Pixley, Home of the National Wildlife Refuge (Lions Club Pheasant Hunt Goes from Nov. to Dec)

Pixley California Photos and Travel Information

Pixley is located in Kern County in the heart of Central California. In the local vicinity you'll find cities such as Earlimart, Poplar and Tipton, and discover that Pixley's 2600 people easily access Tulare, Visalia, Bakersfield and Hanford by car. Comprised of mostly farming, industry and residential communities, a visit to this region is best served by overnight stays in hotels in Tulare less than 20 miles north (see map below).

Pixley is like other small cities in California. Its downtown area is the heart of its parades and celebrations, and there's a solid sense of community enjoyed through the school system and the Pixley Chamber of Commerce. Located a few minutes south of the world’s largest farm equipment and agricultural show, the World Ag Expo in Tulare, an annual show held in February, Pixley enjoys access to many events and activities in nearby places such as Tulare and Bakersfield.

Locals call Pixley the best kept secret. In a recent survey of Topix on the Internet, we sought information about what people in Pixley like to talk about. The conversation was about a shooting, so like every city, there are some entanglements and accidents, but all in all, the residents seem quite happy with their community.

Hot summers and cool, wet winters with Tule fog are what the Central Valley has a reputation for serving up on visits. A rainy season from November through April provides the needed element to produce healthy crops, the mainstay of this region. While winter temps seldom reach below freezing, they sometimes do at night, which requires careful planning in types of crops grown and seasons to plant them. Agricultural ventures aren't limited to plants, however. Dairy, beef, poultry and other types of food are also raised in this Tulare County region. When visiting, be prepared during the summer months for some temps above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. If driving, keep your coolant current and your bottled water within reach as the heat can cause health issues to those not acclimatized.

Pixley sounds like a fictional city out of Green Acres TV show, but it is for real. It was founded in 1886 by Frank Pixley. He was California State Attorney General. Today as you drive along Highway 99, you'll see a big road sign that welcomes you to Pixley. There's also a water tower with the city name painted in bold letters on it. On the road sign we photographed when passing by, we read that industry is invited, and there's diversified farming. In addition, the Pixley National Wildlife Refuge was touted, and a small side note that Pheasant Hunting season was held in November and December.

The National Wildlife Refuge is certainly an asset of this region, and makes for interesting visits, especially for bird watchers. The refuge spans 6,389 acres and features over 100 bird and 6 reptile species that have been spotted.  Threatened and endangered species include the San Joaquin kit fox, blunt-nosed leopard lizard, Tipton kangaroo rat, and the vernal pool fairy shrimp. The refuge not only contain endangered critters, but remains one of the best examples of   grasslands, vernal pools, and playas that once bordered Tulare Lake. fws.gov/kern/refuges/pixley

While winters do tend to be cool, the refuge's marsh habitat is maintained with impoundments that are diked to provide   food sources for the migratory fowl, and other wildlife. Open daily from dawn to dusk (sunrise to sunset), the ideal time to visit is October through March. Waterfowl hunting is permitted with license on Wednesdays & Saturdays in the months of October through January, on Wednesdays and Saturdays.