Lancaster, California
Lancaster is a city of 169,169 people in Los Angeles County, California, founded in 1977.
Why visit Lancaster
Townapedia lists 11 museums and landmarks, 26 parks and trails, 276 places to eat, 26 places to stay and 8 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include Cinemark, University of Antelope Valley, Museum of Art and History and Western Hotel.
August is the warmest month, with average highs of 98°F; December lows average 30°F.
Weather in Lancaster
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Lancaster
Lancaster is a charter city in northern Los Angeles County, in the Antelope Valley of the western Mojave Desert in Southern California, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 173,516, making Lancaster the 158th-most populous city in the United States and the 31st most populous in California. Lancaster is a twin city with its southern neighbor Palmdale; together, they are the principal cities within the Antelope Valley region.
From the Wikipedia article Lancaster, California (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do8
University of Antelope Valley
School · 2.4 mi
For-profit university in Lancaster, California, U.S.
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West Coast Baptist College
School · 6.7 mi
Independent Baptist Bible college in Lancaster, California
Marie Kerr Park Amphitheater
Cinema and theater · 6.3 mi
2723 Rancho Vista Boulevard, Palmdale
Museums and landmarks11
Museum of Art and History
Museum · 1.9 mi
Museum in Lancaster, California
665 West Lancaster Boulevard, Lancaster
Tu-We 11:00-18:00; Th 11:00-20:00; Fr-Su 11:00-18:00
Western Hotel
Museum · 2.1 mi
Building in Lancaster, California, United States
Former Lancaster Grammar School Auditorium
Monument and historic site · 2.0 mi
44711 Cedar Avenue, Lancaster
Judy Garland Childhood Home
Monument and historic site · 2.0 mi
44665 Cedar Avenue, Lancaster
Lancaster Performing Arts Center
Museum · 1.8 mi
750 West Lancaster Boulevard, Lancaster
The Musical Road of California
Monument and historic site · 3.0 mi
A musical road is a road, or section of a road, which when driven over causes a tactile vibration and audible rumbling that can be felt...
Parks, trails and playgrounds26
Antelope Valley Fairgrounds
Park · 2.9 mi
This is the original location of the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds before it was moved west of the Antelope Valley Freeway on Avenue H.
Marie Kerr Park
Park · 6.2 mi
Marie Kerr Park is on the northeast corner of 30th Street West and Rancho Vista Boulevard. The park is 57 acres with 20 acres of...
39700 30th Street West, Palmdale
14 more on the map.
Restaurants and cafes276
Black Olives Mediterranean Cafe
Restaurant · Mediterranean, Middle Eastern · 6.5 mi
1125 W Rancho Vista Blvd, Palmdale
Mo-Su 11:00-21:00
Yoshi Japanese Cuisine
Restaurant · Japanese · 6.8 mi
39340 10th Street West, Palmdale
Mo-Sa 11:30-22:00, Su 11:30-21:00
Dutch Bros. Coffee
Cafe · Coffee Shop · 0.8 mi
2028 West Avenue I, Lancaster
Mo-Th 05:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 05:00-23:00; Su 05:00-22:00
Dutch Bros. Coffee
Cafe · Coffee Shop · 1.8 mi
1263 W Avenue K, Lancaster
Mo-Th 05:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 05:00-23:00; Su 05:00-22:00
Dutch Bros. Coffee
Cafe · Coffee Shop · 4.6 mi
44318 20th Street East, Lancaster
Mo-Th 05:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 05:00-23:00; Su 05:00-22:00
Malhi's Indian Cuisine
Restaurant · Indian · 6.7 mi
39438 Trade Center Drive, Palmdale
Mo-Th 11:00-15:00, Mo-Th 17:00-21:00, Fr,Sa 11:00-22:00
264 more on the map.
History
Antelope Valley, the area where Lancaster is now located, was home to the Paiute tribe at the time of first contact with Europeans. The Antelope Valley's central geography then served as the hub of a trade route for tribes trading between the California coast, the Central Valley, the Great Basin, and the pueblos of Arizona.
