Eastern California is a region defined as either the strip to the east of the crest of the Sierra Nevada or as the easternmost counties of California.

Demographics

According to the 2020 census, the population of the eastern border counties of California was 5,575,577. However, 4,599,839 (82.5%) lived in San Bernardino and Riverside counties, which are geographically very large and whose populations are concentrated near Los Angeles and Orange counties to the southwest.

Culture and history

Eastern California's history differs significantly from that of the coastal regions and the Central Valley. Northeastern California is very sparsely populated (except for the area around Lake Tahoe): the three least-populated counties of California lie in the northeast. The area tends to be politically conservative, much like the rest of the rural Western United States. However, the counties of San Bernardino and Riverside form the 13th-largest metropolitan area of the United States, and El Dorado and Placer Counties are part of the Greater Sacramento area Residents of an area near Susanville, California tried to break away from the state in 1856, first by declaring themselves part of the Nataqua Territory and then through annexation to Nevada. The two states further squabbled over ownership of Susanville in 1863. The town of Aurora, Nevada, was temporarily the county seat of both Mono County, California, and Esmeralda County, Nevada. Finally, the line between the two states was settled by a survey in 1892. Over time, droughts and wildfires have increased in frequency and become less seasonal and more year-round, further straining the region's water security.

There are many unique historical aspects of Eastern California including the Manzanar internment camp and the historical Carson and Colorado Railway.

Geography

The easternmost counties of California are (from north to south):

  • Modoc County
  • Lassen County
  • Plumas County
  • Sierra County
  • Nevada County
  • Placer County
  • El Dorado County
  • Alpine County
  • Mono County
  • Inyo County
  • San Bernardino County
  • Riverside County
  • Imperial County

Major cities within this region (listed by population) include Riverside, San Bernardino, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Roseville, Corona, Victorville, Temecula, Indio, Hemet, Palm Springs, El Centro, Calexico, Barstow, South Lake Tahoe, Blythe, Susanville, Truckee, Grass Valley, Auburn, Placerville, Mammoth Lakes, Needles, Bishop, and Alturas.

Cities larger than 50,000 population

The following incorporated places have a population of 50,000 or greater, according to the 2020 census:

Placer County

  • Roseville: 147,773
  • Rocklin: 71,601

San Bernardino County

  • Apple Valley: 75,791
  • Chino: 91,403
  • Chino Hills: 78,411
  • Colton: 53,909
  • Fontana: 208,393
  • Hesperia: 99,818
  • Highland: 56,999
  • Ontario: 175,265
  • Rancho Cucamonga: 174,453
  • Redlands: 73,168
  • Rialto: 104,026
  • San Bernardino: 222,101
  • Upland: 79,040
  • Victorville: 134,810
  • Yucaipa: 54,542

Riverside County

  • Beaumont: 53,036
  • Cathedral City: 51,493
  • Corona: 157,136
  • Eastvale: 69,757
  • Hemet: 89,833
  • Indio: 89,137
  • Jurupa Valley: 105,053
  • Lake Elsinore: 70,265
  • Menifee: 102,527
  • Moreno Valley: 208,634
  • Murrieta: 110,949
  • Palm Desert: 51,163
  • Perris: 78,700
  • Riverside: 314,998
  • San Jacinto: 53,898
  • Temecula: 110,003

Geology

thumb|right|Sand dunes in [[Death Valley]]

Because Eastern California is generally in the rain shadow of the Sierra Nevada or the Transverse Ranges, the climate is extremely dry and can be considered a desert. Indeed, the hottest and lowest area in North America lies in Death Valley, in the heart of Eastern California.

Geologically, Eastern California is mostly part of the Basin and Range Province, marked by crustal extension, with horsts and grabens. Volcanism is also evident in this region.

Climate

The majority of Eastern California experiences two seasons, a long, dry summer and a milder winter in which the rain is concentrated. Most higher elevations experience four distinct seasons. There are some areas where the weather is very diverse. The Sierra Nevada mountain range has larger amounts of snowfall, while the Imperial Valley has more arid conditions. The Sierra Nevada's average temperature is around and the Imperial Valley is on average . A record-breaking heat temperature was recorded in Death Valley, at on July 10, 1913.

