Set in the Sierra Nevada foothills between the Sacramento Valley and Lake Tahoe basin, the city of Placerville was once a supply center for mining camps during the California Gold Rush. Its name derives from the type of gold deposits found in the city’s riverbeds in the 1840s. “The city’s a tourist town now,” says Matt Lishman, Recreation Superintendent for the City of Placerville. “But a lot of people move up here from the San Francisco Bay Area to enjoy the recreation and the small-town atmosphere.”
Placerville maintains it's small town atmosphere and charm in the downtown area.
Families come to Benham Park in Placerville to enjoy the open green space.
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Unique parks for an active community
Gold Bug Park and Mine may be the city's top attraction, Lishman says, adding anyone can still go there and try to strike it rich. “It’s got an underground gold mine that goes down 252 feet, a working blacksmith shop and gem panning.” During the summer, kids flock to City Park’s Aquatic Center to swim and play. To the southeast, Lions Park has four lighted pickleball courts, two softball fields, tennis courts and walking trails. Lishman adds that there are camping areas in every direction of Placerville, and folks are only about an hour away from Lake Tahoe’s ski slopes.
Gem panning at The Gold Bug Park Mine in Placerville is a fun family activity.
In the summer time, kids can stay cool at the Aquatic Center in Placerville.
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From dirt track races to art and history
Established in 1965, the Placerville Speedway draws large crowds with its dirt track racing. “It’s a pretty big deal here,” says Lishman. “They bring out the World of Outlaws, which is top-level sprint car racing. And 10 minutes away is Apple Hill, where you can buy apples and pies, pick pumpkins and visit tons of wineries; it’s a huge tourist draw.” Downtown hosts the Placerville Art Walk every third Saturday, where Main Street’s galleries and shops feature art exhibits, live music and refreshments.
The Fountain and Tallman Museum features period photos, furniture and memorabilia inside an 1852 stone-and-brick soda shop. The El Dorado County Historical Society also leads walking tours of the city and hosts seasonal celebrations inside Placerville’s oldest residences. Riding a genuine stagecoach along Main Street has been a Placerville tradition for over two decades, giving locals a taste of a bygone era.
On race night, Placerville Speedway draws large crowds to it's dirt track.
Explore historic buildings and landmarks on a fun walking tour of Placerville.
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Career Technical Education at El Dorado Union High School District
Placerville Union Elementary School District, which earns a B from Niche, serves roughly 1,200 students from kindergarten to Grade 8. The district consists of three schools, and according to Niche, 49% of students are proficient in reading and 32% proficient in math. El Dorado Union High School District earns an A from Niche and serves just over 6,500 students. Students can also join the district’s Career Technical Education and Regional Occupational Program to gain skills needed for high-demand jobs, such as automotive services, health careers and cosmetology.
Sierra Elementary School encourages diversity and inclusion in Placerville.
The student to teacher ratio at El Dorado High School in Placerville is 23 to 1.
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Mom-and-pop shops and a farmers market
Downtown Placerville is the main hub for shopping and dining. Mom-and-pop shops border bakeries and American fare pubs along Main Street. A particularly popular haunt, the Enchanted Dining Experience delights patrons not just with its seafood, Irish pies and cocktails but with its decor, too - shrubbery is draped over booths and tree leaves fan out across the ceiling, draped in fairy lights. Big-box stores like Home Depot and Walmart sit to the west and south, while retailers, such as T.J. Maxx, line the El Dorado Freeway. Main Street’s historic Ivy House hosts a Farmers Market from mid-May through October, offering fresh vegetables, flowers and other goods.
Enchanted Forest Dining Experience is a popular Placerville eatery.
You can eat American fare and a game of pool at the Placerville Public House.
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Consistent home prices
On average, homes in Placerville sell after 48 days on the market, compared to the national average of 44. Over the last 12 months, the average sale price for single-family homes is $570,000, which is even with the average home sale price year over year. Centrally, three-bedroom ranch-style homes can sell for $385,000, while historic four-bedroom bungalows near downtown can sell for $750,000. Million-dollar estates on roughly 3 acres are found on the outskirts of town.
Bungalows are a common house style near the downtown area of Placerville.
Homes have very little yard space in the downtown area in Placerville.
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Access to nearby highways, buses and bike lanes
Highway 50 (El Dorado Freeway) cuts right through the town east to west, while Highway 49 (Golden Chain Highway) bisects it north to south. The city is about 45 miles northeast of Sacramento. “We’re in a great location,” says Lishman. “We’re only about 2 hours from the San Francisco Bay Area.” He says residents here are more dependent on cars, but there is public transportation here, and bicyclists strap motors to the back of their bikes and ride around town. El Dorado Transit offers bus services, and sidewalks and bike lanes run through downtown. The city has its own domestic airport for small aircraft, and Sacramento International Airport is 55 miles west. Marshall Emergency Department is just south of downtown.
Low overall crime rates
Overall, Placerville has lower crime rates than the national average. The police department’s latest report shows a 2% uptick in violent crimes from 2020 to 2021, and a 24% decrease in property crime. The department has hired more officers and is utilizing social media for public awareness and education. The city experiences hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters.
Written By
Tess Evans
Photography Contributed By
Wesley Jimerson
Video By
Timothy Cerva
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GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Placerville, CA sell after 34 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Placerville, CA over the last 12 months is $533,900, down 24% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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One bedroom apartment in beautiful location nestled in the pines. Full kitchen, partial furnishings. Pets accepted. Plenty of parking and storage. Located on 2.5 acres attached to main house but with private access. Deer and wildlife all around you. Lakes within 5 minutes. Private patio to enjoy the outdoors.
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