Explore California

Discover local favorites, historic landmarks and small-town charm.

Sign for Burgers Smokehouse with directions to visitor center, factory country store, and snack bar, on a dirt road surrounded by green trees under a partly cloudy sky.

Burger Specialty Foods

A local staple known for traditional smoked meats, Burger’s Specialty Foods brings a taste of Missouri heritage to tables across the country. While not open for tours, their products are widely available and a point of pride for the community.

Aerial view of a park with three baseball fields labeled Cargill Baseball Diamonds Field 2 and 3, and a smaller field nearby, with a sports court and a wooded area surrounding it.

Cargill Baseball Fields

The City of California Parks & Recreation manages these beautiful lighted ball fields during the softball, baseball, and soccer seasons. Providing athletic events and experience for the youth in the community is the purpose for maintaining this facility.

A large Victorian-style house with multiple chimneys, a wrap-around porch, and ornate architectural details, titled 'Elzen residence, California, Mo.' in a black and white photograph.

Eitzen House

This fine old house located N Oak St in California was built in 1898 by Charles A. Eitzen at a cost of $30,000. The Architect was Oliver Sprouse, Blazer Bros. provided the stone masons and the Inmans were the bricklayers. It has 5 rooms on the first floor, 5 on the second and 4 rooms on the third. Nine fireplaces are in the house. Some of the large closets and pantries are now used as extra rooms, making a total of 19 rooms.The original slate roof is still in place. The outside walls are 22 inches thick and the inside ones are 14 inches. Iron fencing set in concrete and stone surround the grounds which cover an entire block. A “widow’s walk” can be seen on the top.

Walter Eitzen, a son, lived in the house until 1952 when he moved to a new home on Rice Blvd. A carriage house and stable with a room above for the coachman is still standing adjacent to the house on the west side. It was strictly modern with steam heat and private water works.

The Eitzen House is currently a private residence.

Entrance gate to Mountie Auto County Fair, decorated with colorful pennant banners, with farm buildings and green fields in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

Moniteau County Fair

The Moniteau County Fair and Livestock Show began in 1866 and is the oldest continuous fair west of the Mississippi River. In addition to annual events such as the ham auction, livestock show, arts & crafts display, carnival rides and grandstand shows, there are numerous extra activities planned each year. The Moniteau County Fair is generally held during the first full week of August.

A white two-story house with black door, American flag on front porch, surrounded by blooming trees and hedge, with a small front yard enclosed by a black iron fence.

Rice House

This stately mansion built in 1867 by Niles Rice, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Located at 205 South Oak Street, California, the Victorian home has 12-foot ceilings, six-foot hallways, and 36 narrow seven-foot windows.

The Rice House is currently a private residence.

A large tree with lush green foliage standing in an open grassy area under a partly cloudy sky, with a paved walkway passing by and white fencing in the foreground.

California Country

A scenic nine-hole golf course just outside of town, perfect for a relaxed round. Open to visitors during the week.

Two-story red brick building with corner turret topped with silver dome, multiple windows with striped awnings, and a sign for a cultural history center on the front.

Cultural Heritage Center

The Cultural Heritage Center, located at 201 North High Street, is a development by California Progress Inc. and the Moniteau County Historical Society. What was once the old Post Office is now a cultural center for the community and the county.

The center houses information and special exhibits on the history of Moniteau County, a library for genealogy research, public meeting rooms, an information center, and gift shop.

The outdoor area is landscaped and prepared for shows, demonstrations, and socials during the summer months. The meeting room and lawn are available for meetings and reunions.

Contact: 573-796-3563; email: moniteauchs@embarqmail.com.

A historic brick building labeled 'Theatre Finke' with a small entrance canopy, big windows, and a fire escape on the upper floor, located on a quiet street with a lamp post and a few trees in the background.

Finke Theatre

Located at 315 North High Street in downtown California, MO, the historic Finke Theatre has been at the heart of local entertainment since 1885. Originally built as the California Opera House and designed by renowned St. Louis architect J.B. Legg, the building has long been a gathering place for performances, music, and community events.

Over the years, the theatre has welcomed everything from live stage productions and school performances to vaudeville acts and early motion pictures. Notable figures like famed pianist Blind Boone and outlaw-turned-lecturer Cole Younger, a member of the infamous James-Younger Gang alongside Jesse James—once took the stage, adding to the theatre’s rich and colorful history.

