Pollock Pines offers scenic landscapes at a higher elevation
As the name may suggest, Pollock Pines is a densely forested, scenic community on the edge of the Sierra Nevada range. “The number one reason people move to Pollock Pines is for the natural beauty. The city’s motto is ‘Nature’s Wonderland,’” says Rich Curtis, a local real estate agent at eXp Realty with more than 15 years of experience. “I always say it’s got everything great about South Lake Tahoe for half the price. It’s actually one of the more affordable areas in El Dorado County.” Jenkinson Lake and the Sly Park Recreation Area are the major hubs for outdoor recreation, and Lake Tahoe is a relatively short drive away.
A wide range of housing styles with opportunities for acreage
Early 19th-century Craftsman cottages are clustered close to Route 50, with more late-20th-century and early-21st-century residential development branching out from there. Ranch-style properties, custom wood cabins and A-frames are most common, and lot sizes vary from quarter-acre parcels to sprawling multiacre properties. Most properties range from $200,000 to $700,000, though some homes needing repairs sell for as little as $130,000. Some large estates on the community’s outskirts can range from $700,000 to $1.2 million. Empty lots start at around a quarter-acre, sometimes even exceeding 60 acres, and prices generally range from $20,000 to $550,000. All-ages manufactured home communities offer one-, two- and three-bedroom units for between $10,000 and $420,000, depending on size and condition.
Many parts of Pollock Pines, especially on the west side, have a moderate-to-severe risk of wildfires. “Wildfire is a concern in the entire state,” Curtis says. “Since Pollock Pines is a forested area, it will suffer from higher premiums than suburban areas.” The El Dorado County Fire Protection District’s Station 17 serves the community. Additionally, Pollock Pines also receives quite a bit more snow in the winter than towns farther west, as it's at a higher elevation.
Nearby hot spots for fishing, camping and hiking
The Sly Park Recreation Area, centered on Jenkinson Lake, is a popular destination for fishing, boating and water skiing, and it's surrounded by forested trails and campgrounds. Together, the area's hiking, equestrian and bike trails total over 9 miles. Forebay Community Park, located on the banks of the Long Canyon Forebay Reservoir, spans 12 acres with horseshoe pits and picnic areas. The park also has a Little League baseball field, home of the Snowline Little League team. Renovations beginning in summer 2025 will add new parking lots and an accessible playground. Some folks drive up to Lake Tahoe for sand beaches and more waterfront recreation.
Schools in the area score in the B-range
Pinewood Elementary earns a B from Niche, while Sierra Ridge Middle earns a B-minus and offers athletic programs for volleyball, basketball and flag football. While Pinewood Elementary and Sierra Ridge Middle are both located within Pollock Pines, students are bused to El Dorado High in Placerville starting in ninth grade. The B-plus-rated school offers pathways in medical arts and science, natural resources and culinary arts.
A handful of longstanding restaurants and a grocery store
A small shopping plaza at the corner of Pony Express Trail and Sly Park Road houses a Safeway and CVS. 50 Grand Restaurant and Bar is one of only a few eateries in town, serving steak and seafood in an upscale setting. Sportsman’s Hall was first established as a hotel and restaurant in the 1850s. Though no longer active as a hotel, the business is still a staple of the area, serving American fare with rustic décor. Locals need to drive to Sacramento or Lake Tahoe for more serious retail shopping.
Connected to the rest of El Dorado County on Route 50
Pollock Pines is located on Route 50, more than 55 miles from downtown Sacramento and less than 50 miles from Lake Tahoe. El Dorado Transit has intercity bus routes that stop in Pollock Pines, connecting to the neighboring town of Placerville. Marshall Hospital is the nearest major medical center, less than 15 miles away in Placerville.
Covered wagons stop in town for an annual celebration
Every June, a train of old-fashioned covered wagons travels along Route 50 from Round Hill, Nevada, to Placerville, California. When the train stops in Pollock Pines, the locals celebrate with a small festival, including live music, raffles and a mechanical bull. The event has been an annual tradition for over 75 years and is sponsored by the Highway 50 Association.
