Tehachapi is a mountain town in Kern County with just over 12,000 people. The word "Tehachapi" means "hard climb." While it may be difficult to ascend, its elevation of 4,000 feet gives it desirable weather conditions. In the winter, snowfall blankets the Tehachapi mountains, which is a rare occasion in Southern California. With horse pastures and scenic views, Tehachapi is a rural township with a slower pace between Bakersfield and Los Angeles.
Residents can enjoy all four seasons living in Tehachapi.
Check out cool sculptures in downtown Tehachapi.
Tehachapi has several working farms and pastures near the foothills.
The residents of Tehachapi enjoy the view of the nearby mountains.
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Assorted single-family houses, acreage available
This city sits around the grid-style blocks of downtown, which grow and develop into winding roads. In the city center, older ranch-style homes sit on small lots, morphing into newer subdivisions, while custom-built Spanish Revivals, cabins and farmhouses with abundant acreage are farther out in the country. "You're going to get more of those rural country people from Bakersfield who want to have those horses and land," says Eric Van Denk, CEO and Broker at Central Valley Property Advisors, who has lived in the area for over 15 years. "You're limited in Bakersfield, but out there, there are large ranches that you can buy and build on." The average home price is around $435,000, compared to the California average of $673,000. In the city center, condos cost roughly $215,000, while manufactured homes range from $35,000 to $185,000. Homes in Tehachapi spend roughly 51 days on the market, compared to the national average of 41 days. "Tehachapi has a slower pace, and a lot of people go out there to see the snow," says Van Denk.
Among the several companies based in Tehachapi, Airstreams is a wind and renewable energy company with about 250 employees. The Tehachapi Hospital and Tehachapi Unified School District have a combined 475 employees. National companies include SoCalGas and Lehigh Hanson, which has a cement manufacturing factory in the city. The California Correctional Institution is a supermax prison in Tehachapi and also one of the area's largest employers.
There are several affordable cabin style homes in Tehachapi.
Some of the ranch style homes in Tehachapi date back to the mid 20th century.
The Airstream Renewables teaches students about wind turbines in Tehachapi.
Tehachapi offers several health care jobs and is home to the Adventist Health hospital.
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Tehachapi Unified School District earns a B-minus
According to Niche, the Tehachapi Unified School District serves over 4,000 students and earns a B-minus grade. The district's student-teacher ratio is 23-to-1. Higher education options include Cerro Coso Community College in Tehachapi or Bakersfield College. California State University has two campuses nearby in Bakersfield and Lancaster.
The sign at Tehachapi High School welcomes students and staff as they enter the grounds.
Tompkins Elementary School has a 24 to 1 student-teacher ratio.
Heritage Oak School is a private school for Tehachapi students.
Jacobson Middle School offers several sport activities for Tehachapi students.
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Parks showcasing the Tehachapi Mountains
Surrounded by a mountain range, the city has scenic parks that put the area's rugged terrain and towering peaks on display. Tehachapi Mountain Park has pine-covered hiking trails that climb elevation to reach stunning views. Within city limits, the Valley Recreation and Park District at West Park has a baseball diamond for Little League games and a skate park. At the center of the community, Philip Marx Central Park has a playground and splash pad on a tree-lined lawn. The Brite Valley Aquatic Recreation Area is a small lake for fishing and kayaking.
Tehachapi residents can go to the Brite Aquatic Recreation Area to play.
Tehachapi skateboarders and scooter enthusiasts enjoy BUD'Z Skate Park.
Railroad Park a well kept park located in Downtown Tehachapi.
Tehachapi chamber of Commerce is central to all in downtown.
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Downtown Tehachapi with attractions like the Depot Museum
Tehachapi Boulevard is the area's central downtown, with modest storefronts, historical displays and Spanish-style buildings. This area offers a mix of classic American businesses alongside trendy restaurants and markets. Hand-painted murals highlight the area's scenery and agricultural history. Downtown's diverse eateries range from Thai to Mediterranean cuisines. "There are a lot of mom-and-pop stores, and there's a cool farmers market downtown," says Van Denk. "However, you're not seeing as much traffic downtown as you used to. It's moving to more mainstream shopping centers." The Tehachapi Town Center is another commercial area on the west side of town, which has a strip mall with box stores and chain restaurants.
Tehachapi also has attractions and events that bring life to the streets. The Depot Museum is a former train station that delves into the history of the railroad with artifacts from the early 20th century. In mid-August, the Mountain Festival features arts and crafts vendors at Philip Marx Central Park, a rodeo, live music and a parade downtown. Another event, the Thunder on the Mountain car show, brings over 250 cars and motorcycles to Tehachapi Boulevard in late September. The Apple Festival is the town's October harvest celebration with a carnival, live music, pie-eating and apple-bobbing contests. Additionally, the Tehachapi Event Center hosts rodeos throughout the year.
