Ocotillo Wells, California

{{Short description|Unincorporated community in California, United States}} {{Use American English|date=July 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}

{{Infobox settlement |name = Ocotillo Wells |official_name = |settlement_type = Unincorporated community |nickname = |motto =

|subdivision_type = Country |subdivision_name = {{USA}} |subdivision_type1 = State |subdivision_name1 = {{flag|California}} |subdivision_type2 = County |subdivision_name2 = San Diego

|population_as_of = 2000 |population_footnotes = |population_total = |population_density_km2 = auto

|timezone = Pacific (PST) |utc_offset = -8 |timezone_DST = PDT |utc_offset_DST = -7 |elevation_footnotes = |elevation_ft = |coordinates = {{coord|33|08|40|N|116|08|03|W|type:landmark_region:US_source:GNIS|display=inline,title}}

|postal_code_type = ZIP codes |postal_code = 92004 |area_code = 760 |blank_name = FIPS code |blank_info = |blank1_name = GNIS feature ID |blank1_info = |website = |footnotes = }} '''Ocotillo Wells''' is an unincorporated community in San Diego County, California, United States. It is {{convert|3|mi}} west of the Imperial County line on California State Route 78 at an elevation of {{convert|163|ft|m}}. The name became official in 1962 when it was adopted for federal use by the US Board on Geographic Names. A federally recognized variant name, ''Ocotillo'', can cause confusion with the community of Ocotillo, California, in Imperial County, {{cvt|29|mi}} to the south on Interstate 8.

The ZIP Code is 92004 and the community is in area code 760. The number prefix for wired telephones is 767, which is shared with Borrego Springs.

==Local landmarks== Ocotillo Airport has two dirt runways.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airport-data.com/airport/L90/ |title=Ocotillo Airport (L90) Information |publisher=Airport-Data.com}}</ref> Runway extents are marked by white paving blocks. The Los Puertecitos Historic Site is on California State Route 78 about {{convert|1.5|mi|km}} west of the community.<ref>"Borrego Mountain, California", 7.5-minute quadrangle (map), US Geological Survey, 1960.</ref> Gasoline is available in Borrego Springs ({{convert|17|mi|disp=or|abbr=on}} west), in Westmorland ({{convert|18|mi|disp=or|abbr=on}} east) and at the Blu-In Cafe ({{convert|3|mi|km|disp=or|abbr=on}} east). Gas sales resumed at the Blu-In as of 10/31/24.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.instagram.com/p/DBzC4QEJXtL/?img_index=1 | title=Instagram }}</ref>

Several other small businesses sell off-road accessories and rent all-terrain vehicles. Most businesses in the area are closed during the summer months. My Desert Rose, which was a traditional restaurant located at the intersection of State Route 78 and Split Mountain Road, burned down in 2008.{{Citation needed|date=March 2021}}

thumb|left|Iron Door bar and restaurant thumb|left|Letterboxes in the desert near Ocotillo Wells

The Split Mountain Store and the Iron Door are located about {{convert|1|mi|abbr=out}} south of State Route 78 on Split Mountain Road. Both of these businesses are open part-time during the summer and full-time during the cooler months. The Split Mountain Store stocks groceries, beer, and parts for sand buggies and trucks. The Iron Door, a small bar, has two pool tables and serves beer, wine and some food. Local artifacts are on display in the bar, where several layers of decorated dollar bills are stapled to the walls.{{relevance inline|date=March 2021}}

