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California Valley is an unincorporated community located in the eastern part of San Luis Obispo County is a county located on Californias central Pacific coast, between Los Angeles and the Bay Area. ...San Luis Obispo County, State nickname: The Golden State Other U.S. States Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger Official languages English Area 410,000 km² (3rd) _ Land 404,298 km² _ Water 20,047 km² (4. ...California.
Located (all mileage is driving distances)
- 168.3 miles northwest of Los Angeles
- 69.1 miles west of Bakersfield is the county seat of Kern County, California, in the United States. ...Bakersfield
- 56.1 miles east of The city of San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo (also SLO) is the county seat of San Luis Obispo County, California, USA. Luis is pronounced as Lewis. ...San Luis Obispo
- 55.6 miles east of Atascadero is a city located in San Luis Obispo County, California. ...Atascadero
- 52.5 miles southeast of Paso Robles
- 44.1 miles northwest of Taft
Geography
California Valley is located at approximately 35.37° North, 120.39° West. The zoned area of California Valley is 24,083 acres.
California Valley is approximately 1,970 feet above sea level. Immediately south of California Valley is Soda Lake, which is part of the Carrizo National Monument.
The valley is very nearly flat, bordered to the west by mountains (part of the Los Padres National Forest) and to the east by a major earthquake fault, the View of the San Andreas Fault in central California The San Andreas Fault is a geological fault, known as a right_lateral strike_slip fault, that spans a length of roughly 800 miles (1287 kilometers) through California. ...San Andreas Fault (part of the Temblor Range).
Demographics Less than 500 people live in California Valley. Residents are attracted to the area by its dry climate and distance from populated areas.
History California Valley is believed to have been visited by Indians passing through to the sacred site at Painted Rock, but no permanent Indian settlement due to lack of easily accessible water.
California Valley was originally a Spanish land grant, the El Chicote Ranch, that was used for seasonal cattle raising.
Local newspaper archives suggest that outlaws hid in California Valley from time to time up until the 1930s.
The Spanish land grant was parceled out in 1960 into over 7200 2.5 acre sections by optimistic real estate developers. When the State Water Project did not bring in water as expected, the lands were mostly abandoned and the developers went bankrupt. A few hundred people have built homes in this isolated area, but the mass growth once promised never materialized.
During 2004, criminal charges were filed against the former general manager of the California Valley Community Services District (CSD) for embezzlement, as the result of missing funds. This loss of capital has hampered the CSD in its efforts to provide services to local residents.
California Valley properties routinely change hands at county tax auction for lack of property tax payment. The prospective buyer is strongly advised to visit their prospective property and view local conditions first_hand prior to investment, and to consult with San Luis Obispo County regarding zoning restrictions and other regulations.
Infrastructure California Valley is located along California Highway 58. The community is served by a school and community center with library (open only on Wednesdays). Other than Highway 58 and Bitterwater Road, the only access is through the Carrizo Plain up Soda Lake Road, which is a seasonal improved dirt road, or other seasonal dirt roads to the east. No buses serve the community, and there are no rail lines.
The even smaller town of Simmler is nearby along Highway 58.
Electrical power is available in parts of California Valley. Telephone service is available through SBC. The local prefix is (805) 475-XXXX. There is strong analog mobile phone coverage and limited ("backscatter") GSM mobile phone coverage.
The local zip code is 93453. Mail is delivered to drop boxes at the Community Center.
Main roads (Belmont Trail, Soda Lake Road, Seven Mile Road) are paved. Others are packed dirt.
Community services are provided by the California Valley Community Service District (CSD). This includes road maintenance and limited trash service. Potable water, a porta-potty and a pay phone are available at the Community Center. The address is 13084 Soda Lake Road, on the south side of Soda Lake Road, approximately 2 miles south of Highway 58, in the village of California Valley.
The local school is Carrisa Plains Elementary School (built 1953) with about 46 students in attendance. The few high school students are bused to Atascadero, which had one of the last high school dormitories in California until the 1990s for their use.
The nearest community college is in Taft. The nearest four year university is California Polytechnic, San Luis Obispo. (Cal Poly SLO).
Blue "No Services" signs are posted at major intersections leading into the California Valley area.
No gas stations exist in the California Valley area. The nearest gasoline stations are in Taft/Maricopa, Atascadero/Santa Margarita, and on the outskirts of Paso Robles. This has led to stranded travelers on a number of occasions. Tow truck service is available but may be delayed for several hours.
Law enforcement is provided by the County Sheriff, but there is no local office or assigned unit. The California The term highway patrol can refer either to a police agency created primarily for the purpose of overseeing traffic safety compliance on a politys roads and highways, such as the California Highway Patrol, or to a detail within an existing local or regional police that primarily concerns its activity...Highway Patrol infrequently patrols Highway 58.
No medical services (doctors, clinics, hospitals) are available in the California Valley area.
Fire and rescue services are provided by San Luis Obispo County Fire Station #42 located at the Community Center. Helicopter A Beech KingAir of the Australian Royal Flying Doctor Service. ...MEDEVAC service from Central Coast and Bakersfield, and occasionally Vandenburg AFB is available.
A private airport (Class II-C, 2500' runway) exists in California Valley and is marked on aeronautical charts.
Natural Resources and Climate California Valley is an arid grassy plain.
Only limited underground potable water is available, and the existing aquifer is rumored by local residents to be overdrawn. (Nearby Soda Lake is alkali and undrinkable.) "The future development of California Valley is anticipated to be limited by water availability" -- San Luis Obispo County General Plan.
Alkaline soils hinder attempts at agricultural development.
The Carrizo Plain National Monument (administered by the Bureau of Land Management) was established to protect elements of native history and the undeveloped ecology of the southern part of the valley.
Industry and Uses Most residents are retirees or have other outside incomes. Neighboring ranches raise cattle. Some of the empty residential-zoned lands are used for animal grazing under contract with the Community Service District.
Other unusual uses in California Valley have included an Indian sweat lodge, hot air ballooning, bird-watching, and astronomy (due to clear skies). In particular, Highway 58 is a popular route for car and motorcycle racing enthusiasts due to very low traffic and winding roads.
Dangers This is a remote area and only limited services are available. As of 2005, there were no gasoline stations and no lodging open to the passing public. A small restaurant / convenience store has recently opened across from the former California Valley motel with limited days and hours.
(Rental cabins are sometimes available, and other services are advertised on the posting board at the Community Center.) Travelers are advised to top off gas tanks and procure potable water and food appropriate to their travel plans in advance.
External links - Tourism Information for California Valley and the County of San Luis Obispo (http://www.sanluisobispocounty.com/)
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