$449,759Average Value$265Average Price per Sq Ft11Homes For Sale
Life around the lake near bikeable wilderness and downtown fun
Mary Lake in west Redding is the only neighborhood in the city that's within easy biking distance of downtown and centers around a quiet, calm body of water. This manmade feature was created in the 1830s as a water source for gold sluicing. In the 1930s, St. Joseph's Catholic Church bought the land from gold miners, renaming it Mary Lake, and the City of Redding took ownership in 1982. Most of Mary Lake's current residential footprint developed between the 1980s and the early 2000s, although a smattering of homes were built in the 1960s along Wisconsin Avenue and Oro Street. From anywhere in Mary Lake, residents can walk or bike to a paved trail encircling Mary Lake to fish or feed the ducks and geese. To the west, unpaved trails invite hikers to explore the open wilderness. Majestic mountain views and nearby retail options strike a balance of natural beauty and suburban comfort. "It's a great community for young families to get started," says David Hovis, a local resident who raised his kids in Mary Lake and co-owns nearby West Redding Preschool with his wife. "It's relatively affordable and very family-oriented. There's always lots of kids everywhere, and everyone gets together for barbecues."
Mary Lake Park is the center of the neighborhood and brings the community together.
Row of homes sit peacefully across the street from Mary Lake Park.
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Nature at its heart and all around
Mary Lake Park doesn't have play equipment, splash pads or soccer fields. Instead, the Friends of Mary Lake is a resident coalition that works together to maintain its wild, natural state. A paved pathway heads into the trees directly off Lakeside Drive, to the water’s edge and around the lake. Resident anglers of all ages can fish for bass and bluegill from the bank. For those seeking an even less developed adventure, the Kilkee Trailhead on Mary Lake's western edge opens up over 7 miles of dirt multiuse trails that ascend 700 feet to a panoramic view of Lassen Peak, Mount Shasta and the Trinity Alps. "Other neighborhoods nearby might also have views," says Meg Grotting, Realtor with Re/Max FiveStar since 2004, "but Mary Lake has a forested park with a lake right in the middle of it, so you can interact with nature any time." Locals can also bike about 4 miles northeast to the Sacramento River Trail. "I think there must be some 80 miles of trails that lead into River Trail," adds Hovis. "It goes south of Redding and north to Shasta Dam and back. And the Lower Sac River is considered one of the finest trout fly-fishing spots in the nation. Four-pounders are about average." Residents can also take a day trip to Whiskeytown Lake, 9 miles west, or Shasta Lake, 13 miles north. Closer to home, at Cumberland Park, just a quarter-mile down Cumberland off Placer Street, families enjoy dual-purpose basketball and pickleball courts, open grass fields and a colorful playground.
Locals of Mary Lake often take morning walks along the perimeter of Mary Lake Park.
Residents of Mary Lake love the ease and convenience of fishing on Mary Lake.
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Homes start at $380,000, many in cul-de-sacs
Several subdivisions comprise the Mary Lake community. Newcomers looking for a midcentury ranch style can find options ranging between $380,000 and $460,000 in the Rolling Hills subdivision. Larger two-story homes in Westgate Village ask between $490,000 and $615,000. Lake-view and lakefront homes built in 2005 on Bantry Court can fetch from $700,000 to more than $1 million. Homes have distinct character, as there's no HOA stipulating construction similarity. Many residents can step directly from front yards onto the paved mile-long lake path. Streetscapes are not in a grid, and their organic layout branches into more than a dozen cul-de-sacs. When the Carr Fire swept through Redding in 2018, Mary Lake residents were required to evacuate. Most homes were unscathed; however, the fire destroyed about a dozen residences on the north end of the neighborhood, on Kilkee Drive, Ridge Drive and Waushura Avenue. These homes have since been rebuilt. Lakeside Drive spans east-west through the community center, making it easy to connect to retail options along Buenaventura Boulevard. Placer Road to the south heads directly to Placer Heights Plaza and the Benton Airpark for private aircraft.
Most of Mary Lake's residential footprint developed between the 1980s and the early 2000's.
Million dollar homes are in close proximity to Mary Lake Park in Mary Lake neighborhood.
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High fire factor requires insurance
The City of Redding government has classified the extreme dryness of the hillside areas in western Redding as a very high fire hazard severity zone. Homebuyers will need to obtain proper insurance. The City of Redding 2022-2027 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan cites the ongoing implementation of mitigations, such as ensuring that roofing material on new homes is non-combustible and that replaced roofs meet code requirements. The Redding Fire Station No. 2 sits at the eastern edge of the neighborhood in Placer Heights Plaza.
