The Best Places to Live In And Around The Sacramento Area
May 6, 2016

The Best Places to Live In And Around The Sacramento Area

Maybe we’re biased because we live in Sacramento, but we think this is the best place to live in the country. From the abundance of local restaurants, conditions perfect for outdoor activity, and the wonderful people that make up the population, Sacramento is an exceptional place to call home.

There are several neighborhoods that make up the larger region of Sacramento and each possesses its own personality, amenities and landscape. Let’s take a look at a few of our favorite neighborhoods — which may be helpful if you’re in the process of relocating or you’re simply a curious resident.

The Best Places to Live in the Sacramento Area Include:

 

Campus Commons Real Estate

Campus Commons

Campus Commons is a low-key community in the Sacramento area that has plenty to boast about. This luxury neighborhood is filled with lush greenery, recreational opportunities, and urban amenities galore.

Campus Commons is comprised of 680 acres of land containing over 1,000 attached and detached homes. The landscaping and home repairs in this community are maintained with pristine care by the homeowners’ association. Talk about easy living!

Enjoy easy access to the American River, American River Parkway, and the Jedediah Smith Memorial Bike Trail at Campus Commons. All in all, this is the perfect community for those who love being outdoors.

And for those who would rather spend their time indoors, enjoy upscale shopping and dining at The Pavilions.

 

Davis Real Estate

Davis

We’ve made it pretty clear that we’re quite fond of Davis. We admire the city’s thriving university culture, love for nature and exploring the great outdoors, and its bike-centric mentality.

Davis is home to UC Davis, providing a prestigious educational hub for students in the city in addition to a well-loved arboretum for the community.

Davis has been called the “Bicycle Capital of America” since 1964, and was the first U.S. city to legislate and implement standardized bike lanes. Additionally, Davis was the first city in America to earn the Platinum Bicycle Friendly Community Award from the League of American Bicyclists. Explore the 100+ miles of bike paths after you rent a bike from UC Davis’ Bike Barn for $20 a day or $30 for a weekend rental.

But before you set out on a bike adventure, make sure you’re adequately caffeinated with a cup of coffee from Temple Coffee Roasters!

Once you’ve worked up an appetite, it’s only right to eat a farm fresh meal in the Sacramento region, since the city is in fact America’s farm-to-fork capital. Enjoy the fresh and seasonal menu at Seasons in Davis.

 

El Dorado Hills

El Dorado Hills

Take a walk on the luxurious side with a stroll through the collection of communities in El Dorado Hills. This region is known for its rolling hills and expansive views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Sacramento Valley, and Folsom Lake.

You’ll find a wide range of homes in El Dorado Hills, with an emphasis on lake-view residences, countryside estates, high-end luxury homes, and horse properties. This is the perfect neighborhood for those looking to escape from the bustling city but still maintain convenient access to its amenities.

The El Dorado Hills Town Center is a popular luxury shopping location for residents and visitors alike. Built like a traditional downtown area, the town center’s 100 acres of land hosts local and national retailers, cafés, restaurants and bars, a movie theater, a hotel, a gourmet market, a fitness club, a day spa, a luxury car dealership, professional and medical offices, a public amphitheatre, dramatic fountains and waterways, and broad public plazas.

 

Elmhurst Real Estate

Elmhurst

There is a strong sense of community in this quiet and beautiful East Sacramento neighborhood. Elmhurst is well-known for its wide, grassy median along the main street that is lined with elm, oak and ash trees. You’ll find a wide variety of homes along this street and throughout Elmhurst, including bungalows, craftsman, Tudor and ranch style homes.

Perhaps the most well-known home in Elmhurst is the Julia Morgan House, a Mediterranean Revival mansion designed in 1918 by Julia Morgan, the first woman licensed to practice architecture in California. The immaculate mansion now serves as a conference and event space, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Coloma Community Center is another hub for activity that once served a different purpose. This two-story, tile-roofed building was converted from the old Coloma Elementary School into a visual and performing arts center.

 

Elk Grove Real Estate

Elk Grove

Elk Grove is the perfect neighborhood for a family looking to settle down, as it has plenty of things to do in the community itself and is a short distance from the center of Sacramento. It is the second largest city in Sacramento, and has appeared on the list of the nation’s fastest growing cities. And for good reason! People are drawn to this captivating community’s small town feel, hometown pride, and community camaraderie.

