Apple Valley

Located west of Spring Valley Lake in San Bernadino County, High Desert features multiple parks and homes throughout the desert setting. Residents live short distances from public schools, popular parks and shopping destinations. “People leave L.A. and move to Victorville for that big city feel. Then after a few years, they realize there’s another way to live life in High Desert, and they get a four-bedroom home on an acre lot with a pool, all for an affordable price. You can’t get that in L.A.,” says Karen Sanchez, a broker and Realtor with Reputable Realty who has been in real estate since 2007. Sanchez also says the area sits further away from the freeways, but commuters can still go down the hill for work. Residents of the High Desert live on large lots with expansive views of the surrounding desert and the distant San Gabriel Mountains. Most residents own their Spanish-style ranch homes or estates with terracotta roofing and stucco exteriors. Homes with five bedrooms and over 3,000 square feet might sell for nearly $1 million. Future residents can also find four-bedroom ranch homes with over 2,000 square feet that hit the market at $700,000 to $475,000. “There are also some new units in the Vista del Sol gated community,” Sanchez says. Those with smaller budgets can expect to pay between $450,000 to $300,000 for a two-bedroom home, or less than $300,000 for a manufactured home in a 55 and older community. Because the neighborhood is in the desert, homeowners have rock yards or sandy yards with some bushes and trees. Many locals have enough space in their large yards to install inground pools. Kids in High Desert often start out at Sitting Bull Academy for kindergarten through sixth grade. Niche gives Sitting Bull Academy a B. Apple Valley High School gets a B-plus and welcomes students to try out for the football team that has consistently won the regional Bell Games for the last decade. The winning team gets to paint a brass bell with their school colors, and Apple Valley has kept their orange and black colors on the bell since 2011. Public parks and nearby nature reserves allow residents to relax and enjoy the beauty of the High Desert. Pocket parks like Norm Schmidt Park offer three acres of playsets and open grassy fields perfect for throwing a ball around with friends. Locals spend the day at Civic Center Park, where they might play with their furry friend at the dog park or walk over to the Apple Valley Newton T. Bass Branch Library. Residents who want to hike through the desert plan trips to Arrastre Falls Trail, which offers miles of scenic hiking leading to rock structures and ravines. Golfers might spend the day at Apple Valley Golf, a course that has welcomed High Desert residents to tee off since 1948. The celebrity couple Roy Rogers and Dale Evans played at this golf course, and U.S. Route 18 has the nickname “Happy Trails” after Rogers’ most popular song. “I like to show new residents Roy Rogers' house because it’s a cool fun fact that he lived here,” Sanchez says. When it’s time to stock the pantry, residents can stop into Stater Bros. Markets, Albertsons or Winco Foods. Near the WinCo in the Jess Ranch Marketplace, locals can also grab Korean dishes at the Flame Broiler or lunch at Giuseppe’s Italian Restaurant. Residents shop at Target or Old Navy in Apple Valley Commons before going to the Rancherias Plaza to get a drink at the Organic Fusion Teahouse & Cafe. Bear Valley Road also boasts several excellent local restaurant options to enjoy. Los Magueyes Mexican Restaurant offers live entertainment along with savory Mexican dishes in an upbeat dining room. Those looking for a fun night out show their stuff in line dancing at Buckeye Jack's Saloon & Dance Hall, which also offers excellent pub fare and side dishes. Because homes and businesses sit spread out across High Desert, residents rely on their cars to get to the grocery store or work. Those who want to head south toward San Bernardino take U.S. Route 18 to Interstate 15. “The city has plans for a bullet train to Vegas and more warehouses to bring more jobs to the area,” Sanchez says. The Apple Valley Airport sits in the north and receives private flights. They also put on the annual Apple Valley Airshow and Car Show. People from all over California visit to see historic planes and classic cars in action. The Newton T. Bass Branch Library hosts an annual summer reading week to encourage locals of all ages to win prizes when they meet their reading goals. Over 15 churches fill the area, including Our Lady of the Desert Catholic Church, which sits next to the historic St. Mary Regional Catholic School building built in the 1950s. Multiple hospitals and medical centers sit west of the church off Route 18. Locals who live in central High Desert may have to travel over 10 minutes to get to their appointment at one of the medical centers.