China Lake is an unincorporated community in Kern County, California.

[1] It is located 2.5 miles (4 km) north-northeast of Ridgecrest,[2] at an elevation of 2,264 feet (690 m).

[2] The locale was originally settled by the Coso People, who were prolific artisans in creating rock art.

For example, distant trade with the Chumash People is confirmed by archaeological recovery of obsidian that has been linked to the Cosos and was discovered as far away as coastal California prehistoric sites in San Luis Obispo County.

[3] Chinese prospectors harvested borax from the dry lake bed approximately 1.5 miles south of Paxton Ranch.