Sitting in the San Joaquin Valley of California, Exeter is a rural community known for its country roots and proximity to some of Tulare County’s biggest farms. “It’s one of the most desired areas in the county,” says Rubith Quezada of Keller Williams Realty, who has 15 years of experience in the area. “It’s mostly established families of ranchers that have lived in the area for a long time and want to stay close to their farms.” Tulare County as a whole is known for agriculture, but Exeter stands out because of its amenities. “It has the golf course, restaurants and bars and much more shopping than the surrounding towns,” Quezada says. The Census Bureau reported a population of 10,206 in 2023.
Most of the original homes of Exeter are just walking distance from downtown.
Monet's Wine Bistro in Exeter offers a gourmet menu that includes desserts and a wide selection of wines.
The beautiful Sierra Nevada Mountains overlook Exeter and the San Joaquin Valley.
Saturday afternoon events in Exeter brings out all the local residents.
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New single-family homes
The median price for a home in Exeter was around $410,000 as of January 2025, a 14% increase from January 2023. “Prices are low by California standards but higher than a lot of Tulare County,” says Quezada. “Especially in the southern part of town where larger, newer builds have sprouted up over the past 10 years.” These newer homes were built with Mediterranean influences and sit on large lots, some with private pools in their backyards. Other popular home styles in Exeter include California bungalows and Craftsman ranch-style houses from the 1970s. There are also manufactured homes available off Visalia Road. “The streets are wide and quiet,” says Maria Ross of Re/Max, who has over 25 years of experience. “Even in the areas where houses are clustered together, you feel like you have room to breathe.”
Many of the early 20th century homes in Exeter are Craftsman style.
A large Queen Anne style inspired home in Exeter.
A stucco Spanish Revival style home with red tile roof in Exeter.
Many of the homes in Exeter have room for their own private swimming pool.
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Fun at Unger Park and Exeter Public Golf Course
Exeter has 10 parks, ranging from small neighborhood pocket parks to multi-acre recreation spaces. Dobson Field has three baseball diamonds, while Schroth Park has soccer fields and playgrounds. Dog owners can take their pets to the Exeter Bark Park for off-leash fun, and residents can walk the shaded paths or play disc golf at Unger Park. Locals can also hit the links at Exeter Golf Course, a 9-hole course with weekly events ranging from tournaments to morning scrambles. The CACHE, or Center for Art Culture & History Exeter, offers art lessons, galleries and screenings of classic movies. The city is also creating an Active Transportation Plan to expand sidewalks and other pathways to promote jogging, walking and cycling throughout town.
Play a few rounds of golf at the nine hole Exeter Golf Course.
Visitors of Exeter are welcomed by the signs in front of the Memorial Building.
Exeter residents enjoy bringing their furry friends to the downtown dog park.
CACHE in Exeter brings together the art, culture, and history of California's heartland.
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Dining on East Pine
Residents near East Pine Street for boutique shopping and dining at specialty butcher shops, antique stores and art galleries. The dining scene includes everything from Mexican cuisine to pizza shops, breweries and wine bars. Many buildings along Pine have stunning paintings on their facades, part of the Exeter Mural Project. About 30 years ago, the town commissioned local artists to create an “outdoor gallery” to beautify the town. Today, Exeter has more than 30 official murals, maintained through local fundraisers. Big box stores like Dollar Tree are also in town.
An Exeter couple enjoys a gourmet meal at Monet's Wine Bistro downtown.
Peruse the Rocky Hill Antique Collective in Exeter for something unique.
Many of the downtown Exeter businesses enjoy the beautiful murals painted on their exterior walls.
Exeter residents enjoy walking along the covered sidewalks of the downtown stores and restaurants.
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Exeter Farmers Market
The City of Exeter and the Exeter Chamber of Commerce host events throughout the year to foster a sense of community. The Exeter Farmers Market happens every Wednesday evening, and other events held throughout the year include the Exeter Christmas Parade, a Scarecrow competition each October and an Easter Egg Hunt.
Come to the annual Jazzaffair near Exeter to learn how to swing dance.
Saturday afternoon events in Exeter brings out all the local residents.
Vendors display their wares at Saturday events in Exeter.
Monarch & Groves hosts the Spring Event for Exeter residents shopping local vendors.
