Antelope Valley Area, California
The most common soil here is Hesperia, on about 11% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Rosamond and Hanford come next.
About 91% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 72% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 50% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 3% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 23% of it.
Soils change over short distances, so look up an address below for the soil at that exact spot and the reasons behind each rating.
The soils you're most likely standing on
The biggest named soils in Antelope Valley Area, California, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.
Dots mark gravel; white flecks mark lime. Shares are by acres across the survey area, and each mapped patch usually mixes several of these soils.
The biggest mapped areas
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A (high infiltration, low runoff). The most common soil order is Entisols — young soils with little profile development, often on floodplains or steep slopes. This report summarizes the major soil map units across the survey area to help you understand what to expect when buying, building, or gardening in Antelope Valley Area, California. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hesperia fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 45K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Hanford coarse sandy loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes | 42K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Calvista-Hi Vista complex, 2 to 9 percent slopes | 42K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cajon loamy sand, 2 to 9 percent slopes | 35K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Saugus loam, 30 to 50 percent slopes, eroded | 33K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rosamond fine sandy loam | 33K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Cajon loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 32K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Hesperia fine sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 31K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Greenfield sandy loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes | 30K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Amargosa rocky coarse sandy loam, 9 to 55 percent slopes, eroded | 28K | Excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ramona sandy loam, 9 to 30 percent slopes, eroded | 27K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hesperia loamy fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 26K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Rosamond loam | 24K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Pond-Oban complex | 24K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hanford sandy loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Hesperia loamy fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes, hummocky | 18K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Vista coarse sandy loam, 30 to 50 percent slopes, eroded | 16K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cajon loamy fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes, hummocky | 15K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Terrace escarpments | 15K | Very limited | Very limited | ||
| Arizo gravelly loamy sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 14K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
Soil Orders in This Area
The USDA classifies every soil into one of 12 soil orders. Here are the dominant orders found in this survey area.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 50% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 72% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Despite good drainage overall, limitations may stem from shallow bedrock, steep slopes, or seasonal conditions. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Well-drained soils on sloped terrain — good for most plants but watch for erosion. Terracing, contour planting, and mulching help retain moisture and topsoil. Drip irrigation is more effective than sprinklers on slopes.