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.
1/4
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.
1/4
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.
1/4
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.
1/4
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.
1/4
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.
1/4
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.
1/4
Written By
John Moyer
Photography Contributed By
Mark Huddleston
Video By
Melinda Anselmo
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Margaret Gomez,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
On average, homes in Exeter, CA sell after 35 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Exeter, CA over the last 12 months is $445,000, up 22% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Endless Views & Endless Possibilities - Welcome to your own slice of foothill paradise!Set on 5.89 scenic acres, this updated 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom home offers sweeping views of both the valley and surrounding hills—perfect for those seeking beauty, privacy, and flexibility. Inside, you'll find a thoughtfully updated 1,489 sq ft layout featuring stylish newer flooring, granite countertops, and
Located just moments from the Exeter Golf Course, this well-loved home offers timeless charm and incredible potential! From the moment you arrive, the mature landscaping and inviting front yard set a peaceful tone for the rest of the home.Inside, you'll find a warm, thoughtfully laid out interior with hardwood floors, a spacious living area anchored by a cozy brick fireplace, all open to the
Robyn IcenhowerKeller Williams Realty Tulare County
Centrally located near shopping and schools in a quiet neighborhood. New interior paint, laundry room, covered carport parking. Central AC and heating. All Measurements are approximate, tenants to verify all information to their satisfaction.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