After statehood, the Antelope Valley again served as a geographic shortcut but for the Stockton-Los Angeles Road and the Butterfield Overland Mail, which had two nearby stops in Mud Spring and Neenach in the 1850s. However, Lancaster's origins as a settlement start with the Southern Pacific Railroad, which replaced the stage coach routes. The railroad built a station house, locomotive watering facility, section gang housing, and railroad track in the location of the town's current center. In 1876 the Southern Pacific completed the line through the Antelope Valley, linking San Francisco and Los Angeles.
From the History section of Lancaster, California on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay26
Residence Inn by Mariott Lancaster Palmdale
Motel and hotel · 1.7 mi
847 West Lancaster Boulevard, Lancaster
Churches and places of worship42
Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church
Church · Greek Orthodox · 1.6 mi
43404 30th Street West, Lancaster
Christ Our Savior United Methodist Church
Church · Methodist · 4.1 mi
5027 West Avenue M
Korean American First Presbyterian
Church · Presbyterian · 1.8 mi
1221 West Avenue K, Lancaster
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Church · Mormon · 3.4 mi
750 East Avenue J, Lancaster
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Church · Mormon · 0.8 mi
1701 West Lancaster Boulevard, Lancaster
Antelope Valley Christian Center
Church · 2.4 mi
304 West Lancaster Boulevard, Lancaster
Shopping57
Gas and EV charging34
Schools, colleges and libraries104
Healthcare13
Antelope Valley Neuroscience Medical Group
Clinic and pharmacy · 1.6 mi
44902 10th Street West, Lancaster
Burns Pharmacy
Clinic and pharmacy · 1.6 mi
866 West Lancaster Boulevard, Lancaster
Map of Lancaster
250 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 59°F | 31°F | 1.5 in |
| Feb | 62°F | 34°F | 1.8 in |
| Mar | 67°F | 40°F | 1.0 in |
| Apr | 73°F | 45°F | 0.4 in |
| May | 82°F | 53°F | 0.1 in |
| Jun | 91°F | 62°F | 0.1 in |
| Jul | 98°F | 67°F | 0.1 in |
| Aug | 98°F | 65°F | 0.0 in |
| Sep | 91°F | 57°F | 0.1 in |
| Oct | 80°F | 46°F | 0.3 in |
| Nov | 67°F | 35°F | 0.4 in |
| Dec | 58°F | 30°F | 1.1 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Lancaster Wm J Fox Fld (4 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Los Angeles County has had 67 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for fires.
- 2025-08-08: Canyon Fire (Fire)
- 2025-01-08: Wildfires And Straight-Line Winds (Fire)
- 2025-01-08: Eaton Fire (Fire)
- 2025-01-08: Hurst Fire (Fire)
- 2025-01-07: Palisades Fire (Fire)
- 2024-12-10: Franklin Fire (Fire)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
General William J. Fox Airfield (WJF) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 4 miles away.
