Georgetown offers peaceful rural living in the Sierra Nevada
Georgetown, located between Auburn and Placerville, is a gold mine town in El Dorado County of about 2,500 people. Nicknamed the “Jewel of the Sierra Nevada’s,” the small community offers a Main Street area and quiet homes scattered among the area’s hills and forested landscape. “It’s a peaceful place to live,” says Patti Smith. “It offers all four seasons and has lots of recreational opportunities; Georgetown is at the base of the Eldorado National Forest, and there are lots of lakes, equestrian and ATV trails nearby.”
Rural homes in a former gold mine town
Framed by a wooded landscape, Georgetown’s residential areas have a secluded character and a calm pace of life. Nestled in the woods and built throughout the 20th century, houses in the community are comprised of modest-sized ranch-styles and cottages that have large parcels of land attached. The median sale price is approximately $400,000, which is on par with the national median. Single-family properties range from $250,000 to $600,000, and manufactured homes typically range from $370,000 to $540,000. A good portion of the houses have acre-sized lots, and many have storage sheds and horse stables on the property. “Lots of homeowners here are into homesteading,” Smith says. “They are into chickens, cows and horses, and the large lots offer privacy.”
Outdoor opportunities around Georgetown and El Dorado County
Georgetown Park has a small playground and some open green space, and people can play baseball at Beam Field. Residents can go off-roading or camping at Georgetown OHV Park. For hiking, people can explore the walking trails at Georgetown Nature Area and Traverse Creek Special Interest Area. About 15 miles east, Stumpy Meadows Reservoir offers opportunities for kayaking.
Well-regarded public schools in Black Oak Mine Unified School District
The community is served by Black Oak Mine Unified School District. Offering STEAM courses, Georgetown School teaches students from kindergarten through sixth grade and has a B-minus grade from Niche. Golden Sierra Junior Senior High School gets a B-minus rating, and serves students from seventh to 12th grade. The local high school offers career pathway programs in manufacturing, public services and transportation. Students may also enroll in the K-12 American River Charter School, which does not have a Niche score.
Local restaurants and stores along California Route 193
The area has a handful of establishments along Main Street and California Route 193. Popular restaurants include Terry's Pizzeria & Grill and Royal Dragon, a place that serves casual Chinese fare. Grocery options include Worton's Market and Mar-Val Food Stores. Big-box stores such as Target and Michaels are in the nearby city of Auburn, which is about 25 miles west.
Highway options and distance to Auburn and Sacramento
California state Route 193 passes through the community, and Interstate 80 is nearby. Auburn is about 20 miles west, and Sacramento is approximately 55 miles southwest via I-80. Sacramento International Airport is about 60 miles away, and Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital is just over 20 miles west. Placer County Transit provides public bus services in the county, and bus stops are along California 49 and in the neighboring city of Auburn.
Community celebrations in Georgetown
Georgetown is home to the annual Carlapalooza Music Festival in June. Other community events include mixers and socials hosted by Art on the Divide, which is a local gallery showcasing artwork by area artists. “There’s Founders Day in September, the 4-wheeler event Jeepers Jamboree in July, and a parade of lights in December that all take place in Georgetown,” Smith says. “These events bring together the whole community.”
