Riverbank

River Cove is a neighborhood between the low-country farms of the Central Valley and the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The Stanislaus River flows alongside River Cove Drive, a residential road that gains elevation as it winds around well-landscaped lawns and evergreen groves. Entering town from the west, River Cove greets newcomers in a quiet waterfront community 9 miles north of Downtown Modesto. City dwellers travel to Riverbank for Jacob Myers Park, a vast nature space where inner tubes and inflatable rafts float down the river. “Riverbank is kind of an extension of Modesto. You feel like you’re still in the city,” says Joyce Fritz, Realtor and founder of 12 Doors Real Estate, who has sold homes in Modesto since 2008. “One of the nice things about Riverbank is it has the river flowing through it, and you’ll see people swimming and having picnics on the weekend.” In River Cove, Spanish Revivals sit on yards with neatly trimmed hedges and gardens of morning glories and purple-leaf plum trees. Bungalows, Craftsman and ranch-style homes are common with architecture encompassing French and Spanish influences accompanied by low-hanging tiled roofs and stucco exteriors, which include brick or stone features. Single-family home prices range from $400,000 to $850,000. A three-bedroom Craftsman home can be listed for around $400,000 to $500,000, while a four-bedroom contemporary ranch-style home can sell for between $450,000 to $750,000. A five-bedroom Spanish Revival on a gated property with a swimming pool can cost up to $1.3 million. Along with diverse styles, River Cove features many different subdivisions and communities. The River Heights subdivision is a luxury community where houses have balconies and built-in pools. “People who live in River Heights want to be close to the river and want a certain type of home,” Fritz says. “In River Heights, people very much look at the style of homes and the community culture.” River Cove also has manufactured homes, like those at both the Park Sierra and Modesto Mobile Home Parks. According to U.S. Census data, Riverbank's population has doubled in the last 30 years. Ian Wilbur, an area native and a home developer in Riverbank, played a vital role in new three-bedroom duplexes at Chavez Court. “It’s growing,” Wilbur says about Riverbank. “There are young and established families here. Subdivisions and other developments have sold out quickly, and I don’t see it slowing down anytime soon.” Riverbank schools are part of the Riverbank Unified School District. California Avenue Elementary School, which earns a C-minus grade from Niche, was awarded a silver ranking from the Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Coalition, which gives teachers innovative ways to correct behavior and encourage positivity in the classroom.. Cardozo Middle School earns a B-minus and offers membership in the Advancement via Individual Determination (AVID) program, which allows students to tour college campuses, set goals and prepare for higher education. The AVID program continues into Riverbank High School, which has a B-minus. Students at Riverbank High School can apply to join the California Scholarship Federation, a statewide honors society. Jacob Myers Park, one of the most significant nature parks in the Modesto area, offers fishing, swimming and rafting on the Stanislaus River, as well as the ability to sleep under the stars at the park’s campground. Additionally, the walking trails are paved and there’s a dog park area.. Kids can play at the sprawling playground or watch the BNSF train chug along the railroad suspended above the park. Racket sports are all the rage at Lorenzo Zerillo Park, which boasts eight pickleball, tennis and basketball courts as well as a toddler-friendly playground. Patterson Road, an essential route to Modesto, is filled with folksy shops and local chains like Perko’s Café, Cost Less Food Company grocery store and Valley Donuts. A blooming fruit tree can be found at Morris Nursery, a garden center that opened in Riverbank almost 50 years ago. When the sun goes down, film buffs can watch a spooky movie from the reclining seats at Galaxy Theatres, which serves beer and wine at its concession stand. Taqueria Los Compadres provides a homey Mexican eatery with a salsa bar on Oakdale Road. For dessert, next door is a Palo Santo Café for a gelato or espresso. For groceries, RiverBank Food Center is east of River Cove on Third Street. River Cove is a car-dependent neighborhood with minimal transit options and few connecting sidewalk routes. Patterson Road, or State Route 108, is the primary highway in Riverbank connecting to McHenry Avenue, which runs 9 miles south through a commercial district to downtown Modesto. Roselle Avenue is another route connecting Modesto with Riverbank from the south. Route 108 takes traffic to Oakdale, another town 5 miles east. Riverbank is 72 miles south of Sacramento and 93 miles east of San Francisco. Four Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority (StanRTA) bus stops are located on Patterson Avenue, which carts passengers around Stanislaus County. The Sacramento International Airport (SMF) is 86 miles north. Riverbank's Downtown Market is a community staple, during which artisans and restaurants set up booths in a lively downtown space every Tuesday evening in the summer. The Cheese and Wine Festival is a community tradition celebrating the town's culture with savory sampling that closes the downtown streets in October. The Founders Day Carnival is an annual tradition where carnival games and craft vendors gather at Community Center Park, the green space next to the local recreation center downtown. Food Truck Fridays is a weekly occurrence in May with steaming food from a set of wheels parked at the Riverbank Sports Complex, an athletic facility only a mile south of River Cove. In June, residents can check out the flicks at Summer Movies in the Parks, where movies are shown at different parks all over town.

