Parkfield is located in the Temblor Range between the San Joaquin Valley and the Central Coast, at an elevation of above sea level. Mining and Homesteading used to be a prosperous activity in this community, but the mines were exhausted below economical recovery levels and the industry moved elsewhere. Today, it is a small town of about 18 people, most of whom are ranchers and farmers. There is a small tourism industry in the town based on equine-related events, hunting, a bluegrass music festival, and Parkfield's unique earthquake history (see the Geology section below). The Parkfield motto is, "Be here when it happens."