A Sacramento suburb along the American River
The name says it all — La Riviera is a quiet Sacramento suburb perched on the shores of the American River. Located just east of California’s capital city, this small community is known for its wealth of parks and trails that overlook the river’s wooded waterfront and rocky islands. “If you can’t live by the beach, then living by the river is the next best thing,” says Realtor Doug Reynolds of Coldwell Banker Realty, who lives in neighboring College-Glen.
La Riviera's 11,500 people live on residential streets dotted with oak, palm and evergreen trees. Residents are far enough from the city center to experience the region’s beautiful outdoor scenery, but close enough for a nearly painless commute. “It’s mostly a mix of young professionals, families with kids and retirees who’ve lived there forever. It has great freeway access, and you’re only 10 miles from downtown Sacramento,” Reynolds says.
Outdoor recreation, parks and trails
The shores of the American River offer a trove of trails and parks within walking distance for many residents. Pathways wind alongside the river’s rocky, heavily wooded embankments, and people can often be seen jogging, biking and walking their dogs during spring and summer. “There’re so many activities: paddleboarding, biking, hiking and fishing. If you live here and you don’t take advantage of the river, you’re crazy,” Reynolds says.
Gristmill Recreation Area is the largest park in the community and has plenty of space for outdoor adventuring. It’s not uncommon to see anglers pulling in rainbow trout and striped bass from the shoreline. Other riverside parks include Riviera East Park and Larchmont Community Park, both of which are tucked away on residential streets.
Midcentury-era homes on suburban streets
Most homes in La Riviera were built between 1960 and 1980, although some newer homes constructed in the 1990s and early 2000s can also be found here. Ranch styles and split levels are the most common home types, but there are also a handful of spacious, luxury new builds. Some are perched at the precipice of steep, woodsy embankments with porches overlooking the river below. The median home price is $500,000, putting it about equal to Sacramento’s median. Apartments, condos and townhomes are also available in the community.
Flood insurance optional
Levees and floodwalls protect much of the area from flooding, but there are some parts of the community that have an increased flood risk. “It’s in a 100-year flood zone, and flood insurance is optional for much of La Riviera,” Reynolds says.
Strip malls, international markets and a diversity of dining options
Shopping and dining are limited to a few strip malls on Folsom Boulevard and another on La Riviera Drive, but its selection of restaurants is wide-ranging. Residents can enjoy everything from authentic Mexican and Mediterranean fare to Korean, Vietnamese and Thai options. There’s also a Korean Market and an international market offering specialty goods. La Riviera’s biggest attraction — other than its riverside locale — is its retro drive-in movie theater, West Wind Sacramento 6 Drive-in. Many drive-ins have shuttered over the years, but this one remains as popular as ever more than 50 years after it was built. On the far east side, K1 Speed offers an indoor go-kart racing track as well as a lounge and an arcade.
Well-regarded Sacramento City schools
La Riviera students are served by the Sacramento City Unified School District, which earns a B rating from Niche. The district has more than 40,000 students, making it the 14th largest in the state. The community is also just minutes away from California State University, Sacramento, a major regional university that enrolls around 31,000 students.
Getting around Greater Sacramento
The El Dorado Freeway, a major local freeway, skirts the southern edge of La Riviera, offering a quick way to get to the city. There’s also a light rail line on Folsom Boulevard that takes passengers as far as downtown Sacramento to the west and Folsom to the east. Sacramento International Airport is 21 miles away, and offers nonstop flights to destinations like Washington D.C., Los Angeles and New York City. UC Davis Medical Center is the nearest major hospital, less than 6 miles away.
Crime rates on par with the statewide average
La Riviera is under the jurisdiction of the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office. The county’s violent and property crime rates are roughly equal to California statewide averages, and have steadily improved over the past decade, according to FBI stats.
