granite. Other than the main roads, the only maintained roads are those with homes on them. Roads are frequently maintained only up to residential driveways. Blue "No Services" signs are posted at major intersections leading into the California Valley area. No gas stations exist in the California Valley area. The nearest gasoline stations are in Taft/Maricopa, Atascadero/Santa Margarita, and on the outskirts of Paso Robles. This has led to stranded travelers on a number of occasions. Tow truck service is available but may be delayed for several hours. Law enforcement is provided by the County Sheriff, but there is no local office or assigned unit. The California Highway Patrol infrequently patrols Highway 58. No medical services (doctors, clinics, hospitals) are available in the California Valley area. Fire and rescue services are provided by San Luis Obispo County Fire Station #42 located at the Community Center. The Station is staffed Tuesday through Thursday. Helicopter MEDEVAC service from Santa Maria and Bakersfield is available, weather permitting. Schools The local school is Carrisa Plains Elementary School, built in 1953, with about 46 students in attendance. The few high school students are bused to Atascadero, California, which had one of the last high school dormitories in California until the 1990s for their use. The nearest community college is in Taft. The nearest four-year university is California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Nearby communities and services The even smaller community of Simmler is about northeast along Highway 58. The Bureau of Land Management operates the Carrizo Plain National Monument Guy L. Goodwin Education Center about south on Soda Lake Road during limited hours for several months of the year. Natural resources and climate California Valley is on the Carrizo Plain, which is an arid grassland. Only limited drinkable groundwater is available. Nearby Soda Lake is an alkali lake and undrinkable. "The future development of California Valley is anticipated to be limited by water availability"—San Luis Obispo County General Plan. Alkaline soils hinder attempts at agricultural development. The Carrizo Plain National Monument, administered by the United States Bureau of Land Management, was established to protect elements of native history and the undeveloped ecology of the southern part of the valley. Industry and uses Most residents are retirees or have other outside incomes. Neighboring ranches raise cattle. Some of the empty residential-zoned lands are used for illegal sheep grazing under contract with the Community Service District.