cannot customize initial extent, jumps to nearest arcgis online extent

[Anonymous User]

In trying to set my initial extent for California, I notice that it inevitably overrides to a preset ArcGIS Online (I'm making an assumption with that statement) that is either smaller or larger than the extent I want.  The extent I want seems to be right in the middle of two preset extents (again, presumably which are coming from ArcGIS Online). 

Is there a way I can force the extent I want?

[RobertScheitlin__GISP]

Katie,

   If you are using esri cached basemaps then no. The whole benefit of cached maps is the the images are pre-generated at specific scales and you can not specify one that is not in the cache.