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Los Banos, CA

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Los Baños, CA

Los Banos, alternatively Los Baños, is a city in Merced County, California, United States. It is located in the San Joaquin Valley in central California, near the junction of State Route 152 and Interstate 5. Its population was 45,532 at the 2020 census, up from 35,972 at the 2010 census. The city is served by Los Banos Municipal Airport for air transport access.

The Los Banos area was initially settled, according to Mexican land-grant records, in the 1840s. The first white settler in the area was Uriah Wood, who built his two-room cabin in 1859. The original site of Los Banos was located several miles from the current town center, about a mile and a half west of the railroad near present-day Volta. The town was essentially a trading post and received its name when the post office was established and the Post Office Department designated the office "Los Banos" after the nearby creek. When the railroad arrived, Los Banos relocated to its present-day site. The first post office opened in 1873.

Los Banos is located on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley, 26 miles (42 km) southwest of Merced, at about 118 ft (36 m) elevation. Its coordinates are 37°03′30″N 120°51′00″W. The city is at the intersection of California State Route 152 and California State Route 165. 7 miles (11 km) to the west is Interstate 5, which extends north-south between Canada and Mexico. The San Luis Reservoir and the Diablo Range are farther to the west.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10.1 square miles (26 km2), of which 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2) (1.22%) is covered by water.

Los Banos sits on the southwestern edge of extensive national and state game refuges; these wetlands support waterfowl and other wildlife habitat along a stretch of the San Joaquin River that still carries water and the Grassland Ecological Area, home to rare California grasslands habitat. The San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Complex includes the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge, which includes the Kesterson Unit, East Bear Creek, West Bear Creek, and Blue Goose Unit. Nearby are the Merced National Wildlife Refuge and the San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge. Fishers, hunters, birdwatchers, and other recreational users come to Los Banos year-round.

Los Banos emphasizes health and wellness. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs offered by the Los Banos’ Recreation and Community Services Department. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Planet Fitness, Valley Fitness, and Fit Republic Gyms & Health Clubs. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Los Banos, such as the Persimmon Park and the Los Banos Canal Trail. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

The top sites in Los Banos, CA are Los Banos Wildlife Area, Los Banos Creek Reservoir, and San Luis National Wildlife Reservoir. 

Population: 45,532 (2020). ZIP Code: 93635. Area code: 209. Elevation: 118 ft (35 m). Area: 10.1 square miles (26 km2).

FAQs

What is Los Baños, CA known for?

Los Banos is a city in the state of California, located in Merced County. Similarly to the surrounding areas, Los Banos is best known for its agriculture. The name Los Banos is Spanish for “the baths.” Los Banos was named that because of the various wetlands in San Joaquin Valley.

Is Los Baños, CA a good place to live?

Living in Los Banos offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Los Banos, there are a lot of parks. Many families live in Los Banos and residents tend to lean liberal.

What is the crime rate in Los Baños, CA?

The crime rate in Los Banos is considerably higher than the national average across all communities in America from the largest to the smallest, although at 28 crimes per one thousand residents, it is not among the communities with the very highest crime rate. The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Los Banos is 1 in 35. Based on FBI crime data, Los Banos is not one of the safest communities in America. Relative to California, Los Banos has a crime rate that is higher than 78% of the state's cities and towns of all sizes.

Sources

Wikipedia

Merced County

Los Banos’ Recreation and Community Services Department

Planet Fitness

Valley Fitness

Fit Republic Gyms & Health Clubs

Persimmon Park 

Los Banos Canal Trail

Los Banos Wildlife Area

Los Banos Creek Reservoir

San Luis National Wildlife Reservoir

Sbmoving

Niche

Neighborhoodscout

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