$493,634Average Value$290Average Price per Sq Ft50Homes For Sale
Penn Valley is largely rural with suburban charms
During California's Gold Rush era, Penn Valley's farmlands served as the "pantry" for the northern mines. More than 170 years later, the community remains largely rural, with homes on acres, while also incorporating suburban lifestyles, including a golf course community. Located at the foothills of the Sierra Mountains, Penn Valley could be described as a sweet spot geographically. "We're above the fog and below the snow," says Realtor and broker Dick Law, president of Paul Law Realty. "In California's Central Valley, winter fog can get so thick you can't see your hand in front of your face." He adds that just 12 miles away, Nevada City experiences harsher winters due to its higher elevation. Residents of Penn Valley enjoy a large recreational park, riding their horses through the valley and aren't too far from swimming holes and trails along the South Yuba River canyon. There are also enough restaurants to satisfy a wide range of cravings in Penn Valley, even if retail is relatively slim.
Lake Wildwood Golf Course is an 18-hole course in Penn Valley.
The beautiful Yuba River gorge is a hiker, and swimmers paradise just north of Penn Valley.
1/2
Homes in the countryside or on the golf course
Ranch styles, farmhouse styles and custom builds settle on small residential lots and expansive acreage in Penn Valley. Some newer properties are built in old-world styles, from Mediterranean to Victorian. Many properties are zoned for horses, often with barns, riding trails and fenced-in pastures. Lake Wildwood, a gated community established in the 1960s, has homes overlooking an 18-hole golf course and a 300-acre lake. Residents also enjoy private parks and over 40 clubs supported by The Lake Wildwood Community Association, including for golf, fishing, gardening, music and pickleball. “Before Lake Wildwood was created, we called Penn Valley Penntucky. It just had a really rural downhome feeling, and Lake Wildwood created a more suburban atmosphere,” Law says, adding that he lived in the golf course community for decades. The median sale price in Penn Valley is $520,000, but a lakefront home can go for over $2 million and a tiny, manufactured home for less than $30,000.
This custom-built home offers a dormer window, 3-car garage and rock face accents in Penn Valley.
This ranch-style home is the typical style of home you will find in Penn Valley.
1/2
Penn Valley's sports courts, dog park and swimming holes
Western Gateway Park is a community hub on the north side of town. Spanning nearly 90 acres, it encompasses diverse recreation, including a swimming lake and a range of sports courts, baseball fields and an 18-hole disc golf course. The park also offers playgrounds for various ages and an off-leash dog park. Hamilton Raptor Center is a volunteer-run, bird of prey rescue that educates the public on raptor history and their integral role in nature. South Yuba River State Park is in the greater Penn Valley region. Stretching along the South Yuba River canyon for 20 miles, the park hosts 9 trails, including the Independence Trail, which is wheelchair accessible. Swimming holes and historic bridges punctuate the park, and native flowers brighten it during the springtime.
The Yuba River, just north of Penn Valley, has some great swimming holes.
Your dog will love the dog park at Western Gateway Park.
1/2
Places to buy chicken feed and get a good meal
Most shopping and dining surround Penn Valley Drive and Highway 20. Players Restaurant and Sports Bar is a go-to for their pizza of the month specials and family spaghetti nights. The bar also hosts jam sessions and open mic nights on Wednesday nights. Daybreak Cafe whips up breakfast staples, from omelets to pancakes. Blue Cow Deli’s menu has a long list of sandwiches, from chicken pesto paninis to simple ham and cheese. Crazy 4 Yogurt is in town for a sweet treat. Western Gateway Park hosts the Penn Valley Farmers Market from spring to fall. Holiday Market is in town for groceries. Retailers from True Value Fence and Ranch Supply to Pearsons Feed serve local farmers and homesteaders. For more options, including chains such as Target and niche locally owned boutiques selling fair trade products, locals can head into Grass Valley, less than 9 miles away, and Nevada City, roughly 12 miles from Penn Valley.
Penn Valley’s Blue Cow Deli has amazing, tasty sandwiches.
