The City of Barstow welcomes the opportunity to host motion picture, television, and photographic production within its boundaries and appreciates the benefits of these activities to the local economy and the promotion and enhancement of the city’s image.  The City is committed to assisting the movie, television and entertainment industry by providing an atmosphere for film, photographic and video production that is supportive and hospitable.

Barstow is located in the Inland Empire North Region of San Bernardino County, California, midway between Los Angeles and Las Vegas.   Barstow is centrally located in the western Mojave Desert at the entrance to the Mojave National Preserve and is home to the U.S. Army National Training Center at Fort Irwin; Marine Corps Logistics Base, Barstow; NASA’s Goldstone Deep Space Network; Veterans Home of California and BNSF’s classification yard.  Interstates 15 and 40, and Highways 58 and 247 all converge in Barstow, this easy access makes Barstow ground-zero for the film industry.

Why Film in Barstow?

Barstow is a jewel of the high desert and the "gateway to the great mysterious desert," has more to offer than meets the eye. Everywhere there are surprises. Volcanic cinder cones, booming sand dunes, historic and modern mines, rock formations etched with messages from former residents, vast vistas framed with mile-high mountains and small towns dotted along historic Route 66. 

Costs / Fees:

$100  Permit Fee
$500   Deposit / Site Cleanup

Convenience:

The film application process is available on a 24 hour / 7 days a week basis:

The completed application packet may be provided to the Film Permit Coordinator by Fax, email or by mail or in person. Contact information for the Barstow Film Office is (760) 255-5121, Fax number (760) 256-1750; or email with verification to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

City of Barstow Film Office Hours:
Monday – Thursday   7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Friday                        7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Closed Weekends and Holidays

The Inland Empire Film Commission

The Inland Empire Film Commission (IEFC) is available to accept applications on behalf of the Barstow Film Office during the hours of City Hall closures.  The application packet may be obtained at the City of Barstow website at www.barstowca.org, or from the IEFC for processing.

Inland Empire Film Commission: www.filminlandempire.com
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Address: 1201 Research Park Drive, Suite 100, Riverside, CA  92507
Phone: (951) 779-6700 
Sheri Davis Ext: 231
Dan Taylor  Ext: 223
Fax: (951) 779-0294 

Landscape:

This is the Mojave Desert. Natural beauty, an abundance of outdoors activities, historical sights, modern shopping centers, fine dining and a variety of accommodations are all here.

Barstow is located in the heart of the high desert of San Bernardino County in Southern California about 69 miles from Riverside and about 107 miles from Los Angeles. Other nearby communities include Lenwood, Nebo Center, Apple Valley, Victorville, Mountain View Acres, Adelanto, Hesperia and Boron.

Barstow is a former frontier town, which is an outfitting area for expeditions into Death Valley. It was once a desert junction for overland wagon trains. Barstow was settled in the late 1840’s. Railroads were built to transport ore and workers in the mines of Calico and Daggett. The Southern Pacific Railroad was the first coming in 1883. A portion of the line was transferred to the Santa Fe in 1884. The owner of the Santa Fe was William Barstow Strong for whom the city was named. Previous to its naming as Barstow, the area was known as Grapevine, Waterman Junction and Camp Sugarloaf.

Sunshine/Climate

The desert within this area is vast, about three million acres, and has many unique features.  Winter days are usually comfortable near 70-degree F. and summer days can be hot and dry, with 105-degree F. temperatures common.  

Fly to Barstow CA

The closest major airport is Ontario International Airport located in Ontario, California and is 67 miles from the center of Barstow, CA.

Another major airport is Bob Hope Airport, which is in Burbank, California and is 90 miles from Barstow, CA. John Wayne Airport is in Santa Ana, California and is 97 miles from Barstow, CA.

Local Airport: Barstow-Daggett Airport

39500 National Trails Highway, Daggett, CA. 92327   (760) 254-2511

General Aviation, Military, and Private Use.  FBO on site (760) 254-2542.

Give It Away

Please contact these organizations to donate food and clothing left over from your productions:

Desert Manna Ministries Inc.
201 N. First Ave., Barstow,CA.  92311
760-256-7797 or 760-255-9025
www.desertmanna.org
Will accept both food and clothing. (Will pick up)

Barstow Senior Citizens Center/Thrift Shop
555 Melissa Ave.  Barstow, CA 92311  
760-256-9111
Will accept non-perishable food, clothing or any softly used items.

Mt. St. Josephs Catholic Church
505 E. Mountain View, Barstow, CA. 92311  
760-256-6818 
www.stjosephbarstow.com

Desert Sanctuary Domestic Violence Shelter
703 E. Main St., Barstow, CA. 92311 
760-256-9200; Will accept both food and clothing.