Stockton

About 5 miles north of downtown Stockton, the suburb of Bear Creek East sits in California’s Central Valley, one of the largest agricultural regions in the state. “This is an established community, and a popular place in Stockton to live,” says Willie B. Jefferson, broker/owner of New City Realty, who’s been selling and managing properties here since 1998. “Families are drawn to the affordable home prices here, and the fact that the area offers USDA and first-time home buyer loans.” Most of the neighborhood’s 7,900 residents commute to the San Francisco Bay Area. “We don’t have a lot of environmental issues here like they do in Southern California, mainly because it’s so breezy; if something like smog were to show up, give it 20 minutes and it’ll be gone.” “Homeowners here can qualify for USDA housing loans since Stockton is an agricultural region,” says Jefferson, “which is a huge advantage for families because it’s a federally backed, zero-down program. And everything sells quick because prices are better here than in surrounding areas.” The neighborhood's single-family homes sit close together along sidewalk-lined streets, separated by fencing, their entryways cushioned by neatly trimmed shrubbery. Most homes were built between the 1950s and '70s, either L-shaped ranch-style with three bedrooms and two-car garages, or bungalows set on concrete slabs, with narrow front porches; both styles range from $300,000 to $450,000. Also here, Craftsman-style homes from the 1960s and '70s have up to six bedrooms, solar panels and three-car garages, and range from $500,000 to $600,000. North Eldorado Street is one of the neighborhood’s main thoroughfares, leading 5 miles south to downtown Stockton. Interstate 5 sits 3 miles west, and travels to Sacramento roughly 45 miles north. “If you work a 9-to-5 job in San Francisco, you’d have to leave here by 6:30 because rush hour is bumper-to-bumper for several miles,” says Jefferson. San Joaquin Rapid Transit buses make stops along Lower Sacramento Road and Ponce De Leon Avenue to the west, and Amtrak trains depart from downtown Stockton's Robert J. Cabral station and travel 45 miles to Sacramento or 125 miles to Fresno. St. Joseph’s Medical Center, part of the Dignity Health system, is found about 5 miles south of Loch Lomond Park. Stockton’s own airport, Stockton Metropolitan 15 miles south, offers regional flights, while the larger Sacramento International Airport is 55 miles north. In the neighborhood's southwest, De Vinci’s Delicatessen & Catering has been a local favorite since 1979, offering 12 different combo meals, as well as custom sandwiches. Half a mile south of Loch Lomond Park, Pho Lucky Restaurant offers Vietnamese fare like pho noodle soup and fried rice dishes. At Lincoln Center mall about 2 miles south, shoppers can browse department stores like McCaulou’s and pick up groceries at Lion Supermarket. Two 5-acre greenspaces, Loch Lomond Park and Cortez Park, are within walking distance of residential streets. Loch Lomond is just south of Kennedy Elementary School and offers a basketball court, softball field and a playground; neighbors jog and walk their dogs on the surrounding sidewalks. Cortez Park, 2 miles east, has two tennis courts and horseshoes. The mostly flat, paved 8-mile Bear Creek Trail starts 3 miles north of the neighborhood, and nearby, the 97-acre Elkhorn Golf Club offers public tee times on its 18-hole course. Students can attend Stockton Unified district schools, including Kennedy Elementary, which serves kindergarten through Grade 8 and earns a C-minus from Niche. At Cesar Chavez High, which Niche gives a B-minus, students interested in mechanical or chemical engineering jobs can join the Career Technical Education Pathways program to earn engineering certificates. Bear Creek East residents can attend year-round events in downtown Stockton. From April to July, Main Street Market features live Latin and Reggae music, and local vendors sell handmade crafts. In August, the Weber Point Event Center, 6 miles south near McLeod Lake, hosts the Annual Jazz Festival, which features local and nationally known artists. Hockey fans can watch games at the Adventist Health Arena, while baseball fans can catch games at the Banner Island Ballpark next door.

