Ridgecrest is a city in northeastern Kern County, California, located in the Indian Wells Valley of the upper Mojave Desert, along U.S. Route 395. It sits at the western edge of the Mojave's high desert, framed by the Coso Range to the north and the El Paso Mountains to the south. At the 2020 census, the city reported a population of 27,959. The city's existence and character are inseparable from Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, the vast Navy research, development, and testing installation immediately adjacent to the community. Ridgecrest incorporated as a city in 1963, growing as the primary civilian support community for the base, and the installation remains the dominant influence on the local economy, workforce, and identity. The relationship between the city and the base gives Ridgecrest an unusual character for a desert community of its size, with a concentration of engineers, scientists, and technical professionals, and a population that skews toward a younger median age than many rural desert towns. Culturally, Ridgecrest is anchored by the Maturango Museum, which interprets the natural and cultural history of the northern Mojave, including the region's celebrated petroglyphs, and the China Lake Museum, which documents the history of the naval installation and its contributions to aviation and weapons technology. The city serves as a regional hub for the Indian Wells Valley and a gateway to the recreational lands of the eastern Sierra and Death Valley. Its high-desert climate brings warm, dry summers and clear, dark night skies that support stargazing and astronomy. Ridgecrest appeals to residents connected to the base, to those seeking more affordable housing within California, and to outdoor enthusiasts drawn to the Mojave's open landscape and the nearby Sierra Nevada. It offers a self-contained, close-knit community with the amenities of a small city set against a dramatic desert backdrop.