Lake of the Pines provides seclusion in a corner of Nevada County
In Lake of the Pines, sloping streets within the Sierra Nevada foothills cut through a packed development offering recreation, restaurants and spacious homes. The community is gated, offering more security, and has a lake and an 18-hole golf course. “All of those things are very attractive,” says Realtor Mimi Simmons of Team Simmons and Century 21 Cornerstone Realty, who has roughly 40 years of experience. Lake of the Pines residents are also within 20 miles of more amenities in Auburn and Grass Valley, and just under 50 miles from Sacramento.
Late-20th-century homes come in a variety of settings
Founded in 1967, Lake of the Pines was California’s first artificial lake community. Most houses here were constructed during the late 20th century, yet some are under 25 years old. “You have a lot of ranch-style houses,” Simmons says. “The older houses are going to be ranch, the newer houses are a little bit more contemporary.” Floor plans in Lake of the Pines average over 2,000 square feet, and many of the lots are between one-fifth and four-tenths of an acre. Some homes sit on waterfront property, along the community’s 232-acre lake. Most properties in Lake of the Pines sell for $300,000 to $880,000, but houses on the lake can command $1.1 million to $2.3 million.
After-school opportunities include sports and academic support
The area’s Pleasant Ridge Union School District earns a B-plus grade on Niche. The B-rated Cottage Hill Elementary participates in California’s Expanded Learning Opportunities Program, a daily after-school activity with academic help. The B-plus-rated Magnolia Intermediate offers extracurriculars including basketball, cross country, track and volleyball. Bear River High, a B-rated school in the B-plus-rated Nevada Joint Union High School District, has elective courses in topics including film and media arts, debate and speech, and journalism. Forest Lake Christian School is a B-rated private option just outside Lake of the Pines, with preschool through 12th grade. Students at Forest Lake can earn college credits through an online dual-enrollment program.
Lake, parks and golf are at residents’ fingertips
The lake is the centerpiece of this community. Five miles of shoreline border the water, dotted with seven parks and Main Beach. The beach includes a spot for swimming and a playground, and borders a community pool open in the warmer months. There’s a boat launch at South Shore Park, and the lake is stocked with bass, catfish, trout and more. Anglers can also drop a line in one of Lake of the Pines’ three ponds, including the 4-acre Hazel Pond. Lake of the Pines’ private golf course stretches 6,140 acres. Simmons says the community has a mandatory HOA, and residents pay extra for golf course access.
Community events are a common occurrence
The Lakes of the Pines Association homeowners group promotes a stacked calendar of events from month to month. The periodic Music on the Lake concerts are popular in the summertime. There’s also an Easter egg hunt, a multi-day Fourth of July celebration with fireworks and a boat parade, and a Halloween party with a costume contest.
Route 49 is a door to the rest of the region
Drivers in Lake of the Pines are just about 3 miles from California State Route 49. The highway carries commuters 13 miles south into downtown Auburn and 16 miles north to Grass Valley. Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital, a 10-mile trip just off 49, has a 24/7 emergency room. Route 49 also carries people to Interstate 80 for drives to Sacramento, 46 miles away. Travelers can go to Sacramento International Airport for nonstop flights to more than 50 destinations. The Lake Center shopping plaza adjacent to Lake of the Pines has a bus stop on the Nevada County Connects system’s Auburn route.
Clubhouse and Sports Lounge provide on-site dining options
Lake of the Pines has two restaurants. “It’s very convenient just to be able to be right there and to be able to drive their golf cart to the restaurants,” Simmons says. The Sports Lounge, by the golf course’s pro shop, is open seven days a week. The Clubhouse restaurant offers a more formal, white tablecloth setting and is open on Thursdays and Fridays. Lake Center features breakfast spot Sunrise Café, plus Bear River Library, Lake of the Pines Ace Hardware and Combie Market, a small grocery. A Holiday Market supermarket is roughly a mile away, next to a CVS. More big-box retail is available in Auburn and Grass Valley. Auburn’s Crossroads Shopping Center includes Target, Ross Dress for Less, Famous Footwear and Safeway.
Written By
Wayne Epps Jr.
