California Valley, CA

In San Luis Obispo County, we've been blessed with well over normal rainfall this past two months. What this means is that the surrounding mountains look like the green hills of Ireland (and will for the next month or two), and that we are hatching a fantastic wildflower show. It will be especially beautiful in California Valley.

California Valley is a remote, serene, untouched area on our eastern border with Kern County, and home to the Carrizo Plains National Monument--the most recently created monument in the federal system. Whooping cranes migrate to Soda Lake, Tule elk inhabit the plains, and all manner of smaller critters live here as well.

The community of California Valley consists of about 500 hardy souls who live here for the solitude, silence, and serenity . . . and also because it's a great, inexpensive place to establish a farm or ranch. Weather here approximates "real" weather: hot summers, Indian-summer autumns, cold winters with a dusting of snow every so often, and enough rainfall to create a glorious cloud of wildflowers during the spring months. Starting in February and extending through April or early May, there is a succession of beautiful blooms of all kinds. Come for the day and spend the night camping out among the stars. With no light or air pollution, the skies are sparkling and you can count a million stars.

There are a number of vacant parcels available in California Valley, but there is nothing currently available that equals my full-fledged family farm, listed at $199,000. I've got tons of photos, lots of information, so give me a call! Best of all, the owners will carry with 20% down (only 10% cash) at a good interest rate for up to 20 years. Click on my link to this listing in a previous blog, then call me at 805-235-2351 with any questions.

CALIFORNIA VALLEY

Hugging San Luis Obispo's eastern boundary with Kern County, California Valley is a remote high-desert outpost where few visit and even fewer live. The original Spanish land grant was parceled out in 1960 into over 7,200 2.5 acre sections by optimistic real estate developers. According to their own advertising fliers, these 1960 developers believed that the California State Water Project might bring water to the area. After a more northerly route for the project was selected, many buyers lost heart, many properties were abandoned, and the original developers went bankrupt.

Over the years, people have purchased California Valley land in order to get away from it all, to hunt or explore the Carrizo Plains, and also to farm or ranch. Today, about 500 people call the valley home, but that may be changing soon.

In 2001, President Bill Clinton signed the legislation that created the Carrizo Plain National Monument, a 250,000 acre preserve just to the south and east of California Valley dedicated to the high desert ecosystem, Native American pictographs, and other cultural artifacts. The Goodwin Education Center and two campgrounds are within the monument's boundaries, as is Soda Lake, a usually-dry lake that in winter attracts thousands of Sandhill Cranes. Pronghorn antelope and other wildlife abounds. Visitors can also see graphic evidence of the activity of the San Andreas Fault, one of California's largest and most active earthquake faults.

Over the years, the Carrizo Plain has been home to several solar power plants, none of which are still active. Economics forced their closure; petroleum never reached the high price necessary to make the solar plants profit-making enterprises. However, as gas prices have risen and the cost of solar technology has dropped, it has become a feasible source of power.

Currently, the California Solar Ranch is scheduled to begin producing in late 2010, employing about 700 persons while it is built and about 300 on a permanent basis. These activities have already increased interest in California Valley as a place to visit and live, and as the solar plant begins operations, more people are expected to move to the area.

Water is a major concern in the area, as the water from Soda Lake, when available, is very alkaline and unsuitable to drink. Residents depend on wells; the "good water" area is the land closest to the mountain chain called the Caliente Range (and farthest from Soda Lake). Well water in this area is of good quality and quantity.

California Valley has true seasons. Summer is typically hot, with temperatures frequently getting into the 100°+ range, but cooling off at night. Winter finds occasional snowfalls and subfreezing temperatures. But the most beautiful times of the year are spring, when a magnificent display of wildflowers unfolds for several weeks; and fall, when the weather is picture-perfect.

Property is still mostly in 2.5 acre lots, and is accessible via mostly unpaved but graded and maintained named roads. Electricity and telephone service is available, and cell service is also available (depending on the carrier). Some residents raise horses, goats, sheep, chickens, etc. Others maintain orchards, greenhouses, and row crops. Still others simply enjoy the solitude, clear skies, and good air. Parcels for sale start around $6,000 up to $40,000 or more, depending on the size of the property, improvements included, and water accessibility. Homes sell from $85,000 up.

There is an elementary school in the area (high school students are bused to Atascadero for classes), as well as postal drop box/lock box, a community services district, and a library open one day a week.

I currently have one listing in CA Valley: a 2.5 acre parcel in the "good water" area, reduced to $30,000. Utilities are in and accessible on three sides (must be brought to lot), and a nearby home is selling for over $300,000. Bring your camper, or your tent, and enjoy stargazing, hiking, visiting the national monument, etc.

Wildflower season in CA Valley (foreground)

CA Valley lot for sale