$465,931Average Value$280Average Price per Sq Ft22Homes For Sale
Ione packs history and convenience into its small-town charm
Situated along Dry Creek, in the foothills of Sierra Nevada, the City of Ione is surrounded by oak trees, farmland to the west and desert mountains to the east. The community was originally established in the 1840s as a supply center for the Gold Rush. While its historic downtown has remained the same, the city has since expanded into a primarily residential area. “It’s a pretty small town. We don’t have any stoplights, so if you blink, you’ll miss all of downtown,” says Realtor PJ Johnsen with Vista Sotheby’s International Realty, who has lived in Ione for over 20 years. “Our biggest thing is that we’re centrally located. We’re 10 minutes from Jackson, and places like Sacramento and Stockton are about 45 minutes away.”
Burke Family Restaurant anchors a quiet stretch of shops in downtown Lone.
Lone Pavilion reflects on Lone’s civic history, dating back to the 1800s.
1/2
A selection of single-family homes through the decades
Homes in Ione come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some are lined along gridded streets, while others are more spaced out in suburban neighborhoods. Grassy front lawns often come with driveways and are dotted with trees. “We have a historic part of town with Victorian homes, and then there are brand new homes. There are a lot of new subdivisions over by the golf course,” Johnsen says. Prices range from $300,000 to $625,000, depending on property size and house age.
Single-story homes are most common. Traditional and ranch-style homes from the 1950s to the 1990s have simple exteriors, while those built in the 2000s and 2010s have more contemporary architecture. Some are Spanish-inspired with adobe siding and red-tiled roofs, and others have Craftsman features such as pointed roofs and stone accents. New Traditional multistory homes are another option. A handful of Victorian farmhouses with front porches and decorative exteriors are located downtown. Ione Mobile Home Park offers a selection of manufactured homes with carports built in the 2000s, costing around $110,000 to $250,000.
Many homes feature solar panels for green energy.
Mature trees frame a single-story cottage near Historic Downtown Lone.
1/2
Exploring the community’s historic attractions and annual events
Ione has multiple historic landmarks, and Preston Castle is the most famous, regionally. Built in the 1890s as the Preston School of Industry, the building served as a rehabilitation center for juvenile offenders. Today, the castle is a tourist attraction featuring ghost tours. The city will even host events there, including a Halloween haunted house. “It’s haunted. They say at nighttime when you’re on a tour, you can hear boys playing near the old pool area,” Johnsen says.
Ione Homecoming is one of the community’s larger annual events, held in Howard Park on the second weekend of May. Festivalgoers can listen to live music, watch fireworks and participate in cornhole tournaments and cook-offs. According to Johnsen, Homecoming will often feature a bedbug theme, paying homage to Ione’s old nickname from its gold rush days. Another popular event is Ione’s Hometown Christmas in December, which has food trucks and vendors with home goods, all topped off with city-wide holiday decorations.
Preston Castle, built in the 1890s, stands as Lone’s most famous historic landmark.
Catch a rodeo at Ed Hughes Memorial Arena in Lone.
1/2
City parks and recreational amenities
Biking is a common pastime in Ione – many cyclists will ride along the area’s rolling hills and country roads. According to Johnsen, pedal trains offer tours of the Amador County area along the old train tracks. Castle Oaks Golf Course is a public, 18-hole course and one of Ione’s largest recreational sites. Additionally, the city has six parks and green spaces. Howard Park has a playground, five baseball fields, four soccer fields, a disc golf course and a one-mile walking track. There’s also the Ed Hughes Memorial Arena on its grounds, which hosts equestrian shows and competitions. Perry Earl Park and Oakridge Circle Park are both smaller green spaces with a play area and open field. The city also has a seasonal outdoor pool and a dog park.
For natural recreation, the Camanche Reservoir is roughly 16 miles south of Ione. Multiple campgrounds surround the shoreline, and the Lake Camanche Marina offers boat launches and rentals.
Lake Camanche Marina offers rentals, launches, and shoreline campgrounds.
Howard Park features a disc golf course and scenic walking trails.
1/2
Shops and restaurants in downtown Ione, Martell and Jackson
Ione’s Historic Downtown has a handful of local shops and restaurants lined along Main Street. Church and Main is a coffee shop that sells sandwiches and Don Luis Mexican Restaurant serves authentic international cuisine. There’s also an ice cream shop, two pizzerias and multiple bars. Ione Plaza Market is the area’s grocery store, located across Dry Creek.
