Ridgecrest is located in northeastern Kern County. Ridgecrest has a population of over 28,000. Ridgecrest lies in Indian Wells Valley in the Mojave Desert at an elevation of more than 2,200 feet. Ridgecrest is bounded by four mountain ranges, most notably, the Sierra Nevada, California’s most prominent mountain range, on the west. The Argus Range on the east is the westernmost of the mountain ranges found in the vast Great Basin region. Ridgecrest is located within about 100 miles of both the highest and the lowest points in elevation in the United States (excluding Alaska). Ridgecrest was incorporated as a city in 1963. Ridgecrest has its own police force. Fire services are provided by the Kern County Fire Department. Ridgecrest has a high desert climate with hot summers and cool winters. On average, Ridgecrest receives less than five inches of precipitation per year. Ridgecrest was originally an agricultural community called “Crumville.” Ridgecrest became a boomtown after the Naval Ordnance Test Station (later renamed Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake) was established during World War II.
Economy and Employment Attributes That Make Ridgecrest Attractive for Business and Job GrowthRidgecrest is located near two major highways, U.S. Route 395 and California State Route 14. Nearby Inyokern Airport provides for commercial air travel to and from Ridgecrest. Access to major highways and an airport make Ridgecrest a favorable location for commerce. Ridgecrest acts as the urban center for the otherwise sparsely populated northeastern Kern County, as well as for potions of adjacent Inyo and San Bernardino counties. Ridgecrest provides shopping and businesses for about 40,000 people spread throughout the area. Ridgecrest is about 80 miles from the major urban centers of Palmdale/Lancaster and Victorville, and is about 150 miles north of Los Angeles.
The Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake and Other Area Military InstallationsRidgecrest is adjacent the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake installation. The Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake is the Navy's largest single landholding and covers an area of over 1.1 million acres. Ridgecrest is a support community for the installation by providing housing and services for Federal employees and contractors. A massive reconstruction and repair of facilities project is underway at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake. The project will bring many jobs to the area for an extended period of time. The average annual salary for those working for the federal government at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake was over $100,000 near the end of 2020. The Coso Geothermal Project at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake is a major producer of geothermal electrical power. The navy is the largest employer in Ridgecrest. Edwards Air Force Base, located in southeastern Kern County, also helps fuel the economy of Ridgecrest. Combined, these military facilities employ over 16,000 workers. The Mojave Air & Space Port (also known as the Civilian Aerospace Test Center) in southeastern Kern County contributes to area employment. The Mojave Air & Space Port has been licensed for horizontal launches of reusable spacecraft.
ConstructionNinety new permits for single family homes were issued in Ridgecrest in 2020. A large construction project, the Oasis Project, will bring new restaurants and a theatre and bowling alley to Ridgecrest.
Public SectorThe public sector employs more than 5,000 area workers.
MiningThe mining of borates (crystallized salts that contain the mineral boron, which is essential to plant growth) began in 1927 in nearby Boron. One million tonnes of refined borates, approximately 30% of the global demand, is produced from the open mine every year. The operation employs more than 900 individuals.
Medical and RetailRidgecrest Regional Hospital is the area’s second largest employer. Ridgecrest Regional Hospital has 150 staffed beds, an emergency department, and an intensive care unit. Other major area employers include Sierra Sands Unified School District and Walmart.
FilmingScenes from hundreds of movies and television shows have been filmed in the area.
RecreationNearby Red Rock Canyon State Park contains desert cliffs, buttes and spectacular rock formations. Death Valley National Park and the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains, both very popular tourist destinations, are within a couple-hour drive from Ridgecrest. The Trona Pinnacles, composed of tuft, are unique desert geological features that attract many visitors. The Maturango Museum, located in Ridgecrest, places a spotlight on the natural and cultural history of the Mojave Desert. The museum offers guided tours of the Coso Rock Art District in the China Lake Naval Weapons Station. Coso Rock Art District is one of the oldest and most plentiful examples of Native American rock art. The annual Ridgecrest Petroglyph Festival has a street fair, Native American live music and crafts, and a tribute to local petroglyphs, featuring Native American dancers and drummers. Ridgecrest provides a large array of lodging. The Bureau of Land Management maintains a field office in Ridgecrest. Much of the public lands bordering Ridgecrest are managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Nearby Rainbow Basin Natural Area, located on land managed by the BLM, offers multicolored rock formations and scenic canyons. The presence of desert-adapted wildlife is also of interest, including the desert tortoise. Fish Rocks and Pinnacles, located to the east of Ridgecrest, are also scenic points of interest.
Judicial SystemSuperior Court of California, County of Kern serves the Ridgecrest area. The Ridgecrest Superior Court, near Maturango Museum and Petroglyph Park, oversees limited civil cases (where the amount in dispute is $25,000 or less) and eviction matters, as well as criminal and family law matters. Unlimited civil cases (where the amount of the dispute is over $25,000) must be filed in the Metro Division in the county seat, Bakersfield. Most employment claims arising in Ridgecrest are filed in the Metro Division, as the amount of damages claimed tends to be more than $25,000. The attorneys at Kokozian Law Firm, APC have filed many cases in the Metro Division. Kokozian Law Firm, APC represents individuals who have a wide range of concerns arising out of employment, including Employment Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, Retaliation, and Wage and Hour Claims.
Contact UsThe attorneys at Kokozian Law Firm, APC practice employment law and represent workers in Ridgecrest and throughout the high desert areas of Kern, Inyo, and San Bernardino Counties, including California City, Mojave, and Barstow. If you believe your employer or former employer has violated your rights, call the experienced employment law attorneys at Kokozian Law Firm, APC or Contact Us via our online form.