Exclusivity only 5 miles from the bustle of downtown may seem like a pipe dream, but that’s the way of life for those in Brookside. This community a few miles northwest of downtown Stockton offers luxurious, waterfront homes, a world-class golf course and parks with boat-docking space. The area’s A-graded school district is just a cherry on top. “It’s very affordable when you consider just how nice the properties are. The area screams upscale, and Brookside is definitely a premier location in Stockton,” says Mike Peterson, a Realtor at PMZ Real Estate with almost 2 decades of experience in the region. The gated community within Brookside Country Club brings resort-style living to the shores of the San Joaquin River. The winding residential roads are lined with sidewalks that lead to tightly lined Contemporary Traditional homes with uniform design styles inspired by Craftsman and French architecture, tile-covered gabled roofs and attached garages. Trees shade most of the front lawns, while backyards provide waterfront views of the river or one of the manmade lakes around Brookside. These private, luxury homes range between 2,000 and 7,000 square feet, and prices begin around $800,000, spiking to upwards of $3.5 million. “The decks of these homes have fabulous views of the lakes and the golf course,” Peterson adds. Outside of the gates in the northern half of Brookside, 1,200- to 3,200-square-foot Contemporary Mediterranean houses—some with outdoor pools—range from $450,000 to $850,000 for lakefront properties. Brookside’s place along the river’s edge connects residents to nature. Buckley Cove Park sits at River Point Landing Marina, where locals can enjoy the playground and paved walking trails. The marina provides a boat ramp, docking space and boat fueling. On the north side of town is Nelson Park, a more simplified but equally serene space with a nautical-themed playground and athletic courts. Members of Brookside Golf and Country Club take advantage of the tennis courts, outdoor pool and fitness area. On the other side of the golf course, the Stockton Yacht Club also offers memberships, guest docking and picnic grounds. Residents pick up groceries and dine out just down West March Lane around Quail Lakes Shopping Center, where there’s a SaveMart, a CVS, and both chain restaurants and fast-food eateries. Dave Wong’s serves up Chinese classics out of its chic dining room. Closer to home, locals might indulge in Italian cuisine at Mezzo or pick up a pizza pie from VIP Pizza to enjoy on the back patio at home. Nearby are several medical offices, so Brookside residents don’t have to go far for a check-up. Lincoln Unified School District serves students living in Brookside. For learners in kindergarten through eighth grade, Brookside School has an A-minus grade and is ranked in the top 25% of public middle schools in California, according to Niche. Students can progress to Lincoln High School, which is also graded an A-minus and is ranked in the top 25% of high schools for athletes in the state, as reported by Niche. The Brookside neighborhood often refers to the homes within Brookside Golf & Country Club, but there are also homes outside of this exclusive community. In fact, on the north side of town is another gated community called Cavendish Square, where several condos can be rented or purchased. Interstate 5 conveniently runs along the east side of Brookside, leading to Stockton in less than 5 miles. Several San Joaquin RTD bus stops are also peppered throughout the east side of town. Accessible travel is just another perk to living in this aquatic getaway with plenty of green space and serene water views.