- Quartz Hill 4 mi southwest, about 6 min by car
- Palmdale 8 mi southeast, about 13 min by car
- Rosamond 12 mi north, about 19 min by car
- Sun Village 15 mi southeast, about 25 min by car
- Lake Los Angeles 20 mi east, about 33 min by car
- Santa Clarita 27 mi southwest, about 43 min by car
- Castaic 30 mi southwest, about 48 min by car
- Stevenson Ranch 31 mi southwest, about 51 min by car
- San Fernando 32 mi southwest, about 51 min by car
- Glendale 36 mi south, about 57 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- October 2012 - Overall Excellence in Smart Growth 2012- Lancaster, CA, The BLVD Transformation (8634270433), USEPA Environmental-Protection-Agency, Public domain
- Lancaster Hangar 2147, Pedro Xing, CC0
- Lancaster, United States (Unsplash 19-3KdSRvqk), Fredrick Kearney Jr fredasem, CC0
- West-coast-baptist-college-revels-building, Jeremylofgren, CC BY 3.0
- McDonnell Douglas F-A-18A Hornet (N842NA - 161214) (27634578722), Alan Wilson from Stilton, Peterborough, Cambs, UK, CC BY-SA 2.0
- McDonnell Douglas F-A-18A Hornet (N842NA - 161214) (27634563602), Alan Wilson from Stilton, Peterborough, Cambs, UK, CC BY-SA 2.0
- McDonnell Douglas F-A-18A Hornet (N842NA - 161214) (27122756104), Alan Wilson from Stilton, Peterborough, Cambs, UK, CC BY-SA 2.0
- 'Skyrockets in Flight' (Douglas D-558-2 Skyrocket (NACA 145 - 37975)) (27438601770), Alan Wilson from Stilton, Peterborough, Cambs, UK, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Douglas D-558-2 Skyrocket (NACA 145 - 37975) (27120837093), Alan Wilson from Stilton, Peterborough, Cambs, UK, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Douglas D-558-2 Skyrocket (NACA 145 - 37975) (27634386842), Alan Wilson from Stilton, Peterborough, Cambs, UK, CC BY-SA 2.0
- 'Skyrockets in Flight' (Douglas D-558-2 Skyrocket (NACA 145 - 37975)) (27118760784), Alan Wilson from Stilton, Peterborough, Cambs, UK, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Douglas D-558-2 Skyrocket (NACA 145 - 37975) (27453400030), Alan Wilson from Stilton, Peterborough, Cambs, UK, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Douglas D-558-2 Skyrocket (NACA 145 - 37975) (27634341262), Alan Wilson from Stilton, Peterborough, Cambs, UK, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Douglas D-558-2 Skyrocket (NACA 145 - 37975) (27682748446), Alan Wilson from Stilton, Peterborough, Cambs, UK, CC BY-SA 2.0
- The Sandy Path, Demi Lucas, CC BY 3.0
- Newsstand (Unsplash), Philip Strong strong18philip, CC0
- Step Out (Unsplash), Fredrick Kearney Jr fredasem, CC0
- Smoke and Sky (Unsplash), Fredrick Kearney Jr fredasem, CC0
- Blue smoke in a suitcase (Unsplash), Fredrick Kearney Jr fredasem, CC0
- The Majestic Joshua Trees, Demi Lucas, CC BY 3.0
- A Walk In The Desert, Demi Lucas, CC BY 3.0
- ISS056-E-79844 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, NASA Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS056-E-79843 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, NASA Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS045-E-68115 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS056-E-79845 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, NASA Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS045-E-68865 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS045-E-68864 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS009-E-12834 - View of California, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS056-E-79842 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, NASA Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS015-E-7965 - View of California, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS048-E-23584 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- Raven (2407296915), Rennett Stowe from USA, CC BY 2.0
- Round Propane Tanks (2914384178), Rennett Stowe from USA, CC BY 2.0
- Singer-songwriter and guitarist Ken Stacey of the band Ambrosia, Jusdafax, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Joshua Tree, User:Wrk3, CC BY-SA 3.0
- CRANBERRY TURKEY COBB (26911475010), Prayitno / Thank you for (12 millions +) view from Los Angeles, USA, CC BY 2.0
- Orange chiffon cake and ice cream at a restaurant, Prayitno / Thank you for (12 millions +) view from Los Angeles, USA, CC BY 2.0
- POLLO PESTO PRIMAVERA (27230443866), Prayitno / Thank you for (12 millions +) view from Los Angeles, USA, CC BY 2.0
- Lemon tart dusted with powdered sugar at a restaurant, Prayitno / Thank you for (12 millions +) view from Los Angeles, USA, CC BY 2.0
- GRILLED SALMON & CAESAR SALAD (26607665093), Prayitno / Thank you for (12 millions +) view from Los Angeles, USA, CC BY 2.0
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