Penn Valley offers a local farmers market every Sunday.
1/2
Penn Valley Rodeo gives back to the community
The Penn Valley Rodeo is one of the biggest events of the year. The rodeo began in 1956 by local ranchers as a way to raise money for volunteer firefighters. Today, the rodeo still supports the community in numerous ways, including awarding scholarships annually to agriculture students and paramedics serving The Penn Valley Fire District.
Travelers take Route 20 and Nevada County Connects
California State Route 20 flows through Penn Valley. Route 6 of Nevada County Connects travelers to Grass Valley.
Public schools through two districts
Students attend the Penn Valley Union Elementary School District and the Nevada Joint Union High School District. They may begin at Ready Springs Elementary School, which is rated B-minus on Niche and covers Kindergarten through eighth grade. From there, they may filter into Silver Springs High School, which earns a C. The elementary school's "Meaningful Enrichment" program provides individual support to students, helping them through their academic challenges.
The courses at Silver Springs High School encourage critical thinking and creativity.
Ready Springs Elementary School provides a safe, positive, and nurturing environment for students.
1/2
Penn Valley poses a fire risk
Fire is a concern here. A wildfire in 2024 led to the evacuation of parts of town, including Lake Wildwood.
Written By
Kathryn Ashworth
Photography Contributed By
Daniel Reagan
Video By
Mary Desmond
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Roxane Schepens,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
On average, homes in Penn Valley, CA sell after 61 days on the market compared to the national average of 57 days. The median sale price for homes in Penn Valley, CA over the last 12 months is $511,000, consistent with the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Beautiful Lake /wildwood retreat on a quiet court with stunning lake views and unforgettable sunsets. This spacious single story home offers 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms thoughtfully designed for both comfort and everyday living. Set on an oversized .051 acre lot the property provides, space and room to breath. The expansive living room features cozy fireplace and is filled with natural light,
Set at the end of the road among high-end estates and working ranches, this 20-acre Southridge property delivers privacy, sweeping vineyard-and-mountain views, and versatile land for equestrian or agricultural use. The home offers a light-filled great room and wraparound view deck; upstairs, each bedroom features an ensuite bath, while the lower level provides additional finished space with
Welcome to easy Lake Wildwood living on a desirable level lot with a peaceful, tree-studded backyard and great indoor-outdoor flow. The main living area feels warm and inviting with vaulted wood ceilings, exposed beams, skylights, and large sliders opening to the back deck. A brick hearth with freestanding stove anchors the living room, while the adjoining dining area and kitchen create a
Welcome to easy Lake Wildwood living in this inviting 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath home designed with a comfortable, functional flow. From the moment you step inside, you'll appreciate the open-concept layout connecting the family room, kitchen with island/breakfast bar, dining area, and a cozy fireplace room, perfect for everyday living and entertaining. Vaulted ceilings and hardwood flooring add warmth
Located on one of the most desirable streets in Lake Wildwood, this home is all about outdoor living and meaningful upgrades that make it easy to enjoy. A new roof, new gutters, fresh exterior paint, and expansive new decking create multiple areas to relax, gather, and take in the peaceful setting, with filtered lake views through the trees adding to the everyday experience. The primary living
Welcome to 14419 Sun Forest Dr, a three-bedroom two-bath in the highly desirable, gated community of Lake Wildwood in Penn Valley, CA. This beautifully maintained single-story home with its open floor plan offers peace of mind with an updated roof, HVAC system, and new electrical panel, making it move-in ready and ideal for comfortable year-round living. Step outside to enjoy a private courtyard,
A beautifully maintained home located in the gated Lake Wildwood community of Penn Valley. This inviting property features an updated kitchen with modern finishes, wood flooring in kitchen, high end appliances, backup generator, cathedral ceilings that enhance natural light and spaciousness, and an open, comfortable floor plan ideal for everyday living or entertaining. Enjoy indoor-outdoor living
