Shasta Lake is a small northern California city that residents say is ready to shake off the “small” part. “The city has really been taking off within the last 10 years,” says Richard Howe, owner/broker of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, who’s lived in the area since the 1970s. “Brand new developments are being constructed here, but we also have homes from the early 1900s built for the Shasta Dam builders.” The city is just south of Shasta Lake’s body of water, which is one of the most prominent tourist draws in northern California. The lake offers miles of shoreline and features a dam that is the second largest in the United States. City beautification projects are ongoing.
Shasta Lake new construction has been taking off in the last 10 years.
Tourists come to Shasta Lake from all around to see Shasta dam.
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Craftsman-style homes from the 1930s to the ‘90s
The median sale price for single-family homes here is $305,000, lower than the state and national median. Most were built between the 1930s and ‘90s, though newer 2010s are found in the Shasta Lake City Center neighborhood. In the northern Shasta Dam Boulevard neighborhood, ranch-style and minimal traditional Craftsman-style homes with three bedrooms range from about $185,000 to $317,000, while further south in Pine Grove , four-bedroom contemporary Craftsman-style homes on larger lots range from $300,000 to $700,000. Homes have either two-car garages or gravel parking spaces on the side.
Smaller ranch-style homes from the 1930s and '90s can be found near Shasta Dam Boulevard.
Larger Contemporary and Craftsman-style homes on acreage can be found in Pine Grove in Shasta Lake.
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Water sports on the state’s largest reservoir
Shasta Lake, California’s largest reservoir and city namesake, spans 30,000 acres with about 370 miles of shoreline. It's about 5 miles north of the city. Residents and tourists can kayak, jet ski, boat and fish here, and houseboats on the water are available to rent. Inside the city area parks provide playgrounds, picnic areas, barbecue pits and paved walking trails. Little league fields and basketball and pickleball courts are peppered throughout the city, open for teams and solo gameplay. Some parks, like Clair Engle Park, host annual community events, and BMX and skateboard parks are also here.
Smoke from recent fires made a red sunset while house-boating on Shasta Lake.
Lake Shasta is full of adventurous water sport enthusiasts.
A gentleman brings best friend along for a kayak ride on Shasta Lake.
A man does a 50-50 stall on the Claire Engle Park skate park coping.
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Limited shopping options in Shasta Lake
A few coffee houses, tackle and bait shops and locally owned businesses border convenience stores and grocers along Shasta Dam Boulevard. Restaurants include barbecue joints, Mexican fare and fast-food joints, and the Tierra Oaks Golf Club bar and restaurant is east of Interstate 5. Redding, which is about 10 miles south, has most of the area’s retailers, department stores and eateries, along with boutiques, breweries and cafes downtown.
Heritage Coffee House is a popular place with the Shasta Lake locals.
Tierra Oaks Golf Club has a restaurant that locals from Shasta Lake frequently dine at.
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Community festivals, parades and museum offerings
Shasta Lake hosts California's second-largest Veteran’s Day parade, complete with a pancake breakfast and luncheon. Annual festivals like the Boomtown Festival feature live music, craft fairs and carnivals. During the summer, Clair Engle Park hosts Friday night concerts with food trucks, beer and wine vendors and a kids’ play area. Locals can explore area history at the Shasta Lake Heritage and Historical Society or learn about Native American tribes at the Wintu Cultural Museum. City fundraisers include the Pet Mayor Contest, with proceeds supporting future events. Folks can also tour the Shasta Dam
Check out the Heritage and historical society to learn more about Shasta Lake when visiting.
The Wintu Cultural Museum in Shasta Lake has interesting displays to check out when visiting.
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Eastern interstate, bus services and a nearby hospital
I-5 is accessible to the east, leading south to Redding and 168 miles to Sacramento. Shasta Dam Boulevard is one of the city’s main thoroughfares, running east to west. Redding Area Bus Authority services Shasta Lake, and ShastaConnect offers on-demand ride-sharing transit, including rural door-to-door service. Only a city streets have designated bike lanes. Shasta Community Health Center sits toward the town center, but the nearest hospital is in downtown Redding. Most residents head to Redding Regional Airport for direct flights to San Francisco, Los Angeles and Seattle.
College opportunities and after-school programs
Gateway Unified School District earns a B from Niche and serves 2,100 students. The district’s College Vine program offers dual enrollment and college credit opportunities in specific industries. Students can enroll in an independent study program here or learn leadership and healthy living skills with its after-school program. Nearby Shasta Community College offers over 100 degree and certificate programs, such as agriculture, diesel technology and childhood education, plus 17 intercollegiate athletic teams and 31 clubs and organizations.
Shasta College in Shasta Lake offers over 100 degree programs.
Shasta College in Shasta Lake has a beautiful campus surrounded by mountains.
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Declining crime rates
According to the Shasta County Sheriff's Office, the city’s violent and property crime rates declined from 2018 to 2022. Data for 2023 and 2024 have not yet been released.
Jennifer Icenhower is a 4th generation Redding native with deep roots in the Shasta County community. Prioritizing her clients, she thrives on the joy of helping others find their perfect home. An active Realtor since 2020, Jennifer has been a Top Producer at her brokerage multiple times as well as acknowledged with "Agent of the Year" in 2022. Before her real estate career, she accumulated vast knowledge in home construction, ensuring her clients secure their dream homes. Trustworthy and compassionate, Jennifer is the go-to Realtor for both buyers and sellers, dedicating herself to making homes stand out and ensuring successful transactions. Outside of work, she enjoys kayaking on Whiskeytown Lake and spending quality time with her grandbabies and furbabies.
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.
