Roseville

Only a half-mile south of downtown Roseville, Cherry Glen has the tightly packed feel of a city neighborhood. Homes are close together on gridded streets, and next to narrow sidewalks, parked cars can line both sides of an avenue. Major thoroughfares, Riverside Avenue and Douglass Boulevard, are just west and north, even if the neighborhood itself doesn’t get much through traffic. Pedestrians and bikers can see mature trees above them, giant maples that started growing in the 1900s, and local parks follow a creek along the east side. When they’re ready for more of an upbeat pace, Roseville’s shops and restaurants are a short walk away, and Sacramento is 19 miles south. For a night out, residents can head north to downtown Roseville, a walk that can take about 15 minutes. Downtown has pubs such as Goose Port Public House and The Monk’s Cellar, plus a dozen other restaurants. Stores sell anything from guitars to model trains, and options include Threads Clothing Exchange and Mike’s Bikes. Art galleries, museums and performing arts theaters are also here. Vernon Street, the main thoroughfare, hosts a lot of events throughout the year, too. Local bands perform at Downtown Tuesday Nights in the summertime, and vendors sell handcrafted goods. Trucks park around Vernon Towne Square for Food Truck Mania, which happens every third Thursday year-round. About 2 miles north of downtown, the Placer County Fair brings a Ferris wheel and games every June. Residents can walk to downtown Roseville’s shops and restaurants, but places on Riverside Avenue are even closer. Along the neighborhood’s west side, Roseville Family Restaurant serves diner-style breakfast. Carmelita’s is nearby for Mexican food, and their enchiladas and pork plates are recommended by locals. Just north of the neighborhood on Douglass Boulevard, Shady Grove Coffee & Tea has been a local favorite since 2010. “I like our cappuccinos,” says Austin, the front of house manager. “Our scones usually sell out by mid-morning because we bake them fresh every day. We also get our beans from a Sacramento company called Mast, founded by two former employees.” The coffee shop hosts trivia on the first Tuesday of the month and open mics every Friday. “We have a good amount of regulars, so you see a lot of the same people that come out and perform,” says Austin. Farther east on Douglass, foodies can find everything from Mexican restaurants to sushi spots, and they’re close to a Trader Joe’s and Grocery Outlet. “There are no cookie-cutter properties here,” says David Messer, a founding partner with Compass and a Sacramento real estate agent for over 10 years. “Most are older, historic bungalows from the early 1900s, and they’re full of character. Some have the original doors and hardwood. Some have basements or partial basements, and some have good-sized lots.” These features — and earth-toned exteriors — change with every house so buyers can get something unique. Even so, these smaller homes are often close to neighbors, and backyards are fenced-in. Front yards are usually bisected by a concrete path leading up to steps and a small porch; landscaping is typically simple, with a few mulch beds. Three-bedroom homes are the most common option, typically between $460,000 and $585,000. The occasional two- or four-bedroom might fall on either side of this range, but they’re rare. Whatever the bedroom count, inventory is usually low since there are about 250 homes in the neighborhood. Most properties sell in 18 days, quicker than the national average of 43 days. Most students attend George Cirby Elementary, just east of Cherry Glen and rated a B-minus by Niche. About two miles east of the neighborhood, Warren T. Eich Middle is an International Baccalaureate School where students take foreign language and visual performing arts as part of their curriculum. It gets an A from Niche and ranks as their No. 7 best public middle school in Placer County, ahead of 29 others. Oakmont High is about 2 miles south of this school, and its IB program offers 18 courses, including Theory of Knowledge and World Religions. It gets an A-minus and is one of the most diverse schools in the county. St. Rose School provides a private option for kindergarten through eighth grade, and it’s in the southern part of the neighborhood. Starting in the southern part of the neighborhood, the Saugstad and Royer Park Trail runs for more than a mile along Dry Creek. This tree-lined, paved path leads north to Saugstad’s baseball fields and, a quarter mile farther, to Royer’s playgrounds and Children’s Art Center. Its amphitheater also hosts a summer concert series from June through September. The trail continues into downtown Roseville and becomes the Miner’s Ravine Trail, and it runs about 5 miles to Sierra College. If bikers want a bumpier ride, Oak Creek BMX holds frequent races and caters to all ages. Since downtown Roseville is about a half-mile north, most people can walk or bike to its shops and restaurants. They likely work in Sacramento, though, and cars are the quickest option to get there. It’s a 19-mile trip via Douglass Boulevard and Interstate 80, and traffic is usually fast-moving, even during rush hour. This route takes about 25 minutes. The AmTrak train can take close to an hour, and it has a station in downtown Roseville. The tracks pass close by Cherry Glen and can create noise audible in the residential areas, and some freight trains run at night.