Charming Home in Prime Lake Wildwood Location - Ideal for Your Gold Country Lifestyle! Discover an ideal retreat in Lake Wildwood! Located close to the tennis courts on Thistle Loop, this warm and inviting home offers easy access to the lake, recreation center, pool, volleyball and pickleball courts, parks, and the main gate for easy commuting. Enjoy a large living room and a cozy family room
Fantastic development opportunity on this breathtaking LEVEL 20 acres with year round Squirrel Creek in the heart of Penn Valley. Zoned for 91 parcels with two deeded accesses, as required by the County. This prime location combines freeway exposure with the charm of being just a short walk to downtown Penn Valley's shops, restaurants, and nurseries. With close proximity to Lake Wildwood, the
Enjoy the resort lifestyle in this move-in ready, single-level home with an independent Guest Unit in the gated Lake Wildwood community. The updated 4 bedroom, 3 bath home sits on a spacious, level 0.44-acre cul-de-sac corner lot and features vaulted wood ceilings in the great room, a large kitchen with serving bar, propane fireplace, and a sunroom that opens to a generous back deck with
Sweet one story home on a pretty level parcel with a year round creek inside the Penn Valley district! Nice open floor plan with laminate floors, great kitchen with granite counters and stainless appliances. Four generous bedrooms, covered back porch with privacy and room for a garden and walking distance to shopping and resturants. This is an ideal starter home or rental and has been beautifully
Welcome to this beautifully refreshed Lake Wildwood home featuring 3 bedrooms and 3 full baths across 1,769 sq ft of comfortable living space with the potential to create 4-5 bedrooms. Designed to live like a single level, the main floor offers the primary suite, guest bedroom, and spacious living areas, while the lower level provides flexible space ideal for multigenerational living, guest
This home features 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths with Vaulted ceilings in living room and kitchen, fire place in living room and master bedroom, separate indoor laundry with 1/2 bath. Two bedrooms on one side of house and third bedroom on the other side of house. Central heat and air, Gas cook stove, walk in pantry and plenty of cabinet space. 2 car garage with workbench and additional parking to
$3,500 per month
Lake Front Furnished Home, 3 bed, 4 bath in Lake Wildwood, Penn Valley, CA
Beautiful lake front furnished 4000 sq. ft. home in the gated community of Lake Wildwood, Penn Valley, CA 95946. Lake view from all rooms. Large living room with fireplace and wet bar. Kitchen with dinette area and a formal dining room, all wood flooring. Three bedrooms and 4 baths. Master bedroom suite has a fireplace, sitting room and a large dressing room. Entertainment room with air
Discover this well-maintained 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom home spanning 1,700 sq. ft. in the desirable gated community of Lake Wildwood. A unique feature of this property is the fourth bedroom and third bathroom has it's own private entrance, from outside of the house in the backyard, it's ideal for guests, extended family, or a home studio.The functional kitchen features a dishwasher,
$2,700 per month
Short term 4-8 mo. rental-Lake view 3 bedroom, 3 bath plus office in Lake Wildwood, Penn Valley, CA
Short term 4-8 mo. rental-Lake View home with 3 bedrooms, 3 baths and an office. Level lot located in the gated community of Lake Wildwood. Featuring a spacious great room with vaulted ceilings & fireplace. Dinette area and a formal dining room with side sitting area. Kitchen with desk and all appliances are included. Large back deck with lake view. Two car garage with a large driveway.
$3,400 per month
Large 4-bedroom Remodeled home in Lake Wildwood, Penn Valley, CA 95946
Large Lake Wildwood home, 3082 sq. ft. with 2 primary bedroom suites, each with its own private balcony. Large, remodeled kitchen with granite island and butcher block counter tops. This home offers a comfortable living room with large windows providing lots of natural light. Back wrap around deck with spa and lake views. Enjoy the breathtaking nature and native wildlife. There is also an
Renovated 1-bedroom/studio with full bathroom. Utilities and trash included. This unit is located below an existing residence in Lake Wildwood and has its own private entrance. It is clean and ready to go. New carpet and paint. The location is quiet and peaceful. You can enjoy the back patio and fenced yard and take in the pleasant view. Tenant to obtain their own PO box. Offered at:
Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
