Gridley offers amenity-packed living in a compact package
Situated north of the region’s big cities, Gridley is an area whose small-town atmosphere is loaded with conveniences. Residents in this community of just over 7,000 have close access to multiple restaurants, grocery stores, parks and well-rated schools. And Gridley comes alive with visitors every August for the Butte County Fair. Still, as the area has grown over the years, its values have remained intact — something that’s kept local Realtor Anthony Ellis here. “Gridley is a family town,” says Ellis, who’s with LPT Realty and is originally from the Bay Area. “It’s a great little town to raise a family. They keep everything pretty much traditional.”
Classic and modern houses form a diverse mix of options
Gridley’s homes, some of which date to the late 1800s and early 1900s, feature a range of styles, including Craftsman options. Many of the area’s oldest homes and those built in the mid-20th century are concentrated around the center of Gridley. This part of town is full of wide, sidewalk-lined streets. Newer houses, built since 2000, fill suburban-style subdivisions like Heron Landing and Eagle Meadows on Gridley’s outskirts. Homes around Gridley sell for $188,000 to $650,000 regardless of age, but based partly on condition, square footage and acreage. Some properties in the area come with multiple acres in a region where farming is still a big part of the economy — rice is a significant crop.
High school basketball tournament is an annual staple in Gridley
The Gridley Unified School District maintains a B-plus grade on Niche. The B-plus-rated McKinley Primary School covers kindergarten and first grade, while the B-rated Wilson Elementary serves those in second through fifth grades. McKinley, Wilson and the B-plus-rated Sycamore Middle all offer after-school programming through the Butte County Office of Education. Gridley High carries an A-minus grade and hosts the Gridley Invitational Basketball Tournament every December. The GIBT dates back more than 70 years and is considered one of the state's top boys basketball tournaments. “That brings in scouts from all over and top-ranked teams,” Ellis says. “That is definitely something people look forward to every year.” Esperanza High is an alternative high school in the district with smaller class sizes.
State Route 99 is an important transportation resource
A section of California State Route 99 runs through Gridley. The highway offers a straight shot south into Sacramento. That includes the Sacramento International Airport, roughly 55 miles away. Butte Regional Transit’s B-Line bus service operates in Gridley and has 21 routes.
Route 99 doubles as a commercial hub
Many of Gridley’s restaurants and other businesses line Route 99. The list includes Railhouse Pub and Grill, which Ellis considers among the area’s most popular places to grab a bite. Railhouse is known for its burgers. A Safeway supermarket anchors the Heritage Oaks shopping center down the road. Other tenants in Heritage Oaks include Grocery Outlet, Dollar Tree, Anytime Fitness and Janitzio Western Wear, a family-owned clothing store. Gridley’s downtown offers more options along Hazel Street, including Our Town Pizzeria and Deli, where the huge calzones are a hit. The restaurant is less than a block from the free Gridley Museum and Ohana Hands On Training. Orchard Hospital, a 24-bed facility, is located just off Route 99, on Spruce Street.
Manuel Vierra Park is the centerpiece of the area’s park system
Gridley’s green spaces include the almost 14-acre Manuel Vierra Park. The park is home to the community's recreation department, plus a relatively new splash pad and playground equipment. “That probably is the main park in Gridley,” Ellis says. “That’s where they do baseball games and stuff like that. A lot of birthday parties.” Nick Daddow Park is a smaller spot downtown, with a gazebo, picnic tables and benches, and shade trees. Gridley also has a skate park, open since 2008.
Butte County Fair is a deeply rooted tradition
Held at the Butte County Fairgrounds in Gridley, the Butte County Fair has been an annual tradition for roughly 80 years. “The Butte County Fair is a big staple in the community,” Ellis says. “It brings people from all over.” The fair is in late August and includes food, shows and a kids' zone. Red Suspenders Day, in May, celebrates Gridley’s firefighters and features a parade, car show and live music.
Written By
Wayne Epps Jr.
