Spanish Springs

Where the Reno-Sparks metropolitan area meets the Sierra Nevada’s Carson Range, the Sky Ranch development in Spanish Springs is bringing new life to the desert. Here, suburban communities blend with rural homesteads. Realtor Jessica Hodges with Wedgewood Homes Realty says of Sky Ranch, “It’s split in half; you’ve got bigger lot sizes with no HOA fees in part of it, and you’ve also got postage-stamp, third-of-an-acre spots with older builds and nice homes.” Because of Sky Ranch’s location near the foothills of Virginia Peak, outdoor living plays a major role in shaping this community’s appeal. “Many homeowners also own RVs, which they can take out onto the nearby public lands,” says Don Dees, who has lived in the area for 20 years and has been a Realtor for the past 34 years. The highly rated schools in Washoe County School District might also be a draw for some. “It’s a family-oriented community. There are lots of kids,” says Dees. Sky Ranch offers a remarkable variety of lifestyles to its residents. Those who prefer a traditional suburban feel can dwell along a tree-lined residential lane branching off from Sky Ranch Boulevard, while homebuyers desiring a more spacious living arrangement can invest in a property located along a country road with the desert as a backdrop. “Out here, you’re not 10 feet from your neighbor,” says Dees. “People like the space. The majority of lots are a quarter to a half-acre. Some properties have 10-acre parcels. Houses are 20 to 30 feet apart and in the $500,000 to $1 million price range.” Popular housing styles include single-story ranch-style homes and new constructions in the modern farmhouse style, and many homes feature solar panels. Sky Ranch residents are ideally situated to make the most of the Carson Range’s scenic beauty. “You’re still pretty close to everything, and you’re also close to the pristine recreation of Pyramid Lake,” Hodges says. “There’s boating, world-class fishing, beaches and camping, and you can have bonfires on the beach.” Not only does this wealth of recreational activities make Pyramid Lake a popular site for outdoor outings, but its very history is sure to appeal to nature lovers. Hodges says, “Pyramid Lake is an anomaly because there are pyramids - really cool rock formations - in the middle of the lake. The water there is salt water, left over from a sea thousands of years ago.” This lake, the largest remnant of the ancient Lake Lahontan, continues to be a center of life in the region, although now as a hub of outdoor recreation. Adventurous types can also make their way to the top of Sugarloaf Peak and take in the blue-sky views. Closer to home, skateboarders can let loose at Spanish Springs Skatepark, while golfers can practice their swings at Red Hawk Golf Course. While Sky Ranch may have one foot in the great outdoors, its other foot is firmly planted in the heart of Spanish Springs. At this neighborhood’s western end, the Eagle Landing Plaza on Pyramid Way provides everyday conveniences from a Save Mart to a Walgreens. This same intersection of Pyramid Way and La Posada Drive is also home to a WinCo Foods and several popular eateries. Simply Thai is popular for its curry dishes, while The Lake Bar & Grill serves up everything from breakfast classics to traditional bar fare within a laid back, sports bar environment. Down Pyramid Way, Spanish Springs Library includes a sensory sound garden and monthly screenings of classic movies, giving local art lovers something to look forward to. Sky Ranch is served by the schools of the Washoe County School District, which receive favorable ratings from Niche. Learners begin their journey at the A-minus-rated Spanish Springs Elementary School before going on to attend the B-plus-rated Yvonne Shaw Middle School and the B-rated Spanish Springs High School. As one of the largest schools in northern Nevada, Spanish Springs High includes 14 science labs, a Culinary Arts Center and a Sports Medicine Program, the last of which has contributed to its ranking among the top 7 high schools in the state for athletes. Sky Ranch may be a vast community with no public transit system, but Pyramid Way facilitates travel between this outskirt and the urban hubs of Reno and Sparks. Dees says, “The area is growing rapidly, which in turn has affected higher traffic. But with the Walmart and WinCo, it’s a self-sustained area with a high quality of life.” Though there are a couple of regional airports on the other side of Pyramid Way, such as the Nevada Flyers Airport, the area’s main airport is Reno-Tahoe International Airport, a 12-mile drive to the south. Spanish Springs has its own emergency clinic, but the Northern Nevada Medical Center can also be accessed within a 9.5-mile drive down Vista Boulevard.

