Asphalto

California wrote the book on ghost towns, from Gold Rush tent cities to Owens Valley farm towns the aqueduct dried up.

Asphalto is an archaic place name in Kern County, California. Asphalto, also known as La Brea, was located on the railroad 3 miles (4.8 km) northeast of McKittrick, at an elevation of 932 feet (284 m). Asphalto still appeared on maps as of 1932. The name comes from the local asphaltum deposits. Asphalto was originally the site of the Aguaje de La Brea, a watering place on El Camino Viejo. The site has fossils in the asphalt deposits here, similar to other places in the vicinity of McKittrick.

The on-the-ground condition of Asphalto is unverified — it's listed here with unknown status. That could mean standing buildings, or an empty field. Go prepared for either, and consider sharing what you find so the record improves.

Nobody has confirmed the access situation, so treat any visit as reconnaissance: verify land ownership first, and be ready to admire from the road.

Here's the honest truth: access to Asphalto is unverified. We couldn't confirm whether the site sits on public land, private property, or something in between — so verify land ownership and local rules before visiting, and respect private property at all times.

Ghost-town etiquette is simple: take only photographs. Removing artifacts is illegal on public lands and disrespectful everywhere else — and on federal land it can be a serious offense.