Agriculture and railroads shape Pixley’s small town
Pixley is a rural farming community in the San Juaquin Valley, surrounded on all sides by farmland and orchards, about 18 miles away from Tulare. Originally settled in the 1880s, the town quickly dominated Tulare County’s agriculture and dairy industries, with direct access to the Southern Pacific railroad. As the town grew into what it is today, Main Street has become an area of commerce for the community, with a handful of retail and local restaurants.
Main Street’s shops and restaurants, plus nearby Tulare
Main Street’s commercial corridor is Pixley’s primary area for shopping and dining. “There’s not much shopping here. A couple of Mexican restaurants and convenience stores, mostly,” says Sherri Camargo, real estate broker and owner of Majestic Palm Realty, who has over 20 years of experience. Pixley Food Center is the town’s grocery store, and there are multiple butcher shops selling fresh cuts, such as Don Panchos Meat Market. Local restaurants include Tacos Alejandra and Charros Express Mexican Food. Mi Michoacana is an ice cream shop. Retail options include a handful of auto parts stores and Dollar General.
For more options, Tulare has a wide selection of national retailers and big-box stores. Nike and Tommy Hilfiger are two of the many name brands at the Tulare Outlets. Plaza Del Lago has Walmart, Foods Co and a handful of fast-food restaurants like Panda Express, In-N-Out Burger and Raising Cane’s.
Suburban-style streets with single-family homes
Most homes in Pixley are lined along residential roads and come with small grassy lawns decorated with the occasional palm tree. Driveways and fences adorn many properties. Bungalows and other minimal-traditional single-story homes from the 1930s to 1950s are common, with front porch areas and vinyl exteriors. Some have Spanish-inspired architecture like stucco siding and archways. There are also ranch-style homes built from the 1960s to the 1990s. Prices range between $200,000 and $540,000, depending on a house’s age and size.
Pixley’s park and natural refuge area
Pixley Park is the area’s main recreational space, outfitted with a playground, tennis courts and sports fields for baseball and soccer. Multiple picnic tables are placed along the grassy fields and disc golf course. A community garden in town is tended by the elementary school district.
About 9 miles southwest is the Pixley Wildlife Refuge. Hiking trails wind through the area, with boardwalks crossing over the marshy wetlands. Public art displays are scattered along the paths, and visitors can go bird watching or participate in ranger-led educational programs. To the south is Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park, which features restored 20th-century landmarks and multiple campsites.
The Eagle Mountain Casino is around 17 miles west of Pixley, owned by the Tule River Indian Tribe of California.
Tulare County’s public schools have quality programs
Children living in Pixley can attend schools in the Pixley Elementary School District. Pixley Elementary School and Pixley Middle School both earn C grades from Niche and provide an English Language Development program for those who are bilingual. From there, students can attend the B-rated Mission Oak High School, which is in the Tulare Joint Union High School District. “There’s no high school in Pixley itself, since it’s such a small town,” Camargo says. Career-minded students can participate in its Academy of Engineering or Future Farmers of America club.
Traveling in and around Pixley by bus or car
Despite Main Street’s bike lanes, which promote a cyclist-friendly community, navigating around Pixley often requires a vehicle. Tulare County Area Transit (TCaT) has a fixed-route bus service with stops in Pixley. Additionally, California state route 99, known as Golden State Highway, travels through the area, acting as a main thoroughfare. Commuters can use Highway 99 to get to Tulare, around 18 miles north, or Bakersfield, roughly 47 miles south. Pixley Airport is a public-use airport for general aviation services, while Meadow Fields Airport provides nonstop flights to several major U.S. cities, about 42 miles away.
High heat and environmental risks
High temperatures may result in seasonal heat waves and risks for potential wildfires in Pixley. According to FEMA’s National Risk Index, there’s also a higher chance for earthquakes in the Tulare County area, compared to other areas in California.
Tulare County Fire Station 27 provides fire and emergency medical services to Pixley.
