Visited the Calico Ghost Town

Tuesday, May 7, 2019
Not a lot of people know about Calico Ghost Town, but this place has a lot to offer.  If you like the old western town experience then this restored mining town will give you a few hours of enjoyment. Admission is $8 per adult which you pay at a booth as you park your vehicle. Calico is a collection of restored buildings and replicas, some which serve as museums to show life in the mining town that used to reside here in the late 1800s. Many of the shacks now serve as stores or eateries. Wood crafts, pottery, rocks & minerals, a variety of gifts and novelties, candles, a store devoted to dogs, and one of those vintage photography studios can be found within Calico.

The Calico Mountains of California are a mountain range located in the Mojave Desert.

Is Calico a ghost town? Or isn't it? 👻



A bit disappointing, only because I'd prefer a real Ghost Town. Even though it wasn't what I expected, it's still a pretty cool place to visit. We didn't have much time to wander around, so we are planning to go back again hopefully soon for the tour and the off-road drive. The tour ride shows a bit of the mining area and provides some history. There is also a self-guided walk through an actual mine tunnel (which was the most interesting thing to me), a Mystery House and a panning for gold experience. All of this charge a minimal fee. 


Walkway to the mining

Old house made of bricks

Old Miners Cafe

A coffin made of wood at the entrance door of the store. 

The town thrived for 12 years, until the price of silver plunged and mining operations ceased. By 1907, residents had moved away, leaving Calico to the tumbleweeds and spirits. 😱

Calico is like a trip back in time. You get a feeling of what life was like back in the 1800’s.

Getting lost means finding an adventure!

This trip is not complete without a short hike and a breath taking views of Calico Mountains. 



I recommend visiting here in the off season on a weekday, the town was fairly quiet when we are there. We probably only saw 100 people total during our visit. No crowds is very nice but we missed out on a lot of the activities and townsfolk that other people mention seeing during tourist season.  This place is not even 5 minutes from the freeway. But if you've never been, I'd say it's worth a stop.

17 comments:

  1. Omg I would totally love to explore this place!!! And then come up with some alternate story as to what happened there!

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  2. This would be fun to explore. I love that the buildings allow you to go inside.

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  3. Oo how neat! I would love to explore a ghost town. History is so fascinating to me.

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  4. I bet this is such an interesting place to go and explore! In some ways the history would be incredible to see, but so eerie seeing it abandoned.

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  5. I also expected a seriously spooky place but it's also okay as it is. Would love to know why Calico was named a ghost town. Although the place looks calm and a hike to the mountains would be great .

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    1. When the price of silver plunged and the mining went down residents of Calico decided to leave the town and move on. That's why they call it Ghost Town now.

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  6. I have never been to a ghost town! it must be so interesting visiting and finding out about the town's history!

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  7. I've never heard of Calico Ghost Town before, but it is surely an interesting place indeed. The view of the Calico mountains looks incredible! ~ Ola @ WanderWithOla

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  8. This is so neat! Very cool place to visit. I would love to explore there. My kids would really love it too.

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  9. This looks like so much fun! I've never heard of this before but would love to check it out! Thanks for sharing!

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  10. I haven't read or heard about this place in Cali.I would like to visit such interesting place.The name is catchy too. The pictures have come out so well.

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  11. I haven't heard of this place but I am going to cali at the end of this month. I am so excited and I might go here now.

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  12. That would be so much fun. I have always wanted to visit a ghost town out west.

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  13. What a cool place to visit! I know my family would love to visit that ghost town. My kids would be all over trying the coffin out for size!

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  14. It's brilliant that it has been restored and developed for visitors, it is a cool and interesting place to visit.

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  15. It is interesting that this town exist, I could see how cool it is but also quite little sad realizing the life here. Thanks for sharing another unique place!

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  16. Thank you for sharing this <3 Hope someday you will visit Vietnam as a destination. Then I recommend you Halong bay day tour Hope to meet you soon, see ya <3

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