
California City has one landowners' resort, one PGA golf course, one prison, and one municipal airport. Much of the workforce of Edwards Air Force Base, which is located just to the south of the city, is made up of city residents.
Other major sources of employment include California City Correctional Center, Silver Saddle, Mojave Air and Space Port and its flight test operations, the new Hyundai/Kia Proving Grounds located to its southwest, and nearby cities, such as Tehachapi, Ridgecrest, Boron, Palmdale, and Lancaster.
California City is 65 miles (105 km) southwest of Death Valley National Park.
Typical temperatures range from about 33 °F (1 °C) (average low in December) to about 97 °F (36 °C) (average high in July).