About this Location

Facility Overview

The 685 N 1st Ave Parking lot, located at 488 Lawrence Dale Drive in Barstow, California, is a dedicated open-air surface parking facility situated directly alongside the historic Harvey House Railroad Depot (Casa del Desierto) and the Barstow Amtrak Station. Laid out across a clean, paved surface with approximately 65 to 66 marked vehicular bays, the lot accommodates local travelers, rail passengers, and heritage tourists exploring the Mojave Desert crossroads. Because it is completely open-air without an overhead canopy or multi-level ceiling deck, there are zero vertical height clearance restrictions. This makes the facility an exceptional choice not only for standard sedans, crossovers, and SUVs, but also for full-sized pickup trucks, tall cargo vans, camper conversions, and vehicles carrying rooftop racks or bicycles.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

This parking area anchors one of the most culturally significant historic complexes in the High Desert region. Drivers parking here find themselves mere steps from notable historic sites, cultural exhibitions, and transit services:

Historic Casa del Desierto (Harvey House): Located immediately adjacent (less than a 1-minute walk), this grand 1911 Spanish Renaissance and Classical Revival structure houses local municipal offices and visitor exhibits.
Western America Railroad Museum: Situated directly on-site (1 to 2 minutes on foot), featuring indoor locomotive memorabilia and outdoor rolling stock displays.
Route 66 Mother Road Museum: Located directly inside the Harvey House depot building, offering classic Route 66 artifacts, vintage road signs, and regional history.
Barstow Amtrak Station: Immediate trackside access for passengers boarding the cross-country Southwest Chief or connecting regional Amtrak Thruway bus connections.
Downtown Barstow & Historic Route 66 (Main Street): Approximately a 5- to 10-minute walk (0.3 miles) across the First Avenue bridge, granting convenient access to local roadside diners, historic neon signs, automotive services, and cafes.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Accessing the parking area is direct and uncomplicated. Drivers coming from Interstate 15 (I-15) or Interstate 40 (I-40) can exit toward historic downtown Barstow, proceed along North 1st Avenue, and follow signs toward Lawrence Dale Drive into the station approach. Ingress and egress routes are wide and feature clear sightlines, minimizing traffic bottlenecks even during train arrival periods. The parking area serves as a primary multi-modal transit hub, connecting private automotive transport with Amtrak rail services and regional bus transit lines operated by Victor Valley Transit Authority (VVTA), allowing seamless travel throughout San Bernardino County and onward to Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Chicago.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Open-Air Surface Parking: Ample overhead room with no vertical clearance barriers, ideal for tall vehicles and trucks.
Designated ADA Accessible Spaces: Clearly painted accessible stalls located closest to the depot walkways and ramp entrances.
Complimentary Parking: Free station parking provided for railway passengers and museum visitors.
Nighttime Illumination: Paved lot equipped with overhead area lighting for passenger safety during evening and early morning train arrivals.
On-Site Transit Facilities: Immediate walking access to train platforms, ticketing waiting rooms, and depot restrooms during building operating hours.

Ideal For

Amtrak Rail & Bus Passengers: Travelers departing on long-distance trains or boarding regional connecting buses who require convenient depot parking.
Route 66 & Heritage Tourists: Road trippers visiting the Mother Road Museum, Western America Railroad Museum, and historic Casa del Desierto.
Oversized Vehicle Drivers: Visitors traveling in high-clearance pickups, camper vans, or utility vehicles seeking hassle-free surface parking without parking garage clearance worries.
Day Visitors to Downtown Barstow: Motorists seeking a quiet, accessible base close to downtown civic centers and historic railroad viewing spots.

Visitor & Driver Tips

While the lot is typically accessible 24 hours a day to align with train arrival schedules, spaces are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. If you plan to leave your vehicle parked while taking a multi-day Amtrak journey, ensure your car is completely locked, roll up all windows, and avoid leaving any luggage, electronics, or valuables visible in the passenger cabin. During summer months, Mojave Desert temperatures regularly exceed 100°F (38°C); placing a reflective sunshade in your windshield will significantly lower interior heat buildup while you explore the depot and museums.