Lake California provides gated seclusion with access to outdoor fun
Tucked away in a pocket of Tehama County, Lake California offers gated living for a relative value. “It’s the most affordable lake community in California in my opinion,” says Jeff Koons, a local Realtor with HomeSmart ICARE Realty who has more than 20 years of sales experience. This Northern California enclave holds a mix of homes that vary quite a bit in age, but all are close to the Sacramento River, an on-site pool and a private equestrian center. Residents are also close to the commercial amenities and schools within the surrounding community of Cottonwood.
Private docks are common along Lake California’s shoreline.
Fish‑themed mailbox adds a touch of lake life in Cottonwood.
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Established homes blend with modern options
Some of Lake California’s houses date back to the 1970s, while others sprouted within the last several years. “Pretty much every home in there is some sort of custom build,” Koons says. The broad span of ages makes for an eclectic selection of classic ranch houses and new traditional builds, some of which have Mediterranean style influences. Some homes here line the community’s namesake lake and come with private docks. Properties around Lake California sell for $250,000 to $470,000. Koons believes one of the factors behind Lake California’s relative affordability is that it’s secluded from more metropolitan areas. The community is roughly 20 miles from Redding and 150 miles from Sacramento.
Lakefront homes line Lake California, often with private docks.
Custom homes are common across Lake California.
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Outdoor attractions like playgrounds and tennis courts are on site
Lake California features several built-in outdoor amenities. Many are located in the center of the community by the Lake California Lake Club, including a pool, tennis courts, a full-length basketball court and a playground. There’s another playground and a nine-hole disc golf course by Goff Hall on the northwest end of the community. An on-site equestrian center offers paddocks for rent in a region that Koons says is a big horse area. Lake California itself is open for boating and fishing. Residents also have a private boat launch along a portion of the roughly 400-mile-long Sacramento River, which Koons says is a “huge draw.” That particular stretch of the Sacramento River is known to be some of the best fishing in California,” Koons says, particularly for steelhead and salmon.
Lake California’s on‑site equestrian center offers paddocks for rent.
Anglers often launch at dawn on Lake California.
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Monday Market has a range of products
Lake California’s Monday Market is one of the community’s signature events. Held in the Lake Club parking lot on Monday evenings, the market includes vendors selling produce, eggs, cookies and more. The market also attracts food trucks offering tacos, ice cream and coffee. Lake California hosts a Fourth of July celebration, too, with a car show, community barbecue, and horseshoe and cornhole tournaments.
Residents can touch down at The Landing for a bite to eat
The Lake Club houses a lounge with a restaurant called The Landing. “If you want the quickest meal possible, that’s where it’s at,” Koons says. The Landing is open Thursday to Sunday, and the menu has items like nachos, burgers and tacos. The Lake Club is also directly across the street from Lake California Community Church. Locals head out into Cottonwood for more amenities. Gas Point Road in Cottonwood has a shopping center with a Holiday Market, a gas station, Valley West Ace Hardware and Main Street Deli & Market. Main Street’s menu includes more than a dozen sandwiches, plus soups, salads and wraps. There’s a Walmart Supercenter farther north in the city of Anderson, 10 miles away.
Holiday Market on Gas Point Road anchors everyday shopping.
Lake Club sits lakeside with amenities at the community center.
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Evergreen district allows for learning flexibility
Lake California is within the boundaries of the Evergreen Union School District. Evergreen Union has a B grade on Niche. Students may attend the B-rated Evergreen Elementary for kindergarten through fourth grade, then the B-plus-rated Evergreen Middle for grades 5 to 8. Both schools have before- and after-school programs. The district also offers the B-rated Evergreen Institute of Excellence, a charter with a homeschool program available to kindergarten through 12th-grade students. Area students can progress from Evergreen Middle to Red Bluff High for grades 9 through 12, part of the B-plus-rated Red Bluff Joint Union High School District. The school earns a B-plus, too, and its Career Technical Education department has courses in topics including agriculture, business, health science and manufacturing.
B‑plus‑rated Evergreen Middle serves grades 5–8 for Lake California.
Students mingle after class at Red Bluff High School.
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Interstate 5 takes locals through the region
Lake California residents are about 5 miles from Interstate 5. This freeway takes drivers into the heart of Cottonwood and keeps going north through Anderson and Redding. Redding Regional Airport, about 15 miles away, has commercial service to San Francisco, Denver, Los Angeles and Seattle. Redding’s 266-bed Mercy Medical Center is a 25-mile trip. Lake California also has its own airport for residents and their guests.
Written By
Wayne Epps Jr.
Photography Contributed By
Matt Ferguson
Video By
Ellie Brown
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