$780,202Average Value$250Average Price per Sq Ft3Homes For Sale
Leafy community with historic community college
Just east of Downtown Santa Rosa and right on U.S. Route 101, the Junior College neighborhood — called the “JC” by locals — is filled with early 20th-century homes, walkable streets and local businesses. “It’s a bucolic, active little area of town with all these charming old houses,” explains Summer Stubblefield, a Sonoma County Realtor with Compass. “I always tell people to go to McDonald Avenue when they’re here because it has the sorts of houses that make you go, ‘wow.’” The neighborhood is centered on the namesake Santa Rosa Junior College, which opened here in 1918 and sits beside the well-rated Santa Rosa High; these two schools draw a mix of academics, college students and families with young children to the area. “It’s both a really hip, progressive area with a younger population," says Tony Pereira, a Broker at RE/MAX Gold, who has experience selling across the county, "and a great place for starter homes, because it’s one of the more affordable areas in Sonoma County.”
The McDonald Mansion in Junior College is a historic landmark and architectural attraction.
An elevated view of Junior College shows the lush green landscapes and homes.
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Charming early 20th-century homes
Tall, arching California live oaks shade many streets in Junior College, and sidewalks are sometimes cracked or buckled by their century-old roots. Most homes here are Craftsman bungalows built between 1910 and 1930, with two to four bedrooms and a manicured lawn. Common features include wide, covered porches, exposed beams and rafter tails, and finished attic spaces. Prices typically range from $600,000 to $1 million, based on a home's number of bedrooms.
The McDonald Historic District, named for the wide, leafy and elegant McDonald Avenue, is locally famous for its early 20th-century Queen Anne-style mansions; folks come here from around the county to stroll and check out the homes. “It's like porch heaven, all gables and spindles and columns,” says longtime Santa Rosa local Allison Bettis. “The farther east you go from the school, the wider the streets get and the bigger the houses, but even the smallest ones are full of hand-carved details and stained glass.” Homes on McDonald Avenue very rarely come to market and tend to top $1 million when they do; the only district home to sell between 2023 and 2024 was a four-bedroom Queen Anne, which went for over $1.6 million.
Many area bungalows and Queen Anne-style homes have been converted into duplexes with additional detached units for Junior College students. These six-to-eight-bedroom properties can range from $700,000 to $900,000, depending on their number of units and proximity to the college.
Craftsman-Bungalow homes are common in the Junior College neighborhood.
Craftsman homes are most common in Junior College.
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Asian eateries, local bars and plenty of grocery stores
Many of the area's eateries are geared toward college students, and most are set in shopping centers and strip malls along Mendocino Avenue. Fast-casual joints and Asian eateries are common, from family-friendly Hang Ah Dim Sum to T4 Tea for U, the go-to spot for boba tea and poke bowls. To start the day, the local Dutch Bros Coffee offers cold brews and lattes, and the Junior College’s student-run bakery turns out breads, bagels and pastries. For date nights, Ca’ Bianca’s candle-lit tables, upscale Italian cuisine and 18th-century Marshall House create a romantic atmosphere. “It’s one of the area’s hidden gems," says Elena Karakozoff, a Santa Rosa local and Realtor at Compass, "and I mean that literally, because it’s hidden behind this beautiful wall draped in ivy.”
Bananas at Large has sold musical instruments and provided lessons since 1974, and family-owned King’s Nursery is one of the county’s most popular for flowering plants. The neighborhood's many grocery stores include two Safeways, a Trader Joe’s and a Grocery Outlet. From May to October, the JC’s Shone Farm — a farm run by the JC’s Agriculture and Natural Resources Department — sells wines, jellies and produce in the school’s parking lot.
Ca' Bianca is a favorite Italian restaurant of 30 years in Junior College.
Students head to Communit Market for groceries and snacks next to campus in Junior College.
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Junior College and Santa Rosa City Schools
Santa Rosa Junior College is a two-year starter school linked to the University of California system. “The Junior College are the Cubs because UC Berkeley are the Bears," says Drake Delzell, a Realtor at RE/MAX Marketplace with 39 years' experience selling homes in Sonoma County. “Don’t get it wrong though, a lot of people from around here study at the school, and the basketball and baseball games can be popular.”
Neighborhood children can start school at Steele Lane Elementary, which scores a C from Niche, and continue to Santa Rosa Middle, which receives a B-minus. The A-minus-rated Santa Rosa High stands out for its 1930s Gothic Revival campus, which has been featured in films like “Peggy Sue Got Married” and “Inventing the Abbots.” Santa Rosa High also offers the ArtQuest magnet program, which centers on arts educations and creative problem-solving.
Santa Rosa Middle School on Cherry Street provides interconnected learning opportunities.
Santa Rosa High School was built on education success in Junior College.
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Junior College games and Halloween on McDonald Avenue
Many locals head to the Junior College to watch the Cubs face off against the Sacramento City College Panthers in baseball or to catch a play at the school’s Burbank Theatre. “My son is currently playing Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the college’s production of ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show,’” Delzell says. “They don’t let the fans bring the squirt guns, but they still get to sing along with the show.”
