Lebec Living – Beautiful. Rugged. Relaxed.
Lebec offers residents a serene countryside atmosphere dotted with ancient California oak trees and horse ranches ringed by white rail fences. The town is nestled in the panoramic Grapevine Pass providing residents with outstanding views of the pristine 270,000 acre Tejon Ranch, Castac Lake, and the surrounding Los Padres National Forest.
Lebec is a low-key community with a relaxed atmosphere that celebrates rural living and outdoor activity. The town is primarily made up of five canyons -- Los Padres Estates, O’Neill Canyon, Digier Canyon, Clear Canyon, and Chimney Canyon. Wildlife is abundant in the canyons during the spring, summer, and into the fall months – California quail, mule deer, bobcats, jays, blue birds, hawks, owls, cotton tail and jack rabbit are just part of the Lebec landscape.
Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate the close proximity to the Los Padres National Forest for hiking, biking, 4x4 recreation, horseback riding, winter sports, and enjoying the natural unspoiled beauty of the area. Mt. Pinos is just minutes away. At 8,700 feet, it offers some of the best cross country skiing in the United States. If you like to go off-road, Los Padres National Forest trail heads are just minutes away and offer some the best mountain scenery in Southern California.
Lebec also borders the 19,000 acre Hungry Valley State SVRA Park with its 130 miles of scenic trails for off-road vehicles. For mountain biking enthusiasts, the 8,000 acre Ballinger Canyon area is especially popular. You'll find 68 miles of routes that vary from sandy washes to ridgeline trails. The relatively dense route network provides many opportunities to make loops of varying dificulty. If you enjoy water sports, own a boat, or like to fish -- Pyramid Lake is a just few minutes south of Lebec on Interstate I-5. In neighboring Lockwood Valley, trails will take you to Piru Creek for fishing, kayaking, and camping.
Lebec residents enjoy a four season climate with average temperatures ranging from 83° during the day to 63° at night in the summer and 55° during the day to 38° at night in winter. Expect mild summer temperatures with breezes during the day and a natural cooling down in the evening hours. At an elevation of 3500 feet, Lebec occasionally receives light snow fall during the winter months.
Lebec is home to approximately 1300 residents. Properties range in size from residential lots to 20-plus acre equestrian ranches. Homes in Lebec range in size from 2-3 bedroom modular residences to sprawling custom built homes. Lebec is part of the unincorporated area of Kern County and is zoned for horses and livestock.
The main roads in Lebec are paved while the majority of residential roads are graded and graveled in keeping with the rural setting and offering opportunities for horseback riding, hiking, and scenic walks. There are no home owner association fees or formal covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs).
Lebec has managed to stave off any large-scale residential developments that resemble so much of Southern California’s urban and suburban environments. The population density in Lebec is extremely low at only 82 people per square mile. The small commercial area of Lebec offers fast-food, fuel, automotive services, and lodging to travelers on Interstate I-5.
Lebec water is delivered fresh from local aquifers and underground mountain springs from the resident-owned municipal water company. You’ll enjoy fresh spring water straight from the source without concerns about industrial and pharmaceutical contaminates in your drinking water.
If you’re looking for a mountain home or equestrian ranch property adjacent to the national forest and close to the Interstate, Lebec is a perfect choice. It’s affordable, rugged, relaxed, and a great place to enjoy the outdoors, nature, and recreational activities.
Map of North Lebec
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Map of South Lebec
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Lebec Area Campgrounds, Hiking, ATV, and 4x4 Trails
Many Los Padres National Forest Campgrounds, hiking and ATV trails are just minutes away including Salt Creek, Cherry Creek, McGill, Mt. Pinos, Chula Vista, Sheep, and Pleito. There are over 30 Los Padres National Forest campgrounds in the area to explore and enjoy on foot, ATV, 4x4, and horseback.
For maps and additional information on campgrounds, hiking and ATV trails in the Lebec area of the Los Padres National Forest, click on the following links.
Los Padres Forest Map — Local & Surrounding Area
Click Here
Los Padres Forest Map — Legend
Click Here
Los Padres National Forest Hiking Trail Information – Local
Click Here
Los Padres National Forest ATV Trail Information – Local
Click Here
Mt. Pinos Ranger Station
Mt. Pinos Ranger District
34580 Lockwood Valley Road
661-245-3731
Lebec History – Fort Tejon. Mule Teams. The Ridge Route.
Lebec was named for Peter Lebeck, the only man of the trapper era to leave a lasting legacy in the San Emigdio Mountains. There has been much speculation about the origins of Mr. Lebeck but the only proven fact is that he died due to an encounter with a Grizzly Bear in the Mexican Province of Alta California on October 17, 1837.