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Exeter Union High School has strong athletics
Kids in the area attend the Exeter Unified School District, which holds a B overall grade on Niche. The district has two elementary schools, one middle school and one high school, serving about 3,000 students. Exeter Union High School has a B Niche grade. The school offers dual enrollment with Reedley College and College of the Sequoias, two local community colleges. Students can enroll in an agricultural academy preparing teens for careers in agriculture after graduation. Exeter has a strong athletics program, with football, volleyball and tennis teams winning league championships in 2022.
Rocky Hill Elementary School provides a great education for Exeter students.
A lighted marquee outside Lincoln Elementary School informs parents of events.
A lighted marquee greets students as they arrive at Wilson Middle School in Exeter.
A large marquee outside the entrance to Exeter Union High School welcomes students.
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Quick access to Highway 99
Exeter is served by the Tulare County Regional Transit Agency and Visalia Transit, which provides bus routes to Tulare, Visalia and surrounding cities. Fresno, home to the closest major airport, is 55 miles up Highway 99. Bakersfield is 68 miles south on Highway 65, while Visalia and the Kaweah Health Medical Center are about 12 miles away. “There are a lot of doctors and medical professionals that live in Exeter and make the drive into Visalia for work,” says Quezada. According to the FBI, violent crime has decreased in Exeter over the past three years and is well below the national and state averages. However, property crime has remained steadily above the California rate.
Hot summers and poor air quality
Because of its location in the San Joaquin Valley, Exeter and all surrounding towns experience extreme heat in the summer months, with temperatures sometimes reaching over 100 degrees. The city’s agricultural industry creates poor air quality, which can create a haze and hinder visibility when driving.
Visitors of Exeter are welcomed by the signs in front of the Memorial Building.
Resident walks dogs at Schroth Park in Exeter.
Residents in Exeter bring their children out to play in parks with large murals.
The citrus business has always been a large part of Exeter's economy.
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Written By
John Moyer
Photography Contributed By
Mark Huddleston
Video By
Vladislav Sedykh
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Eric Fontes,
an experienced agent in this area.
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On average, homes in Exeter, CA sell after 201 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Exeter, CA over the last 12 months is $1,033,000, up 58% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
3-units Location , Location, Location!!! Next to Lincoln Elementary School and Exeter city park. This property offers 1-duplex each unit is a 1-bedroom, 1-bath and an ADU in the in back also1-bedroom, 1-bath. All units are rented add this to your rental portfolio. Seller pays for water and trash all other utilities are paid by tenants.
This 3-bedroom, 1.5-bath home is situated on a spacious 1-acre lot in Exeter. Offering ample potential for improvement, the property may appeal to investors or buyers seeking a renovation project. The generous lot size provides room for possible expansion, storage, or outdoor use. Located in a rural area with convenient access to nearby communities, this property presents a unique opportunity for
Just minutes from the Exeter Golf Course, this unique property offers incredible potential with two full ADUs, each featuring 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom. The ADUs are ready for a makeover—perfect for those with a vision and a toolbelt! A great chance to add value and charm through your personal touch. The main house offers 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom, with room to add your own personalization to the
3-units Location , Location, Location!!! Next to Lincoln Elementary School and Exeter city park. This property offers 1-duplex each unit is a 1-bedroom, 1-bath and an ADU in the in back also1-bedroom, 1-bath. All units are rented add this to your rental portfolio. Seller pays for water and trash all other utilities are paid by tenants.
This 3-bedroom, 1.5-bath home is situated on a spacious 1-acre lot in Exeter. Offering ample potential for improvement, the property may appeal to investors or buyers seeking a renovation project. The generous lot size provides room for possible expansion, storage, or outdoor use. Located in a rural area with convenient access to nearby communities, this property presents a unique opportunity for
Just minutes from the Exeter Golf Course, this unique property offers incredible potential with two full ADUs, each featuring 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom. The ADUs are ready for a makeover—perfect for those with a vision and a toolbelt! A great chance to add value and charm through your personal touch. The main house offers 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom, with room to add your own personalization to the
Property Id: 1989599Previous tenants appreciated the convenient location, fenced area for security, and the country ‘feel.' The bonus space of an acre+ of land made it perfect for family play outside under the sycamore trees. In addition to the standard amenities, the garage comfortably fits two cars and attaches to a private breezeway. There's an extra room for an office or play space
Property Id: 1179939Cozy 1 bed 1 bath newly renovated home,Stove Oven & Microwave with new kitchen Counter, & cabinets. Bathroom includes new tile shower, tub , & toilet. Outdoor laundry Hook ups, in wall heater and air conditioner. Utilities included are water,trash & sewer.We are being transparent about an important matter regarding the property. The water system in
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