North Fork, California: Stand on the Exact Center of California

In 1996 a group of surveyors finally marked the Geographical Center of the state with a survey marker, a plaque, a circular "stand here" compass set into the ground, and a pylon reading "CAL CENTER."

Address:: Italian Bar Rd, North Fork, CA
Directions:: Hwy 99 exit 153 or 153B. Follow Hwy 145 east for 16.5 miles, through Madera and out into the countryside. Turn left at the stoplight onto Hwy 41. Drive north 8.5 miles. Turn right at the stoplight onto Rd 200/North Fork Rd. Follow this road through North Fork (it eventually becomes Rd 225/Minarets Rd) for 21.5 miles. Turn right onto Italian Bar Rd. Drive 2.5 miles. About 2/3rds of a mile past a sharp switchback over the crest of a ridge you'll see a small pull-off on the left and a short flight of stairs leading up the hillside. At the top of the stars is the Center.
Admission:: Free
RA Rates:: Worth a Detour

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Pole of Center.

Geographical Center of California

There are a number of "centers" of California, but this is the only one verified by science. In 1996 a group of surveyors finally marked the Geographical Center of the state. The spot is commemorated with a survey marker, a plaque (dedicated two years later), and a pylon reading "CAL CENTER." This momentous location is on a narrow country road between North Fork and Lake Redinger, in a pretty piece of the Sierra Foothills.

[Libby, 08/15/2009]