Weldon

One might be forgiven if, while in Squirrel Mountain Valley, it appeared to be a part of the Old West, with bushes dotting the landscape and flat streets that look primed for a tumbleweed to bounce across them. Just south of Lake Isabella, the rustic neighborhood comprises the southern outskirts between and beyond the towns of Mountain Mesa and South Lake. Mountain vistas surround Squirrel Mountain Valley, and from just about any point within, residents can take in views of the surrounding peaks of the Sierra Nevada in any direction. “It’s the perfect place if you want to get away from it all,” says William Gordon, a Realtor with Watson Realty and Gordon Team Realty. “It’s nestled in the southern Sierra Nevada and a lot of people are drawn there by the land and the space you get. It’s a self-sufficient area.” Rustic ranch homes surrounded by mountains Homes in Squirrel Mountain Valley are typically situated on large lots. Most of the home styles in the area are ranch constructions, usually ranging from $300,000 to $500,000. A few Cape Cod-inspired styles also dot the landscape, and a number of the homes have porches. A walk through Squirrel Mountain Valley might yield sights of equipment from the past, intriguing sculptures or rustic décor on some lawns, and some lots of land are also for sale. “There’s a lot of lake views and large lots,” Gordon says. “You’ll have room to roam. There’s mostly more modest homes, but also some higher-end properties out there. Some homes are perched up in the foothills surrounding the lake for more elevated views.” Schooling just outside the neighborhood boundary South Fork Elementary School serves the student body within the Kern County area, providing education for kindergarten through eighth grade and serving as an elementary and middle school. South Fork receives a grade of C from Niche, but also scores a B-plus in terms of diversity. After graduating South Fork, students then move on to Kern Valley High School, which completes the educational arc with grades nine through 12. Kern Valley High receives a B-minus from Niche with a 17-to-one student-to-teacher ratio and seasonal sports including cheerleading, tennis, cross country and softball. Maritime memories and trekking the trails It’s not difficult to find things to do outdoors within the valley. At Paradise Cove, nautical enthusiasts can launch their boats from the ramp and set off on the waters of Lake Isabella. “You can live a stone’s throw from where your boat is docked,” Gordon says. “You won’t really live there and go camping, but hiking, hunting and fishing are the common pastimes.” With the mountain- and forest-laden surroundings, there’s plenty of opportunities to trek around the area amongst its trails, some of which lend themselves well to mountain biking. Head to town for local fare Very few restaurants and shops are located in Squirrel Mountain Valley. “Residents need to go into town for most of their needs,” Gordon says. “A lot of people find themselves coming down into Bakersfield through Route 178 for those city needs or for errands that can’t be taken care of up there, or heading to the town of Lake Isabella.” Lakehouse Bakery Isabella is located on the western side of the neighborhood, offering freshly-crafted breads and sweets every day of the week. Removed from the highway The western segment of California State Route 178 is accessible from the adjoining town of Mountain Mesa, and Squirrel Mountain Valley is not directly linked to any major thoroughfares connected to other areas of the state. However, Bakersfield is reachable by the 178 in roughly an hour’s trip southwest. “You can go down and take advantage of everything the eastern Sierra has to offer, towards Ridgecrest and Inyokern and up to Mammoth,” Gordon says. “It’s a nice, rural community that has gorgeous views of the lake and freedom from the busy city life.”