$284,545Average Value$185Average Price per Sq Ft16Homes For Sale
Secluded living in the Mojave Desert
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
Nick Flageollet,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in California City, CA sell after 50 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in California City, CA over the last 12 months is $320,000, down 9% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to 7431 Bay Avenue—a charming, well-maintained single-story home nestled in the serene community of California City. This spacious residence offers 3 generous bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, and 1,625 sq ft of thoughtfully designed living space, perfectly blending comfort with style for modern family living. Step inside to discover elegant Versailles-pattern porcelain tile
Welcome to this new opportunity in California city. Peaceful constantly growing city. Parcel of land ready for you to build your dream home! Give us a call today!
Welcome to California City. This new opportunity is located in a quiet neighborhood and is ready to build your dream home. Can't forget to mention that a Survey has been done and blueprints drawn up for a home! Give us a call today!
Welcome to this inviting rental opportunity in the heart of California City, CA! This property is perfectly situated to offer both comfort and convenience, making it an ideal choice for anyone seeking a vibrant community atmosphere.Key property features include spacious living areas, providing a perfect backdrop for relaxation and entertainment. The property offers easy access to local
Welcome to this inviting rental property located in the heart of California City, CA. Perfect for those looking to experience the charm of this vibrant community, this residence offers a cozy and comfortable living space with 3 beds and 1 bath, just approximately 25 minutes from the Edward Air Force Base. While the rent does not include utilities such as gas, electricity, cable, internet, water,
Welcome to this charming property located in the heart of California City, California. Perfect for anyone seeking a comfortable living space close to various conveniences, this residence offers a great combination of accessibility and community.Key features of this property include spacious bedrooms and well-appointed bathrooms, creating a practical and inviting atmosphere. The floor area
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