Where is Tehachapi, California

Tehachapi is a mountain city in eastern Kern County, California, between the San Joaquin Valley and the Mojave Desert. Located about 35 miles southeast of Bakersfield, the city is known for Tehachapi Mountain Park, the Tehachapi Loop, wind farms, and its high-elevation setting surrounded by oak woodlands and rugged mountain terrain.

Location Map of Tehachapi, Kern County, California

About Map: The map shows the location of Tehachapi in Kern County, in the U.S. state of California.

Tehachapi Map, California

Where is Tehachapi Located?

Tehachapi is a city located in Kern County, California, the United States. It lies in the Tehachapi Mountains of eastern Kern County, about 35 miles southeast of Bakersfield and roughly 40 miles west of Lancaster. Mojave is about 30 miles east, while Arvin is approximately 30 miles northwest of Tehachapi. The city is located at 35.1322° North latitude and 118.4480° West longitude. The 2020 Census recorded 12,643 residents. Tehachapi covers about 10.25 square miles, or approximately 26.55 square kilometers. Its elevation of more than 4,000 feet gives the city a cooler mountain climate than much of the surrounding desert and valley region. The Tehachapi Loop is one of the area's best-known landmarks and is an important engineering feature on the historic railroad route through the mountains. Tehachapi is also surrounded by major wind-energy facilities that take advantage of the area's strong and steady winds. Tehachapi Mountain Park provides hiking, camping, wildlife viewing, and mountain scenery. A unique feature of the city is its location at an important mountain pass connecting the San Joaquin Valley with the Mojave Desert and Southern California.

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Tehachapi City Facts

Distance from Tehachapi, CA to Nearby Cities

• Mojave, CA – 30 miles (48 km)
• Arvin, CA – 30 miles (48 km)
• Bakersfield, CA – 35 miles (56 km)
• Rosamond, CA – 35 miles (56 km)
• California City, CA – 40 miles (64 km)
• Lancaster, CA – 40 miles (64 km)
• Palmdale, CA – 45 miles (72 km)
• Ridgecrest, CA – 70 miles (113 km)
• Santa Clarita, CA – 65 miles (105 km)
• Delano, CA – 60 miles (97 km)
• Wasco, CA – 60 miles (97 km)
• Los Angeles, CA – 115 miles (185 km)
• Ventura, CA – 125 miles (201 km)
• Santa Barbara, CA – 145 miles (233 km)
• Fresno, CA – 145 miles (233 km)
• San Bernardino, CA – 125 miles (201 km)
• Riverside, CA – 130 miles (209 km)
• San Diego, CA – 200 miles (322 km)

Top Attractions in Tehachapi

• Tehachapi Loop – A famous railroad engineering landmark where trains make a gradual loop through the mountains to gain elevation.
• Tehachapi Mountain Park – A nearby recreation area with hiking, camping, picnic areas, and access to the surrounding mountain landscape.
• Tehachapi Museum – A local museum preserving artifacts, photographs, and stories from the city's railroad, ranching, Native American, and pioneer history.
• Tehachapi Wind Farms – Large wind-energy installations surrounding the valley have become a defining feature of the local landscape and renewable-energy history.
• Tehachapi Valley Recreation and Park District – Local parks and recreational facilities provide sports fields, walking areas, playgrounds, and community programs.
• Tehachapi Downtown Historic District – Historic buildings, local businesses, restaurants, and civic landmarks reflect the city's development as a mountain and railroad community.
• Tehachapi Mountain – The surrounding mountain terrain offers scenic drives, hiking, wildlife viewing, and views across the valley.
• Tehachapi Pass – A major transportation corridor linking the Central Valley with the Mojave Desert and Los Angeles Basin.
• Antelope Valley Indian Museum State Historic Park – A nearby historic site preserving Native American artifacts and cultural history from the Antelope Valley region.

Airports Near Tehachapi, California

• Meadows Field Airport (BFL) – 50 miles
• William J. Fox Airfield (WJF) – 45 miles
• General William J. Fox Airfield – 45 miles
• Palmdale Regional Airport (PMD) – 55 miles
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) – 120 miles

Sources:

Population and area data sourced from the United States Census Bureau (2020 Census). General city information referenced from the official Tehachapi city website and local government records.

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