and diners along the interstate. Despite the small population, Baker has its own K-12 school district serving local families right in town, saving kids from long commutes across county lines. While major medical care and larger grocery stores require a drive into Barstow or Las Vegas, the community offers an ultra-peaceful desert setting surrounded by dramatic mountain views and vast open spaces.