Rocklin

Clover Valley Woods is a Sacramento suburb surrounded by retail and dining options. Residents are within walking distance of multiple parks that offer various recreational opportunities. Clover Valley Woods is in Rocklin, which has more expensive housing than nearby neighborhoods to the north in Lincoln. But Rocklin is closer to downtown Sacramento. Clover Valley Woods is also home to multiple highly rated public schools. “The typical homebuyer in the area is looking for a well-established neighborhood with nearby parks, terrific shopping and really good entertainment options,” says Susan Richards-Slavik, a real estate agent who sells homes in the area for Coldwell Banker Realty. “It’s a convenient place for homebuyers with or without families.” Most homes in the area fall within the $800,000-to-$1.4 million price range. A four-bedroom, three-bathroom 1970s single-family home with a shaded front yard and a stucco exterior is valued at $770,000. A four-bedroom, three-bathroom 1980s brick home with a tile roof and an attached garage is valued at $1.1 million. A seven-bedroom, six-bathroom 1980s home with an in-ground pool, basketball court and hot tub sells for $1.5 million. For those who are easily bothered by noise, Whitney Vista Lane on the east end of Clover Valley Woods is about a half mile from a railroad track. Some children attend Valley View Elementary School, with an A Niche rating and a 23-to-1 student-to-teacher ratio. Spring View Middle School has an A Niche rating and a 19-to-1 student-to-teacher ratio. Rocklin High School has an A Niche rating and a 97% graduation rate. Locals take the neighborhood’s sidewalks to Clover Valley Park, which has a hiking trail and playground. Sunset Whitney Recreation Area runs alongside the community. This 184-acre former golf course is in the process of being renovated. The park’s master plan includes mountain bike riding trails, basketball courts, a playground and a veterans memorial. Also adjacent to Clover Valley Woods, Johnson-Springview Park has a disc golf course, a skatepark and a dog park. The park is also the home of the local Little League. Residents travel less than 3 miles south to Pacific Street to shop at the Walmart Neighborhood Market. Local watch sports, play billiards and throw darts at Sully’s Bar & Grill, also on Pacific Street. Mezcalito Oaxacan Cuisine is also in the area, and residents stop by the restaurant to drink margaritas and fill up on pork tamales and vegetarian dishes like peppers stuffed with cheese. Two miles south of Clover Valley Woods, residents buy French macarons and cupcakes at Two Friends Bakery in White Oak Court. Locals drive less than 4 miles to Citrus Avenue to exercise at Rock Fitness. On Granite Drive, residents can shop for new cars at the Porsche dealership. Westfield Galleria at Roseville, 5 miles southwest of Clover Valley Woods, draws a lot of shoppers from the area. This 1.3 million-square-foot indoor mall is home to a Macy’s, a JCPenney, a Nordstrom, a Gucci, a Louis Vuitton and many other retail options. Residents travel 5 miles west of Clover Valley Woods to watch classic films and new releases at Cinemark Century Blue Oaks Theatres and XD. Locals drive downtown to Golden 1 Center to watch the Sacramento Kings play basketball. The city is also home to Sacramento Republic FC, a professional soccer team that plays at Heart Health Park. “Many of the residents commute to work in Sacramento and Roseville,” Richards-Slavik says. Residents of Clover Valley Woods drive 23 miles to downtown Sacramento via I-80. They drive 28 miles via I-80 to access Sacramento International Airport. The nearest train station is about 2 miles south of Clover Valley Woods. The nearest bus stop is about 2 miles away on Pacific Street. The trip to Roseville from Clover Valley Woods is 7 miles via Pacific Street.