This suburban neighborhood south of Roseville has grown to a population of 6,000 as of 2024, and one of the biggest draws is its peace and quiet. On a typical night, homeowners can walk along trafficless streets and wide sidewalks, or they might ditch the sun in a backyard pool. Longtime residents preen lawns; new families send kids to top-rated Roseville City Schools. Running through the northern part of the neighborhood, Cirby Creek’s greenway provides a natural feel. But these residents aren’t far from city life either: the shops and restaurants on Sunrise Avenue are a short walk. Since they’re right next to Interstate 80, they can get to downtown Sacramento within the hour. The 1980s ranch-style is one of the most common homes in Cirby Side, but that’s not to say they’re all the same. In the north, exteriors are dressed down with neutral tones and mixed brick; in the south, they pop with Spanish stucco and tile roofs. Most have three and four bedrooms, and wide yards can often fit a pool in the back. Trees and fences provide some privacy, and streets have little through traffic. Three-bedrooms land between $530,000 and $850,000. Four-bedrooms are in this range, too, but can reach $1 million with rare two-story homes. Potential buyers probably want to keep an eye on this market: homes typically sell in just 20 days, quicker than the national average by 22 days. Students north of Cirby Way can attend Crestmont Elementary, rated an A-minus by Niche. In the south, they likely enroll at Sargeant Elementary, and it gets a B-plus from Niche. Eich Middle is rated an A and ranks in Niche’s top 10 public middle schools for Placer County. Oakmont High makes the same list for public high schools, and it’s rated an A-minus. Its Career Technical Education provides hand-on experience in the arts, construction, health science, hospitality and other fields. Private options, such as Merryhill Elementary & Middle School, are also available. Eastwood Park and Kenwood Oaks Park are walkable from some homes, and they feature playgrounds and multiuse fields. Also in the neighborhood, Skatetown Ice Arena offers public sessions and drop-in hockey in addition to private lessons and classes. Maidu Regional Park, about 2 miles east, caters to residents who want more space to play: its 150 acres include four baseball diamonds, five soccer fields, a skate park and a basketball court. On the north side of the park, Maidu Community Center hosts weekly groups for mahjong and other games, while the Maidu Museum & Historic Site displays petroglyphs from the Nisenan Maidu people. Visitors are only 7 miles from the Granite Bay Boat Launch, where they can drop into the still waters of Folsom Lake. Sunrise Avenue has some fast-food chains, sure, but it’s also where residents go for local favorites. The Old Spaghetti Factory serves traditional Italian fare in a 20th-century atmosphere: pasta comes with a side of elaborate chandeliers, stained-glass windows and upholstered barstools. Just south, Chicha Peruvian Kitchen gives a taste of the Andes with beef heart anticuchos and lomo saltado. Grocery stores Safeway and Bel Air are in this district, too, and superhero fans can check out A-1 Comics. “We have weekly game nights for Magic the Gathering, and there’s a four-person group on Friday nights that has taken off in the last five years,” says Cody, Assistant Manager at this location. “We usually get 25 to 40 people, and we also have prerelease events for card games. Pokemon tournaments on Saturday are equally popular.” Most shoppers, though, will head 4 miles north to Westfield Galleria, an indoor mall with 200 shops and restaurants for any budget or taste. Even so, the Fountains is just across Roseville Parkway, and it has 50 more options. This open-air mall also includes patios, fire pits and water features that sync up with popular songs. Held in the Roseville Aquatics Complex every second Saturday in September, SPLASH! has grown to 1,300 attendees as of 2023, but it’s been popular for over two decades. All-you-can-eat food and drink are included with entry, in addition to two live performances; plus, proceeds support local businesses. Roseville’s Downtown Tuesday Nights have more music and vendors in the summertime, and its classic car show brightens Vernon Street. Visitors can come back every third Thursday for Food Truck Mania, known for its vegetarian and vegan options. Interstate 80 runs along the west side of the neighborhood, so commuters have a 17-mile hop to Sacramento. With usual traffic, they can be downtown in about 30 minutes. People could also drive 3 miles north to Roseville’s AmTrak station, and the commute is roughly the same. To get around Cirby Side itself, Roseville Transit operates Routes A, B and C along Sunrise Avenue.

