Tehachapi offers a range of different experiences: Brite Lake is a place for fishing and camping, while its historical attractions span a Kawaiisu (Nuwa) village, railroad history and the settlement of Tehichipa. There are also several wine-tasting rooms, each with a different setting for visitors.
Nature and Camping at Brite Lake
Brite Lake offers year-round fishing. It also has RV sites with hookups and tent sites. If you are considering camping as an overnight option, you can factor in either of these choices, pairing your accommodation with a specific activity at the same location.
The Golden Hills Nature Park has a network of easy to moderate trails. Wildlife viewing and walks through meadows, forests and hills with views add to the trail experience. This makes time at the park different from a stay at Brite Lake, where fishing and camping take center stage: here, you can focus on choosing a trail, taking in the landscape and watching wildlife.
Historical Attractions and Guided Tours
Tomo-Kahni State Historic Park was the site of a Kawaiisu (Nuwa) village. It is open to the public only as part of guided tours, and reservations are required. Tour availability and reservation requirements may change, so check current tour dates before traveling. Tours begin with an introduction at the Tehachapi Museum, 310 South Green Street in Tehachapi, south of East E Street. Include this starting point in your plans if you would like to take a guided tour.
The Tehachapi Depot Railroad Museum tells the story of the people who built and continue to operate the second-oldest transcontinental railroad in the United States. The Nuooah Nature Trail teaches visitors about people who lived in Tehachapi long ago. The Errea House Museum is the only surviving building from the settlement of Tehichipa, the first town in the Tehachapi area; it was built sometime between 1870 and 1875. The Tehachapi Loop, near Tehachapi, is also designated a Historical Landmark. These places represent different aspects of local history: village life, early residents, railroad construction and operation, and the history of the early settlement.
Wine Tastings and Planning Your Visit
The Stray Leaves Tasting Room offers wines grown in Tehachapi by Stray Leaves Vineyard. Triassic Vineyards has a tasting room and vineyards in the Tehachapi Mountains. On most Saturday and Sunday afternoons, Triassic Vineyards hosts live music on its heated patio from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Check which dates the program is running before traveling.
Rancho de los Viajeros has a tasting room where visitors can buy the winery's wines. Tastings are available Monday through Thursday by appointment. Confirm current visiting arrangements before traveling. When planning your visit, note that these tastings differ from the live music at Triassic: that program takes place on most Saturday and Sunday afternoons, but the specific dates should be checked in advance.
In Cummings Valley, the Tehachapi Wine and Cattle Company's tasting room offers a wide selection of its own and purchased wines. Dorner Family Vineyard also has a tasting room and offers a wide selection of wines. These wine destinations differ in both their wine offerings and their settings: from wines grown in Tehachapi and vineyards in the Tehachapi Mountains to a selection of estate and purchased wines in Cummings Valley.
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For the regional travel overview: Kern.
