Rancho Calaveras is a residential development in Calaveras County
Rancho Calaveras is a sizeable residential development in Calaveras County in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Built in the 1960s, Rancho Calaveras was the largest subdivision of its kind in the state of California. Rancho Calaveras is considered a census-designated place and has a population of about 6,600, according to U.S. Census estimates. Most mailing addresses are assigned to Valley Springs. The community is named for the Calaveras River, or the Rio de las Calaveras, which is Spanish for, "River of Skulls." In the early 19th century, members of a Spanish expedition discovered skulls on the riverbanks. These were presumably the skulls of Native Americans, like the Miwok peoples, who are indigenous to the region. Later, the area's growth of the area was spurred on by the gold rush of the mid-1800s. "Now, it's nothing like it was during the gold rush; at that time, there were millions here. It's hard to imagine," says Dan Seider, president/broker at Big Trees Real Estate.
Options like ranch-style, contemporary and custom homes
Architecture dates to the 1970s through the 1990s. Ranch-style homes are common, and there are also some manufactured homes. From the 2000s forward, more contemporaries and custom homes were added. Prices range from about $200,000 to $770,000. Wildfires continue to threaten the region, and that can affect home insurance. "The state needs to solve the insurance issue," Seider says. One option is the California FAIR Plan, an insurance program for high-risk properties, though Seider says it has coverage limitations. The CAP Index Crime Score in Rancho Calaveras is 1 out of 10; which is lower than the national average of 4.
Rancho Calaveras in Calaveras County offers custom homes.
Homes with large lots are found in Mi Tierra Mexican Restaurant in Rancho Calaveras in Calaveras County.
Rancho Calaveras in Calaveras County have ranchettes for you to choose from.
Rancho Calaveras is a sizeable residential development.
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The Rancho Calaveras Property Owner's Association and events
The Rancho Calaveras Property Owner's Association (RCPOA) manages the community. There's a clubhouse with a game room and kitchen. During the summer, the pool is open to members and their guests. Cabanas, barbecue grills and a snack bar are available, and fitness classes from the RCPOA include water aerobics.
The association has monthly board meetings and hosts holiday celebrations, plus activities like themed paint nights, bingo, bunco and other games.
New Hogan Lake on the Calaveras River is a 4400 artificial lake in Mi Tierra Mexican Restaurant in Rancho Calaveras in Calaveras County.
Locals enjoy New Hogan Lake in Mi Tierra Mexican Restaurant in Rancho Calaveras in Calaveras County.
Take the boat out at Hogan Lake in Rancho Calaveras in Calaveras County.
Wildlife can always be seen at Hogan Lake in Rancho Calaveras in Calaveras County.
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A car-dependent area with some transportation services
The area is primarily car-dependent, though there's some public transit, like the Calaveras Connect Red Line, which has stops in Valley Springs on Vista del Lago and Daphne Streets. The Fixed route goes more than 40 miles from Valley Springs to Arnold, passing through San Andreas, Angels Camp and Murphys.
The main roads are state Routes 26 and 12. The closest medical facilities include Valley Springs Health & Wellness Center on SR-26 and the Dignity Health Mark Twain Medical Center, about 17 miles away in San Andreas. Calaveras Connect and the Area 12 Agency on Aging offer a transportation voucher program for seniors traveling to medical appointments. Residents aged 65 and up make up about 25% of the population in Rancho Calaveras.
A semi-private golf club, recreation by the river and lake
La Contenta Golf Club is semi-private, with bookable tee times and membership options. Onsite is La Contenta Grill, which is open morning through afternoon. To the east is New Hogan Lake, a 4,400-acre artificial lake formed by the New Hogan Dam on the Calaveras River. Recreational day-use sites on the west side of the lake include Observation Point, which has a picnic shelter for large gatherings. Fishing, swimming and boating are popular activities. Below the dam is the River of Skulls Trail, a forested loop of about a mile.
La Contenta Golf Club is where residents go to play a round of golf.
Practice your swing at La Contenta Golf Club in Rancho Calaveras in Calaveras County.
Spend time with the Family at New Hogan Lake in Rancho Calaveras in Calaveras County
Locals enjoy New Hogan Lake in Rancho Calaveras in Calaveras County.
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There are some shopping centers and grocery stores in the area
The Terrace Plaza shopping center on Vista del Lago Drive has some businesses and restaurants, like Mi Tierra Mexican Restaurant and Fusion Grill, for Mongolian barbecue and Chinese dishes. "It's still like a small town, but it's bigger now, and there are more services because it's grown," Seider says. In Valley Springs, close to where SR-26 and SR-12 meet, there are shopping centers like Valley Oaks Center. Grocery stores in the area include Mar-Val Food Stores and the Grocery Outlet. Additionally, the Valley Springs Farmers Market is held on Fridays from late May to late September.
Grab a bite of Mexican food at Mi Tierra Mexican Restaurant in Rancho Calaveras in Calaveras County.
Fusion Grill is great for Mongolian barbecue and Chinese dishes.
The burrito bowl is a local favorite at Mi Tierra Mexican Restaurant in Rancho Calaveras in Calaveras County.
Residents shop at Mar Val in Mi Tierra Mexican Restaurant in Rancho Calaveras in Calaveras County for all there grocery needs.
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The Calaveras Unified School District serves Rancho Calaveras
Rancho Calaveras is zoned to the Calaveras Unified School District. Students may attend Jenny Lind Elementary, which earns a C-minus grade from Niche. Valley Springs Elementary School, which earns a C grade from Niche, is farther north, off SR-12. To the east, toward San Andreas, are Toyon Middle School, with a C, and Calaveras High School, with a B-minus. Among the high school's extracurricular groups are Future Farmers of America,include Medical Science/HOSA-Future Health Professionals and clubs for debate, drama and poetry. Serving kindergarten through 12th grade are the Sierra Hills Education Center, an independent study school rated B-minus, and public charter Mountain Oaks School, which has a B grade.
Welcome to Valley Springs Elementary School in Rancho Calaveras in Calaveras County.
Students attend Valley Springs Elementary school in Rancho Calaveras in Calaveras County.
Toyon Middle School sits on several acres in Rancho Calaveras in Calaveras County.
Calaveras High School home of the Redskins in Rancho Calaveras in Calaveras County.
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Agriculture is important to the region, but many people commute
Agriculture, livestock and lumber production have been important in the region. About half the population of Rancho Calaveras is in the workforce, and people may commute. "I think the convenience is you can work in a city and live here and feel like there's more open space," Seider says. Residents of Rancho Calaveras might commute to Stockton, which is about 30 miles southwest and has a population of about 320,000, according to U.S. Census estimates. Sacramento, the state capital, is about 60 miles northwest. The Stockton Metropolitan Airport has service on Allegiant Air to Las Vegas, Phoenix and Denver, and the Sacramento International Airport offers more than a dozen airlines.
Written By
Robin Silberman
Photography Contributed By
Jeff Carnie
Video By
Aiyshanti Green
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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an experienced agent in this area.
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