Tehachapi offers residents safe and clean public parks to bring the family.
Tehachapi has a vibrant downtown with theaters and museums.
Tehachapi's Depot also contains most of the railroad history in Tehachapi.
Tehachapi has several early to mid 20th century homes that can be renovated.
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Tehachapi crime and police department
According to data from the FBI, the violent crime rate in Tehachapi has increased since 2022, while the property crime rate has decreased. In comparison, the state of California's violent crime and property crime rates have both increased over the same period. The Tehachapi Police Department offers consistent events to connect with the community, including Coffee with a Cop and Pickleball with the Police. The city experiences a Mediterranean climate, including all four seasons. Tehachapi does not face the same intense heat waves as other cities in the state and is well-known for its seemingly rare snow accumulation.
Commutes to Bakersfield and other travel options
While public transportation is limited, the park-and-ride area provides a bus route to the Lancaster Amtrak Station. Bakersfield is roughly 40 miles northwest on state Route 58. On state Route 14, Lancaster is about 47 miles southeast, while Los Angeles is 113 miles south. The Meadows Field Airport, in nearby Bakersfield, is the closest regional airport, providing flights to San Francisco, Denver and Los Angeles. The Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the closest international airport for flights to worldwide destinations.
Written By
Jackson Hardy
Photography Contributed By
Mark Huddleston
Video By
Francesco Basti
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Tehachapi, CA sell after 92 days on the market compared to the national average of 58 days. The median sale price for homes in Tehachapi, CA over the last 12 months is $437,035, up 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to this beautifully remodeled Bear Valley retreat offering space, privacy, and breathtaking scenery in one of the area's most peaceful settings. This 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom home sits on a highly usable lot, providing the perfect blend of functionality and natural beauty--ideal for those looking to enjoy mountain living with room to roam. Inside, the home has been thoughtfully updated,
Discover over 5 acres of residential land in the scenic hills of Tehachapi, offering wide-open space, fresh mountain air, and long-range views. This parcel provides an excellent opportunity to build a custom home, establish a private retreat, or secure land as a long-term investment in a steadily growing mountain community. Known for its four-season climate, natural beauty, and small-town charm,
Stunning turn-key, move-in ready two-story home nestled in the scenic beauty of Bear Valley Tehachapi! This expansive 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath residence offers over 2,500 sq ft of thoughtfully designed living space on 11.34 acres of peaceful, private land. Step inside to soaring vaulted ceilings, abundant natural light, and a warm, inviting atmosphere highlighted by two cozy fireplaces and a blend of
Great opportunity to build a custom home or cabin, on 2.76 acres of peaceful mountain living in the Alpine Forest area! Unimproved land with tons of potential, and enough of a flat pad for your imagination to run wild!
Well maintained manufactured home in established park in Tehachapi City. Home features fencing in front yard area with covered patio with ramp access to front door, open living room with high ceilings and laminate flooring, dining room space off kitchen, nice kitchen open to laundry room. Laundry room has access to hall, kitchen, & door to back covered carport. Home is split wing with primary at
Prime 6.85-acre commercial vacant land opportunity with excellent visibility along Highway 58 in Tehachapi. This property is zoned C-2 (General Commercial), allowing for a wide range of potential uses including retail, service commercial, hospitality, fuel-related uses, and other permitted developments (buyer to verify). Strategically located adjacent to an established Love’s Travel Center, the
Explore the exceptional development opportunity at 29201 Deertrail Drive in Tehachapi, CA. This expansive property, spanning over approximately 24.2 acres, is nestled within a highly desirable HOA community, offering a truly rare and valuable chance for visionary builders and investors.Imagine creating your dream estate in a neighborhood that perfectly blends natural beauty and modern
Adorable Bear Valley Springs home on over an acre! Enjoy both a charming covered front patio and a spacious covered back patio, plus a fenced yard and storage shed. Inside, you'll find a welcoming formal entry, tall ceilings in the living and dining areas, and a cozy wood-burning fireplace with a large sliding glass door leading to the back patio. The kitchen features tile floors and counters,
Just a short stroll to the lake, this well-maintained 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath home offers comfort, convenience, and an ideal Bear Valley Springs location. Situated near the lakes, Oak Tree Golf Course, and the Country Club, this move-in-ready property is prepared to welcome new owners. The inviting living room features a gas-insert fireplace with a beautiful brick hearth and opens to the dining area
