EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE: IN-DEPTH WELCOME CENTER

Introduction

Welcome to Edwards Air Force Base, located on the fringes of the Mojave Desert of California. The base is the second largest air force base in the entire United States and features the longest runway in the country. It sits on 301,000 acres and hosts around 2,500 personnel. Perhaps most famous for the late Chuck Yeager’s flight that broke the sound barrier, Edwards AFB also saw the first landing of the Space Shuttle. The base’s wide-open spaces and consistent weather make it the perfect place, not only for an air force base but for testing the limits of aircraft and space technology. We hope this guide helps you get settled in your new posting and helps take some of the stress from moving.

1. Where Is Edwards Air Force Base?
2. Google Map View
3. Getting There – Directions to the Base
4. Entering Edwards Air Force Base and Base Amenities
   • Check-in Procedures for Incoming Personnel
   • Edwards Air Force Base Visitor Center
   • Edwards Air Force Base DEERS Office
   • Edwards Air Force Base Gate Hours
   • Edwards Air Force Base Commissary
   • Edwards Air Force Base Exchange
   • Edwards Air Force Base Barber Shops
   • Edwards Air Force Base Post Office
   • Edwards Air Force Base Finance Office
   • Edwards Air Force Base Legal Office
   • Edwards Air Force Base Library
   • Edwards Air Force Base Hotels
5. Where Should I Live Near Edwards Air Force Base?
6. What Schools are Near Edwards Air Force Base?
7. What’s the Weather Like in Edwards Air Force Base?
8. Things to Do Near Edwards Air Force Base

COVID-19 Notice

Due to the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic, many businesses, venues, and parks may be temporarily closed or operating under restricted hours. Therefore, a place we mention here may not currently be open or available for the time being. Check individual websites, there’s no shortage of accessibility getting around the area.

Where Is Edwards Air Force Base?

Edwards Air Force Base Welcome & Visitors Center

Security Forces Control Center Bldg. 1004/West Gate Rosamond Blvd Edwards AFB, CA 93523

Phone

: 1 (661) 275-9771

Hours

:

• Monday-Friday

  – 7:00 AM-4:00 PM

• Saturday/Sunday

  – Closed

• Federal Holidays

  – Closed

Edwards Air Force Base Map

Directions to Edwards Air Force Base

Driving Directions

From Lancaster

1. Take CA-14 N toward Mojave
2. Take exit 55 toward Edwards AFB
3. Merge onto W Rosamond Blvd
4. Continue straight to enter Edwards Air Force Base through the West Gate

From Los Angeles

1. Take US-101 N toward I-110 N
2. Keep left to continue on CA-170 N/State Rte 170 N/Hollywood Fwy, follow signs for Sacramento
3. Merge onto I-5 N toward Sacramento
4. Use the right three lanes to take exit 162 for CA-14 N toward Palmdale/Lancaster
5. Continue onto CA-14 N
6. Take exit 55 toward Edwards AFB
7. Merge onto W Rosamond Blvd
8. Continue straight to enter Edwards Air Force Base through the West Gate

From Los Angeles International Airport

1. Head west on W Century Blvd
2. Turn right onto S Sepulveda Blvd
3. Turn right onto Howard Hughes Pkwy
4. Use the right two lanes to take the ramp onto I-405 N
5. Merge onto I-405 N
6. Merge onto I-5 N
7. Take exit 162 for CA-14 N toward Palmdale/Lancaster
8. Continue onto CA-14 N
9. Take exit 55 toward Edwards AFB
10. Merge onto W Rosamond Blvd
11. Continue straight to enter Edwards Air Force Base through the West Gate

Greyhound Bus Station in Mojave, CA

1. Head south on CA-14 S/CA-58
2. Continue to follow CA-14 S
3. Take exit 55 toward Edwards AFB
4. Turn left onto W Rosamond Blvd
5. Continue straight to enter Edwards Air Force Base through the West Gate

Amtrak Station in Victorville, CA

1. Head northwest on D St toward 5th St
2. Turn left onto Air Base Rd/Air Expy
3. Turn right onto US-395 N
4. Turn left onto Chamberlaine Way
5. Turn right onto Koala Rd
6. Turn left onto El Mirage Rd
7. Continue onto Avenue P
8. Turn right onto 240th St E
9. Turn left onto Avenue J/E Ave. J
10. Turn right onto 140th St E
11. Turn left onto East Avenue E
12. Continue onto W Ave E
13. Turn right onto Sierra Hwy
14. Turn right onto W Rosamond Blvd

Flights To Edwards Air Force Base

More than likely, you will be flying through the Los Angeles International Airport. One of the largest airports in the world, most flights find their way here if you are flying into the region.