About 7 miles north of downtown Stockton, the suburb of Colonial Heights sits in California’s Central Valley, one of the most expansive agricultural regions in the state. “This neighborhood has everything you'd need, including shops," says Willie B. Jefferson, broker/owner of New City Realty, who’s been selling and managing properties here since 1998, and they’re either modest or upscale. Locals have plenty of nearby shopping and dining options, and single-family homes here vary from modest to upscale. Most of the neighborhood’s 8,000 residents commute to the San Francisco Bay Area. Set along sidewalk-lined cul-de-sacs, many homes in Colonial Heights are contemporary ranch-style or bungalows built between the 1950s and ‘80s. Set on up to quarter-acre lots, these older homes range from $400,000 to $550,000. Some operate under solar power and have screened-in back patios, while most have wide driveways that lead to two-car garages, and front yards with mature oak trees or neatly trimmed shrubbery. More modern Craftsman-style homes with up to six bedrooms sell for between $600,000 to $650,000, featuring three-car garages and room to park RVs. Students can attend Lincoln Unified district schools like Colonial Heights Elementary, which serves kindergarten through Grade 8 and earns a C-plus from Niche. Students at the A-minus-rated Lincoln High can apply to the Engineering Construction Academy, where they can earn certifications in the trade and construction industries, which includes carpentry and electrician jobs. In the neighborhood’s southern end, Gibbons Park offers roughly 4 acres of hilly terrain with paved paths lined by towering maple and oak trees; bordered by sidewalks, the park also includes a playground and a shaded picnic area. A mile west, privately funded Heroes Park opened in 2019, offering Americans with Disability Act-compliant playground equipment, a basketball court and an amphitheater. To the south of Heroes Park, golfers can book an early tee time at the 27-hole Swenson Park Golf Course, known for the 200-year-old oak trees that line its green. Small shopping centers are sprinkled throughout Colonial Heights. In the far southwestern end, spas sit adjacent to dollar and hardware stores, while the central Colonial Plaza offers auto shops and Chinese eateries. Stockton Coffee Company, about a mile west of Gibbons Park, is a go-to for mochas and pastries. “The Lincoln Center, a few miles southeast, is Stockton’s primary location for upscale shopping and dining,” says Alves. “Fina, a women’s boutique, and other exclusive stores are located there. When it comes to date night, Prime Table Steak House can hold its own to anything in Sacramento, and Market Tavern offers a lively vibe and craft drinks.” Shoppers can pick up groceries at Food 4 Less to the east, or at Safeway a few miles south. Stockton hosts year-round events downtown roughly 7 miles southeast. From April to July, Main Street Market offers food trucks, local vendors selling handmade crafts, and live music by Latin and Reggae bands. In August, the Weber Point Event Center hosts the Annual Jazz Festival, featuring local and nationally known artists. Hockey fans can enjoy a game at the Adventist Health Arena, and baseball games are played at the Banner Island Ballpark next door. Hammer Lane and North Lower Sacramento Road are Colonial Heights’ main thoroughfares; North El Dorado Street leads about 7 miles south to Downtown Stockton. Found less than a mile west, Interstate 5 leads 43 miles north to Sacramento; the 5 also connects to the California Delta Highway west toward the San Francisco Bay Area. “If you work a 9-to-5 job in San Francisco, you’d have to leave here by 6:30 a.m. because rush hour is bumper-to-bumper for several miles,” says Jefferson. San Joaquin Rapid Transit buses make local stops along Don Avenue, and Amtrak can carry passengers farther north and south from the Robert J. Cabral station downtown. Sidewalks line most residential streets. Alves suggests not overlooking Stockton Metropolitan Airport 13 miles south, as Allegiant Airlines sometimes offers affordable flights there, but another option is the San Francisco International Airport 90 miles west. St. Joseph’s Medical Center, part of the area’s Dignity Health system, is found about 6 miles southeast of Gibbons Park.

