[s0rce]

I'm not sure what you mean, what cities in the desert near the central valley? Reno, Lancaster?

[PaulDavisThe1st]

I'm not sure "cities in the desert" the GGP was meaning. Typically this means places like Phoenix, but that's not in California.

[kortilla]

All of socal is a desert. So Bakersfield, San Bernardino, etc. pulling from the Colorado river.

Sacramento, Fresno, etc pulling from the Sierras.

Heat has little relevance here, so LA is just as bad as PHX for residential water consumption (excluding lawns).

[JoshuaDavid]

I am pretty sure Bakersfield does not pull water from the Colorado river.