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
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On average, homes in Tehachapi, CA sell after 68 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Tehachapi, CA over the last 12 months is $430,000, up 6% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Great Horse Property, surrounded by beautiful mountain views. Excellent location. Direct access to riding and hiking trails.This Rustic, one-story, ranch-style 3+3, 2000sqft. house has been well-maintained and has undergone several improvements and upgrades, including a smart thermostat for heating and cooling, an upgraded whole-house Culligan water softener system and a reverse osmosis
A rare and beautiful retreat where photos don't do it justice. This custom-built 3-bed, 13/4-bath home (1,715 sq ft) sits on 20+ acres of natural beauty with sweeping views of the valley and surrounding mountains. Crafted by local artisans, this remodeled home features custom cabinetry, a handcrafted pantry, vaulted ceilings, and large windows that bring in natural light and stunning views. The
Four bedrooms, two bathrooms, and over a third of an acre in Stallion Springs - which means yes, the kids can actually run around outside instead of using your living room as a racetrack. The open floor plan makes it easy to keep an eye on all the things - whether you're cooking dinner, breaking up a sibling argument with just a look, or dancing to BabyShark for the hundredth time (no judgment,
Stallion Springs Charmer inside and out! Great location not far into Stallion Springs, large open property across the street to help keep the mountain views and open feel, Easy landscape front and back. Large formal tiled entry, formal dining room/extra living room/office/playroom/could even be made a 4th bedroom if needed, large living room with corner fireplace and slider to covered pack patio,
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
*Closing costs available* Welcome to your new home in the scenic and sought-after Golden Hills area of Tehachapi! This charming 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom home offers the perfect blend of comfort and style. Inside, you'll find the eloquently updated kitchen complete with granite countertops, raised panel white cabinets, trace meadow ceramic floor tiles, & stainless steel appliances. The living
As it's called 4 Seasons, this cozy 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom home is located in the peaceful and scenic Golden Hills community of Tehachapi, one of the area's desirable neighborhoods. Enjoy each season with different scenarios as photos. The bright, breezy interior features ample natural light, a breakfast bar with high chairs, and a master bedroom with a mirrored closet door. A separate indoor
Spacious 2 bedroom apartment located in Golden Hills. Great commute to Edwards Air Force Base and Nasa. Hardwood floors in living room and both bedrooms, tile in kitchen and bathroom. Refrigerator, oven/stove, dishwasher provided. Large eat in kitchen. . Separate laundry room off of back patio. Unit also has a front patio. Good credit. Indoor cat ok. Rent is $1,595 security $1,695 Month to
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