Sleepy desert town about to boom with freight jobs
Around 32 miles north of Victorville, and surrounded by Mojave Desert scenery, Barstow is a small city offering area-affordability and exciting developments in the freight industry. “We’re playing a pivotal role in the transportation industry, particularly with the coming Barstow International Gateway (BIG) that’s projected to revolutionize freight logistics in Southern California and bring thousands of jobs to the area,” says Miriam Munoz, the public information officer for the City of Barstow.
With the famous Route 66 forming its Main Street, Barstow was once a thriving community in the 1970s, attracting many with its location on major roadways. Since then, growth has slowed down as nearby Victorville has risen to prominence, and residents now anticipate what’s to come from BIG. “We're seeing a lot of truckers moving up this way in anticipation of the Gateway Project,” explains Diane Flores, a Barstow resident and Broker with Dee-Lux Realty. “They're looking for the land, the home and a place to park their truck, and they're finding it here. Too often people underestimated this community, but now everyone's trying to get their hands on what Barstow's going to be."
Barstow proudly sits along the historic Route 66.
Barstow International Gateway (BIG) that’s projected to revolutionize freight logistics in Southern California and bring thousands of jobs to the area.
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Low housing prices in the Victor Valley
As of early 2025, Barstow’s median home price is roughly $280,000, lower than nearby Victorville’s median of $440,000 and the national median of $410,000. Prices in Barstow have risen dramatically following the Covid pandemic, growing 66% between 2020 and 2025. Most properties are single-family ranch-style homes with Spanish Revival features, including stucco exteriors and terracotta roofs. Prices for these homes generally range from $150,000 to $400,000, depending on their size and state of renovation. There are also a handful of mobile home communities; mobile homes here can range from $15,000 to $50,000, depending on the number of bedrooms.
Barstow showcases the architectural elegance of Spanish Revival homes.
In Barstow, you'll find traditional single-family ranch homes surrounded by serene desert.
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Barstow Unified School District and Community College
Barstow Unified School District earns a C from Niche and serves students from kindergarten through Grade 12. Barstow High School scores a B-minus and is known for its strong athletics and culinary arts programs; in 2024, the Boys Basketball team won the Kiwanis Varsity Tournament, and the Culinary Arts team won the Sweet Genius competition. Students can continue to Barstow Community College, which offers over 40 programs in the arts, sciences and trades.
The entrance of Barstow High School welcomes students, and visitors with an inviting gateway.
Students can continue to Barstow Community College, which offers over 40 programs in the arts, sciences and trades.
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Off-roading adventures and parks near Barstow
Surrounded by desert scenery, Barstow offers ample space for outdoor excursions. "Barstow is the best place to be if you love using all your desert toys such as Razors, motorcycles, and camping," says Flores. "Camping by the Outlets and Calico Ghost Town is very popular for travelers and the locals here." Slash X Ranch offers over 50,000 acres of off-highway vehicle space, and Mule Canyon by Calico takes riders past unique rock formations and abandoned mining caverns.
Barstow is also home to 13 parks and community centers, including public swimming pools, sports parks and athletics facilities. Many community parks serve as events spaces throughout the year, like Dana Park when it hosts the annual Earth Day Farmers Market in April.
Dana Park's skate park is a local favorite place to practice some extreme sports in Barstow.
Calico Ghost Town is an old West mining town that has been around since 1881 and was abandoned in the mid-1890s after silver lost its value and is now a regional park near Barstow.
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Old Main Street, new outlets
Route 66 forms Barstow’s Main Street, and although many of the original businesses that once stood here have left over time, small-scale eateries and retailers add a splash of life to the town. Folks can grab a slice of pizza at the kitschy Route 66 Pizza Palace, enjoy ice cream at Fosters Freeze or visit the first-ever Del Taco.
Much of the shopping and dining in Barstow has moved to newer outlet malls and shopping plazas on the outskirts of the city. Just off Interstate 15, the Outlets of Barstow offer 34 name-brand stores. On the Interstate 40 corridor, Center on Main is home to a handful of retailers and restaurants and a Walmart Supercenter. Many residents also head 37 miles south to shop at the Mall of Victor Valley in Victorville.
You'll find high end brands like Coach at the Tanger Outlets at Barstow.
Fosters Freeze is longtime California-based fast-food chain serving burgers & soft-serve ice cream located in Barstow.