==Climate== Ocotillo Wells has a hot desert climate (Köppen climate classification: ''BWh'') with short, mild winters and long, extremely hot summers. {{Weather box | location = Ocotillo Wells, California (normals 2003–2020, extremes 2003–present) | single line = Y | collapsed = Y | Jan record high F = 88 | Feb record high F = 92 | Mar record high F = 101 | Apr record high F = 108 | May record high F = 115 | Jun record high F = 124 | Jul record high F = 122 | Aug record high F = 122 | Sep record high F = 121 | Oct record high F = 112 | Nov record high F = 99 | Dec record high F = 89 | year record high F = | Jan avg record high F = 80.1 | Feb avg record high F = 83.2 | Mar avg record high F = 93.8 | Apr avg record high F = 101.0 | May avg record high F = 106.4 | Jun avg record high F = 115.4 | Jul avg record high F = 117.6 | Aug avg record high F = 116.2 | Sep avg record high F = 112.1 | Oct avg record high F = 102.1 | Nov avg record high F = 90.8 | Dec avg record high F = 79.3 | year avg record high F = 119.0 | Jan high F = 68.8 | Feb high F = 73.1 | Mar high F = 79.6 | Apr high F = 85.7 | May high F = 93.7 | Jun high F = 102.3 | Jul high F = 108.1 | Aug high F = 107.8 | Sep high F = 101.9 | Oct high F = 90.7 | Nov high F = 78.6 | Dec high F = 68.2 | year high F = 88.2 | Jan mean F = 58.8 | Feb mean F = 62.4 | Mar mean F = 68.7 | Apr mean F = 73.6 | May mean F = 81.4 | Jun mean F = 88.9 | Jul mean F = 95.7 | Aug mean F = 95.7 | Sep mean F = 89.9 | Oct mean F = 79.1 | Nov mean F = 67.1 | Dec mean F = 57.6 | year mean F = 76.6 | Jan low F = 48.7 | Feb low F = 51.8 | Mar low F = 57.8 | Apr low F = 61.4 | May low F = 69.2 | Jun low F = 75.5 | Jul low F = 83.3 | Aug low F = 83.5 | Sep low F = 77.9 | Oct low F = 67.5 | Nov low F = 55.7 | Dec low F = 47.0 | year low F = 64.9 | Jan avg record low F = 36.7 | Feb avg record low F = 39.9 | Mar avg record low F = 45.3 | Apr avg record low F = 50.2 | May avg record low F = 56.7 | Jun avg record low F = 65.1 | Jul avg record low F = 74.8 | Aug avg record low F = 73.8 | Sep avg record low F = 66.3 | Oct avg record low F = 55.5 | Nov avg record low F = 43.9 | Dec avg record low F = 36.2 | year avg record low F = 33.6 | Jan record low F = 27 | Feb record low F = 28 | Mar record low F = 39 | Apr record low F = 45 | May record low F = 51 | Jun record low F = 60 | Jul record low F = 71 | Aug record low F = 67 | Sep record low F = 59 | Oct record low F = 39 | Nov record low F = 36 | Dec record low F = 32 | year record low F = | precipitation colour = green | Jan precipitation inch = 0.68 | Feb precipitation inch = 0.81 | Mar precipitation inch = 0.54 | Apr precipitation inch = 0.13 | May precipitation inch = 0.03 | Jun precipitation inch = trace | Jul precipitation inch = 0.28 | Aug precipitation inch = 0.37 | Sep precipitation inch = 0.26 | Oct precipitation inch = 0.25 | Nov precipitation inch = 0.19 | Dec precipitation inch = 0.49 | year precipitation inch = 4.03 | unit precipitation days = 0.01 in | Jan precipitation days = 2.2 | Feb precipitation days = 2.3 | Mar precipitation days = 1.1 | Apr precipitation days = 0.6 | May precipitation days = 0.2 | Jun precipitation days = 0.1 | Jul precipitation days = 0.9 | Aug precipitation days = 0.9 | Sep precipitation days = 0.9 | Oct precipitation days = 0.4 | Nov precipitation days = 1.0 | Dec precipitation days = 2.1 | year precipitation days = 15.1 | source 1 = NOAA<ref name = NOAA>{{cite web |url=https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=sgx |title=NOWData - NOAA Online Weather Data |publisher=NOAA |accessdate=June 11, 2022 |archive-date=April 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210426005251/https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=sgx |url-status=dead }}</ref> }}

==Education== There are no schools in Ocotillo Wells. The community is served by the Borrego Springs Unified School District.{{Citation needed|date=March 2021}}

