Jackson offers peaceful living in a former California Gold Rush Town
Nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Mountains, Jackson is a classic Gold Rush town known for its unique blend of historic landmarks, antique shops, and modern attractions and festivals that pay homage to its mining past. Located outside of Sacramento’s metro area and in the heart of the Gold Country, also known as the Mother Lode region, Jackson has approximately 5,000 residents and is the county seat of Amador County. Once inhabited by Miwok Native Americans, the Gold Rush Era led to waves of miners settling into town in the 1850s, and Jackson became home to the Argonaut and Kennedy Mines, both of which are California Historical Landmarks. The city’s historic downtown district is centered around the 170-year-old Main Street, featuring landmarks such as the National Hotel, historic storefronts like the independent bookseller Hein & Company Bookstore, museums, galleries and local restaurants. In addition, the popular tourist destination has also become a residential community with a suburban-rural feel, featuring peaceful homes, public schools and parks that quietly preserve the area’s small-town character.
From historic homes to modern subdivisions in a Gold Country community
Houses in Jackson sit close together and are often perched on winding hills and narrow streets. Many houses have elevated foundations, and newer subdivision communities have wider paved sidewalks. Home styles range from early 1900s workers cottages and 1950s ranch-styles and raised ranches to New Traditional houses built in the 2000s. The median sale price is approximately $460,000. Smaller homes and cottages may list from $250,000 to $370,000, and properties over 1,500 square feet can go from $400,000 to $850,000. Yards are usually modest in size, and many have a private driveway and a small garden. Townhouses sell between $310,000 and $470,000. Gold Oaks, a mobile home community, has houses usually priced at about $35,000 to $70,000. Senior manufactured home communities, Rollingwood Estate and Highlands, have higher-priced units that typically range from $110,000 to $220,000.
Unique stores and local restaurants in Jackson's Historic Downtown District
Local vintage and antiques shops dot the city’s Main Street area, while restaurants and bars are concentrated along California state Route 49. Decorated with retro memorabilia, Mel’s Diner serves casual American fare. Highway House Restaurant has breakfast classics and dinner entrees like pasta and steak. Popular mom-and-pop stores include Train Town Candies and Full Circle Trading Co., an arts and crafts shop with jewelry, artwork and Native American goods. Grocery options include Raley’s, Grocery Outlet and Cost Less Food Company. Walmart is on Wicklow Way.
Public schools in the Amador County Unified School District
The city is zoned for the Amador County Unified School District. Jackson Elementary gets a B-minus grade from Niche, and Jackson Junior High School has a C-plus. Argonaut High School rates a B-plus and offers career and technical education pathways in agriculture, hospitality, information technologies and product development. Argonaut High also has a visual and performing arts program in studio art, drama and stagecraft.
Public parks and sports amenities in Jackson
Jackson has four public parks, a municipal pool that’s open in the summer season and some athletic fields. Home to the historic invention of the Kennedy Tailing Wheels, which were used to transport waste rocks out of the Kennedy Gold Mine, Tailing Wheels Park preserves the city’s gold mining history and has trails to see the area’s scenic vistas. Detert Park has the Jackson City Pool, a baseball diamond and a tennis court. Gold Ridge Park features a playground, picnic tables and a half-court for basketball.
Festivals and events honoring the city's mining history
The city has many holiday festivities, including parades for Halloween and Veterans Day, a fireworks show and family-fun activities for the Independence Day celebration, and a Santa lighting ceremony to kick off the winter holiday. Residents can also see a play by Main Street Theatre Works at the Kennedy Mine Amphitheatre, go to the Motherlode Cruise Car Show on Main Street in May, or attend the 49 Wagon Train parade and enjoy gold rush-era activities in April.
Convenient highway access and distance to Sacramento
The community is accessible via California state Routes 49 and 88. Sacramento International Airport and downtown Sacramento are about 50 miles away via California state Route 16. Amador Transit buses provide public transportation within Amador County, and Sutter Amador Hospital is right in the city.
