Tehachapi, California

Tehachapi, California
View of wind turbines with Tehachapi in the distance
Nickname: 
The Land of Four Seasons
Location of Tehachapi, California
Tehachapi
Location in California
Tehachapi
Location within the United States
Coordinates: 35°07′56″N 118°26′56″W / 35.13222°N 118.44889°W / 35.13222; -118.44889
Country United States
State California
CountyKern
RegionTehachapi Mountains
Founded1876
IncorporatedAugust 13, 1909
Named afterKawaiisu for "hard climb"
Government
 • TypeCouncil-manager
 • MayorJoan Pogon-Cord
 • Mayor Pro TemJeanette Pauer
 • City council membersMichael Davies
Phil Smith
Hannah Chung
 • City ManagerGreg Garrett
Area
 • City
10.35 sq mi (26.81 km2)
 • Land10.25 sq mi (26.56 km2)
 • Water0.097 sq mi (0.25 km2)  0.93%
Elevation
3,970 ft (1,210 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • City
12,939
 • Estimate 
(2024)
11,114
 • Density1,262/sq mi (487.1/km2)
 • Urban
17,298
Time zoneUTC−8 (Pacific)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−7 (PDT)
ZIP Code
93561
Area code661
FIPS code06-78092
GNIS feature IDs1652798, 2412041
Websiteliveuptehachapi.com
Reference no.643

Tehachapi (/təˈhæəpi/ ; Kawaiisu: Tihachipia, meaning "hard climb") is a city in Kern County, California, United States, in the Tehachapi Mountains, at an elevation of 3,970 feet (1,210 m), between the San Joaquin Valley and the Mojave Desert. Tehachapi is 35 miles (56 km) east-southeast of Bakersfield, and 20 miles (32 km) west of Mojave. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10 square miles (26 km2). As of the 2020 census, Tehachapi had a population of 12,939. The Tehachapi area is known for the nearby Tehachapi Loop (a popular railfan site), the Pacific Crest Trail and for the favorable weather conditions for the aerial sport of gliding.