Every abandoned place has a story and Baker, California is no exception. While it may seem like just another forgotten desert town, there are still a few great reasons to stop here. Let’s take a closer look at the history, highlights, and attractions of Baker, California.
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Gateway to Death Valley: The Rise and Fall of Baker, California
Deep in the heart of the Mojave Desert lies Baker, a desolate little town along the I-15 freeway between Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Best known as home to The World’s Tallest Thermometer, Baker has become infamous for its many abandoned businesses, yet it remains a fascinating stop for travelers.
Baker began in 1908 as a station of the Tonopah and Tidewater Railroad. It later developed into a town named after Richard C. Baker, a borax and railroad magnate. Located at the southern end of Death Valley, Baker is nicknamed “The Gateway to Death Valley”
The World’s Largest Thermometer: A Monument of Persistence
The World’s Largest Thermometer was created by Willis Herron, who owned many businesses in Baker and, at one point, was said to have employed half of Baker’s population. Hoping to draw more visitors into Baker, Herron partnered with Young Electric Sign Co. in 1991 to build the 134-foot monument. Why 134 feet? It’s to commemorate the hottest day ever recorded, July 10, 1913, which reached a scorching 134 degrees Fahrenheit in nearby Death Valley.
Willis Herron suffered health problems and sold several of his business endeavors to Matt Pike in 2005 before passing away in 2007. In 2012, Pike turned off the thermometer, citing a high electric bill and inaccurate temperature readings. When Willis Herron’s widow Barbara learned that the beloved landmark was being considered for demolition, she repurchased and refurbished it. On July 10, 2014, the official re-lighting was held.
Bun Boy Restaurant and Motel: A Desert Relic
Next to the thermometer sits the abandoned Bun Boy Restaurant and Bun Boy Motel.
The restaurant originally opened in 1926, and Herron became an investor in 1950. Matt Pike bought Bun Boy restaurant in 2005 and turned it into Bob’s Big Boy franchise. The restaurant closed in May 2013 after Pike faced legal trouble for not paying franchise fees.
Bun Boy now sits abandoned with a weathered Bun Boy sign out front. Beside the Bun Boy Restaurant sits the abandoned Bun Boy Motel, which appears to have closed around the same time as the restaurant. They are remnants of a busier era.
Arne’s Royal Hawaiian Motel: A Tiki-Themed Time Capsule
A block or two down Baker Blvd stand the remains of another abandoned motel, Arne’s Royal Hawaiian Motel. The Tiki-themed establishment opened in 1957 and catered to desert travelers before shutting down in 2009. Increased competition from Nevada’s casino hotels contributed to its decline.
Baker’s Present Role: Gateway to Mojave National Preserve
While Baker has lost much of its former traffic, it still serves as a key entry point to the Mojave National Preserve, a sprawling 1.6-million acre protected area. State Route (SR) 127, also called Death Valley Road, begins here leading travelers north toward Death Valley National Park. It also still serves as a great stop for tourist attractions and a pit stop for those traveling on I-15.
Must See Attractions in Baker
The World’s Largest Thermometer
The Thermometer still stands and can be seen from the highway. As of now, the thermometer is not working but there is a gift shop in the parking lot which is open. The proceeds from the gift shop are going to the refurbishing of the thermometer to get it working once again! If you love visiting unique roadside attractions, this one is a must stop. If you stand at the bottom and look up, you’ll be amazed at how tall it really is. I always love stopping at quirky roadside attractions and this didn’t disappoint.
Alien Fresh Jerky
Luis Ramallo first opened this meat shop with his wife and eldest son in 2000, in Crystal Springs, Nevada, a few miles down the road from its current location in Baker. Alien Fresh Jerky successfully lures hundreds of thousands of travelers a year, thanks to its wide variety of snacks and a kitschy theme.
The store itself looks like an alien road vehicle ready to explore an alien planet, complete with treads, guns, gears, etc. A flying saucer has landed in the parking lot along with an alien rocket. There’s even an alien car and alien land rover type car complete with alien passengers. The lights in the parking lot are supported by tall, lanky, green aliens. The building and other structures completely light up at night, with multiple colors, twinkling and blinking lights, and alien lasers putting on quite a display. The garbage cans all have Alien 51 stencils. Inside, there are dozens of different flavors of jerky, an assortment of alien candy and many souvenirs. Aliens watch over the customers, several trying to blend in by wearing cowboy hats. Three different alien fortune telling machines are on display, one being an Alien Trump spouting various Trumpisms. An alien also sits on a bench with arms stretched out ready for his photo op. Behind the main building sits an Alien Pretzel Stand in a time machine building. Aliens sit on top watching the parking lot. Behind the Alien Pretzel stand, construction is currently underway on an upcoming alien themed hotel! We had a lot of fun here and took many pictures, including with the Alien on the bench! Even if you don’t like jerky, there is something for everyone here plus spending time with aliens is lots of fun!
Outdoor Adventures Near Baker
Hollow Hills Wilderness
This is a Bureau of Land Management administered wilderness area that was designated as part of the National Wilderness Preservation System in 1994. Located five miles north of Baker, this 22,046-acre wilderness area features rugged hills, open plains and ancient archaeological remains. It’s great for outdoor enthusiasts, though there are no designated trails or water sources in the area.
Death Valley National Park
Baker serves as a southern entry point to Death Valley National Park, known for its extreme temperatures, salt flats, and stunning desert landscapes. The nearest entrance is about 113 miles via Furnace Creek. This park is the hottest and driest National Park in the nation.
Mojave National Preserve
This national preserve is a 1.6-million-acre park abutting Baker to the park’s north. The preserve is topographically diverse, and visitors can expect to see sand dunes, canyons, mountains, mesas, Joshua tree forests, and woodlands. The preserve is home to mountain lions, bighorn sheep, coyotes and bats. Within its canyons mountains and mesas are long-abandoned mines, homesteads, and rock-walled military outposts.
Final Thoughts: Is Baker worth a Stop?
Like many small towns, Baker thrived before highway expansion and faster travel times changed the landscape. While its abandoned buildings tell a story of decline, its quirky attractions and role as a gateway to Death Valley still make it worth a stop.
If you love visiting roadside oddities, unique history and desert landscapes, Baker has just enough charm to justify a visit. Whether you’re snapping a photo at the World’s Largest Thermometer, grabbing snacks and visiting Aliens at Alien Fresh Jerky, or heading into the Mojave National Preserve, this little town still has stories to tell.
We love to share the knowledge and tips that we have learned on our travels with you so that you can make informed decisions when planning your trip. If you need help planning a road trip, roadtrippers.com is a great site. Use code BTR5QTP for $5 off. We hope to inspire you to find your adventure even if it’s close to home. Go out have fun and make awesome memories!