Homes in this area range from small ranches to elegant homes with golf course views — and everything in between.

This is a prestigious area for education, as Elk Grove Unified is a top performing district in California and the entire nation. This, coupled with the area’s safety and abundance of parks, make this the perfect community for kids to grow up in.

Head to the heart of the community in Old Town Elk Grove, where you’ll find historic buildings and homes, local boutiques, and cafes. Some of our favorite places to visit include Boulevard Bistro for local fare sourced in California, Rescate Coffee for a delicious cup of coffee roasted on-site, and Embellish for all our shopping needs — from clothing to gifts.

 

Fair Oaks Real Estate

Fair Oaks

Fair Oaks is a tight-knit community that benefits from its secluded, small town feel yet is still highly accessible from neighboring areas.

The historic and charming Old Fair Oaks is the heart of the community, featuring adorable shops, restaurants, and galleries. Old Fair Oaks is also where you’ll find the Veterans Memorial Ampitheatre, home to the Fair Oaks Theatre Festival, which is a series of summer productions.

Fair Oaks is the perfect community for those who enjoy being outside to bask in California’s many days of sun. With an abundance of bike and walking trails, parks, ranches, and basketball courts, residents can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities in Fair Oaks. Additionally, the American River is close by for fishing, kayaking, canoeing, and simply admiring from the Fair Oaks Bridge.

 

Folsom Real Estate

Folsom

Folsom was named as the #1 California city for families to put down roots in, concluded in a study by WalletHub. We completely agree, as this modern suburban neighborhood hosts an abundance of opportunity for outdoor activities, wonderful schools, a wide range of homes, plenty of family-friendly activities, and a robust small business community.

Some of our favorite Folsom activities include drinking coffee at Cooper’s Coffee House, picking up fresh produce at the Folsom Farmers’ Market every Saturday year-round, grabbing a bite to eat at LO (Land Ocean) Restaurant and a sipping on a craft beer at Manderes.

And because Folsom has such wonderful outdoor amenities, we can’t forget to mention the sailing, boating and swimming opportunities at Folsom Lake and Lake Natoma!

 

Rocklin Real Estate

Rocklin

Rocklin is an amazing city with a growing population over 60,000 with breathtaking views of the Sierra Nevada and Sutter Buttes. It was once included in Family Circle’s list of 10 Best Towns in the country — and for good reason!

Take a look at Rocklin’s well-manicured landscaping in the downtown area and within its suburbs, and you’ll know this is an area dedicated to fostering beauty.

With 30 parks and 200 acres of open space, Rocklin is the perfect neighborhood for the active folks. Immerse yourself in history and the outdoors simultaneously with a visit to Roundhouse Park, the location of the 1867 Rocklin Roundhouse when the Transcontinental Railroad was under construction. The park’s layout is a recreation of the original roundhouse, with 25 engine stalls and a turntable. Admire the beautiful rose garden at Roundhouse Park during an afternoon stroll!

Homes in Rocklin range from historic to brand-new, since this is a rapidly growing community. You’ll find plenty of luxury properties in this area, in addition to whatever style you’re looking for in your particular price range!

 

Roseville Real Estate

Roseville

Roseville has perhaps the most amenities per person than any of its surrounding communities, which is impressive due to its population topping 120,000.

Downtown Roseville is lined with historic buildings hosting restaurants, cafes, shops, ice cream parlors, and several arts centers. This is a charming area perfect for spending a summer Saturday, or participating in the city’s many community events throughout the year.

We love starting the day at Bloom Coffee & Tea, grabbing a piece of pizza at The Place, heading to Fountains at Roseville for all of our shopping needs, and unwinding with a glass of wine at House of Oliver.

Residents enjoy the never-ending list of amenities in this incredible community in addition to affordable housing and a wide range of home styles.

 

What Sacramento neighborhood would you add to the list?

Or better yet, tell us what you love about YOUR neighborhood. There are so many wonderful communities to choose from, and frankly, we could go on and on…

Category Davis, El Dorado Hills, Elk Grove, Fair Oaks, Folsom, Neighborhood Guides, Real Estate, Roseville, Sacramento

Windermere Signature Properties

With the California Local blog, Windermere Signature Properties strives to deliver the most valuable information to both home buyers and sellers while highlighting our favorite local gems that make Sacramento the best place to live in California.