Blythe in the Sonoran desert, lower Colorado River Valley, is truly an oasis for those who make the drive between Los Angles and the Midwest or East Coast United States. As travelers drive for miles upon miles of desert space with little to occupy their minds, Blythe appears out of the vast desert plain, and provides all the things drivers seek--food, hotels, shopping, gasoline--all the things to energize and sustain travelers for the desert portion of their journeys.

And a sizeable crowd makes Blythe their final stop each winter as they escape the cold. Blythe's winters are absolutely ideal for those who love sunshine and warmth. RV parks are the most popular accommodation for winter snowbirds, though vacation homes also are appealing. Blythe has an arid climate with very hot summers and mild winters. There are more than 175 days with temperatures above 90 degrees but the winter months provide more mellow temps around the 70's.

Blythe offers travelers a hospitable place to stay with its accommodations that include close to 15 RV parks and campgrounds, boat ramps onto the Colorado River, and an 18-hole public golf course.

Where is it? Blythe is in Riverside County in the Palo Verde Valley, fed by the Colorado River before it makes its way to major metropolitan areas to also supply water to millions of Southern Californians. That helps to explain how this dry hot land can produce crops--the Colorado River.

Blythe was named for a gold prospector, Thomas Blythe. The Brit had an eye on the developing the land and turning it into a lucrative residential area. Two partners bought into the idea, as well, but little became of their plans. With the Colorado River supplying water to the desert region, and a bounty of crops to transport, California Southern Railroad built a railroad to Blythe in 1916 from a Rice, CA

Blythe's location: California -Arizona border in the Colorado Desert section of the Sonoran Desert, at the junction of Interstate 10 and US 95.

California towns & cities nearby include:

Lost Lake
Vidal
Ripley
Desert Center
Yuma (85 miles)
Indi (95 miles)
San Bernardino (170 miles)
Riverside (172 miles)
Las Vegas (200 miles)

California maps