Off the banks of the historic Stanislaus River north of Modesto lies Riverbank, a quiet town of convenient living and simple pleasures. “It’s very much a small town, but it’s expanding,” says local property manager Serena Jacobs. “It’s easy to stay in town for everything you need. There are several spots to shop and a few ways to stay entertained, but it’s a pretty calm town to live in.” Riverbank’s residential streets stretch south from the river shores containing many modern homes. The town’s northern areas largely hold styled ranches inspired by Spanish and French designs like tile roofs and gray color palettes. Move farther from the river to find homes with a larger footprint and more elaborate designs inspired by Craftsman and Mediterranean styles. Most streets are lined by tight sidewalks and palm trees that lead into the many cul-de-sacs and coves that define Riverbank’s communities. Several mobile home properties also stand in town to cater to a wide range of living needs. Home prices fall within a range of $300,000 to $750,000, with a median sales price of $440,000, slightly higher than the median price of $390,000 in nearby Modesto. The town’s central location puts Riverbank in the heart of Stanislaus County’s perennial nature surroundings. Right on the river’s edge sits Jacob Myers Park, where locals flock during the sunny California days to swim in the clear water, hike through the lush plant life on a birdwatching expedition or pick a spot to lay back and cast a fishing pole. Several compact parks are spread across town to ensure every resident has easy access to green space. Use Harless Park or Castleberg Park during your morning jog for a change of scenery, or get the family together for a quiet picnic away from the often-busy river’s edge. Riverbank might be a small town, but this quaint community still knows how to have fun. Downtown Riverbank takes up a small section of Santa Fe Street, but these two short blocks hold ample personality. Every Tuesday, the community gathers for the Riverbank Farmers Market, where upwards of 40 local vendors and farmers share their fresh ingredients and artisan goods with the people of Riverbank. Downtown also hosts some of the area’s favorite restaurants. Visit Get Toasted for a hip brunch spot serving creative plates, daily specials and mimosa flights. Locals swear by Daily Dose Bistro. Part sandwich shop and part bar, this laid-back café can provide a hot cup of fresh coffee and a baked treat on your morning commute, or a flight of craft beers to unwind after a long day. Riverbank hosts three elementary schools to aid the town’s youngest children as they start their educations. Crossroads Elementary School is Riverbank’s most attended with US News ranking it as the No. 1 school in the Sylvan Union School District. Most students move on to Riverbank High School, the town’s primary high school providing well-rounded programs involving social development and athletics in addition to the state standard curriculum. Adelante High Continuation School offers alternative educational settings for K-12 students who struggle in traditional school programs, leaving no student behind in Riverbank. Listen to the river and enjoy the small town of Riverbank, where a rock-solid community knows to go with the flow. “If you like city life then Riverbank probably isn’t for you,” Jacobs says. “It’s a fairly populated area so it’s not like living in the country, but you definitely get the small-town experience. I know a lot of people who have lived here most of their lives which shows you how people love and stick around Riverbank.”