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Whats the largest U.S. city below sea level? El Centro, CA lays claim to one of the very lowest elevations in America.
The county seat of California’s Imperial County, El Centro, or "the center," is an agricultural hub, producing lettuce, onions, alfalfa, dates, carrots, tomatoes, and more on the fertile lands surrounding it
View El Centro City GuideWhats the largest U.S. city below sea level? El Centro, CA lays claim to one of the very lowest elevations in America.
The county seat of California’s Imperial County, El Centro, or "the center," is an agricultural hub, producing lettuce, onions, alfalfa, dates, carrots, tomatoes, and more on the fertile lands surrounding it
Whats the largest U.S. city below sea level? El Centro, CA lays claim to one of the very lowest elevations in America.
The county seat of California’s Imperial County, El Centro, or "the center," is an agricultural hub, producing lettuce, onions, alfalfa, dates, carrots, tomatoes, and more on the fertile lands surrounding it. Surrounded by many thousands of farmland acres, this is one of the single most highly productive farming regions in the State of California. In fact, crop production totals over $1 billion dollars yearly. That’s a lot of lettuce. Over 48 percent of all residents work in farming. Along with agriculture, the U.S. Border Patrol is one of the main employers in this region. Sunny and hot, the many farm fields, sand dunes, and desert areas near the city provide great recreational adventures for off-roading, hiking, and exploration. These dunes are also popular in Hollywood, serving as the backdrop for films ranging from Star Wars to the Scorpion King. Located just across the border from Mexico, El Centro is an easy jumping off place to head south of the border.
Rental Tips
Vacancies are not hard to find in El Centro, so you can look for a new home with a short lead time quite successfully. Note that the town’s economy is at least partially seasonal, based on farming.Whether youre looking for modern housing on the edge of the desert, or inexpensive properties adjacent to the city center or agricultural work, El Centro offers relatively low cost housing compared to much of Southern California. Imperial Valley Community College, as well as an extension of San Diego State University in nearby Calexico, CA, provide a variety of college degree options.
Drive, She Said
With three main highways, Interstate 8 and State Routes 86 and 111, intersecting in town, its hardly surprising that the main means of transportation is the automobile. There is public transportation provided by Imperial Valley Transit throughout town. Rail lines offer shipping for the produce of the region.City residents have a short commute to work -- on average spending less than 18 minutes to get to their jobs.
N Imperial Ave/Adams Ave: This neighborhood features a mix of apartment homes and apartment complexes, as well as mobile homes. Residents here are primarily of Hispanic heritage, and many work in agriculture.The pocket-friendly rental prices make this area good for tighter budgets.
Route 86/Wake: Here your apartment search will turn up primarily apartment homes, many in the three and four bedroom range. From the just-getting-tall palm trees to the fresh paint on the front doors, youll find many homes built after 2000. Rentals here are lower than in much of Southern California, so be sure to move quickly!
City Center: Small studio apartments or large single family homes are joined by apartment complexes and high rises here. Many of the properties are older, built from 1940 to 1999. Youll find your towering date palms here, as well as proximity to shops, small ethnic restaurants, and services.
Sunshine City
Over 40,000 residents enjoy the nearly ever-present sunshine in this southeastern part of Imperial County. "Snowbirds," or tourists from cold climates looking for winter warmth, flock to the area for extended stays, many in RV homes. While the temperatures can soar in the summer, El Centro has pleasant springs, falls, and winters. The Chamber of Commerce motto "Where the Sun Spends the Winter," is apt. The city on average has 350 sunny days, with rainfall under 3 inches yearly.
Flying High
Get out the binoculars and turn your eyes to the sky. Just west of town is the winter residence of Navy pilots the Blue Angels. Begun in 1946, the Blue Angels Air Show is an annual attraction held every March, showcasing aerial stunts and break-neck speed.
A different kind of bird is found -- 400 species in fact -- at the Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge. Part of the Pacific Flyway migratory route, you can see the most winged wonders November through May.
Mexican Flair
Many of the towns residents are Hispanic and speak Spanish as their primary language. Its no wonder that the two international border crossings nearby are both necessary to handle commercial and non-commercial traffic. Get ready for the scent of fresh tortillas, and the bite of chili. In September, the entire town turns out to enjoy the El Grito de Independencia & Taco Cook-Off. Save room for local specialties like carne asada burritos and deep fried quesadillas.
Camacho’s Place, serving Mexican food family style since 1949, is a fixture. A cross pollination of Southwest and authentic Mexican fare gives this region a unique and delicious cuisine. Dieters will need to put their salads aside for at least a taste.
Theres Nothing Wrong with Being Sandy
Want to drive a dune buggy through the same terrain Luke Skywalker traversed? Well you can. Near the city, youll find the Algodones Dunes, which is the largest dune field in the states. Off-road driving enthusiasts swarm to the region, and if youve never experienced a full moon rising over acres of soft white sand, well, this is the place to do it. The Salton Sea is an enormous and salty inland body of water, formed after a 1905 flood from the Colorado River. While the beach is not a sunbather's dream, the reflection of nearby hills in the generally calm water is visually stunning. Boat ramps allow launching of pleasure craft and fishing boats. Nearby, the Salton Sea mud pots are bubbling reminders of the region's geothermal activity.And what about Luke? Well, this area is a filming hot spot, and Mr. Skywalker drove here.
Sports Center
The city’s Stark Field houses a well regarded minor league baseball team, the El Centro Imperials. Just 50 miles east, the Colorado River offers boating, water skiing, swimming, and other water-based play. More activities abound, such as a holiday tree lighting and street fair in December, a February Mardi Gras light parade and festival, and in the same month, the tongue-in-cheek sports classic, Le Tour de Manure Bike Ride. This annual event is a 50-mile bike ride through Imperial Valley. Want to catch a flick? One of the last drive-in movie theaters in the U.S is located just outside town at the Motor Vu Drive In.
Catfish Got Y our Tongue?
The irrigation canals surrounding the city are stocked with catfish and striped bass. Fishing without benefit of a lake, river, or sea? Check. If youd rather head to bigger waters, theres Sunbeam Lake or the Sperber Reservoir, which also allow angling.
Frog-gigging
Frog legs are on many a dinner table. Feel like hopping to this dish? Theres no seasonal limit on catching the region's copious frogs. Ribbit, ribbit.
