Wasco, CA Real Estate

The colorful crops of roses that surround Wasco alternate between red, pink and white. Like field of stripes, the roses are nestled in the Central Valley amid the many other agricultural fields that surround the city: picturesque orchards filled with almonds and pistachios, neat rows of grapes, sugar beets and other varieties of fruits and veggies, and the stark white fields of cotton set the background for beautiful Wasco, the “Rose Capital of the World.” More than half of all the roses in the country are grown in and around Wasco; more than nine major companies are responsible for the growth of over 50 million plants in the area.

The city was incorporated in 1945 after an early settler determined that the city’s name should be changed to Wasco from Deweyville because Deweyville was already taken. The settler, William Bonham, was from Wasco County, Oregon.

The city’s largest festival is, appropriately, the Festival of Roses. The event begins when a local high school student is presented with a cluster of home grown roses and a crown, the fruits of a judicial committee that screens students and selects the city’s Rose Queen for that year. An evening wine reception pairs easily with an art showing. Locals crowd the local church to enjoy a pancake breakfast the day of the carnival and parade.

With over 3,000 residential lots under development, the city has seen immense growth over the last years and is slated as one of the fastest growing areas in Kern County. Wasco State Prison employs over 1400 people; other major employers are Jackson and Perkins, rose growers, and the city’s school districts.

Reasonable housing prices in conjunction with affordable land have ensured that Wasco residents have a number of options to choose from. Retail opportunities are endless; just 23 miles outside of Bakersfield the city is in close proximity to the entire city’s myriad of offerings, including the expansive Valley Plaza Mall.

Wasco is served by the Wasco Union Elementary School District and the Wasco Union High School District. With four elementary schools and two high schools located within the city, residents have a number of educational options, including two private schools. The district strives to ensure that the schools are meeting the needs of the children, academically, socially and physically.

Aesthetics are only one of Wasco’s many attributes. Vibrant festivals and a friendly community atmosphere make Wasco beautiful in and out.