Hesperia is a High Desert city that was known as a cattle ranch town in the late 19th century. Today, the cattle ranch legacy endures in this SoCal city with spacious properties still home to horses and livestock. “People like the countryside atmosphere here in Hesperia more than in the neighboring city of Victorville,” says Hesperia-based Realtor Keith Liverman, “It is generally pricier than Victorville, but that’s mostly because of larger lot sizes and open land.”
For decades, Hesperia was a crucial stopping point for travelers tackling the treacherous Cajon Pass, connecting the Greater San Bernardino Area to Victor Valley and Las Vegas. The construction of US Route 66 and Interstate 15 solidified it as a transportation hub. Incorporation followed in 1988, and the city has experienced steady growth ever since. It’s now home to about 100,000 residents. Hesperia’s major employers are the Hesperia Unified District and local government offices. Retail trade, construction and warehousing are major industries. When staying within city limits, residents here head to Silverwood or Hesperia Lake to get outdoors, or head to Victorville for a few extra shopping, dining and entertainment options. For healthcare, Desert Valley Hospital serves the area. Hesperia’s future is taking shape with projects like the 9,366-acre Silverwood development – promising 15,633 new homes, 700,000 square feet of commercial space, and 5,000 acres of parks. When completed, the Silverwood development will be one of the largest new communities in Southern California.
The Cajon Pass is the gateway to Hesperia.
Highway 395 stretches from Hesperia, California to the Canadian border.
Arizona Pipeline provides construction services across the Southwest since 1979.
Dick's Sporting Goods at the Mall of Victor Valley is the place to get all your sporting needs.
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Homes have plenty of land for livestock
Contemporary ranch-style homes here were built between the 1980s and early 2000s, most of the residential landscap e. Homes rarely exceed $700,000. One of the newest neighborhoods is the Desert Willow Ranch community, filled with new traditional homes with Spanish revival influences. Most homes in the city have large lots for keeping livestock, including in the Oak Hills area by Hesperia Lake. The largest plots of land sit west of the freeway and on the far east end of the city. Hesperia’s median sale price is $469,977 as of October 2024. This is lower than the neighboring San Bernardino’s median sale price of $485,000. Compared to the state overall, it’s 39% lower. Buyers also get more land for their money, as most homes will be half-acre or acre lots. Prices are rising as the area continues to expand; year-to-year home prices are up 9.5% as of December 2023, and its year-over-year population grew 4% in 2021.
An elevated look at Hesperia showcases the desert views and mountains.
Some neighborhoods in Hesperia have large lots perfect for keeping horses.
Newer builds in Hesperia are typically designed in ranch style.
It is common to see low maintenance yards in Hesperia and other high desert towns.
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B-rated schools
Serving 22,000 students across its 27 schools—16 elementary, 4 middle and 7 high schools—Hesperia Unified School District is rated a B-minus by Niche. Its Career Technical Education program provides students with real-world work experience, from fabrication to engineering to health care. Two of the district’s high schools, Oak Hills and Sultana, receive A-minuses.
Hesperia High student running on the track and training for the big moments.
Carmel Elementary, Hesperia offers a space where all people can learn and thrive.
Mesa Grande Elementary School, in Hesperia, California, serves students age K-6.
Oak Hills High near Hesperia offers a space where all people can learn and thrive.
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Parks nearing 1,000 acres
One of the most popular open spaces in the area is the 886-acre Mojave Narrows Regional Park, where visitors can spot 1,500-plus species of wildlife or go fishing year-round. North of city limits, the Bureau of Land Management has designated certain parts of the desert for off-roading, so adrenaline junkies can rev up their dirt bikes or quads. They might also go 16 miles south of downtown for more trails at Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area, featuring almost 1,000 acres of trails, boating and campgrounds. Hesperia Civic Plaza Park is a popular place for community events. "It's really the biggest gathering spot in the city," says Lorraine Eros, youth service leader for the Hesperia Public Library. "Each December, there's an annual tree lighting ceremony, each Saturday, there's a farmers' market, and each month, there's a concert held here.” The public library is set within the plaza. “In the library, residents can come here to learn about Hesperia and the High Desert in our Heritage Room, a special part of the library dedicated to the history of the High Desert,” Eros adds. On the same lot, the Civic Plaza 12-screen Cinema is the only movie theater within city limits.
Lime Street park has it all from swimming pools to a skate park.
Enjoy the views of Hesperia Lake, a popular fishing destination for locals.
Hesperia Civic Park has a walking trail where you can enjoy taking a stroll with your pets.
Set up camp at Hesperia Lake and find yourself surrounded by nature near the city.
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Most dining lined on Main Street
The city’s main arteries, Main Street Corridor and Bear Valley Road, are home to Hesperia’s dining options, particularly popular among truckers passing through the High Desert for quick and easy stops. For those looking for a more extensive shopping and dining experience, Victorville offers several commercial centers. High Desert Gateway and Rose Plaza are shopping centers with several restaurants and stores, and The Mall of Victor Valley, just four miles north of the city center, has over 100 vendors. The local arts scene, though limited, is growing. Art lovers can take a scenic one-hour drive south to explore the numerous galleries and museums in San Bernardino and Ontario. The city comes alive each September with the highly anticipated Hesperia Days celebration, an event that showcases community spirit with a parade, concerts, a rodeo and a 5K race.