It is apparent that the loss of Peter Lebeck was significant to those who traveled with him. They carefully prepared his grave, at the foot of a proud oak, with a lengthy and time consuming carving in the tree -- doing all in their power to make his final resting place known to future generations. Some stories claim Mr. Lebeck was a Cajun from Louisiana who was sent to California by the new Republic of Texas to encourage trouble between the Indians and Mexico. Other stories refer to Lieutenant Pierre LeBecque from the army of Napoleon.
Following the close of Fort Tejon in 1864, records indicate that a small community of people stayed in the beautiful Castac Lake Valley located at the top of the Grapevine Canyon. Most of these residents were civilian workers living in a small settlement south of the military post. They had turned to farming or working on the neighboring ranches such as the great Tejon Ranch or were trying their luck at mining.
The year 1895 serves as the official beginning of the community of Lebec with the opening of the Lebec Post Office. It was at this location that the community grew as a popular road stop and gathering place for the area residents. A large barn nearby housed the fresh teams of mules for the borax mines in Lockwood Valley. By the turn of the century, horseless carriages would speed through the valley at 30 mph.
The next major influence to the community came with the discovery of the Taft oil fields. Because the oil needed to be transported easily, pipelines were built that went through the mountains and on to San Pedro harbor. Four pumping plants were established between Grapevine Canyon and Lebec. These oil line workers greatly increased the population.
With the paving of the well-known Ridge Route Roadway in 1919, this serene mountain community became a popular travelers stop and summer resort. Auto court cottages were added along the road and in 1921; one of the finest resort hotels in all of California was opened in Lebec. The Hotel Lebec was built by a saloon owner from Bakersfield to resemble a French Chateau and quickly became a playground for Hollywood executives and stars of the time. The Hotel Lebec was a complete gambling venture with a ballroom, hotel rooms and apartments. Clark Gable and his wife Carole Lombard, as well as gangster Benny “Bugsy” Segal, frequented the establishment. In 1925, Jack Dempsey was the first to tee-off at the new Lebec Golf Course located on the shores of Castac Lake.
The increased speed of travel past the little community greatly quieted its growth in the second half of its first century of existence. Lebec, Los Padres Estates and O’Neil Canyon have become tranquil mountain hideaways for commuters to the sprawling urban cities to the north and south.
Lebec did experience one more burst of glory in its first century. In 1991, it became headquarters for the famed artist, Christo, who displayed his work entitled “The Umbrellas, Joint Project for Japan and U.S.A.” along the Ridge Route corridor. Over 1,700 of the twenty foot high yellow umbrellas filled the mountain pass, bringing thousands of visitors to Lebec daily that October.
For more historical information on Lebec, visit the Ridge Route Communities Museum and Historical Society in neighboring Frazier Park or by visiting the following website.
Ridge Route Communities Museum and Historical Society Website
Click Here
Nearby Shopping – You won’t have to travel far.
Lebec may seem remote but all the essentials are nearby. Neighboring Frazier Park offers retail shops, restaurants, markets, gas, hardware stores, a pharmacy, and the personal and professional services you would expect to find in a larger town. The close proximity to Interstate I-5 gives Lebec residents easy access to larger commerce centers in Bakersfield and Valencia.
A few minutes west, you’ll find the Pine Mountain Village with restaurants, a bakery, coffee house, gym, Pilate’s studio, hardware store, grocery and general store, gift shops and specialty stores, salons, and other personal and professional services. For more information on the businesses and services available in the mountain area, click on Local Business Directory.
Lebec Area Schools
For families with children, Lebec is part of the El Tejon School District which covers a wide area including: Frazier Park, Lake of the Woods, Lockwood Valley, Piñon Pines, Cuddy Valley, and Pine Mountain Club. School bus service is provided to Lebec. For more information on Lebec area schools and the El Tejon School District, visit the following websites.
