The northern Los Angeles County city of Lancaster, California has a lot to be proud of: it was listed, in 2012, by CNN Money as being a contender for one of the best places to live in the country. Historically, Lancaster was once a dot on the map: the area served as a water stop for the Southern Pacific Railroad and was eventually settled as a railtown. Located about 70 miles north of Los Angeles, Lancaster is tucked away in the Antelope Valley of the Mojave Desert. Today, the city boasts a thriving economy, a strong school system, beautiful parks and a calendar full of fun events.
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With so many major employers within its limits, Lancaster is a great city in which to live and work. Edwards Air Force Base and China Lake are the city’s top employers, with over 15,000 professionals working for them. Lockheed Martin is another employer with an excellent reputation and a large employee base of over 3,000 while global security company Northrop-Grumman has over 2,000 employees. Aerospace professionals can choose from Boeing, which has two division in Lancaster, and the Federal Aviation Association, which employs over 500 workers.
The city of Lancaster has three school districts for its elementary schools: Eastside Union School District, Westside Union School District and Lancaster School District. The city has one school district, the Antelope Valley Union High School District, for all of its high schools. The high school district has nine high schools: Knight High School has an excellent AP program and receives much recognition for its band. Antelope Valley High School has too many famous alumni to list: highlights include Judy Garland, Frank Zappa and Terrence McKenna. There are 12 private schools, including a Montessori academy, for Lancaster families who prefer private education. Lancaster is also home to four institutions for high education: Antelope Valley College, California State University (Bakersfield-Antelope Valley), West Coast Baptist College and University of Antelope Valley.
The city of Lancaster values recreation and nature: the city is home to 19 public parks for families to enjoy. Tierra Bonita Park has 27 acres for residents to enjoy: the park is a nice mix of trails and open space. The Prime Desert Woodland Preserve is a wonderful haven for hikers to get out in nature and learn about local flora and fauna. The Forrest E. Hull Park has grassy fields and a lighted walking track for fitness enthusiasts. With its iconic lighthouse-shaped building, Skytower Park has something for everyone: park features include a playground, basketball courts, walking trails and a lighted softball fields.
From shopping to sports, there’s no shortage of things to do in Lancaster. The city houses six large shopping centers for residents to choose from. Fans of the performing arts appreciate the Lancaster Performing Arts Center: LPAC regularly brings world-famous performers to Lancaster in addition to staging its own productions each season. The Museum of Art and History is home to a wonderful collection of post-war and modern art in addition to a regional collection of pieces celebrating the history of the Antelope Valley. The Hangar, a large capacity sports stadium, is home to the Lancaster JetHawks, a minor league baseball team. The city is also home to one decidedly offbeat attraction: a road that plays music when driven across (as beloved as it is in Lancaster, residents are thankful it is located two miles away from the closest home).
Lancaster is a city where something is always happening. The annual California Poppy Festival, an event celebrating Earth Day and wildflowers which attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world. The Streets of Lancaster Grand Prix, taking place each Fall, is an annual go-kart racing event for professional racers and fans. “Celebrate Downtown Lancaster” is a regular event during Lancaster’s summer months: this event features local farmers, artisans and family fun.
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