Prime 41.52-acre vacant land opportunity in Tehachapi offering strong potential for industrial and commercial development. The property is zoned M-1 PD (Light Industrial Planned Development), allowing for a wide range of uses including warehousing, distribution, logistics, contractor yards, light manufacturing, and other industrial applications (buyer to verify with Kern County). This large,
Discover the ideal setting for your future home in the peaceful mountain community of Alpine Forest!Tucked away on a quiet cul-de-sac, this expansive parcel of nearly 3 acres offers the perfect blend of privacy, accessibility, and natural beauty. Take in stunning mountain and valley views while enjoying the serenity of the surrounding landscape. Whether you're dreaming of a custom home, weekend
Welcome to peaceful living in Bear Valley Springs. Perched on 2.13 private acres, this modern architectural home offers a rare blend of breathtaking views, seamless natural light and an open floor plan. A gourmet kitchen boasts premier quartz countertops, a large island, Jenn Air gas range and an under-mount sink. Recent home upgrades include a 27 solar panel, two 10 kW battery system, and a
Property Id: 2603338Identical unit in same building jStunning 3-year old duplex-modern & Spacious Living. Step into this pristine energy-efficient duplex. This functional open floor plan 1325 sq ft home is heavily upgraded featuring stainless steel appliances, gorgeous granite counter tops, and durable luxury plank vinyl throughout-no carpet to worry about. Enjoy the ultimate convenience
Property Id: 1544856*COMING SOON: 7/11/26. 4bedroom, 2 1/2 bath in the heart of Tehachapi. 2-Story home in prime location steps away from school/shopping, & easy commute to Edwards AFB. Kitchen equipped with gas stove, microwave, new dishwasher, pantry & ample counter space. Cozy Livingroom with sliding backdoor for easy access to backyard. Expansive covered backyard patio perfect for
Property Id: 25956342 Bedroom, 2 story, 1.5 bath Apartment with attached GarageOur unit has Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring downstairs with plush carpet throughout the upstairs and bedrooms.Kitchen comes with Refrigerator, Oven, Stove, Dishwasher, microwave, and garbage disposal.Small, fenced backyard. We are pet friendly.Garage has full size hot water heater as well as
Spacious 2 bedroom one bathroom apartment in Golden Hills. Hardwood floors in the living room and both bedrooms. Tile in both kitchen and bathroom. Master bedroom has a walk-in closet. Large eat in kitchen with refrigerator, oven/stove and dishwasher. Lots of storage. Two patios one in the front of the apartment and enclosed patio in the back. There is a separate private laundry room off
🏡 28301 Bear Valley Rd, Tehachapi, CA 93561Located in the gated community of Bear Valley Springs, this charming country home offers space, privacy, and beautiful mountain surroundings.The 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom 1,841 sq ft home features a comfortable layout with generous living space, a functional kitchen, and plenty of natural light. Enjoy peaceful views and room to breathe while still
Charming cabin home nestled in the scenic landscape of Bear Valley Springs. This cozy A- Frame cabin offers 2 bedrooms, 2-bathroom, open living room with wood burning stove and amazing views. The patio/balcony offers a perfect spot for relaxation, where you can enjoy the fresh air or simply enjoying the beautiful surroundings.This property is located 30 minutes from the center of
Charming recently renovated 3-bedroom, 1.5-bath home for rent in Tehachapi! Situated on a spacious corner lot, this property offers a large backyard perfect for relaxing, entertaining, or enjoying the fresh mountain air. Features include a 1-car garage, plenty of parking, and a functional layout with comfortable living spaces. Conveniently located near local schools, shopping, and town amenities
Mayra GomezKeller Williams Tehachapi
$2,300 per month
Charming 2-Story Home in a Convenient Tehachapi Location
This 1,378 sq ft two-story home is ideally located just minutes from shopping and restaurants, offering both comfort and convenience. The property features newer carpet throughout and updated linoleum flooring in the kitchen and bathrooms.Enjoy a spacious living room with vaulted ceilings and a cozy wood-burning fireplace—perfect for relaxing evenings. The kitchen is equipped with a gas
Welcome home to this beautifully maintained apartment featuring an exceptional floor plan and quality upgrades rarely found in typical rental properties. Bright, inviting, and impeccably clean, this residence offers both comfort and functionality throughout. The spacious L-shaped eat-in kitchen is perfect for everyday living and entertaining, featuring a breakfast bar and an 18-cubic-foot
This charming one-bedroom, one-bath home in Tehachapi, CA offers practical, move-in-ready living with wood laminate flooring throughout and ceiling fans for added comfort. The kitchen comes equipped with a refrigerator, stove/range, and microwave, and the unit includes an in-unit laundry with washer and dryer provided. Low maintenance yard landscaped with astro turf. Ideal for those seeking a
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