Average Temperatures
Spring |
65/48 |
Summer |
84/63 |
Fall |
70/55 |
Winter |
50/38 |
Area Information
Population: |
Approximately 1300 |
Elevation: |
3500-4000 feet. |
Snowfall: |
From ½ inch to 2 feet approximately 3 times a year |
Roads: |
Paved main roads maintained by Kern County. Residential roads are graded, graveled, and privately maintained. |
Utility Information
Utilities: |
Water, power, phone and cable to each property. |
Television: |
Cable and Satellite. |
Internet: |
High Speed Wireless to most areas, Cable, Satellite, and DSL in some areas. |
Sewage: |
Septic System |
Gas: |
Southern California Gas Company. Individual propane tanks on some properties. |
Water: |
From local underground springs and aquifers. Resident managed municipal water company. |
Public Services
Emergency
Medical: |
Private Ambulance Service. Two medical clinics. One new facility in Lebec and one in downtown Frazier Park. Major medical centers in Bakersfield and Valencia. |
Fire: |
Kern County Fire Department station located in Lebec. Los Padres National Forest Fire Service located minutes away in Frazier Park Lake water available for extraction on Tejon Ranch in Lebec. |
Police: |
Kern County Sheriffs Department services the area. Substation located in Frazier Park. CHP substation located in Lebec. |
Schools: |
El Tejon School District. Elementary through High School in Frazier Park and Lebec. Pine Mountain Charter School is located in Pine Mountain Club. School bus service is provided by the district. |
Churches: |
There are many denominations in the area. See Local Directory under "Churches" |
Cities Nearby:
Valencia
Santa Clarita Valley: |
Distance—40 miles. For more information about, Valencia click the link below. |
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Bakersfield
San Joaquin Valley: |
Distance—40 miles. For more information about Bakersfield, click the link below. |
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Airports
Meadows Field
Bakersfield (BFL): |
Distance—45 miles. Nonstop flights to Denver, Los Angeles, Phoenix and San Francisco and one-stop service to hundreds of domestic and international destinations. The new William M. Thomas Air Terminal at Meadows Field is now open.
Visit the Meadows Field Airport Website by clicking the link below.
Click Here |
Bob Hope Airport
Burbank (BUR): |
Distance—60 miles. Nonstop flights to destinations throughout the United States. Served by most major carriers. One stop service to hundreds of international destinations.
Visit the Bob Hope Website by clicking the link below.
Click Here |
Los Angeles International
(LAX): |
Distance—74 miles. Nonstop flights to cities all over the World. Visit the Los Angeles Airport Website by clicking the link below.
Click Here |
Map of Lebec in Relation to Airports
Click to Enlarge
Approximate Travel Times from Lebec
Los Angeles: |
60 minutes |
Bakersfield: |
40 minutes |
Santa Clarita: |
40 minutes |
Lancaster/Palmdale: |
40/60 minutes |
Santa Maria: |
90 minutes |
Ventura: |
90 minutes |
Santa Barbara: |
2 hours |
Pismo Beach: |
90 minutes |
San Luis Obispo: |
90 minutes |
Directions to Lebec – A scenic drive from any direction.
Regional Map
Click to Enlarge
From Interstate I-5 to Lebec
From either direction on I-5, take the Frazier Mountain Park Road Exit (205). Turn Right and travel north on Lebec Road. You can enter into each of the five Lebec canyons along Lebec Road as it winds its way across the I-5 on to the Tejon Ranch and back over I-5 to Fort Tejon and Digier Canyon.
To reach our office, continue west on Frazier Mountain Park Road after exiting I-5. It will transition to Cuddy Valley Road. Bear right onto Mil Potrero Highway and drive 6 miles into Pine Mountain. Pine Mountain Village is on the left. You will see the Village Center sign at the corner of Mil Potrero Highway and Freeman Drive. Turn left on Freeman Drive and turn right on Pine Valley Lane into the Center. Continue on Pine Valley Lane until you see the Jennings Realty sign on the right.
From the California Coast & 101 Freeway
From either direction on the 101 Freeway, take the CA-166 exit. Take CA-166 east for approximately 70 miles. Turn right onto Cerro Noroeste Road and proceed for approximately 25 miles into Pine Mountain Club. Cerro Noroeste Road will become Mi Potrero Hwy. Continue on Mil Potrero Hwy until you reach Cuddy Valley Road. Turn left. Continue on Cuddy Valley Road until it transitions into Frazier Park Road. Follow Frazier Park Road to Lebec Road and turn left. You can enter into each of the five Lebec canyons along Lebec Road as it winds its way across the I-5 on to the Tejon Ranch and back over I-5 to Fort Tejon and Digier Canyon.
To reach our office, follow the same directions above. When you reach the Village Center in Pine Mountain Club, continue past the Center and turn right on Freeman Drive. Turn right on Pine Valley Lane into the Center. Continue on Pine Valley Lane until you see the Jennings Realty sign on the right.
Stop by the office and say hello or call me and let me know when you’ll be visiting the area. It would be my pleasure to take you on a personal tour of the Lebec canyons.
Lebec Homes and Land for Sale – See every property listed in the MLS.
For more information on Lebec real estate, Lebec home prices, and available Lebec homes and land for sale, follow the link below to search our listings in Lebec and the official Multiple Listing Service (MLS) that includes Lebec property listings from all local real estate offices.
Search Lebec Homes and Land for Sale
Click Here
For More information
If you have any questions about Lebec or would like more information on a Lebec property you see during your real estate search here or anywhere on the Internet, it would be my pleasure to assist you.
Credits
Bonnie Ketterl Kane. A View from The Ridge Route.
Our special thanks to Bonnie Ketterl Kane and the Ridge Route Communities Museum and Historical Society for providing information on the history of this community.