About 3 miles west of downtown Stockton, the suburb of Country Club sits in California’s Central Valley, surrounded by the Calaveras and San Joaquin River deltas. “The deepwater channels next to Country Club will take you to the Pacific,” says Pam Lundquist, Realtor with Cornerstone Real Estate Group, who’s been selling in Stockton for 10 years. “Locals who own million-dollar homes along Riviera Drive behind the golf course often have docks and boathouses. They also ride their wakeboards and jet skis on the river.” Interstate 5 runs north and south through the neighborhood, providing easy access to Sacramento, where many of the neighborhood’s nearly 19,000 residents work; others are employed at the nearby University of the Pacific. Along Country Club's sidewalk-lined residential streets, midcentury ranch-style homes and bungalows are common, ranging from $300,000 to $450,000. Most of these homes have wide driveways and attached two-car garages, and some homes use solar power. Front yards with neatly mowed lawns and rows of shrubbery are shaded by oak and maple trees, and neighbors often throw backyard barbecues. In the neighborhood's western end, four-bedroom Craftsman-style homes with boat docks and river access range from $700,000 to $1.3 million; these homes feature sprawling backyards with in-ground pools and decks facing the water. “A large section of the neighborhood is in a mandatory flood zone, requiring flood insurance,” says Lundquist. “Not astronomical, but an added expense.” Restaurants along Country Club Boulevard range from fast-food joints to sit-down eateries. El Puerto Tacos makes their own special birria (a Mexican meat stew), while at Jimmie’s Place next door, Lundquist says, "The sushi is always fresh and delicious." Safeway is found south along Fontana Avenue, while Weberstown Mall is 3 miles northeast, with department stores like JCPenney. Pixie Woods hosts annual community events, including the Wine and Beer Fest in June, featuring wines from Napa, Sonoma and Lodi regions and beers from local breweries; proceeds from the event's silent auction are reinvested into the park. Every December, the Annual Lighted Boat Parade sails through the neighborhood on its way to Stockton’s Downtown Marina. Each August, the Weber Point Event Center (5 miles south) hosts the Annual Jazz Festival, featuring local and nationally known artists; some locals buy tickets to this popular event, while some just listen by docking their boats nearby. Students can attend Stockton Unified district schools like Madison Elementary, which serves kindergarten through Grade 8 and earns a grade of C from Niche. At the C-rated Stagg Senior High, students interested in food service and hospitality careers can earn certificates in the career technical education pathways program. Country Club is also home to the B-rated, K-8 public magnet school Commodore Stockton Skills, and the University of the Pacific is just east of the neighborhood. The Stockton Golf and Country Club has been a social and recreational hub here for over 100 years. Members can access a pristine 18-hole golf course bordering the San Joaquin River; ladies and men’s groups tee off on separate days here, while couples share the course on Sundays. The club also has a restaurant, grill and outdoor pool. Across Smith Canal three miles southeast, 60-acre Louis Park is home to softball fields, tennis courts, and a playground with age-appropriate equipment. Also here is the whimsical, fairy-tale-inspired Pixie Woods Children’s Park, where kids can climb aboard the Pixie Express Train and explore the winding pathways of Storybook Forest. Boat-owning residents spend weekends cruising the San Joaquin River; for those without docks at home, the Stockton Downtown Marina is 4 miles southeast. Interstate 5 runs through the middle of Country Club, and leads about 45 miles north to Sacramento. Alpine Avenue, Ryde Avenue and Country Club Boulevard are the neighborhood’s main thoroughfares; East Fremont Street leads about 3 miles east to downtown Stockton. San Joaquin Rapid Transit buses make stops throughout Country Club, while Amtrak trains run from the Robert J. Cabral station downtown, traveling north to Sacramento or 128 miles south to Fresno. Bike lanes and sidewalks border most residential streets, and zigzag through the University of the Pacific’s campus. St. Joseph’s Medical Center, part of Dignity Health, is found about 4 miles east of Louis Park. Stockton Metropolitan airport is 10 miles southeast, and the larger Sacramento International Airport is 55 miles north.