For more options, Martell is about 10 miles east for big-box stores and national retailers like Walmart and Safeway. Chain eateries in the area include Chipotle, Jack in the Box and Starbucks. Downtown Jackson has an even wider selection.
Don Luis Mexican Restaurant serves up classic comforts like burritos and enchiladas.
Lone Plaza Market anchors daily essentials in the heart of Lone.
1/2
Getting educated in Amador County public schools
Families living in Ione can send their kids to schools in the Amador County Unified School District. Ione Elementary School earns a C-plus grade from Niche and Ione Junior High School has a B-minus. Argonaut High School receives a B-plus and offers Career and Technical Education courses in computer science, culinary arts and hotel and restaurant management. Another option is the B-rated Mountain Oaks School, which is a public charter school in Sutter Creek, for kindergarten through 12th grade.
Lone Elementary School is where most young residents begin their education.
Lone Junior High prepares students for high school and abroad.
Argonaut High is located in Jackson, 10 miles from Lone.
1/3
Navigating in and around Ione by bus or car
While Downtown Ione has pedestrian crosswalks, getting around the rest of the city requires a vehicle. Amador Transit provides local bus services with stops throughout the area, including the Ione Park & Ride on Sacramento Street. California state Route 124, known as Church Street, is the area’s main thoroughfare, traveling north and south. Mule Creek State Prison and CAL Fire Academy are the city’s major employers, taking up residence in the northern section of the city. California state Route 104, or Preston Avenue, is another prominent commuter road. The Sacramento International Airport is roughly 58 miles away.
Old town Sacramento never fails to impress with its charming streets, about 40 miles away.
Amador Transit connects Ione with local stops and a Park & Ride.
1/2
Unique factors involving Ione’s environment
Ione’s proximity to Dry Creek may put the area at risk of flooding during heavy rainfall. The city also may be at risk of heat waves and wildfires during the warmer months. As such, the Ione Fire Department has two stations in the community.
Written By
Brittany Bell
Photography Contributed By
Pasha Chichagov
Video By
Jaried Frogosa
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jasmine Sunkara,
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 Ione, CA sell after 59 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Ione, CA over the last 12 months is $469,000, down 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Epic investment opportunity! 1650sqft 3 bed/2bath home with a detached 750sqft 2 bed/1bath ADU. This new construction, open floor plan custom home is calling for a savvy investor to have day one equity and offset mortgage costs with solid rental income. The main home is light and bright with modern refinements and luxury details calling for an owner who wants only the best. With owned solar on
2023 AXIOS Home with OWNED SOLAR-LARGEST FLOOR PLAN (Wildflower neighborhood of Ione) Designed for everyday living, entertaining, and future possibilities, it boasts a generous Open-Concept Layout and a THREE CAR TANDEM GARAGE. Inside, the open design with tile flooring in the main living areas and clear sightline from the front door to the backyard give the home a bright, expansive feel. The
Well-maintained 3-bedroom, 2-bath home located in a gated community within Jackson Valley. The home features a spacious primary bedroom with en-suite bath, a vaulted ceiling in the living room, and an open layout that flows into the charming kitchen. From the kitchen, access the inviting sunroom offering flexible use options. Additional highlights include a covered front patio and a garage with
Experience the perfect blend of space, comfort, and country charm in the sought-after Lake Camanche Village neighborhood just minutes from boating, fishing, and outdoor fun at beautiful Lake Camanche! This move-in ready, ranch-style retreat sits on nearly 5 acres and features 3 impressively large bedrooms, plus a flexible 4th bedroom or home office. Step inside to soaring ceilings, brand new
Step into this beautifully designed home featuring a spacious floor design unlike any other. This smart floor plan offers 2 bedrooms plus office/extra room with an easy option to convert to a 3 bedroom with a simple closet conversion. The 1864 sq ft home sits on a 1.03 acre parcel while also including a separate 1 acre parcel, giving you flexibility, and room to grow. A stand out feature is:
Discover comfortable living in this well-maintained 20-unit apartment community, ideally located close to major highways, schools, and popular shopping centers. Convenience is right at your doorstep!?? Property Features:Attractive large courtyard perfect for relaxing or enjoying the outdoorsRefreshing community poolThree on-site laundry rooms for added
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
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.
