California, a historic coal and college town in the Monongahela Valley
When California was named in the mid-1800s, it was hoped that the community would capture the glittering success of the California Gold Rush. Coal rather than gold brought about the community’s early fortune and urbanization, shipped on railroad tracks that still snake along the Monongahela River. Although the industries that built California declined throughout the greater Pittsburgh region, the community has remained centered by an institution founded before the borough was incorporated: Pennsylvania Western University California, formerly California University of Pennsylvania. “I went to school in California for business, and I still call it Cal U. My daughter’s there now for forensics, and the kids are calling it PennWest,” says Dean Korber, a real estate agent with Howard Hanna Mid Mon Valley Office who’s specialized in the region for 13 years. “The people moving to California want it a little busier than the rest of the Mon Valley, between the restaurants, going to the bar and overall college life.”
Single-family homes in the borough center and on rural acreages
Flat blocks near the Monongahela River carry the hallmarks of a classic 20th-century industry town: sidewalk-lined streets, tiny front lawns and rows of closely-packed National and Victorian homes. Older residential blocks slope up into pockets of ranch-style and split-level homes built from the 1950s through the 1970s. Farther from the river, California ascends into forested ridges that hide homes on larger properties and small crossroads villages. Move-in-ready homes on urban and suburban lots sell for around $90,000 to $290,000. Houses on the borough’s rural outskirts can go for around $280,000 to $540,000, depending on whether they’re set on a small acreage or hidden on upward of 10 wooded acres.
Attending California Area School District and PennWest California
California is served by the California Area School District. California Area Elementary School earns a C-plus from Niche. California Area Middle School also gets a C-plus, while California Area High School scores a B. The middle and high schools are housed in the same building. Older students can earn college credit from Saint Francis University through the College in the High School program.
A small college has drawn scholars to California since the mid-1800s, but a 2022 merger with schools in Clarion and Edinboro gave the state university its new name: Pennsylvania Western University California. The institution shares some courses and resources between the three branches, but maintains Cal U’s signature riverfront campus and mythical mascot, Blaze the Vulcan. PennWest California serves around 6,500 graduate and undergraduate students.
Recreation on the Mon, at borough parks and at PennWest
The Monongahela River curves around railroad tracks and wooded banks on California’s eastern edge, accessible from the Union Street Wharf. “You can get right out on the river,” Korber says. “There’s a lot of boating out here. People fish, too, but you see a lot of motorboats, pontoons, jet skis and, of course, the barges transporting up and down the Mon.” A picnic bench stands across the tracks in Wyatt Park, parallel to the borough’s former railroad depot and current public library. Small parks like Hickory Street Playground pepper neighborhoods with jungle gyms and sports courts. Trout fishers cast into the stocked stream that trickles near the walking track at Rotary Park. PennWest’s stadiums and practice fields host practices and games throughout the borough.
Shopping and dining in downtown California
Third and Wood streets make up a walkable downtown, pocketed with old-fashioned commercial buildings, chain and local businesses and the grand red-brick facade of California United Methodist Church. Locals stop into Kwik Fill for convenience items or grab must-haves from Dollar General. Casual chain restaurants are just down the block, including Don Patron Mexican Restaurant. Roll & Scoop is named for its two menu staples: sushi and ice cream. Although Lagerheads is in neighboring Coal Center, its proximity to California and PennWest’s campus has made it the go-to spot for beer, fries and Thursday night trivia. Closer to the junction of U.S. Route 40 and state Route 43, residents go grocery shopping at Walmart.
California Riverfest and PennWest events
For a weekend each August, Wood Street comes alive with music, fair food and family-friendly fun during California Riverfest. Performances by local bands and dozens of vendor booths draw visitors on both days, mixed with one-off events from a fireman’s parade to a fireworks display and car show. PennWest California gets students and alumni together for a parade and tailgating before the Homecoming weekend football game.
Getting around Washington County and to Pittsburgh
Washington, the seat of its namesake county, is about 25 miles from California via Interstate 70. Pittsburgh is closer to 30 miles away. Mid Mon Valley Transit Authority buses offer commuter routes to Pittsburgh, nearby Washington County boroughs and PennWest California campus hubs. Penn Highlands Mon Valley Hospital is about 10 miles away, and Pittsburgh International Airport is roughly 50 miles from home.
Flood risk on the Mon
Low-lying homes and roadways near the Monongahela River fall into flood zones. Buyers can consult maps to understand their potential risk and need for flood insurance.
Written By
Julia Szymanski