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Barstow International Gateway Project
BNSF Railway is currently constructing the Barstow International Gateway Project, a $1.5 billion railway facility. Expected to be completed by 2028 before the Olympics come to Los Angeles, the Barstow International Gateway will span 4,500 acres on the remote western edge of the city and feature rail facilities and warehouses for transporting freight. The project is expected to bring thousands of jobs to the area and lower the heavy traffic caused by the freight industry in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. “It’s something we’re really excited about, because it will help make Barstow what it was always meant to be,” Flores says.
Barstow International Gateway will span 4,500 acres on the remote western edge of the city and feature rail facilities and warehouses for transporting freight.
BNSF Railway is currently constructing the Barstow International Gateway Project, a $1.5 billion railway facility.
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Riding on Route 66, Interstate 15 and Interstate 40
Interstate 15 merges with Interstate 40 in Barstow and leads 32 miles south to Victorville, the largest city in Victor Valley. The famous Route 66 also runs through Barstow, connecting the city to Los Angeles and Chicago. Victor Valley Transit Authority offers four bus routes between Barstow and Victorville, and the old Harvey House Railroad Depot is serviced by Amtrak. Barstow Community Hospital is in the city's center, and San Bernardino International Airport is 74 miles south.
High yet declining crime rates
According to FBI data from 2023, Barstow’s property and violent crime rates are significantly higher than national and state averages, but they’ve been declining in recent years. After reaching record highs for criminal activity in 2016, total crime in Barstow has decreased by 41%. The Barstow Police Department began implementing new policing strategies and programs in 2022 to further reduce crime, including an expansion of the Crime Impact Team and new community-building events like Coffee with a Cop.
Written By
Fletcher Varnson
Photography Contributed By
Michael Ng
Video By
Vladislav Sedykh
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GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Barstow, CA sell after 72 days on the market compared to the national average of 56 days. The median sale price for homes in Barstow, CA over the last 12 months is $270,000, down 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Eccentric Dome House on 5 Sprawling Acres – Fully Remodeled, Furnished, and Airbnb Ready! Discover this truly unique and fully remodeled 3-level Dome House, set on 5 acres of fenced land just outside of town, across from the local drive-in movie theater. Currently operating as a highly successful Airbnb, this one-of-a-kind property was remodeled in 2021, comes fully furnished, and includes a paid
Price Reduced !!!! Welcome to this charming well-kept super clean 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms plus an office home that is strategically located close to the I-15 and I40 to travel locally or out of town. Great neighborhood and ready for you to move-in. NEW Water Heater installed. The beautiful front yard is rocks caped, with low-maintenance enhancing the front porch. As you walk in to the double-door
Welcome to 1605 Sunrise Rd in Barstow! This recently updated 3-bedroom, 1-bath home offers 912 sq ft of comfortable living space on a great sized lot. Interior improvements include updated flooring and a refreshed kitchen, creating a clean and move-in ready environment.The spacious lot provides a variety of possibilities, including potential for expansion or additional outdoor use (buyer to
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Welcome to 611 Lillian Drive, a delightful single-family residence that blends comfort, charm, and smart living in the heart of Barstow. Offering 3 spacious bedrooms and 1 well-appointed bathroom across 1,456 square feet, this home provides a warm and inviting atmosphere perfect for both relaxing and entertaining. Sun-filled living spaces create a bright and airy feel throughout, while the
Welcome to this fully reimagined and beautifully upgraded 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom home offering modern comfort with thoughtful improvements throughout. The kitchen has been completely updated with a fresh, contemporary design and brand new appliances, while all three bathrooms have been remodeled to match the home’s clean, modern style. Major upgrades include updated electrical, new recessed
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Opportunity Awaits on Hinckley Discover a rare opportunity to own vacant land in the growing Hinckley area. These lots (4 total and available see other MLS listings CV26011540) offer wide-open space, flexibility, and long-term potential for the right buyer. Whether you’re looking to build now, hold for future development, or invest in land as a smart asset, these parcels deliver options.