In 1937, the building was transformed from its original Victorian style into the Art Deco design you see today, operating for decades as the Ritz Theater. Today, it continues its legacy as the Finke Theatre, hosting performances and events that keep the spirit of local entertainment alive.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Finke Theatre remains a must-visit destination for anyone exploring California’s historic downtown.

Crowd walking through an outdoor street fair with vendor tents on both sides, set against a backdrop of colorful buildings.

Ozark Ham & Turkey Festival

Held annually on the third Saturday in September, the Ozark Ham & Turkey Festival is considered one of the fastest growing festivals in mid-Missouri. The Ozark Ham & Turkey festival is a one-day festival designed to showcase two of the major industries in California and Moniteau County. Billed as having “something for everyone”, the Ozark Ham & Turkey Festival has activities throughout town. See the Ham & Turkey Festival section of this web site for more information.

A three-story brick building with a vintage facade, large windows, and a blue awning selling books. The sign on the building indicates it was established in 1864, and a vertical sign reads 'Library.' A streetlamp and a parking lot are in front of the building under a clear blue sky.

Moniteau County Library

The 1954 endowment from Elia Wood Paegelow provided the funds for the first California public lending library. The library is now located at 501 S. Oak Street. Individuals residing outside the California City Limits, pay a small out-of-tax-district annual fee to use this spacious modern library.

The library provides a complete children’s collection, subscriptions to newspapers and magazines, and adult fiction and non-fiction books. Selected works are available in large print books and audio books. Small video and Spanish language collections have been added as well. The library has computers, a copier, and a fax machine for public use. They regularly offer adult education classes, exhibits and programming for children.

Phone (573) 796-2642.

Three people aiming rifles at a shooting range outdoors with trees in the background.

California Shooters Club

An outdoor destination for shooting sports, offering activities like trap, skeet, archery, and black powder events. A unique experience for both enthusiasts and newcomers.

Aerial view of Double X Speedway with a dirt racetrack, parking lot, and a rainbow in the sky, promoting the Sunday night Thunder race.

Double X Speedway

Located west of California on Highway 50, Double X Speedway has dirt track auto races every Sunday night from mid-May through mid-September featuring street stock, sportmans, winged sprints, and hobby stocks.

Gates open at 5:30 p.m., races at 7:30 p.m. Grandstand Admission, $5.00. Ten and under free. Pit passes, $15.00.

Kyle Wirts, track owner.

Races promoted by the Sportsman Racing Association.

Red brick historic building with two white domed towers and tall columns at the entrance under a clear blue sky.

Moniteau County Courthouse

Located in the heart of downtown California, the Moniteau County Courthouse has stood since 1867 and remains one of the oldest working courthouses in Missouri. Its classic design and historic charm make it a standout landmark on the town square.

Surrounding the courthouse is Heritage Square, a beautifully landscaped area with benches, period lighting, and engraved brick walkways honoring local citizens, events, and organizations. Visitors can even leave their mark by purchasing a personalized brick, with proceeds supporting ongoing restoration efforts.

Inside, you’ll find small museum displays highlighting the county’s early history and the contributions of local servicemen. A selection of local history items—including books, postcards, and records—is also available for purchase.

Wooden sign welcoming visitors to Prairie Home Conservation Area in Missouri, managed by the Missouri Conservation Department, featuring logos of Missouri Conservation and Prairie Longhorn.

Prairie Home Wildlife Area

The 1,455-acre Prairie Home Wildlife Area, located west of Jamestown near Prairie Home, is managed by the Missouri Department of Conservation for multiple use. Hunting and fishing are the primary uses. Other activities may include mushroom hunting, nature study, primitive camping, and horseback riding on a designated trail. The Buckhorn Hiking Trail, an eight-mile circular trail, is developed for hikers.

Contact: Missouri Department of Conservation, 1907 Hillcrest, Columbia, MO 65201.

A lakeside scene viewed from underneath trees, with a picnic table and grill in the foreground, calm water, a dock, small building, trees, and a fountain in the background.

Proctor Park

Located in the heart of town, California City Park is a favorite gathering place for families and visitors alike. With open green space, playground equipment, and picnic areas, it’s the perfect spot to relax, let the kids play, or enjoy a quiet afternoon outdoors.

Throughout the year, the park also hosts community events, making it a central hub for local activities and small-town charm. Whether you're passing through or spending the day, it’s a great place to experience everyday life in California, Missouri.