I'm jumping in here...I have just booked a stay at the Hampton Inn Barstow. For the same reason...to rest my head...and go on to San Diego the next day. The "ghost town" and "Goldstone NASA deep space communications center" near Barstow were two of the things we were going to do. The Goldstone comm ctr received Fodor's choice. Your thoughts?

In all the times I went to Barstow I never went to Ft. Irwin.
http://deepspace.jpl.nasa.gov/dsn/fe...tonetours.html
I think you will be disappointed at Calico.

I haven't toured the Comm Center but relatives have and enjoyed it. It is more than an hour from Barstow -- probably more like 90 mins.

The ghost town is Calico - and is a fun diversion if you have time to kill. It isn't really a ghost town. It was an actual mining town in the 19th century, but what you see now is really a re-creation by the folks who built Knotts Berry Farm

Fodor's never fails to amaze me! That so many people would have an opinion about Barstow, let alone, hotels in Barstow. Wow!

Fodor's never fails to amaze me! That so many people would have an opinion about Barstow, let alone, hotels in Barstow. Wow!<<

Hotels are easy, how does one choose between the 400 liquor stores in Barstow? There arent tripadvisor ratings for those. More important, cleanest bathroom in Baker?

Since Bun Boy closed, it must be the Greek restaurant. There is a rest area between Baker and Primm.

I was out there not long ago, the rest area was closed

If you want some hot sauce or jerky, stop at the Alien.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/alien-fresh-jerky-baker-2
I did stay 1 night in a motel in Baker. The motel office was at the counter of the gas station 100 yards away. They told us not to open the sliding glass door since they had problems with snakes coming into the rooms. Depending on which way you are going either stay in Primm or Barstow never Baker

Tom,
I normally choose my alien jerky outlets based on the number of spacecraft I see in the parking lot, last time thru Baker I noticed it was patronized only by humans. While I most often dine at establishments there with the most decorative wrought iron window coverings, Ill give it a try based on your rec next time around