A tumbleweed town with plans for commercial growth despite controversy
Spread out around US Route 395, Adelanto’s welcome sign proudly declares the remote desert town "The City with Unlimited Possibilities." Known for desert heat and sand dunes that stretch towards the horizon, the San Bernardino County city embodies both challenges and potential with its population of roughly 38,000 residents. The largely undeveloped landscape has shaped Adelanto’s economy, creating room for warehousing and retail trade. Major employers here include the Southern California Logistics Airport and Andersen Industries, Inc, a metal supplier. "A fair amount of people here drive to Los Angeles and the LA Basin Air and Sea Ports for work,” says Realtor Graeme Carr, vice president of NAI Capital, Inc. who has lived and worked in the High Desert for more than 40 years. Although the city has sought to diversify their economy in recent years, it's infamously relied on correctional facilities and detention centers since the closure of the George Air Force Base in the 1990s. Adelanto is home to two separate ICE Processing Centers and the High Desert Detention Center, facilities with poor reputations that have unfortunately tainted the city's image.
Aside from these challenges, Adelanto has seen steady growth with projects like the ES Silver Peak solar-plus-storage facility and the Bartlett Avenue Rehabilitation project. The few local attractions include the Adelanto Plaza & Event Center, which hosts cultural events such as the Mayjah Vibes Polynesian Concert and the Noise and Toy Fest. Adelanto's rurality is a plus for most, and a key reason that the city is home to the landmark Thien Vien Chan Nguyen Buddhist Meditation Center. The center's founding monk thought Adelanto's serene and secluded environment would be an ideal setting for meditative practices, and he was right. Today, the Buddhist gathering place sees hundreds of visitors from across San Bernardino County each weekend —they marvel at the architecture, meditate and roam the gardens.
Adelanto is home to the landmark Thien Vien Chan Nguyen Buddhist Meditation Center.
Adelanto Plaza & Event Center hosts many events throughout the year.
Southern CA Logistics Airport is a 2,500-acre world-class aerospace service hub
One of Adelanto's major employers here is Andersen Industries, Inc, a metal supplier.
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Comparatively affordable desert living
The city spans 56 square miles, framed distantly by the small limestone "Shadow Mountains." The homes here are mostly single-family ranch-style homes, built between the 1990s and late 2000s. Homes here tend to be modest in size, typically having three bedrooms and attached garages. The most affordable options include mobile and manufactured homes, priced from $52,000 to $125,000. Adelanto's median home price reached $405,000 in 2024, a 15% increase from the previous year. “It’s one of the most affordable places in California,” says Carr. “You get a lot of people moving out of LA because they can’t afford it. These are often people's starter homes.” Noise from the adjacent airport is rarely an issue, says Carr, because it is not used for commercial flights, just private charters. It is also a hub for aviation-related services, from airplane maintenance to research and development.
Adelanto Neighborhood overview.
Single family homes in Adelanto Neighborhood.
Adelanto Neighborhood overview.
Mobile homes in the Adelanto Neighborhood.
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Local schools and academic importance
Adelanto is home to 15 schools within the city limits. According to Niche, Adelanto High School stands out with a B rating, the highest in the area. George Visual & Performing Arts School serves kindergarten through twelfth grade, offering “a well-rounded education," says Patsy Padilla, school clerk. "Although we are public, we are a uniform school and we emphasize academic achievement and recognize student excellence through quarterly award ceremonies. Our regular curriculum is complemented by art, music and drama programs." The school also provides transportation for students living within a 2-mile radius.
Adelanto School District office.
Students can take advantage of numerous sports opportunities at Adelanto High.
George Middle School offers a space where all people can learn and thrive.
Adelanto's Eagle Ranch Elementary where children attend K-6 grade.
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Ballfields to hiking trails
Richardson Park features Little League baseball and softball fields, a playground, skate park and dog park. The nearby Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area in the San Bernardino National Forest is just a 30-mile drive away for camping, cycling and waterskiing. While Adelanto's local park offerings may be limited, its proximity to Victorville means more options. The largest and most notable is Mojave Narrows Regional Park, an 886-acre park located just outside of Victorville. The park features a 50-acre fishing lake, extensive hiking trails, camping facilities and birdwatching opportunities. Doris Davies Park provides 21 acres of green space with walking and running paths.
Richardson Park's baseball field is a great place to catch a youth baseball game or to train.
Doris Davies Skate Park is the perfect place to try out your new tricks.
Play a tennis match with some friends at Doris Davies Park.
Silverwood Lake State Park is a large lake surrounded by forests.
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Limited options lead residents to nearby Victorville’s commercial hub
Adelanto’s dining scene includes a mix of fast-food chains like Denny’s and small locally owned stops like El Rincon Family Restaurant and Miguelitos Mexican Restaurant. For shopping, the city has a few small centers like Maple & Main Shopping Center and Our Sons Plaza. However, the limited options within Adelanto itself mean that many residents likely travel to neighboring cities like Victorville or Apple Valley for more options. Victorville's Mall of Victor Valley features stores like Barnes and Noble and Dick's Sporting Goods; The Apple Valley Commons is anchored by a Super Target and Dollar Tree.
You'll find higher end brands at Macy's department store nearby Adelanto.
Just a 20 minute drive from Adelanto you can find the latest novel at Barnes and Noble.
Nearby Adelanto are big box stores like Dick's Sporting Goods.
Adelanto residents do their shopping at nearby in Victorville at The Mall of Victor Valley.
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Local transport and major city connectivity
As a rural area, residents in Adelanto rely on cars to navigate the city. Luckily, Interstate 15 in Victorville is 9 miles away, connecting the city to Greater Los Angeles in about 85 miles, San Bernardino in about 120 miles and Las Vegas in roughly 200 miles. Public transportation is provided by the Victor Valley Transit Authority, which operates a bus service between Adelanto and downtown Victorville. Travelers head to Ontario International Airport for flights, set 125 miles away.
Small city with elevated crime rates
According to FBI statistics from December 2023, the Adelanto Police Department reported violent crime at a rate of about 149 incidents per 100,000 residents, compared to the California rate of about 98 and national rate of roughly 121. Property-related crime was reported at a rate of around 125 incidents per 100,000 residents, compared to the California rate of 195 and national rate of 170. Since 1992, the city has implemented initiatives to combat crime rates with the Crime Free Multi-Housing Program. Although most residents here are homeowners, the initiative aims to reduce crime in rental properties specifically, as those tend to see the most incidents.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