With its low and often sporadic rainfall, California is susceptible to drought, and in many parts of the state including Eastern California, there is very high fire danger and there have been several devastating wildfires. When California became a state, it was one of the leading producers of these timber and forest products. Since then, it has held the third place for the top producer of softwoods since the 1940s. In California there were five counties that contributed to 55 percent of the wood harvested for the state. One of those counties, Plumas, is located in Eastern California.

Transportation

Major highways

thumb|right|upright=1.2|Map of El Dorado County in Northern California

thumb|right|View from State Route 158

  • Modoc County
  • 25px|link= |alt= U.S. Route 395
  • 25px|link= |alt= State Route 139
  • 25px|link= |alt= State Route 299
  • Lassen County
  • 25px|link= |alt= U.S. Route 395
  • 20px|link= |alt= State Route 36
  • 20px|link= |alt= State Route 44
  • 25px|link= |alt= State Route 139
  • 25px|link= |alt= State Route 299
  • Plumas County
  • 20px State Route 36
  • 20px State Route 49
  • 20px State Route 70
  • 20px State Route 89
  • 25px State Route 284
  • Sierra County
  • 25px U.S. Route 395
  • 20px Interstate 80
  • 20px State Route 49
  • 20px State Route 89
  • Nevada County
  • 20px Interstate 80
  • 20px State Route 20
  • 20px State Route 49
  • 20px State Route 89
  • 25px State Route 174
  • Placer County
  • 20px Interstate 80
  • 20px State Route 28
  • 20px State Route 49
  • 20px State Route 65
  • 20px State Route 89
  • 25px State Route 174
  • 25px State Route 267
  • El Dorado County
  • 20px|link= |alt= U.S. Route 50
  • 20px|link= |alt= State Route 49
  • 20px|link= |alt= State Route 89
  • 25px|link= |alt= State Route 193
  • Luther Pass
  • Alpine County
  • 20px|link= |alt= State Route 4
  • 20px|link= |alt= State Route 88
  • 20px|link= |alt= State Route 89
  • Mono County
  • 20px U.S. Route 6
  • 25px U.S. Route 395
  • 25px State Route 108
  • 25px State Route 120
  • 25px State Route 158
  • 25px State Route 167
  • 25px State Route 182
  • 25px State Route 270
  • Inyo County
  • 20px U.S. Route 6
  • 25px U.S. Route 395
  • 25px State Route 127
  • 25px State Route 136
  • 25px State Route 168
  • 25px State Route 178
  • 25px State Route 190
  • San Bernardino County
  • Riverside County
  • 20px U.S. Route 95
  • 20px Historic U.S. Route 99
  • 20px Historic U.S. Route 395
  • 20px State Route 60
  • 20px State Route 62
  • 20px State Route 71
  • 20px State Route 74
  • 20px State Route 78
  • 20px State Route 79
  • 20px State Route 86
  • 20px State Route 91
  • 25px State Route 111
  • 25px State Route 177
  • 25px State Route 243
  • 25px State Route 371

Educational institutions

thumb|right|upright=2|Students at [[Deep Springs College driving cattle]]

Private institutions

  • William Jessup University
  • Brandman University
  • National University (campuses in Ontario and San Bernardino)
  • Deep Springs College
  • Loma Linda University
  • University of Redlands

Community colleges

  • Lassen Community College
  • Feather River College
  • Sierra College
  • Folsom Lake College
  • Lake Tahoe Community College
  • Cerro Coso Community College
  • Palo Verde Community College
  • Barstow Community College
  • Chaffey College
  • Copper Mountain College
  • Crafton Hills College
  • San Bernardino Valley College
  • University of La Verne
  • Victor Valley College
  • Mt. San Jacinto College
  • College of the Desert

Public institutions

  • California State University, San Bernardino
  • University of California, Riverside

National Parks

thumb|Mount Lassen

Source:

  • Death Valley National Park
  • Lassen National Park
  • Lava Beds National Monument
  • Devils Postpile
  • Manzanar
  • Mojave National Preserve
  • Old Spanish National Historic Trail
  • Tule Lake Unit, World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument
  • Joshua Tree National Park

See also

  • Deserts of California

References

Further reading