Under 20 miles from Sacramento, Cresthaven is an established suburb with all the amenities. “It’s a really great spot for first-time home buyers who commute to work in Rockland, Roseville or downtown Sacramento,” says Valerie Gross, who has sold over 45 homes in the area for HomeSmart ICare Realty. “It’s an older neighborhood where people have a lot of pride in their homes, and the lots are so much bigger than anything you can get in one of the larger cities.” Cresthaven is in the city of Roseville, which features some of the top schools in Northern California. There are plenty of parks and areas for recreation, while restaurants and high-end shopping are just a short drive away. Houses in Cresthaven tend to sit on quiet streets, which often end in cul-de-sacs. Well-manicured yards are fenced in for privacy and often feature outdoor pools. “The housing style is overwhelmingly older California ranchers from the 1960s and 70s, but there have been some two-story new builds going up in recent years,” says Gross. Ranch-style homes begin near $500,000 and range up to over $650,000 for larger five-bedroom homes. Single-family homes are the dominant style, but there are a few townhomes in the area starting around $325,000 and going up to over $450,000. There are plenty of wide sidewalks, which are great for exercise or dog walking. Cresthaven kids attend the Roseville City Elementary School District, beginning at George Cirby Elementary. Cirby has a B-minus overall rating on Niche, but an A-minus rating in student diversity. Next is Warren T. Eich Middle School, which holds an A rating on Niche and is noted as one of the top schools in Placer County. Oakmont High School has an A-minus rating and offers Health Careers Academy, a three-year program for students who have an interest in working in healthcare after graduation. Cresthaven Park provides locals with tennis and basketball courts as well as a walking path and playground area for children. Even pets can get some exercise at the complex’s expansive dog park. Roller King is a classic roller rink where skaters can do laps to the tunes of the local DJ. For a different type of skating, Skate Town Ice Arena has open ice, figure skating lessons and ice hockey leagues. Those looking for some extreme adventure can visit Oak Creek BMX for intense dirt bike racing. Locals love Denio’s Farmers Market & Swap Meet and have been attending on the weekends for over 75 years. The large market features some of the best food, crafts and clothing made by local vendors. Denio’s also has frequent events throughout the year and live music on Saturdays and Sundays. Raley’s and Bel Air have locations near the neighborhood for grocery shopping, and there are major retail malls just north on Interstate 80. Susie’s Country Oaks Café is a favorite breakfast spot for Cresthaven residents. Susie’s is known for heaping portions of breakfast skillets, home fries and waffles. For authentic Mexican food, Taqueria Maria has all the traditional staples. La Placita Taqueria Y Panadeira offers street-style tacos on one side of the restaurant while producing sweet baked goods on the other side, ensuring those with a sweet tooth don’t leave hungry. The Roseville Transit buses move residents quickly throughout Cresthaven and other areas. The fixed route system has stops on Cirby Way. The neighborhood also borders Interstate 80, which makes for easy travel to Sacramento, or north toward Reno and Lake Tahoe.

Golf greens, serene suburban streets and highly-rated public schools are what Diamond Oaks does best. “It’s a great little community where people can ride their golf carts from the clubhouse back to their homes,” says Heather McCarthy of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate in Roseville, with nearly a decade of experience. “The two courses are some of the best in the area, and my husband is always over there on the weekends.” Located in Roseville, about 20 miles northeast of Sacramento, Diamond Oaks is a quiet community where nearly 70% of the residents own their homes. Parents won’t need to worry about their children’s education, as nearby schools are well-regarded, and shopping won’t be an issue with world-class malls just a mile away. Sierra View Country Club is one of the two main courses in Diamond Oaks. Sierra View has a challenging 18-hole course that has hosted numerous regional and national events. Club members also have access to tennis and pickleball courts. Diamond Oaks Golf Course is a picturesque Par 72 course that was opened in 1963. The course features a lighted driving range for early morning or late-night practice and Legends Sports Bar & Grill. Nongolfers can have a picnic or take a walk at Diamond Oaks Park. The park also features a play area for children, multi-purpose hard courts and a ballfield. Just to the east of the neighborhood, off Roseville Parkway, is a shopper’s paradise, as the city’s two major malls are just a mile away. The Westfield Galleria at Roseville is known for high-end retailers and also has a movie theater so residents can catch all the new Hollywood blockbusters. The Galleria also has events throughout the year to bring the community together. Fountains at Roseville is another mall that offers boutique shops and factory stores. After working up an appetite, shoppers can grab some authentic Mexican eats at Zocalo or a happy hour cocktail at Rose Park Bistro. Mikuni at the Fountains is great for sushi, and Miabella Gelato is a sweet treat to end the day. Grocery shopping is easy with many national stores like Whole Foods in the area. Ranch-style homes in Diamond Oaks range from around $500,000 to $750,000, while larger new homes are in the $1 million range. “It’s interesting because a lot of the homes were built in the 1970s and 80s, but there are certainly pockets of new construction,” says McCarthy. “It’s a mix of gated and ungated clusters of homes, but they all tend to have large lots and plenty of space.” Most of the gated areas feature new Craftsman-style homes. Homes are situated on quiet streets, often ending in cul-de-sacs and have private multi-car garages. There are wide sidewalks, which are nice for jogging and dog walking, and many of the well-manicured lawns feature private pools. Most homes overlook one of the two scenic golf courses and have views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Kids enter the Roseville City Elementary School District, beginning at Ferris Spanger Elementary. Spanger receives a B+ overall grade from Niche and is praised for student diversity and teacher quality. Next up is George A. Buljan Middle School, which holds an A-minus rating and ranks as one of the top middle schools in the Sacramento area. Teens head to Roseville High, a part of the Roseville Joint Union High School District. Roseville High has an A-minus overall grade and ranks high in college prep. Movie stars like Molly Ringwald and professional athletes are among the school’s alumni. The Roseville Transit busses get Diamond Oaks residents from point A to point B. The fixed route system has frequent stops along Roseville Parkway and Pleasant Grove Boulevard. For those who prefer to drive, the neighborhood backs up on the east side to Interstate 80, which provides quick and easy access to Sacramento, Lake Tahoe and the Bay Area.