Elmira

Located in northern Solano County, Elmira is one of the smallest cities in California. According to the 2010 US Census Bureau, the city only has a total of 188 residents. Consequently, you won’t find much of a city here. The town stretches about .5 square miles and spans four square residential blocks. It’s one redeeming quality is its proximity to Vacaville, known for its outlet strip malls.

The city is literally in the middle of nowhere. If you’re looking for any sense of residential bliss, you won’t find it here. First of all, the city is surrounded by acres of lush green farmland. Yet inside it’s residential area, the neighborhood reeks of dusty roads, one-story shabby homes and dead grass lining the would-be sidewalks. Houses are blemished with chipped paint and unkempt front yards. Average housing prices have plummeted in recent years to $150,000, while median household incomes are recorded around $63,000/year. If you’re renting (which I don’t know why you would), you’re likely to pay upwards of $950.

Not much of a commercial area, except for a post office, a small market and the neighborhood watering hole called Elmira Cabin. The bar is the the city’s only source of nightlife. It acts as any neighborhood country bar, with pool tables, local paraphernalia and cheap drinks. Other notable landmarks are Alamo Creek (which runs through the southern edge of the district) and a wastewater treatment facility (in the southeastern corner). Also, Elmira Elementary School sits along B Street and Sierra School of Solano County lies north. Both have underwhelming accreditations.