Located just north of Reno, Eagle Canyon-Pebble Creek is a rapidly growing neighborhood that offers plenty of desert and outdoor activities, with all the conveniences of being close to town. "It's kind of a country setting, but still in a neighborhood close to shopping, restaurants and schools," says local Realtor Stacy Hussey with Ferrari-Lund Real Estate, who has sold multiple homes in the area. "Many people like to have room to park their RVs and ATVs, and the neighborhood is close to areas where they ride. You're in the country, but it's a suburban setting, so you're not too far out." Mountains surround the neighborhood, offering scenic views and plenty of areas to explore. The community's growth has led to new state-of-the-art parks, schools and shopping centers opening up, providing residents with everything they need within a 5-mile drive. Eagle Canyon-Pebble Creek comprises several subdivisions with homes close together on walkable streets with sidewalks. The homes are often ranch-style houses with spacious built-in garages. There is a mix of homes with stucco siding and some with wood siding. Parts of the neighborhood feature larger two-story homes. Newer homes have Craftsman features, like porches and columns on the front. Most three-bedroom homes in the area cost around $500,000, but a new home with 2,700 square feet can cost up to $850,000. Four-bedroom homes typically cost between $600,000 and $800,000. Some homes in the northern end of the neighborhood have larger lots and can cost up to $1 million. Students in Eagle Canyon-Pebble Creek will likely attend Alyce Taylor Elementary School, which receives an A-minus rating from Niche. Yvonne Shaw Middle School and Spanish Springs High School are located in the heart of the neighborhood and receive a B-plus and B rating from Niche. Spanish Springs High serves approximately 2,400 students with a student-teacher ratio of 20-to-1. The school is one of northern Nevada's largest, with 14 science labs and five computer labs. Students can enroll in the Sports Medicine Academy, which allows them to shadow athletic trainers at sporting events and practices. The Web Design and Development Signature Career Program allows students to create websites, learn photo and video editing and participate in internships. Multiple parks throughout the neighborhood give residents options for outdoor recreation. Eagle Canyon Park has multiple athletic fields available for use with a permit. Children will enjoy playing on the playground while adults can work out on the outdoor exercise court. Gator Swamp Park has picnic areas and a children's playground. Residents can play a pickup game of baseball or soccer on the fields or bring a volleyball for a match on the sand court. The scenic Pyramid Lake is about 25 miles north of the neighborhood, offering plenty of room for fishing and swimming. The lake is entirely located within the Paiute Tribe Reservation, and use permits must be purchased online or at the ranger station in Sutcliffe before visiting the lake. Residents are also about 25 miles from the North Reno OHV Recreation Area, which offers plenty of mountainous dirt roads to explore on ATVs, dirt bikes or other off-road vehicles. There are a few popular local restaurants near the neighborhood. "Most people usually hang out at Bully's, a local sports bar and restaurant. There's also some new stuff coming, and there's a new grocery store," says Hussey. Bully's is a local hangout with plenty of TVs, making it a popular spot to watch any game. Diners enjoy the wings and burgers here. The Lake Bar and Grill is on the east side of Pyramid Way and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. Locals can also dine at fast-food restaurants like McDonald's, Subway and Starbucks. Local grocery options include a Save Mart and the new WinCo Foods, each just across Pyramid Way from the neighborhood. There is also a Walgreens at the corner of Eagle Canyon Drive and Pyramid Way for pharmacy needs and other household items. Most residents in Eagle Canyon-Pebble Creek get around by driving. Residents who live on the neighborhood's east side might be able to get to the local shops and restaurants by walking, but most will need to drive. Pyramid Way is the main route that residents will use to get around the greater Reno area. Downtown Reno is about 12 miles away, and Reno-Tahoe International Airport is 13 miles south of the neighborhood. Residents who want to visit Lake Tahoe will make a 45-mile drive south on Interstate 580 and Mt. Rose Highway to the town of Incline Village.