Community Spotlight: Coalinga, CA

Before it became the city known today, Coalinga began as Coaling Station A in 1888, a vital stop for locomotives to refuel with coal. The name “Coalinga” evolved from an abbreviated sign that initially read “Coaling A,” eventually merging into the name we recognize now.

One of the most defining events in Coalinga’s history occurred in 1983, when a powerful 6.5 magnitude earthquake struck the area. The quake caused widespread destruction — over 300 buildings were destroyed and another 700 were severely damaged. In the days following, residents endured several days without access to public utilities, as the community began the road to recovery.

Among Coalinga’s most notable landmarks is Harris Ranch. Established in 1937, the ranch expanded in the 1970s to include a restaurant and inn, making it a key destination along Interstate 5. Today, it stands as California’s largest beef producer and is the third highest-grossing restaurant in the state. Spanning 800 acres and home to over 100,000 cattle, Harris Ranch is also known for supplying hamburger meat to In-N-Out Burger.

Another beloved tradition in Coalinga is the annual Horned Toad Derby, held every Memorial Day weekend. This three-day celebration centers around races featuring horned toads — despite their name, these are actually lizards. The horned toad is also the official mascot of Coalinga High School and was honored with the title of Best High School Mascot in America.

Surrounding the city is the Coalinga Oil Field, the eighth largest in California. Operated primarily by Chevron and Aera Energy, the field contains more than 1,890 wells, highlighting Coalinga’s longstanding ties to the energy industry. Coalinga is also deeply rooted in agriculture, with fertile farmland surrounding the city that supports a variety of crops, including almonds, pistachios, and olives.