Mary Lake is surrounded by beautiful mountains in the distance.
Mary Lake has a very high fire hazard severity zone, but the local fire department is ready.
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B-plus and A-grade school districts
Public elementary and middle schools are within the Redding Elementary School District, given a Niche B-plus. Kids start at Manzanita Elementary, which also earns a B-plus, and move on to Sequoia Middle, given a B. In the Shasta Union High District, which earns an A grade, Shasta High also gets an A. Shasta High students can be part of a pioneering Space Science and Engineering Robotics program where they learn from NASA experts.
Student success is the number one priority at Manzanita Elementary School.
Shasta High School is a highly rated school in Redding.
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Placer Heights Plaza for dining and groceries, downtown eateries
Mary Lake is purely residential, but it's easy to drive a mile or so up Placer Road for savory crepes at Le Testimony in Placer Heights Plaza or take Route 299 or Placer Road two miles farther into downtown. "Karline's downtown," says Hovis, "is my favorite. Their New Orleans-style jambalaya is phenomenal. And they always have steak and seafood options, so there's something for every taste." Since the early 1980s, locals have been making memories at Nello's Place downtown. "It's a little high in price, but the old-style atmosphere is what people love," says Hovis. "Back in the day, when Nello himself, who's passed, owned it, he used to stand at the door and give each woman a rose. His son inherited it, and the restaurant does really well." For craft beer and pub apps, family-owned Woody's is a popular downtown brewery. Grocery shopping is convenient at Holiday Market in Placer Heights Plaza.
The tots and pretzels are super popular at Woody's Brewing Company near Mary Lake.
Locals from Mary Lake say the Chicken from Moonstone Bistro is one of the tastiest dishes.
"There's all kinds of plays and concerts at the Cascade Theater downtown," adds Horvis. "It's this gorgeous venue that used to be a movie theater. When they refurbished it, they found Frank Lloyd Wright's original designs and recreated them, down to the murals." Cascade hosts the World Ballet Company, North State Symphony and tribute shows among its year-round agenda. One of the area's biggest events is the multiday Redding Rodeo, held every May since 1948 at the Redding Rodeo Grounds on Auditorium Drive. A steak feed, bull-riding, Hall of Fame Induction and a sellout Armed Forces night are all part of the high-energy festivities.
Mostly cars, with biking and transit options
Most residents drive to work, errands and outings, but biking is an option in the cooler months. For those needing public transit, the Redding Area Bus Authority has bus stops along Buenaventura Boulevard and Placer Street. The Redding Regional Airport is a 12-mile, 22-minute drive southeast.
Public transportation is available in Mary Lake and provides an easy commute to downtown.
Locals of Mary Lake love the close proximity to the Sacramento River and nearby hiking trails.
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
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jennifer Icenhower,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Mary Lake Park
Cumberland Park
Transit
Airport
Redding Regional
17 min drive
Bus
Buenaventura Blvd & Lakeside Dr
Bus
Buenaventura Blvd & Rosita Dr
Mary Lake Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Mary Lake, Redding sell after 31 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Mary Lake, Redding over the last 12 months is $442,995, up 7% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Discover this spacious 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom home with a POOL tucked away at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac, offering privacy and room to spread out. Inside, you'll find two separate living areas great for entertaining, relaxing, or creating a home office setup. The backyard is a true retreat, featuring a large deck, mature landscaping, and a wide variety of fruit trees including grapefruit,
Charming Westside Living! This 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home offers 1,500 square feet of comfortable space, plus a bonus room—perfect for a home office, playroom, or cozy den. Nestled near downtown Redding, you're just minutes from shopping, dining, and trails.Freshly painted with high ceilings, this home blends simple style with everyday function. The living space feels open and bright,
This 11.73-acre parcel offers a rare blend of privacy, natural beauty, and practicality. With a seasonal creek and pond enhancing the lower portion of the land, and mountain views from the top, it's the ideal setting for your dream home, retreat, or recreational getaway. Enjoy true peace and quiet, no road noise, while still benefiting from key infrastructure: power at the road, a fire hydrant at
Franki MannionColdwell Banker Select Real Estate - Redding
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jennifer Icenhower,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
2,486
Median Age
44
Population Density
5 ppl/acre
Population under 18
23.4%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
23%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$75,719
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$107,913
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
95.7%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
33.2%
Advanced Degrees
12%
% Population in Labor Force
63.3%
On par with the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
34''
Average Winter Low Temperature
38°F
Average Summer High Temperature
99°F
Annual Snowfall
1''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
52/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
28/ 100
Minimal Transit
Transit Score®
15/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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.