Just over 20 miles to the northeast of Sacramento is Central Rocklin, a changing neighborhood that is big on convenience. “It’s an easy place to live,” says Mairin Haley of Compass Realty, who has over 10 years of experience selling homes in the Sacramento area. “But the neighborhood is rapidly becoming more upper-middle class with the newer homes being luxury builds that are over $1 million.” Many enjoy the short distance to Sacramento and use Interstate 80 to commute into the state’s capital for work. Located in the City of Rocklin, Central Locklin residents enjoy the mild temperatures associated with the Sacramento area, a strong school district and plenty of convenient shopping and dining options. Many of the homes in Central Rocklin were built in the 1950s and 60s. However, newer homes are springing up throughout the neighborhood. Prices range from around $600,000 to over $1 million for a newer build. The majority of older homes in the area are three-bedroom ranch-style builds, while larger Craftsman houses are the popular design of the more modern homes. The houses are situated off of busy highways and rest on quiet residential streets. The wide sidewalks make it easy for dog walking, and the majority of the homes have private yards. Houses come with multi-car garages, which make parking easy. Kids in the neighborhood attend the Rocklin Unified School District, beginning at the A-rated Rocklin Elementary. The next stop is Spring View Middle School, which also has an A rating from Niche and was named the sixth-best school in Placer County. Rocklin High has an A rating on Niche and was named one of the best public schools in California. The school has an extensive fine arts department, with a dance team, drama productions and multiple choirs and bands. In addition, Rocklin High graduates have gone on to play professional sports. “The school district is a major draw,” says Haley. “It’s one of the best in the state academically and for athletics.” The massive Johnson Spring View Park is one of the largest in Sacramento and a major recreation spot for Central Rocklin locals. The park has 90 acres of free space, lighted sports fields and tennis courts as well as a disc golf course. Volleyball, roller hockey and skateboarding are all popular activities, and even the dogs can exercise at the complex’s dog park. Peter Hill Heritage Park is a favorite for picnics and has playground equipment for children. Quarry Park Adventures gives residents the opportunity to have fun high in the sky with a zipline course, rock climbing and other extreme activities. Others can choose to participate in the Rocklin Community Theater, which has classes for all ages. Diners head to Pacific Street for a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants on the strip. Mezcalito Oaxacan Cuisine serves up spicy favorites in a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere. Just down the road, Rubino’s Ristorante has all the classic Italian favorites and outdoor seating. Cante Ao Vinho is a winery right in the heart of the neighborhood with indoor/outdoor seating and a stage for a band. Beer lovers can grab a fresh brew at Moksa Brewing. Shopping in Central Rocklin is easy, and that’s how the residents prefer it. “It’s all convenient shopping, Trader Joe’s, Walmart, that type of thing,” says Haley. “You won’t find a ton of mom-and-pop shops.” Central Rocklin is served by Placer County Transit Agency, which has fixed bus routes in and around Sacramento. Bus stops are frequent along Pacific Street and Sunset Boulevard. The neighborhood also has a Dial-A-Ride service available, with accommodations for passengers in wheelchairs. The neighborhood is bordered to the east by Interstate 80, which makes it easy for commuters to head to Sacramento.

About 20 miles from the state capital, Woodside is a neighborhood with strong schools and quaint charm. “The school district is the biggest draw to the community,” says Mairin Haley of Compass Realty, who has over 10 years of experience selling homes in the Sacramento area. “A lot of the neighborhoods in the City of Rocklin, where Woodside is, have been overtaken by large, big box stores, but that’s not the case in Woodside yet.” While parts of Rocklin have seen residential and commercial building on a large scale, Woodside has remained largely untouched, providing a charming suburban atmosphere. The majority of homes in Woodside are either ranch-style or tri-level builds built in the 1970s. Many of the homes are brick-built and will require little future maintenance. The prices range from just under $500,000 to $625,000, depending on year and condition. “This is affordable compared to the prices in some of the neighboring Rocklin communities,” says Haley. Houses are located on residential roads away from highly trafficked areas. Houses have private driveways and multi-car garages for parking, and most have spacious front and back yards for recreation and gardening, which are shaded by tall trees. The roads all have sidewalks, which are beneficial to those looking to walk a dog or go for a bike ride. Kids in Woodside attend the Rocklin Unified School District, which is one of the highest-rated in the state. "People absolutely want to get into the Rocklin High pipeline, and plan their move around that," says Haley. The first stop for kids is Rocklin Elementary, which holds an A rating on Niche and is rated as one of the top elementary schools in the state. Spring View Middle School also holds an A rating on Niche and is noted for its strong teaching staff. Rocklin High has an A rating and is noted as one of the top schools in all of California for college prep. Four Rocklin Unified School District leaders received the Association of California Schools Administrators of the Year awards in 2024. There are plenty of places to have fun in and around