Edwards Air Force Base Transportation Office

Edwards Air Force Base Household Goods/Transportation Office

5 Seller Avenue Building #3000 Edwards AFB, CA, 93524

Phone

: 1(661) 277-0021

Hours

:

• Monday-Thursday (appointment only)

  : 7:30 AM-4:30 PM

• Friday (walk-ins)

  : 7:30 AM-4:30 PM

• Saturday/Sunday

  : Closed

Entering Edwards Air Force Base and Amenities

All drivers on base must have a valid military ID, veterans or retiree ID, a valid driver’s license, and a valid driver’s insurance card. For visitor’s passes, head to the Visitor’s Center near the West Gate.

Check-in Procedures for Incoming Personnel

The first place you need to stop once on base is your unit CSS. For arrivals after duty hours, your 24-hour arrival point for information is the Base Lodging Office in Building 5602, High Desert Inn. Call 1 (662) 275-7666 for more information. The first Thursday of every month is Newcomers Orientation and Informational Brief that welcomes all military, DoD Civilian, invited contractors, and their spouses to Edwards AFB.

Base Lodging Office

Bldg. 5602 Honts Dr. Edwards AFB, California, 93524

Phone

: 1 (662) 275-7666

Edwards Air Force Base Visitor Center

Edwards AFB Welcome and Visitor Center

Security Forces Control Center Bldg. 1004/West Gate Rosamond Blvd Edwards AFB, CA 93523

Phone

: 1(661) 275-9771

Hours:

• Monday-Friday

  – 7:00 AM-4:00 PM

• Saturday/Sunday

  – Closed

• Federal Holidays

  – Closed

Edwards Air Force Base DEERS Office

Edwards AFB ID Card & DEERS Office

5 Seller Ave. Building #3000 Edwards AFB, CA, 93524

Phone

: 1(661) 277-4281

Edwards Air Force Base DEERS Office Hours

• Monday-Friday

  – 7:00 AM - 4:30 AM by appointment only

• Saturday/Sunday

  – Closed

• Federal Holidays

  – Closed

Edwards Air Force Base Gate Hours

Edwards AFB has 3 three gates for three points of access. The West gate is considered the Main Gate into Edwards AFB.

• West Gate

  : Open 24/7

• North Gate

  : Open 24/7

• South Gate

  : Open 24/7

Edwards AFB Commissary

312 West Fitzgerald Blvd Edwards AFB, CA 93524-1590

Phone

: 1(661) 277-9175

Edwards AFB Commissary Hours

• Sunday

  : 1000 - 1800

• Monday

  : 1200 - 1800

• Tuesday:

  1000 - 1900

• Wednesday:

  0900 - 1900

• Thursday-Friday:

  1000 - 1900

• Saturday:

  0900 - 1800

Edwards AFB EX

Edwards Air Force Base Exchange

240 W Fitzgerald Edwards AFB, CA 93524

Phone:

1(661) 258-1078

Edwards AFB Exchange Hours

• Wednesday:

  1000 - 1800

• Thursday-Tuesday:

  1000 - 1700

Edwards AFB Barber Shops

240 W. Fitzgerald Blvd. Edwards AFB, CA, 93524

Phone:

1(661) 277-2946

Edwards AFB Main Exchange Barber Shop Hours

• Monday-Friday:

  0900-1800

• Saturday:

  0900-1700

• Sunday:

  1000-1700

Edwards AFB Post Office

1000 Kincheloe Ave, Edwards, CA 93523

Phone:

1(661) 258-7145

Edwards AFB Post Office Hours

• Monday-Friday:

  9:00 AM to 4:30 PM

• Saturday/Sunday:

  Closed

Edwards AFB Finance

5 South Wolfe Ave Building #2800 Edwards AFB, CA, 93524

Phone

: 1(661) 277-4416

Edwards AFB Finance Office Hours

• Monday-Tuesday:

  8:00 AM - 3:30 PM

• Wednesday:

  8:00 AM - 2:00 PM

• Thursday-Friday:

  8:00 AM - 3:30 PM

• Saturday-Sunday:

  Closed

Edwards AFB Legal Office

412th Test Wing Legal Office 1 South Rosamond Blvd. Edwards AFB, CA, 93524

Phone

: 1(661) 277-4310

Edwards AFB Legal Office Hours

• Monday-Thursday:

  8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

• Friday:

  8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

• Saturday-Sunday:

  Closed

Edwards AFB Library

5 West Yeager Blvd. Building #2665 Edwards AFB, CA, 93524

Phone:

1(661) 275-2665

Edwards AFB Library Hour

s

• Monday-Saturday:

  10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

• Sunday:

  Closed

Edwards AFB Hotels

Edwards AFB has many hotel selections in the neighboring cities. We’ve selected a few for you to consider if you need a stay at one of the hotels near base.

Holiday Inn Express Lancaster

43719 17th St W, Lancaster, CA 93534

Phone

: 1(661) 951-8848

Oxford Suites Lancaster

1651 W Ave K, Lancaster, CA 93534

Phone

: 1(661) 949-3423

Comfort Inn & Suites

1825 W Ave J 12, Lancaster, CA 93534

Phone

: 1(661) 418-5690

Hampton Inn & Suites Lancaster

2300 W Double Play Way, Lancaster, CA 93536

Phone

: 1(661) 940-9194

Best Western Plus Desert Poppy Inn

2038 W Ave I, Lancaster, CA 93536

Phone

: 1(661) 418-0550

Hot Tip: Download MyBaseGuide’s Edwards AFB Military Relocation Guide for information about hotels nearby.

Where Should I Live Near Edwards AFB?

If you’re considering living on base, check out the available on-base housing options. Otherwise, read on to find out more about living off base.

Major Cities Near Edwards Air Force Base

Edwards AFB skirts the edges of the Mojave Desert, but this doesn’t mean that it is totally remote. The base is surrounded by a number of California communities in Kern County, including a few fast-growing cities.

Best Places to Live Near Edwards Air Force Base

Lancaster

Located about 30 miles from Edwards AFB is the city of Lancaster, California. The town has constantly been growing since the Aerospace Industry moved into the area. It’s location still provides affordable housing, plentiful land, and a business-friendly atmosphere.

California City

The smaller town of California City is located a little closer to the base and is a popular place for military personnel from Edwards to call home. The shorter commute and the low housing costs make California City a tempting choice.

Hot Tip: Look for Edwards AFB homes and apartments for rent or sale, and find BAH, PCS, TLA & ETS military housing information at AHRN.com.

Edwards AFB Schools

There are no schools located on Edwards AFB, but there are several school districts in the area to choose from. If you are living on base, your school-aged children will attend the Muroc Unified School District. Find more local school information at The Best Edwards AFB Schools: Daycare - High School.

Edwards AFB Weather

Death Valley isn’t too far from Edwards AFB, and that should give you a fairly good idea of the kind of weather you will be in once you transfer. The summers on the fringes of the Mojave Desert are sweltering and dry. Rarely will you see much in the way of clouds, let alone any rainfall. (These conditions make the ground ideal for natural extensions to the base’s runways.) You will see temperatures regularly rise over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Winters are cold, and cloud cover will be more regular. Nights can also be cold, and you will see temperatures get as low as the lower 30s to high 20s.

Things to Do Near Edwards Air Force Base

Edwards AFB sits within the stark and natural beauty of the California desert. Outdoor activities will be hot but worth busting out the sunscreen to enjoy. Lancaster sees visitors and residents alike enjoy Saddleback Butte State Park for scenic trails and unique wild plants and animals, including the native Joshua Trees. Death Valley National Park is also a long day trip away and perhaps perfect for a weekend trip. There’s plenty of history to explore on base as well in the Air Force Flight Test Museum.

Suggested Reads:

24 Of the Best Things to Do Near Edwards AFB and 28 of the Best Restaurants Near Edwards Air Force Base  

Hot Tip: Connect with military-trusted businesses and deals exclusively for Edwards AFB at MyBaseGuide.

Conclusion

Relocating can be a stressful experience, but we hope this guide has given you a clearer picture of the area surrounding Edwards AFB. We hope that you find your next adventure here around the base, whether in one of the fast-growing communities like Lancaster, CA or exploring the rich desert full of more life than you would expect at first glance.  

The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.

 

Last Updated:

9/29/2021