Set about 50 miles south of Sacramento in California’s Central Valley, Downtown Stockton sits on the San Joaquin River, part of the California Delta. This waterside community offers plenty of outdoor activities and ethnic eateries. Public boat launches and a marina are accessible here, and historic homes from the first half of the 20th century line residential streets laid out in a grid. Many of the neighborhood’s nearly 18,000 residents work in education or the health care industry, and convenient transportation options make it easy to travel the city and beyond. Popular events at cultural venues and sporting arenas bring locals together throughout the year. The neighborhood streets are laid out on a grid pattern, offering a variety of homes, most of which are well-maintained. “Residents take great pride in ownership,” says Tristan Escove, a local real estate agent who grew up in Stockton. “There are potentially beautiful properties from Victorian to Craftsman to colonial.” Most were built between 1900 and 1940, and have been remodeled with new flooring and roofing; some front and backyards are enclosed with metal or wooden fencing. Three-bedroom Craftsman-style and bungalows with stucco or vinyl siding range from $200,000 to $350,000, while Queen Anne-styles with pitched roofs and decorative towers start around $550,000. Students can attend Stockton Unified district schools like kindergarten through Grade 8 El Dorado Elementary, which earns an overall C-minus grade from Niche. At B-minus Franklin High, juniors and seniors can join the International Baccalaureate Program, providing tools necessary for college success, including independent research, second language and writing skills. The curriculum requires submitting a research essay and participating in service hours. Greenspaces sit within a mile of each other downtown, including Eden Park, where families picnic under the shade of mature oak and pine trees, and kids can get some exercise on the playground. While dog walkers hit up Constitution Park to the east, the real draw for recreation is the California Delta waterways in the neighborhood’s southern end. Here, boaters and kayakers spend all day on the water, angling for bass and rainbow trout, or sunbathing with a cool drink in their hand. Residents can also rent boats from the Stockton Downtown Marina. “The cuisine is the best thing about the city of Stockton,” says Escove, noting the ethnic options here. “You’ll find fantastic, diverse dining from Indian to Japanese that rivals the best in San Francisco and the entire Bay Area.” City officials have even devoted all of January to celebrating Stockton’s restaurants with weekly giveaways. A local favorite since 2016, Cast Iron Trading Co. offers brussel sprout tacos and burgers with caramelized onions, and live music twice a week. Family-owned Genova Bakery, an old-world Italian deli, is the place to go for made-to-order sandwiches, while shops at the Courthouse Plaza include Main Street Gifts, which offers home decor and seasonal items, and shoppers can pick up groceries at Food 4 Less. Stockton’s downtown Main Street Market pops up from April to July, where music lovers dance to Latin and Reggae bands and local vendors sell hand-made crafts; food trucks are also on-site here. Classic movies, tribute band concerts and ballets like the Nutcracker grace the historic, 2,000-seat Bob Hope Theatre downtown. While yacht club members enjoy cruising the San Joaquin River, others go to the Adventist Health Arena for hockey games and concerts, or catch a Stockton Ports baseball game at the Banner Island Ballpark next door. Many of Downtown Stockton’s restaurants sit along Hunter Street and Weber Avenue, while shops line Main Street near the Bob Hope Theatre. Residents can travel the roughly 50 miles north to Sacramento via Interstate 5, and several San Joaquin Rapid Transit bus stops sit just north of the Banner Island Ballpark. Amtrak trains carry passengers further north and south from the Robert J. Cabral station about a mile east; sidewalks line most residential streets. "Stockton also has its own airport, Stockton Metropolitan, which offers more affordable flights through Allegiant Airlines," says Kinzi Alves, an experienced Realtor with California Elite Realty who works in the area, and the Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Medical Center is 1 mile north. Downtown Stockton’s CAP Index Crime Score is 7 out of 10, compared to the national average of 4, and according to local news source CBS13, San Joaquin County has the highest violent crime rate in California, with Stockton at the epicenter. Current county supervisor Tom Patti says he’s adding more satellite police stations throughout the city and working on creating jobs to deter crime. “Downtown Stockton has a prevalent homelessness issue,” says Escove, and city officials are implementing prevention strategies like Rapid Rehousing, providing short-term rental assistance and case management services.