Woodside, with parks, escape rooms and more. Johnson-Springview Park is the main attraction in the area with over 90 acres of open space. Kids can cool off in the splash pad, while others play disc golf, tennis or bring their pups to the dog park. Crabb Park is another local option, where residents can play bocce ball, horseshoes or hit the volleyball courts. Beat The Room is an escape room experience perfect for group outings, which has eight unique challenges for a group to encounter. Residents get up early to sample the tasty treats at Jasmine Donuts, where there are plenty of pastries to pick from. Just south of Woodside, off Roseville Bypass, there are plenty of dining and shopping options. From upscale cocktails and steaks at Rose Park Bistro to sushi at Mikuni at Fountains to curry at India Oven, the possibilities are seemingly endless. The area is also home to an outstanding amount of retail shopping, with big box stores like DSW Shoe Warehouse and Nordstrom right next door to boutique outlets. Grocery shoppers can visit Whole Foods, WinCo or Walmart. The Woodside neighborhood has access to the City of Rocklin’s Placer County Transit Agency. The agency serves the Sacramento area with fixed route bus service and Dial-A-Ride service for those who book 24 hours in advance. The neighborhood is bordered by Interstate 80, which provides access for commuters to downtown Sacramento. Depending on traffic, Woodside residents can be in the state’s capital in around 20 minutes.

Just north of the hustle and bustle of Galleria Mall, residnets can take a breath in Sunset Whitney. This suburban community is known for its natural feel and shares its name with Sunset Whitney Recreation Area, a greenbelt that borders northernmost homes. Pines and oaks background Mediterranean architecture, and looping streets create tight circles of friends. “The major draw is the community and pride of ownership,” says Michael Lersch, the Vice President of Growth for Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate. “People take care of their houses and their neighbors. People call the city if anything pops up, and there’s quite a lot of community involvement.” Events at Johnson-Springview Park bring this community and Rocklin neighbors together, in addition to highly rated food near the Galleria. Plus, all of its Rocklin Unified Schools are sought after. “The backyards in this older part of Rocklin are on big lots, a quarter acre or more, versus the newer parts where everything’s close together,” says Realtor Michael Lersch. “The houses that border the greenbelt have a nice appeal with great views. Everything’s built in the 1980s and 90s, so some properties need love.” A result of the era, the architecture is mostly Mediterranean and Spanish with some mixed brick thrown in. Two-bed condos and townhomes are found in the central and southern parts of the neighborhood and range from $350,000 to $440,000. Three-bed ranch-styles go between $450,000 and $620,000; two-stories with four-beds can reach $875,000. Since properties are mostly the same age, buyers probably aren’t looking at build dates as much as they are square footage. The average home sells in just 24 days, quicker than the national average by 18 days. Northernmost students likely start at Cobblestone Elementary, rated an A by Niche. For their next step, Granite Oaks Middle gets an A and ranks second out of Placer County’s 36 public middle schools. Rocklin High earns another A and comes in at No. 4 of 20 for public high schools. The school got their first women’s wrestling state champion in 2024. Students in the south have a completely different progression, but their schools all get similar marks: Antelope Creek Elementary, Spring View Middle and Whitney High all receive A’s from Niche. The women’s basketball team for Whitney competed in the Girls California Live 23 tournament, which brought roughly a million-dollar boost to the local economy. A refurbished golf course, Sunset Whitney Recreation Area weaves through northern neighborhoods, so its paved and dirt trails are accessible from backyards. “It’s pretty popular and it really ties the whole area together,” says Lersch. “Rocklin Quarry Park is near there, too, and its quarry has a zipline and rock climbing up the wall. They do concerts and a Christmas tree lighting out there.” Johnson-Springview Park is one of the biggest parks in Rocklin, and Sunset Whitney residents are right next door. Along its dirt trails, heritage oak trees provide shade, and water rolls along Antelope Creek. Its disc golf course weaves through open fields; its fenced-in dog park has obstacles for pups to jump across. When they’re not watching a Tri City Little League game, residents can attend the Rocklin Community Festival in May. This four-day event brings carnival rides and food vendors to the park, as well as a wine and beer garden. Foodies are close to some of the most popular spots in Rocklin. “There’s a local breakfast place called Four Sisters Cafe that people really like, and it’s kind of a famous spot around here,” says Realtor Michael Lersch. “There’s also The Chef’s Table, where a bunch of chefs decided to start a smaller restaurant with really good food. People come from 60 miles all around for that place.” More options are just south at the Westfield Galleria, an indoor mall with over 200 restaurants and shops. Department and specialty clothing stores come together in this district, where Macy’s and Nordstrom are a short walk from Hollister. Route 65 is accessible via Galleria Boulevard. This three-lane freeway leads to Interstate 80 and makes for a 22-mile drive to Sacramento, which takes a half-hour with usual traffic. While the trip is an hour longer, commuters might also ride the No. 20 bus and connect with the No. 10; they could hop on the Light Rail’s Blue Line afterward to get downtown.

