View of Mountain Mesa and the proximity to Lake Isabella.
Between Sierra Nevada and Isabella Lake
Embedded between the breathtaking Sierra Nevada Mountains and the shores of Isabella Lake, Mountain Mesa – also known as Mount Mesa – offers stunning panoramic views wrapped within a suburban yet remote setting. With a population of only about 800, the small lakeside California community has all the essentials, from a grocery store to a local hospital to endless outdoor recreation in the natural surroundings. Local Realtor Rita D’Angelo, who has over 30 years of experience selling homes in the Kern River Valley, perfectly sums up the enclave: “Mount Mesa is a thriving little hub within the valley.”
Ranch styles on manicured lawns
The neatly clustered homes are situated on lots averaging 7,200 square feet, while a few properties that back up to the mountains boast larger parcels. Modest ranch and raised ranch styles comprise most of the housing stock in Mountain Mesa, some featuring Spanish-influenced architecture, but several have attached garages and driveways. “Home styles are diverse,” D’Angelo says. “It ranges from older homes built in the 1950s to quite modern homes built within the last few years.” Homebuyers can get a home for a median price of $210,000; price tags generally range between $175,000 and $425,000. Mobile and manufactured homes can be found in the community for less than $200,000, while quarter-acre lots to those up to 12 acres in size are also available between $25,000 and $450,000.
Mountain Mesa home with a scaling mountain in the backyard.
Visit Mountain Mesa right next to Lake Isabella.
Spacious landscaping found in front of most homes in Mountain Mesa.
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Kern Valley education
Students in Mountain Mesa may attend South Fork Elementary School for kindergarten through eighth grade. The school receives a C grade from Niche. Graduates advance to Kern Valley High School, which gets a B-minus grade and boasts a 17-to-1 student-teacher ratio. High schoolers benefit from a robust academic curriculum balanced by a solid athletic program and various extracurricular choices. The school also earns an A-minus grade for overall diversity.
Water recreation on Isabella Lake
Mountain Mesa Park is tucked within the heart of the community, providing a playground, baseball diamond and soccer fields among its 5-acre tract. D'Angelo says that youth soccer programs and little league teams use the facilities for many of their games. Anglers, boaters and swimmers enjoy the cool mountain water at Isabella Lake, a hotspot for outdoor recreation for Mountain Mesa residents. “It’s extremely busy up here during the summer,” D’Angelo says. “It’s really close to the lake, and you have direct access to the water at Kissack Cove.” She adds that out-of-towners will go so far as Paradise Cove, a campsite and renovated lodge that overlooks the waterfront, but Kissack Cove is mainly used by the local community.
Some of the views found in Mountain Mesa park.
Lake Isabella has many recreational activities available for you to do.
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Groceries and prime rib at Mountain Mesa Supermarket
Residents find what they need within the small heart of Mountain Mesa, with its gas station, grocery store, and a handful of other locales. Mountain Mesa Supermarket fulfills most needs for produce and household items. According to D'Angelo, the market also offers a deli and “absolutely amazing” prime ribs. “They have the best prime ribs that are perfectly seasoned,” she gushes. Folks can also fuel up at Red Rooster Café, which serves breakfast and lunch, or they may stop into El Portal Mexican Grill for authentic Mexican plates. A larger grocery store can be found in neighboring South Lake, just 3 miles away, and residents drive 50 minutes to Bakersfield for extra variety in shopping and dining experiences.
Find fresh groceries and deli at the Mountain Mesa Supermarket found only in Lake Isabella.
Mountain Mesa Supermarket for your everyday grocery needs.
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Find retail and homes in Mountain Mesa.
Hop on Route 178
California State Route 178 runs through Mountain Mesa, providing easy access to adjacent neighborhoods and connecting residents to the heart of Bakersfield in less than an hour. Kern Transit bus stops are interspersed around the area and along Highway 178.
Kern Valley Hospital is close by in Mountain Mesa for emergencies and preventative meaures.
Kern Valley Hospital
Though Mount Mesa feels remote, many necessities, including the Kern Valley Hospital, are nearby. “The hospital is centrally located in Mount Mesa, with a skilled nursing facility and a heliport,” D'Angelo says, adding that it’s a plus for senior residents in the area. The California Health and Human Services Agency has named Kern Valley one of California's best hospitals for patient safety.
Written By
Christina von Claparede-Crola
Photography Contributed By
Piter Beyt
Video By
Peter Medawar
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Christine Hodge Delgado,
an experienced agent in this area.
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