Finding the right home at the right price isn't always easy - but this 4-bedroom, 2-bath home in Barstow makes it a little bit more possible. As the most affordable 4-bedroom on the market, it's a great opportunity for anyone ready to take that first step into home ownership without feeling overwhelmed. There's space here to grow, to settle in, and to truly make it your own over time. Whether
2.6 Acres of vacant land just outside the city limits of Barstow zoned RS-14M, San Bernardino County's RS-14M zoning is for Single Residential use with a minimum lot size of 14,000 square feet. It is intended for single-family homes and allows for incidental agricultural and recreational uses, along with other compatible uses. Development standards, such as setbacks and lot coverage, are
Owner Will Finance! Seize the chance to own 1.25 acres in the expanding Barstow area, conveniently situated just minutes from major shopping and everyday essentials, including The Home Depot. This level parcel offers a great opportunity to build, with open desert surroundings and distant city views. Easy access to Main Street and nearby interstate routes makes this location both practical and
BUILDABLE 8.39-Acre RESIDENTIAL Lot IN GROWING BARSTOW Community, short drive from Barstow OUTLETS and ONLY MINUTES from the NEW BNSF Barstow International Gateway (BIG)--a transformative $1.5 BILLION rail logistics project expected to generate over 20,000 NEW JOBS--this parcel is POSITIONED TO BENEFIT from the MAJOR ECONOMIC SURGE, POPULATION INFLUX, and HOUSING DEMAND that will follow.This is
Great opportunity to own a 14,220 sq ft vacant lot in the growing city of Barstow! this buildable parcel offers water already connected, saving you time and development costs. Conveniently located just off Main Street between Clark and White Street, the property provides easy access to schools, shopping centers, and public transportation.The lot features a paved road, sidewalks, and a curb
Prime 35.2-acre parcel located along Lenwood Rd in Barstow, offering exceptional potential for future development or investment. Zoned RL (Rural Living), this expansive lot sits in a high-growth area just minutes from Interstate 40, Highway 58, and Interstate 15, providing excellent connectivity for transportation, logistics, or commercial use. Strategically positioned near the site of the highly
Come home to the best of apartment living at Desert Heights in Barstow, CA. Enjoy the convenience of being close to shopping, dining, schools, and parks. With easy access to local highways and interstates, traveling anywhere in San Bernardino County is sure to be a breeze. Discover the lifestyle you've been searching for at Desert Heights.Renderings are an artist's conception and are
Experience the best of desert living in this beautifully refreshed Barstow gem, where breathtaking mountain views and vibrant sunsets await you right from your front porch. The interior has been thoughtfully modernized, boasting **all-new flooring**, fresh paint, updated fixtures throughout, and new window coverings. Beyond the updated living spaces, the property offers a two-car attached garage
Searching for a pet-friendly apartment home in Barstow, California? Look no further because Montara Apartments is the place for you. Local shopping, unique dining, and a variety of entertainment venues can be found right outside your door. Our close proximity to Interstates 15 and 40 puts all of Barstow and Southern California at your fingertips.Amounts may vary based on application
Charming 1 Bed / 1 Bath in Barstow – Fresh & Ready for Move-In! Welcome to this cozy and well-maintained 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom unit located in the heart of Barstow. This home offers a comfortable living space perfect for anyone looking for convenience and affordability. The unit features a functional layout with a bright living area, a spacious bedroom, and a full bathroom. With recent touch-ups,
Welcome home to Barstonian in Barstow, California. Our lovely apartment home community is located just minutes away from the Outlets at Barstow, delicious local eateries, and one-of-a-kind entertainment venues. Your commuting worries will be a thing of the past with Barstow-Bakersfield Highway 58 just around the corner. Let Barstonian be the next chapter in your life.Amounts may vary
Welcome to 314 Wilshire Pl, Barstow, a fully renovated home offering modern comforts, flexible living space, and plenty of room to enjoy. Inside, the home features stylish updates throughout and comes fully equipped with appliances, including a washer/dryer, refrigerator, stove, and microwave. The thoughtful layout provides comfortable living with natural light and a clean, modern design. Step
Beautifully remodeled 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom mobile home situated on nearly 4 acres of land! This property offers the perfect blend of modern comfort and peaceful country living. The home has been completely updated, providing a fresh, move-in ready interior with a bright and inviting layout. Enjoy the wide open space, privacy, and endless possibilities the land provides—ideal for animals,
This recently renovated lower-level unit offers an abundance of space and modern amenities. The expansive living room features stunning stone tile flooring that extends throughout the home. The kitchen is equipped with newer appliances, sleek white cabinets, decorative concrete countertops, and a large stainless steel farmhouse sink. A formal dining area complements the layout, while the
Leah ChristensenCapital Development Realty Services Inc.
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