Mountain town with lakes, rivers and hiking in Colfax
Colfax is a mountain town between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe. Its quaint downtown scene features saloons and locally owned businesses, while houses rest on large, wooded lots in the pine-covered hills. Within reach of clear-water lakes, rivers and scenic hiking trails, residents have unrestricted access to bustling West Coast metros and famed natural attractions in the great outdoors of Northern California.“Most of the homes are on country properties because people like to have space. There are rivers, hiking trails and canyons. You’re an hour from Lake Tahoe and Sacramento,” says Kelly McNabb, a Realtor with Windermere Real Estate in Auburn with over 20 years of experience in the area. “The town is adorable. They do parades all the time, and it’s great for hunting and fishing. There are tons of reasons to move up to Colfax.”
Outdoor activities from local hikes to Lake Tahoe beaches
Stevens Trail is a popular hike with wildflowers, waterfalls and wooded canyons carved by the North Fork of the American River. The Bear River Fishing Access area is also nearby, with rock-covered shores used for gold panning and trout fishing in the rapids. About 13 miles south, Lake of the Pines has swimming areas, boat docks and a private golf course. Lake Tahoe is just over an hour from Colfax, with white-sand beaches, panoramic mountains and clear-blue water in areas like Kings Beach. "There are tons of lakes and rivers," McNabb says. "You can still pan for gold in the rivers, and the hiking is just beautiful. If you're an outdoorsy person, it's perfect."
Acre lots and mountain views in this Placer County community
Residents live on acre lots surrounded by towering pine forests and mountain views. Many of Colfax's homes feature Midcentury, Victorian, or Mediterranean stylistic elements. The city's main architectural styles are a mix of contemporary and Craftsman-style homes, with prices ranging from $170,000 to $1.3 million. Home values are higher for properties with panoramic views. Some layouts can span up to 4,000 square feet. Manufactured homes cost between $40,000 and $580,000.
Colfax is located in Placer County, which, like much of California, is prone to wildfires due to the dry conditions and its native plant life. Wildfire smoke can also contribute to poor air quality and exacerbate ozone pollution. While the area benefits from sunny weather, droughts can impact local agriculture and increase the likelihood of wildfires.
Western-style taverns and cocktail bars near downtown Colfax
Downtown Colfax is home to multiple restaurants and bodegas with a Western vibe. Locals gather at the Basement for craft beer and locally sourced wine. It is known for serving loaded pizzas and crispy chicken wings in a tavern-style atmosphere. The S.S. Minnow pontoon sits outside of the Red Frog, a cocktail bar that specializes in burgers and hot dogs. It also has a scenic back patio with a view of the canyons. The town’s primary grocery store is Mar-Val’s Sierra Market, which has a pharmacy and a wide selection of produce. Colfax Market is a local convenience store on Main Street. For essential items, there is a Dollar General just south of town.
Colfax High earns a high grade and has career pathways
Colfax Elementary School serves students from kindergarten through eighth grade. It earns a B-minus grade from Niche. Grades nine through 12 attend Colfax High School, which receives an A-minus. Families in Colfax Elementary and Placer Union High School Districts can pursue open enrollment with available intradistrict and cross-district transfers. Both processes hinge on space availability and deadlines, with a lottery system if applications exceed capacity. The Placer Union High School District has work-based learning opportunities with pathways in agriculture, engineering and digital media.
Interstate 80 links the town to Reno, Sacramento and the Bay Area
The Colfax Amtrak Zephyr train connects Colfax to other cities in the Central Valley and the Bay Area, including Sacramento. "Most people can work from home. It's a great place for families," McNabb says. "The old steam engines still come into town, which is pretty cool. You can take the train up to Lake Tahoe, Reno, Sacramento and all the way to the Bay Area." Residents can also catch the Placer County Transit bus at Colfax Station. The bus reaches nearby Alta and has a commuter route to Sacramento. Interstate 80 is the region's expressway. Reno is approximately 85 miles northeast on I-80, and San Francisco is just over two hours away. Sacramento is about 50 miles southwest. The Sacramento International Airport is roughly 55 miles southwest, offering direct passenger flights to cities throughout the U.S., as well as destinations in Mexico and Canada.