McDonald Avenue also becomes the number one stop in Santa Rosa on Halloween night, as locals meticulously decorate their homes to celebrate the spooky season. “You see hundreds of people in the streets and some of the most amazing decorations,” Karakozoff says. “This past year, one guy hired all these actors and hung umbrellas everywhere for a ‘Mary Poppins’ theme. People really go all out for it.”
Pocket parks and open gyms in Junior College
The 13-acre Franklin Park is the JC’s largest greenspace and features soccer and baseball facilities for little league games, plus plenty of picnic and barbecue areas. Tree-shaded pocket parks like North Park and Humboldt Park are scattered around the more modest sections of Junior College, offering playsets and a little open space. Steele Lane Park’s walking paths and playgrounds are next to Steele Lane Elementary, and the Junior College open gym is available to students and community members enrolled in the school’s kinesiology (physical activity) courses.
Franklin Park is set in the foreground of the Mayacama Mountain Range.
Enjoy the afternoon shade with your best friend at North Park.
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Route 101 access and walkability to Downtown Santa Rosa
Downtown Santa Rosa is immediately south of the neighborhood, within several blocks' walk of most homes, and Santa Rosa CityBus stops dot Mendocino Avenue. Route 101 runs along Junior College’s western edge, leading commuters 56 miles south to San Francisco. The closest SMART Rail stop is about a mile away in Historic Railroad Square, with service to the Larkspur Ferry. Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa Medical Center is a mile north and is the neighborhood’s closest hospital. The Sonoma County Airport 7 miles north is the nearest airport, but for a broader range for regional and international flights, the San Francisco International Airport is 68 miles south.
Kaiser of Santa Rosa Medical Center is the primary health care facility for Junior College.
Public transit is prolific among most Junior College streets.
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Important to know
Sonoma County has seen several severe wildfires in recent years, including the Tubbs Fire in 2017, which burnt many homes in the neighboring Fountaingrove community. Historically, Junior College has experienced poor air quality during area wildfires, rather than property damage; however, the county's major risk of wildfire means that it can be challenging to obtain homeowners insurance here.
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
Sharon Langord,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Fremont Park
Parking Lot
Multi-Purpose Field
Walking Paths
Prince Gateway Park
Waterpark
Multi-Purpose Field
Juilliard Park
Picnic Area
Playground
Events
Santa Rosa Recreation & Parks
North Park
Steele Lane Park
Franklin Park
Transit
Airport
Charles M Schulz - Sonoma County
13 min drive
Bus
Mendocino Ave & Ridgeway Ave
Bus
Fourth St & Talbot Ave
Bus
Steele Ln & Rowe Dr
Bus
Mendocino Ave & Clement Ave
Bus
Administration Dr & Paulin
Bus
Mendocino Ave & Schurman Dr
Bus
Mendocino Ave & Silva Ave
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Junior College
US
Homicide
3
4
Sexual Assault
4
4
Assault with Weapon
4
4
Robbery
4
4
Burglary
5
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
5
4
Larceny
5
4
Crime Score
4
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Junior College Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Junior College, Santa Rosa sell after 82 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Junior College, Santa Rosa over the last 12 months is $375,000, down 38% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome Home! Nestled in the heart of Santa Rosa, 534 Richmond Drive is a truly rare find. This beautifully appointed single family home reflects touches of modern French charm, featuring a formal seating room with fireplace at the entry, open concept kitchen leading into your formal living/dining areas, and a primary retreat on the main floor separated from the guest bedrooms/bathroom. Boasting
Charming Duplex Near SRJC - Live in One, Rent the Other! Welcome to this well-maintained duplex in the heart of Santa Rosa, just blocks from the Junior College, shopping, public transportation, and all the conveniences of city living. A fantastic opportunity for investors or owner-occupants alike! Each unit features 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom, offering comfortable, efficient layouts. One unit is
Versatile multi-unit property featuring one Victorian 3BR/1 & 1/4 BA SFD, and a separate Duplex with each side featuring 2BRs/1.5BAs. Live in one, rent the others - or - rent all three units - or - utilize as a multi-generational property. All units vacant. Great location on a quaint street featuring many historical properties. The Victorian has a fenced front yard, covered front porch, living
Beautifully renovated townhome style apartment available for immediate occupancy - You will Fall in love at first sight! Ask about additional move in specials. Interior Features:* Spacious eat in kitchen that leads out to your private patio* Wood Vinyl flooring throughout, except on stairs leading to cozy carpeted bedrooms* 10 ft. ceilings with rustic beams overhead*
Pacific Townhomes is nestled within a quiet residential neighborhood with a mixture of quaint bungalows, craftsman style homes and single family dwellings.You will enjoy Pacific Townhomes with its peaceful surroundings, well-manicured landscape and mature redwood trees. Our townhouses have been beautifully upgraded with new dual paned windows, flooring, upgraded lighting, private patios,
A quiet complex in a good location in town with mature trees and well maintained landscaping. Close to gourmet market, coffee shops, Kaiser and Memorial hospitals. Easy access to 101. No parking fees. Water and trash paid. Rental insurance required.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Sharon Langord,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
8,304
Median Age
43
Population Density
10 ppl/acre
Population under 18
18.8%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
20.1%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$76,843
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$100,406
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
90.3%
On par with the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
39.1%
On par with the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
13.6%
% Population in Labor Force
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
33''
Average Winter Low Temperature
40°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
72/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
76/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
36/ 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.
