Meadow Vista offers serene country living in the Sacramento Valley
Meadow Vista is a small community of around 3,000 in Placer County. Situated less than 10 miles outside of Auburn, the little hamlet has a hilly, wooded landscape, secluded homes that sit on acres of land, well-regarded private and public schools, and several popular local restaurants and farmstands. “We have more trees than concrete, and we are below the snow of Lake Tahoe and above the chaos of Sacramento,” says Marlease Sewell, a local Realtor at Nick Sadek Sotheby's International Realty with close to 10 years of experience. “Meadow Vista offers an outdoor lifestyle with many forests, biking and hiking trails around. Homebuyers should also note that not all of Meadow Vista is in a high fire zone, and some areas are only in moderate fire zones.”
Meadow Vista has country club homes to secluded properties in the woods
Nestled in the woods, houses in Meadow Vista are perched on winding, narrow hillsides. Built from the 1950s to the 2000s, many properties have colonial or Cape Cod influences. Other housing styles include bi-level, New Traditional and eclectic ranch styles. The median sale price is approximately $760,000, which nearly doubles the national median. Houses usually start at around $400,000 and can go up to $850,000. Sprawling new mansions in the Winchester Country and Golf Club typically go between $1 million and $3 million. “Winchester Country Club has a lot of mountain modern homes, and there are also houses that have a mix of Tuscan and Mediterranean influences," Sewell says. "It’s also good to note that the Winchester community offers underground public utilities, and the rest of the area can be either on or off-grid depending on the location.” Lots typically have 1 to 20 acres, and many have storage sheds and stables on their property, with RVs parked in the driveway. Vacant lots can go from $200,000 to about $450,000.
Public and private schools in Placer County
Placer Hills Union School District serves the area. Sierra Hills School teaches kindergarten through third grade, and Weimar Hills School serves students from fourth to eighth grade. Both schools get a B grade from Niche. Colfax High School, which is part of Placer Union High School District, gets an A-minus and offers the International Baccalaureate as well as career education for business, engineering design and broadcasting pathways. “Live Oak Waldorf School is a highly-regarded K-8 private school,” Sewel says. “Many residents send their children there.”
Outdoor opportunities around Meadow Vista
Situated in the center of the community, Meadow Vista Park has a looped walking trail, picnic areas by the park’s pond, a playground and sports amenities such as ball fields, courts for basketball, pickleball and tennis. Many lakefront residents have access to Lake Combie, which provides opportunities for water sports like paddleboarding, kayaking and fishing. Hiking areas include Woolley Meadows and the Sugar Pine Mountain Trail. Just south of the community, the 548-acre Halsey Preserve is a popular spot for fishing and dog walking, and the 18-hole Darkhorse Golf Course is open to the public.
Residents go to both local and Auburn establishments
Several restaurants are located along Placer Hills Road. The Tin Lantern is a bar and grill spot that serves classic American fare. The Local Café has coffee, pastries and a selection of basic breakfast and lunch entrees. Residents can get groceries at Holiday Market, and Foothill Roots Farm has a seasonal farmstand for people to get organic produce. Additional big-box stores like Target, supermarkets and dining options are in Auburn, which is less than 10 miles southwest of the community.
Community events in Meadow Vista and Placer County
Hosted by the Placer Hills Firefighters Association and a long-held tradition for over 75 years, the annual Pioneer Day celebration in June takes place at Meadow Vista Park. The event features live entertainment, local food and vendor booths, and a lively parade. Other festivities around the county include the Placer County Juneteenth Celebration and a summer festival in Auburn.
Distance to Auburn, Roseville and Sacramento
Meadow Vista is near Interstate 80 and California state Route 49, and Placer Hills Road is a major thoroughfare that runs through the area. Roseville, the county’s primary retail hub, is about 25 miles away, and Auburn is approximately 10 miles south. Sacramento International Airport is 50 miles southwest of Meadow Vista, and Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital is about 10 miles away in North Auburn. Placer County Transit provides public bus services in the county, and bus stops are along California 49 and in the neighboring city of Auburn.
