Just a short hour and a half drive from the SCV, off Route 58, is a little town known as Tehachapi. Sitting at an elevation of 4,000 feet, it only took but one visit to fall in love with all the city had to offer and a few more visits thereafter to discover the true beauty of this hidden gem.
While the name may have originated from the Kawaiisu Native American tribe who called Tehachapi Valley their home for thousands of years, its name became official in 1876.
The same year, the engineering marvel, the Tehachapi Loop, was opened. Take a short scenic drive to the world famous marvel and watch the trains wind up the .73-mile spiral grade. In 1998, the Loop, which derives its name from the circular route it takes, was named a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark and is now a California Historical Landmark.
Tehachapi’s unique environment makes it a desirable place for a getaway. Take a stroll through downtown and visit the Historic Railroad Depot Museum, shops and galleries and experience life a little less rushed. The residents are friendly and make you feel as warm and welcome as if you lived there. “Our town is one of the best ambassadors for our community, and we are really proud to live here,” states Michelle Vance, Community Outreach Coordinator for the City of Tehachapi.
Surrounded by agriculture and wind energy, the Tehachapi area is home to the largest wind resource area in the state of California. Take a self-guided tour through Tehachapi’s wind farm and discover its role in the global wind industry.
Over 45 restaurants make their home in the Tehachapi area. From diners and bakeries, to pubs and coffeehouses, there’s something for everyone. For the new contemporary tastes of a German bakery, follow the aroma of freshly baked goods to Kohnen’s Country Bakery. Complete with old world charm, everything is baked from scratch daily.
Just a short drive west and you will be enchanted with the finest of local wines. Home of the High Mountain Zin, visit the award winning Souza Family Vineyard, otherwise known as Tuscany in Tehachapi. On a slope below an isolated ridge of 220 million year old rocks from the Triassic Period lies the Triassic Legacy Vineyards, featuring unique soil conditions found almost nowhere on earth. Visit and experience the feeling for yourself and enjoy a relaxing afternoon with a beautiful view and fine wine at this one-of-a-kind vineyard.
Tehachapi is also home to the Tehachapi Mountain Festival®, a tradition that has been going on for over half a century. The festival includes an Arts & Crafts Show, food, live entertainment, carnival, car show, parade and much more. Dust off those cowboy boots and head to the rodeo as the PRCA Rodeo also comes to town, providing edge of your seat rodeo action! The 51st Annual Tehachapi Mountain Festival® will take place on August 16 and August 17. Visit www.tehachapimountainfestival.com for more information.
New to Tehachapi is the much anticipated Tehachapi GranFondo which will take place September 13. For all you cyclists, the GranFondo is a long distance, mass start road cycling event, with four rides varying in distance to choose from. “The Tehachapi GranFondo ride is expected to attract 600 cyclists and thousands of spectators,” states Michelle. “The event itself is pretty amazing, but to be able to ride through our beautiful mountain town will be even more awesome.”
With much to do and much to see, this small mountain community offers places to play and places to stay, making it the perfect weekend getaway for families, couples and the adventurous. The town’s motto, We Live Up, certainly lives up to its charm.
For more information about the City of Tehachapi, visit www.VisitTehachapi.com.
photos courtesy City of Tehachapi