Santa Nella, California

Santa Nella, California
Hotel Mission de Oro
Santa Nella
Location in California
Santa Nella
Santa Nella (the United States)
Coordinates: 37°05′52″N 121°01′01″W / 37.09778°N 121.01694°W / 37.09778; -121.01694
Country United States
State California
CountyMerced
Named afterAn English language corruption of the Spanish word centinela ("sentinel")
Area
  Total
4.683 sq mi (12.129 km2)
  Land4.683 sq mi (12.129 km2)
  Water0 sq mi (0 km2)  0%
Elevation
154 ft (47 m)
Population
 (2020)
  Total
2,211
  Density470/sq mi (180/km2)
Time zoneUTC-8 (Pacific)
  Summer (DST)UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP code
95322
Area code209
GNIS feature IDs1659597, 2583129
U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Santa Nella, California; U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Santa Nella, California

Santa Nella is an unincorporated area and census-designated place (CDP) in Merced County, California, United States. It is located 10 miles (16 km) west-northwest of Los Banos at an elevation of 154 feet (47 m). As of the 2020 census, Santa Nella had a population of 2,211, up from 1,380 at the 2010 census.

The site's status as a stopping place for travelers dates back to the 19th century when it was Rancho de Centinela (Spanish for "Sentinel Ranch") along El Camino Viejo; the route through the community has since been replaced by Interstate 5 and State Route 33.