Tehachapi Mountains lie in the south eastern part of California’s Central Valley. And the Tehachapi Pass (on CA SR 58) would be the mountain pass you take if you were traveling from northern California to the Mojave Desert area.
We first drove this way in the winter when we tripped to Las Vegas and Grand Canyon. It was a scenic drive through some rolling hills before we entered the flat desert area.
This route through the Tehachapi Mountains is also characterized by the windmills of the Tehachapi Pass Wind Farm that tap the wind energy of the area.
Tehachapi Pass in Spring
Fast forward to the next season and we drove that way again, this time on our way to Death Valley National Park. This time around, the hills were greener after the summer rains and the spring showers. And there were some beautiful signs of spring — yellow and orange wildflowers turning some hill sides into orange slopes.
On our way back to Northern California through California State Route 58, we got to see the Tehachapi Mountains in another mood. As we approached the mountain range it seemed like there were low clouds caressing the mountain tops and the windmills that adorned the hillsides. It was such a heavenly sight.
A few minutes later, we realized that we were driving into rain. And as we drove northward this time the hills on either side of the Tehachapi Pass looked even greener. (And the road through it had become dangerous; there was even an incident we happened to pass.)
Similar posts (from drives through California’s mountains):
Scenic Stop on I-80E — Donner Lake Vistapoint
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That is a long drive. While the drive is scenic, I think I’d fly next time I go to Vegas. You captured the scenery very well.
Worth a Thousand Words
Oh yeah! It’s a long drive to Vegas, Grand Canyon and even Death Valley. I think I’ll be flying too — next time– not because I don’t like road trips (I LOVE THEM) but because I could use that time to visit some places around there with Vegas as the ‘base’. 😉 Can’t wait!
Thank you so much, M. 🙂
Wow. I haven’t thought of Tehachapi in a million years or more, but as soon as I saw the word, I knew I remembered it. Long ago and far away, taking myself a detour to bypass Los Angeles while driving from western Canada to the Baja Peninsula. It might have been a detour but it certainly wasn’t a shortcut…leave I-5 at Buttonwillow, southeast to Tehachapi, southeast to Palm Springs, southeast again to cross the border at Calexico. I’m used to mountain passes in western Canada that are higher than Tehachapi Pass, but not necessarily as scary!
Thanks for the memories. You had me doing some research here, alright.
Kay
An Unfittie’s Guide to Adventurous Travel
I believe we took another route down to Palm Springs. But yes, that’s right — this is east of Buttonwillow. The first time I went that side, I enjoyed the drive through the Mojave desert more than the mountains. This time, however, the mountains looked heavenly with all those rain clouds.
I’m glad I brought back some memories, Kay. 🙂
Thank you so much. Love hearing from you. 🙂
I learned something new today! I think I have never driven thru this road. I need to check it out. I am always looking for new places to visit in California.
You did? I’m glad Ruth.
I know — I’ve read several of your California posts.
Have fun exploring this route, too. 🙂
We’ve driven some long lonely stretches in that part of the country, but never made it to this highway yet. An interesting drive you took us on.
Welcome here, Jackie.
I hope you’ll get to drive this way, soon. These mountains are not very high. It’s a pleasant drive through rolling hills and the windmills here. I love the drive through the desert that follows the mountain pass, too.
Thank you for visiting. 🙂
Magnificent landscapes!
They make for very pleasant drives. 🙂
Fabulous photographs. They made my morning
Thank you, Kalpana.
That’s nice to hear. 🙂
Mesmerizing captures, beauty of nature can be felt deeply here,some pictures made me feel like am viewing a dreamland.
🙂
Thank you so much, Jyotirmoy. 🙂
Fantastic photos. Awesome post.
Thank you, Rupam. 🙂
I would say , Its a mix blend of Himachal Pradesh(Mountains) and Jaisalmer (Desert). As the mountains looks like as in Himachal and the Wind Wheels as I saw in Jaisalamer in plenty. Great Clicks
The place further east of here would look like Jaislamer, too. It’s a desert area and part of it is sandy. 🙂
Thank you, Yogi. 🙂
wowow beautiful and so many windmills … Thank you for sharing …
Bikram’s
Bikram, long time!!
Gosh! it’s become a struggle to blog regularly so I haven’t been that side also for a bit now. (just been trying to keep this one alive by posting once in a while) How have you been?
Excellent shots ? Dee
Thanks for sharing ?
Thank you, Sachin.
And thank you for coming by, too. 🙂
Really scenic! Great pics.
So many windmills! We need such renewable energy for our planet.
Thank you, Anita.
Right? We do, we do. 🙂
What a beautiful route, the windmills add so much to the charm!
There are a few routes like this in California. Clean energy!! 🙂
It’s lovely seeing them on road trips.
Amazing photos! Those are a whole lot of windmills. 🙂
Thank you, David. 🙂
Yeah, that’s quite a bit.
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