Eastern Stockton neighborhood with mom-and-pop shops Found on Stockton’s easternmost border, Garden Acres is a small, residential area with locally owned markets, city parks and caring neighbors. “People have been living there for years,” says Gene Reno, Realtor for Kelly Williams Realty who’s worked near Stockton for several years. It’s a strong community in that they know each other. They watch out for everybody.” Many residents work industrial jobs or in the surrounding farmland, and residents are conveniently located next to a few major highways. Train tracks and rows of freight cars can be seen while driving on the two-way Cardinal Avenue near the eastern border, and many homeowners are within walking distance of Franklin High’s tennis courts and baseball field. Along with supporting local businesses, people here enjoy meeting up for neighborhood BBQs or traveling downtown for annual events. Catching rides on San Joaquin RTD buses State Route 99 and 26 intersect near Garden Acres’ border, giving access to other neighborhoods like East Stockton and August. Downtown Stockton is about 5 miles west via California State Route 4. Many people drive to get around, but residents also take San Joaquin RTD buses, which stop throughout the area. Streets like Cardinal Avenue and Main Street are lined with bike lanes. St. Joseph’s Medical Center is 4 miles west of the area, and Sacramento International Airport is a 58-mile drive north. Tiny bungalows along paved, gridded streets Even though nearly half of the Garden Acres neighborhood is made up of industrial land, there are still many single-family homes sitting on paved streets laid out in a grid. Tall palm trees shade narrow residential roads here, and some areas have speed bumps and sidewalks. Early 20th-century bungalows with wood and vinyl exteriors are found toward the neighborhood center. Partially seen as investment opportunities, these two-bedroom properties often have small, fenced-in yards with overgrown trees and are priced between $185,000 and $300,000. Spread further north and south, ranch-style homes built between the 1950s and late ‘90s include stucco facades and wider, cement driveways occasionally lined with rock-landscaped gardens. These three to four-bedroom homes range between about $350,000 to $500,000. Picking up groceries at Superior Mercados Garden Acres houses several small grocery stores. Panchos Market sells Mexican snacks and drinks, and locals can pop by TK Market for small household items. For a full grocery run, La Superior Mercados is a few blocks outside the community. The locally owned Casa Flores Mexican Restaurant serves authentic Latin cuisine and Sam’s Pizza and More offers fresh slices through its walk-up window. While there are not many shopping malls or stores within the Garden Acres area, residents can venture 3 miles west for vintage finds at Superior Thrift Store and go a few blocks down for retail stores at Eastland Paza. Shooting hoops at Garden Acres Community Center The Garden Acres Community Center and Park is the main gathering hub of the neighborhood. Neighbors can play a game of pickup, check out the swing set or play a round of baseball on the dirt-packed diamond. The center hosts a Summer Enrichment Program for kids in the area and free meals for senior citizens throughout the week. Local little leagues practice at East Side Community Park, which also includes a basketball court and playground. For some indoor fun, families can go 4 miles west to catch a movie at Regal Stockton City Center. Focus on the sciences at Franklin High Garden Acres is zoned for the Stockton Unified School District. Kids can begin at Elmwood Elementary, which offers kindergarten through eighth grade and scores a C-minus from Niche. The B-minus-rated Franklin High is known for its Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) program where students can work with their peers every month to design and complete building projects and learn about sustainability. Getting together for tacos, flea market finds and the Fourth Within the community, the local St. Edwards Catholic Church hosts occasional events like Taco Fiesta where attendees can eat Al Pastor tacos, listen to music and mingle with others. On the weekends, folks can travel 4 miles north to shop for antiques, produce and artwork at the Stockton Open Air Mall and Flea Market. Stockton’s Fourth of July Parade downtown is another draw for Garden Acres locals; small businesses and police officers dress up in red, white and blue and wave American flags in festive floats past DeCarli Plaza near scenic McLeod Lake. Working through air quality issues and crime issues in Stockton According to a 2023 report from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, Stockton was ranked one of the worst cities in the country for asthma rates caused by air pollution. Garden Acres residents may experience asthma-like symptoms even more so in the winter because of the colder weather. One way the city is combating this is through the Air Quality Program at the Port of Stockton where tenants and boat operators are educated and encouraged to use cleaner fuels. Garden Acres scores an overall CAP Crime Index Score of 5, slightly higher than the national average of 4. Reno says the neighborhood does see increases in crime at times. To address this, the Stockton Police Department hosts a National Night Out every August. Neighborhood members pick a different location every year to set up carnival games, a stage for live music and food tables where folks can chat with police officers in an effort to strengthen community bonds.