Located in the Mojave "High Desert" Ridgecrest is the home of the Navy's top rated research and development facility, China Lake, located to the north and southeast of Ridgecrest . Our 350 days a year of sunshine provide the perfect climate for dozens of outdoor activities including both road and mountain biking. Breathtaking sunrises and sunsets are a specialty. Ridgecrest is located two hours from Death Valley National Park and 40 minutes from the crest of the Sierra Nevada's.