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California City is a city in Kern County, California, situated in the northern Antelope Valley of the Mojave Desert about 100 miles north of Los Angeles. Its population was 14,973 at the 2020 census. The city is defined by its extraordinary geography of intent: a 1958 master plan laid out streets and infrastructure for as many as 400,000 residents across more than 80,000 acres, and the result is a municipality that ranks third in California by land area — behind only San Diego and Los Angeles — while much of its eastern half remains undeveloped desert. Houses, businesses, and paved roads cluster primarily in the western portion of the city, where a deep aquifer supplies water, while large stretches of the original grid remain empty. That contrast between a vast planned footprint and a small-town population gives California City a distinctive character. Homes were largely built lot by lot, and many are Craftsman ranch-style houses from the 1960s, so the streetscapes are varied rather than uniform. The local economy is anchored by aerospace and the military. Edwards Air Force Base lies a short drive away, and the Mojave Air and Space Port, a center for aerospace testing and innovation, is a major employer, making the city popular with military and aerospace families. Other employment comes from regional institutions and services in the Antelope Valley. Life here centers on the desert landscape. Red Rock Canyon State Park, with its scenic cliffs and rock formations, sits a short distance south, and the surrounding open desert offers off-highway vehicle trails, hiking, and dark skies for stargazing. Public schools fall under Mojave Unified School District. For residents, California City offers small-town living, open space, and a quiet desert setting within commuting distance of Edwards Air Force Base and the greater Antelope Valley.

Population 14,973

County Kern County

Active Listings 1191

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Frequently Asked Questions

What county is California City in?

California City is in Kern County, California, in the northern Antelope Valley of the Mojave Desert. The city sits about 100 miles north of Los Angeles along the State Route 14 corridor.

How big is California City by land area?

California City covers roughly 204 square miles, making it the third-largest city in California by land area, behind San Diego and Los Angeles. Its large footprint comes from a 1958 master plan that laid out streets for a much larger population than ultimately developed.

What school district serves California City?

California City is served by Mojave Unified School District, which also serves the nearby town of Mojave. The district operates campuses including California City High School, California City Middle School, Hacienda Elementary, and Robert P. Ulrich Elementary.

Is California City near Edwards Air Force Base?

Yes. Edwards Air Force Base lies roughly 19 to 29 miles from California City, making the community a popular home for military personnel and their families. The Mojave Air and Space Port is also a short drive to the south.

What is there to do in California City?

California City offers access to Red Rock Canyon State Park, with its desert cliffs and hiking, along with off-highway vehicle trails, stargazing, and open Mojave Desert land. California City Central Park anchors local recreation within town.

What is the population of California City?

California City's population was 14,973 at the 2020 U.S. Census. Despite covering more than 200 square miles, the city retains a small-town, sparse suburban population across its largely undeveloped planned street grid in the Mojave Desert.

City Guide

About California City

Real Estate & Housing

California City's housing stock grew lot by lot rather than in uniform subdivisions, and many homes are Craftsman ranch-style builds from the 1960s set along quiet desert roads. Because much of the original master-planned grid remains undeveloped, the city offers abundant open space and larger lots, with no two streetscapes quite alike. The sparse suburban character means most residents own their homes, and buyers often find room to build on their own property. The market centers on modest single-family houses, desert acreage, and the space that defines this part of the Mojave.

Neighborhoods

Development in California City clusters in the western half of the city, where water access made building practical, while the eastern grid remains largely open desert. Neighborhoods such as Monte Vista Estates are known for spacious homes and scenic desert views. The city's lot-by-lot development pattern means residential streets are varied, with established ranch-style homes, newer construction, and vacant parcels intermingled. This open, spread-out layout gives California City a distinctly rural, high-desert feel compared with denser Antelope Valley communities to the south.

Lifestyle in California City

California City offers a quiet, high-desert lifestyle shaped by wide-open space and a small-town population. Daily life revolves around local schools, churches, and community events, with a modest selection of restaurants and shops serving the city and the Highway 14 corridor. The presence of Edwards Air Force Base and the Mojave Air and Space Port brings a military and aerospace flavor to the community. Dark night skies, open roads, and the nearby Red Rock Canyon State Park define recreation, while larger shopping and services are found in nearby Mojave and the Antelope Valley.

Schools & Education

Students in California City attend Mojave Unified School District, which serves the city and the neighboring town of Mojave in eastern Kern County. The district operates campuses including California City High School, California City Middle School, Hacienda Elementary, and Robert P. Ulrich Elementary. The district's size and rural setting support close-knit schools, and families have access to additional educational options in the broader Antelope Valley and Kern County region.

Getting Around

California City lies about 100 miles north of Los Angeles and is reached primarily by State Route 14, which links the Antelope Valley to U.S. Route 395 and the Los Angeles basin. Edwards Air Force Base is roughly 19 to 29 miles away, making the city a practical base for military commuters, while the Mojave Air and Space Port sits a short distance to the south. Public transit is limited, so residents rely on personal vehicles for commuting and errands, with larger services in Mojave, Lancaster, and Palmdale.

Parks & Recreation

Red Rock Canyon State Park, just south of California City along State Route 14, offers scenic desert cliffs, buttes, and rock formations with hiking, camping, and sightseeing. The surrounding Mojave Desert provides open space for off-highway vehicle riding, stargazing, and solitude, while the Desert Tortoise Natural Area and Tehachapi-area trails add wildlife viewing and hiking. California City Central Park anchors local recreation within the community. The high desert's dark skies and expansive public lands give outdoor enthusiasts room to roam year-round.

MARKET SNAPSHOT

The Market at a Glance

How homes have been selling here over the last 90 days.

home_work New This Week 10

Went Under Contract 0

trending_down Price Reductions 0

payments Median Sale Price $291,990 -1.0%

square_foot Price per Sq Ft $181

schedule Avg Days on Market 57

sell Homes Sold 83

percent Sale-to-List Ratio 100.0%

inventory_2 Months of Inventory 7.2

Price & Sales History

Market data reflects closed sales over the last 90 days and is provided for informational purposes.

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