Colusa is a small city on the Sacramento River
Founded in 1850, Colusa’s location in the Central Valley makes it ideal for agriculture. It’s a small, rural farming area with active orchards and red barns. “It’s a tight-knit group of people. You’ve got a lot of service workers who work in the rice and tomato fields,” says Sean Work, broker associate with eXp Realty of California, who has about two decades of experience in the area. “The rural charm of an old-school town is why most move there.” The countryside community has about 6,500 residents who enjoy Main Street-style retail and recreation on the Sacramento River.
Outdoor recreation includes hiking, wetland tours and picnics in parks
On the community’s west side, Colusa National Wildlife Refuge has walking paths and tours of its wetland environment, which is ideal for bird watching. “Colusa is known for hiking and recreation and the proximity to the river,” Work says. On the north side, Colusa-Sacramento River State Recreation Area has fishing and boating, while the adjacent Colusa Levee Scenic Park has picnic tables and a pathway with river views. The city’s swimming pool is centrally located and open in the summertime only. On the south end of the city, Colusa Golf and Country Club has a public 9-hole course.
Craftsman, ranch-styles and contemporary homes in Colusa
The central section of Colusa is made up of grid-style streets lined with sycamore trees that shade the sidewalks and front lawns. The historic homes in this area often have detached garages, although street parking is also an option. Many of these homes are Craftsman houses. Ranch-style homes are spread throughout Colusa, while contemporary homes tend to be in the outer subdivisions. Multi-acre properties, some with orchards, are on the edges of the community. All of these options range from $210,000 to $1.16 million. “That's another reason why people move there — it's affordable living there,” Work says. "The average price point is significantly less than anywhere else in California, so the market tends to move fairly quickly because of the prices.” The median home price in Colusa is $490,000, compared to the nearby community of Woodland’s median of $560,000.
Local businesses on walkable Market Street
Market Street is the community’s walkable Main Street-style retail district located on the north side of Colusa. Its local restaurants include Rocco's Bar & Grill, a laid-back pub in a renovated historic building. More eateries range from Caffeinated, a cafe with pastries, to the authentic Mexican spot Birrieria Michoacan. Jeff's Freezette, on the west side of Colusa, is an old-school burger joint known for its milkshakes. “Messick Ace Hardware is the pillar of the town, and Davison Drugs & Stationary is popular,” Work says. Both stores are located on Market Street. For grocery shopping, SAV•MOR Foods is the city’s supermarket.
Attractions include the Colusa County Fair and Colusa Casino Resort
The annual Colusa County Fair is held in June at the fairgrounds in the southwest part of the city. “It's well-attended, with lots of agriculture and livestock,” Work says. “It's certainly a draw.” The event has demolition derbies, arts and crafts exhibits, music and a rodeo. Colusa Veterans Memorial Park hosts a weekly farmers market on Thursdays in the summertime. On the northern outskirts of the community, Colusa Casino Resort has games from bingo to card tables.
Education from James M. Burchfield Primary to Colusa High
James M. Burchfield Primary School, serving kindergarten through third grade, has a B-minus rating from Niche. George T. Egling Middle School, serving fourth through eighth grades, scores a B-minus. Colusa High School has a B-minus rating as well. The high school’s courses include business finance, animal science and percussion.
Yuba City is 25 miles away, and Sacramento is about 65 miles away
Via state Route 20, Colusa is about 25 miles from Yuba City. The community is about 65 miles from downtown Sacramento via Interstate 5. Colusa County Transit Agency offers bus services. For commercial flights, Sacramento International Airport is about 55 miles away.