[[Image:OcotilloWellsBlowsand.jpg|thumb|right|Blowsand is a popular attraction at Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Areathumb|Wind Caves' south-west view of the East Mesa of Sandstone Mountains]]

==Off-road recreation== The California Department of Parks and Recreation operates the '''Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area''' which borders the community. This off-road vehicle area is part of the department's Southern Division, Ocotillo Wells District which is headquartered in Borrego Springs.<ref>"Parks and Recreation, Department of", ''State of California 1998 Telephone Directory,'' (Sacramento, California: Department of General Services, 1998).</ref>

Free camping is available at numerous locations along State Route 78. The most popular of these are Main Street, Holmes Camp, County Line Road, and Pole Line Road. Each of these areas have ample access to numerous trails that provide a challenge to riders of all skill levels. Any vehicle with a license plate or off-road registration is able to operate in the park.{{Citation needed|date=March 2021}}

Natural features in the park include: * Blowsand Hill, visible from State Route 78 and located between Ranger Station Road and Main Street * Devil's Slide, a small sand dune adjacent to a steep rocky hill * Shell Reef * Gas Dome * Pumpkin Patch

The Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail travels through the Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://ohv.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=23478 | title=Map of the SVRA }}</ref>

A map of these locations as well as numerous other trails is available at the ranger station.

thumb|right|Jumps at Shell Reef

== Military plane crashes in 2020 == On 29 September 2020, around 4:00 PM, a US Marine Corps (USMC) F-35B fighter aircraft was involved in a mid-air collision with a USMC KC-130J tanker during an aerial refueling exercise.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Martinez |first=Luis |date=2020-09-29 |title=Marine F-35 jet crashes after clipping wings with refueling plane |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/marine-35-jet-crashes-clipping-wings-refueling-plane/story?id=73325534 |access-date=2021-03-17 |website=ABC News |language=en}}</ref> The F-35B crashed near Ocotillo Wells in front of civilian onlookers who recorded the impact, with its pilot able to eject safely.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Trevithick |first=Joseph |date=2020-09-30 |title=Video Emerges Of Marine F-35B Crashing In A Ball Of Fire After Colliding With A KC-130J |url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/36826/video-emerges-of-marine-f-35b-crashing-in-a-ball-of-fire-after-colliding-with-a-kc-130j |access-date=2021-03-17 |website=The Drive |language=en}}</ref> The KC-130J made an emergency wheels-up landing in an agricultural field near Thermal, California, with all eight crew members surviving.<ref>{{Cite web |last=LaGrone |first=Sam |date=2020-09-30 |title=Marine F-35B Crashes After Collision With KC-130 Over California; All Aircrew Recovered Safely |url=https://news.usni.org/2020/09/29/marine-f-35b-crashes-after-collision-with-kc-130-over-california-all-aircrew-recovered-safely |access-date=2021-03-17 |website=US Naval Institute News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>[https://www.krone.at/2243469 Unfall über US-Wüste : Kampfjet stürzt nach Kollision mit Tankflugzeug ab] krone.at, 2020-10-03, German</ref>

==In popular culture== Part of the 1971 film, ''The Andromeda Strain'', was filmed on location in Ocotillo Wells, which featured an agricultural station and planted fields that were specifically constructed for the film.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Photographing The Andromeda Strain|url=https://theasc.com/articles/the-andromeda-strain-may-1971|date=2020-09-03|access-date=2021-12-05|website=theasc.com|publisher=American Cinematographer}}</ref>

==References== <references/>

==External links== * [http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=1217 California State Parks: Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA)] * [http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=23478 California State Parks: Map of Ocotillo Wells SVRA] * [http://www.sandiegotrailmap.com/TrailFinder/Ocotillo-Wells-State-Vehicular-Recreation-Area Ocotillo Wells SVRA: Trail Maps]

Category:Populated places in the Colorado Desert Category:Unincorporated communities in San Diego County, California Category:Unincorporated communities in California