Located on the western end of the Mojave Desert, California City is a spread-out area with tons of space. The town was formed in 1958 when sociologist Nat Mendelsohn bought the land as a social experiment. He believed cities like Los Angeles would eventually overpopulate, forcing people to move to the desert. Today, it’s quiet and sparsely populated, with 15,000 people living across 204 square miles. “It’s not for everyone, but I was living in Northern California and was just drawn to the desert, and I love it,” says Renee Rivera of Desert Rose Realty, who has over a decade of experience in California City. “I used to deal with real traffic, now I can pull out of my driveway at 9 a.m. on a workday, and if there’s one other car at the stop sign, I say to myself, ‘Look at all this traffic.’” Many residents work at Edwards Air Force Base, located 18 miles southeast of California City. “[Mendelsohn] subdivided all the land into planned-out lots, so really, the entire city is one big subdivision,” Riviera says. “Maybe he made a bad bet, but it is still a great place to live if you want to be close to the Air Force base or just want some quiet.”
California City is a city located in northern Antelope Valley in Kern County.
California City is surrounded by desert and modern wind machines.
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Craftsman, ranch-style homes
The median price for a single-family home in California City is around $300,000, which is lower than the national median. “It’s affordable to live here, which is more than you can say for most of California, so a lot of people moved here and work remotely,” says Rivera. “You buy the lot and then you build on your property, so no two homes look the same. There are absolutely no cookie-cutter neighborhoods.” Most homes are Craftsman ranch-style builds from the 1960s on quiet, dusty desert roads. Some lots have rock and cactus landscaping, while others have rustic desert surroundings. Large plots of land are also available, ranging in price from $3,000 for a quarter of an acre to $1.5 million for 32 acres.
The modern ranch style is a popular design for many of the newer California City homes.
There are very few large Craftsman style homes in California City.
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Cal City MX Park and off-roading
A handful of parks are scattered throughout the city, but Central Park is the largest and most popular. Locals feed the geese at the lagoon or walk its paved, shaded paths, and the park is also home to a pair of baseball fields and the California City Pool. Down the street from Central Park is Tierra Del Sol Golf Course, an 18-hole course for players of all skill levels. Locals hit the links or practice at the driving range or putting greens. When asked what else locals do for fun, Rivera says, “We go off-roading, baby.” She adds, “We have all this desert around us, and we hop on our ATVs and the city is kind of our playground.” The Cal City MX Park is a track where locals can ride their dirt bikes with organized jumps and turns.
California City families take advantage of the local public pool during the summertime.
California City golfers enjoy a few rounds at the Tierra Del Sol Golf Course.
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Learning at Mojave Unified Schools
Kids in the area attend Mojave Unified School District, rated B-minus by Niche. Children attend Robert P. Ulrich Elementary School for kindergarten through second grade before transitioning to the C-minus-rated Hacienda Elementary School for grades three through five. Mojave Junior/Senior High School holds a B-minus rating, as does California City High School.
Children going to Elementary school will find themselves going to Hacienda Elementary.
California City High serves multiple cities as its local high school.
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Shopping in Tehachapi
There is not much shopping and dining in California City. “We have a Dollar General, a Rite Aid and the rest of it, we’re working on,” says Rivera. “If you’re organized and make a list, it’s really not that bad to drive into Tehachapi or Landcaster once a week for groceries.” There are a few restaurants like Golden Bamboo, a Thai spot with an outdoor patio along California City Boulevard. Tokyo Tuna is a local sushi restaurant, while a pair of pizza joints and three Mexican eateries are scattered along the main drag. Residents can take Kern Transportation buses to Lancaster. For air travel, locals can drive 74 miles to Bakersfield for domestic trips or 117 to Los Angeles International Airport for international travel. Highway 58 connects to Bakersfield and Route 395 links the area to Los Angeles; California City Boulevard leads 18 miles to Edwards Air Force Base.
California City residents can get their prescriptions filled at their local Rite Aid.
California City residents can find discount prices on everyday items at Family Dollar.
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Summer heat in the California desert
Because it’s in the desert, California City experiences extreme heat in the summer — temperatures regularly top out over 100 degrees. Winters are chilly and rain averages six inches per year.
A rustic sign welcomes visitors to California City.
California sunsets are one of a kind in California City.
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Property crime on the downswing
According to the FBI, violent crime in California City was slightly above the state and national rates in 2023. Property crime has been under state and national figures for the past five years. Locals will have to travel 28 miles to Tehachapi or 40 miles south to Lancaster for the nearest hospitals.
Written By
John Moyer
Photography Contributed By
Mark Huddleston
Video By
Nina Violi
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Serina Rodarte,
an experienced agent in this area.
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On average, homes in California City, CA sell after 66 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in California City, CA over the last 12 months is $301,500, up 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to 20913 90th Street, nestled in the enchanting desert town of California City. This delightful home offers 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a generous 1,539 square feet of living space, all situated on an expansive 9,583 square foot lot complete with an attached 2-car garage. Upon stepping inside, you'll be greeted by a spacious living room adorned with soft carpeted floors and a cozy
More pictures coming soon ! 3 bedroom 2 bathroom single story home with modern touches! Welcome to this beautifully maintained one-story home designed for efficient and comfortable living.Step inside to find 9-foot ceilings throughout elegant arched hallways, and a combination of gorgeous tile and plush carpet flooring.The spacious family room features a cozy fireplace, creating the perfect spot
Brand New Build Home! Come see this beautiful 4 bedroom 2 Bath home! Features included are a Tankless water heater, beautiful grass and sprinkler system, indoor laundry, Paid solar for reduced energy cost. Fully fenced backyard, window coverings, beautiful quartz countertops, Extra large island for everyday living and entertaining, stainless steel appliances, wine fridge, and luxury vinyl plank
Priced to Sell! Buildable lot centrally located on the North Side of California City, surrounded by new construction in a beautiful neighborhood. Just minutes from Edwards Air Force Base-an Excellent Opportunity! Be part of the growth! Build your dream home on this lot.
Spacious High Desert lot in California City! This 10,018 sq ft RM1/RM2 multi-residential parcel is located on the north side of town, near the high school, and offers beautiful Sierra Mountain views. Enjoy the peaceful desert surroundings with convenient access to nearby shopping and parks. Great opportunity to own land in a growing community. APN: 213-381-04.
HOUSE FOR RENT in California CityDeal directly with an Owner 6 bedroom (6th room as an office , den or game room) and 3 bathroomFully upgraded with modern styles and trendsHouse include the following:Laminate flooring, stainless dual sink, garbage disposal, gas oven range, gorgeous grey Quartz counter top with metallic flakes, bathroom vanities, bathtubs,
Welcome to this beautifully maintained 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom single-family home nestled in the heart of California City. Boasting 1,831 square feet of comfortable living space, this home offers the perfect blend of modern design and everyday functionality.Inside you'll discover an open-concept layout filled with natural light, spacious living and dining areas, and a thoughtfully designed
This property at 10733 Garibaldi Dr features 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms within a spacious 1,785 square feet. The living room includes a fireplace and is designed for comfort, while the kitchen is equipped with modern appliances such as a dishwasher, microwave, and refrigerator, including an ice maker and trash compactor. The bathrooms offer both tub and shower options, and the home is wheelchair
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