Located in Rocklin, about 20 miles northeast of Sacramento, is Secret Ravine-Seirra Bluff, a neighborhood where residents can space out. “This is the type of neighborhood where you don’t feel cramped at all by your neighbors,” says Sonia Immers of Immers Real Estate, who has over two decades of experience in the area. “There’s a lot of space between lots, the streets are wide, and there are mature trees that make things feel more secluded.” While neighbors may be distant, they are not likely to change, as 77% of the population owns rather than rent. The neighborhood is largely a mix of residential buildings and open green spaces, with virtually no room for commercial buildings. Instead, residents enjoy the quiet of suburban living and use the many highways that are close to them to get to shopping and dining options. Many of the homes in the neighborhood were built in the last two decades, but there are a few mid-century houses mixed in. Secret Ravine-Sierra Bluff comprises several sprawling residential communities featuring everything from Traditional ranch-style homes to large Mediterranean builds. Houses can range from $550,000 to over $1.2 million for custom newly constructed homes. They feature attached multi-car garages and large backyards. Residential traffic is all that comes down the wide, quiet roads that often lead to cul-de-sacs. Well-paved sidewalks make it easy to walk the dog or head down to a neighbor's house. Kids in the neighborhood head to the Rocklin Unified School District, beginning at the A-rated Sierra Elementary School. Sierra was named one of the top elementary schools in Placer County. Spring View Middle School also has an A rating on Niche and was named one of the best middle schools in California. Whitney High School was opened in 2005 and holds an A Niche rating. It was named a California Distinguished Institution in 2009. Sierra College is a public community college in the area with nearly 25,000 students and over 650 full-time faculty and staff. The locals love access to False Ravine Park on the neighborhood's south end. “Residents here are very active and love the hiking and biking trails in the neighborhood,” says Immers. The large park is home to miles of trails where many head to take their dogs on a hike or mountain biking. Nearby, Quarry Park Adventures is an outdoor adventure park built in the remnants of a 19th-century quarry. The relic has zip lines, obstacle courses and rappelling supervised by professionals. Joe Hernandez Park has multiple playgrounds for children and a basketball court. The park also features community grills and covered picnic tables. Throughout the neighborhood, smaller pocket parks are easily accessible. Residents can kickstart the day with a coffee or pastry from Rockland Donuts & Cinnamon. Mario’s Early Toast is a fun local spot with large brunch skillets, mimosas and plenty of latte options to choose from. Kids can get Mickey Mouse-shaped pancakes, while parents can indulge in a Bloody Mary. Milo’s Greek Food is a casual spot with gyros and more, while Katherin’s Biergarten has classic German favorites. Locals can pop in for a pretzel or schnitzel while enjoying a refreshing Kolsch. There is a Safeway in the neighborhood and a Costco just west of Interstate 80. Retail shoppers will delight in having large shopping malls in Harding just a mile away. The Placer County Transit Agency serves the neighborhood, with bus service to and from downtown Sacramento. The bus has frequent stops along Rocklin Road. The neighborhood is also just a couple of miles from the Rocklin Amtrak Station, which provides easy access to hop on a train. For commuting, Interstate 80 makes it easy to traverse the rest of Northern California.