Spring House Family Restaurant serves breakfast all day and is a neighborhood favorite.
Inside La Casita Cafe, a family-run Hesperia institution, offers delicious Mexican food.
Catch a movie at Cinema 12 in Hesperia, located near the Hesperia Civic Center.
Hesperia residents can shop in nearby Victor Valley Mall, offering several big box stores.
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Ranchero Road undergoes transformations
Hesperia has five limited bus routes throughout the city, although cars are the fastest and most efficient way to get around due to the spread-out landscape. Main Street and Bear Valley Road have exits for Interstate 15, and commuters use this freeway to go to neighboring communities. Southbound day trippers will connect onto Rim of the World Scenic Byway for a pretty drive to Silverwood Lake and, 40 miles farther, Big Bear Lake. It’s likely that residents will have more transportation options in the future; a high-speed rail company recently proposed a 49-mile connection from Hesperia to Rancho Cucamonga in November 2022, and the project passed its environmental impact inspection in July 2023. For now, the City of Hesperia is responding to increasing traffic via the Ranchero Road Widening Project, stretching the thoroughfare from two lanes to five.
Lower crime rates than the national average
According to 2023 data from the FBI, Hesperia’s violent crime rate stands at roughly 80 incidents per 100,000 residents, lower than California's rate of 99 and the national rate of 121 . Property crime rates reached 163 incidents per 100,000 residents, compared to the state's rate of 196 and the national rate of 180. To bolster public safety, the City of Hesperia has allocated almost $11 million to its police department. Because of dry heat, droughts and July temperatures over 100 degrees, brush fires are a common occurrence. The Hesperia Fire in July 2022 burned 95 acres but didn’t result in any destroyed structures, thanks to containment by CalFire; a vegetation fire in June 2023 burned 3.5 acres. These incidents are concentrated on the outskirts of town or toward the southern mountains, and air quality is rarely affected. Residents should always take precautions, though, and CalFire encourages the removal of dead plants and the proper disposal of flammable materials.
Written By
Braxton Chea
Photography Contributed By
Michael Ng
Video By
Scott Wiggins
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
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On average, homes in Hesperia, CA sell after 48 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Hesperia, CA over the last 12 months is $481,740, up 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Very well-kept and upgraded single-level home offering 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, and approximately 2,273 sq. ft. of living space on a 6,599 sq. ft. lot. This home is situated in a desirable neighborhood with no HOA and no Mello-Roos tax—a rare find in today’s market! This beautifully upgraded home features high-end finishes and carefully selected details throughout. Enjoy an open-concept floor plan
Welcome to this beautifully maintained, move-in ready 3-bedroom, 2-bath home nestled in a quaint and quiet neighborhood just minutes from local schools and a lovely park. Enjoy low-maintenance rock landscaping on a timed drip irrigation system, keeping your outdoor space beautiful year-round with minimal effort. The home is equipped with paid-off solar panels and a Tesla charger in the garage —
Motivated seller! Charming single-story home located near the cross street of I Ave in a quiet Hesperia neighborhood. This property features a spacious layout with an open living area, plenty of natural light, and a large lot perfect for parking, outdoor use, or future improvements. Conveniently close to schools, shopping, and major commuter routes. A great opportunity for buyers seeking comfort
Hesperia 2401 sq ft 4 bedroom 2.5 baths inside new paint, spacious living room and dining room combo, kitchen includes new lighting stainless-steel appliances stove dishwasher microwave pantry, Family room with a fireplace and a cabinet bar sink, big master bedroom and master bathroom has nice tub and separate shower double sinks and a separate toilet room area, all bedrooms have new fans new
Hesperia 3 bedroom 2 baths, spacious dining and living room combination with a fireplace, good size kitchen granite countertops, newer dual pane windows sliding door, front door, new door connecting to garage, 2 car garage, PLUS a detached garage seller was in the process of an ADU conversion not finished, fenced and cross fence, lots of trees, near Bear Valley for easy access to frwy. HVAC will
Prime 9.77-Acre Commercial Parcel – High-Exposure Location Near Amazon Distribution CenterSeize this incredible investment opportunity at the corner of Bear Valley Road and Lilac Road, just minutes from Highway 395 and the rapidly growing Amazon Distribution Center. This site offers 330 feet of frontage on Bear Valley Road in a key growth corridor, with major development planned nearby,
New remodeled units A and B with 3 bedrooms and two bath each. Laundry room washer and Dryer hock ups . Heater and Ac CentralFire place in the living room
Take a look at this 3 bedroom 2 bathroom home in heavenly Hesperia. Home features a large formal living room with a gas fireplace. Fantastic family room just off the entry door with large windows that provide great natural light. Kitchen is a chef's dream as there is plenty of storage, a pantry and ample counter space. The hall has access to all 3 bedrooms including the main suite! Main bedroom
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