Coalinga (/ˌkoʊ.əˈlɪŋɡə/ or /kəˈlɪŋɡə/) is a city in Fresno County and the western San Joaquin Valley, in central California about 80 miles (128 km) southeast of Salinas.

Legendary bandit Joaquin Murrieta was killed in 1853 at his headquarters, Arroyo de Cantua, north of Coalinga.

[9] However, it is just as likely that the small railside signs of the day, which often abbreviated names, read "COALINGA" to mean "Coaling A."

[Another example is Braner's Cut north of Eureka, whose sign said "BRACUT," which has now become the name of that spot along Highway 101.]

[8] The town is mostly surrounded by the Coalinga oil field whose principal operator, Chevron, is a major employer in the area.

Damage was severe in downtown Coalinga; the eight-block commercial district was almost totally destroyed.

The shock was felt as far away as Los Angeles and western Nevada, and was followed by a series of aftershocks that caused additional minor damage and some injuries.

[7] The topography is generally level, suitable for a number of field crops which do not require large amounts of water.

The city is located near a particularly active portion of the San Andreas Fault, and earthquakes are frequent.

Coalinga has a cold semi-arid climate (BSk), with very hot summers and cool winters.

It was California's first new mental health hospital in more than 50 years, a 1,500-bed facility built specifically to house sexually violent predators.

In 2016 Coalinga was one of the first cities to pass an ordinance allowing for the cultivation, manufacturing and distribution of cannabis.

The Horned Toad Derby is held in Coalinga in late May over the Memorial Day weekend annually.

It's the longest consecutively running annual hot air balloon rally in the world.

It is sponsored by the Whiskey Hill Atherton Menlo Oaks Ballooning & Sporting Society.

Typically, more than 40 balloons ascend at dawn on Saturday and Sunday morning from the athletic field of West Hills College Coalinga.

[25] The museum displays local fossils, models of prehistoric fauna, Native American artifacts, and items from pioneer settlers.

[26] The New Coalinga Municipal Airport is host to the annual Northern California Aerobatic contest.

[29] FlixBus stops twice daily at the ARCO station, en route to Los Angeles and the Bay Area.