Yermo, a Spanish name for a desert that has nothing to hide
In Spanish, yermo means a barren, uninhabited land. The name is honest. Out here, the road stretches between creosote bushes and reddish hills, the wind dries out your skin, and the silence is broken only by the semi trucks on the Interstate 15.
With a population of just 623, Yermo is not a town you visit for its own sake. It is a gateway to the Mojave, with a former silver mining town just minutes away.
Is this destination right for you?
Yermo will appeal to anyone who loves road trips, Old West history, and Route 66. It makes for an easy and quiet stopover between Los Angeles and Las Vegas.
It will disappoint if you are looking for lively streets, museums, or nightlife. The settlement boils down to a few shops and services along the highway, and everything requires a car.
Good for:
- Road trippers driving between Los Angeles and Las Vegas
- Fans of ghost towns and Route 66
- Families looking for a half-day outing
- Photographers chasing desert landscapes
Not for:
- Travelers without a car
- Anyone looking for a multi-day stay
- Mid-summer visits under scorching heat
A budget to build elsewhere
Yermo does not have enough lodging to pin down a standard budget. Your costs will depend mostly on car rental, gas, and where you decide to stay overnight, which is usually in the larger neighboring town of Barstow.
Practical realities
The climate is classic Mojave Desert: scorching summers with daytime temperatures regularly clearing 40 °C, cool winters, and nights that occasionally dip near freezing. Bring plenty of water, a hat, and sunscreen, even during the shoulder seasons.
English is the only practical language here, and the welcome is straightforward and no-nonsense. There is no useful public transit on site, so a car is non-negotiable.
Calico, the silver town
Calico Ghost Town
This is the main reason for your stop. Calico Ghost Town is a former mining camp born from the silver rush of the 1880s. Its wooden storefronts, dusty dirt streets, and hills streaked with red and ochre can be explored on foot in a couple of hours.
The site was restored in the 20th century by Walter Knott, the founder of Knott's Berry Farm, before becoming a San Bernardino County regional park. Some of the shops lean heavily into the tourist vibe, true enough, but the setting still holds up, especially early in the morning.
Friendly tip: arrive right at opening, before the heat and the tour buses roll in. The raking morning light across the hills is worth the trip alone, and your photos will be free of crowds.
Route 66 and the surrounding desert
Peggy Sue's 50's Diner
The Peggy Sue's 50's Diner is the ultimate kitsch stop, complete with red vinyl booths, a jukebox vibe, and dinosaur sculptures out in the garden. Kids love it. We go for the atmosphere more than the actual food, and that is just fine.
Barstow and the Mojave
About ten kilometers away, Barstow offers more amenities and nods to its railroad and highway history. Farther up the I-15, Baker opens the door to Death Valley and the Mojave National Preserve for anyone looking to push deeper into the desert.
Where to eat and drink in Yermo?
Options are limited. Peggy Sue's 50's Diner serves as the main landmark for burgers, fries, and milkshakes. For a broader selection, head to Barstow just a few minutes down the road.
Where to stay in and around Yermo?
The easiest option is to book a room in Barstow, which packs in plenty of motels and chain hotels right along the highway. Calico also features a campground and cabins on-site, which makes for a fun way to sleep under the desert stars.
How to get to Yermo?
Nonstop flights connect major hubs to Los Angeles (LAX), from where Yermo is about a 2 to 2.5 hour drive up the I-15 depending on traffic. Las Vegas is the alternative gateway, sitting about 2.5 hours away in the opposite direction.
Rent a car at the airport. The drive is straightforward, but Friday evening outbound traffic from Los Angeles can grind to a crawl.
How to get around Yermo?
Everything requires a car. The highway cuts right through the settlement, distances are short, and parking at Calico is straightforward. Fill up your gas tank in Barstow before venturing further into the desert where stations get scarce.
When to go?
Spring and fall are the prime windows, bringing mild temperatures and clear skies. Avoid the heart of summer for walking tours since the extreme heat makes exploring miserable. In winter, pack a jacket for the chilly mornings.
