Wheatland is a small farming community in the Central Valley
Wheatland lies in California's Central Valley, a region known as America’s Breadbasket. The rural center has dairy farms, almond orchards and Main Street retail. “People like the small-town feel, with a lot going on at the schools and 4H. A lot of people love that lifestyle. Kids raise animals for the fair, and there are a lot of farmers,” says Realtor Kelly Zimmerman, who works with eXp Realty of California. The area’s sleepy setting is livened by concerts at a nearby amphitheater and a popular pumpkin patch in autumn. Of Wheatland’s approximately 4,000 residents, many work at the Beale Air Force Base. “We're close to the military base, so a lot of people get stationed here and like it so much they don’t leave,” Zimmerman says.
Local businesses from Elkin's Frosty to Stinemans Farm Supply
Main Street and Front Street converge in the heart of Wheatland and are home to beloved local businesses. “We try to support one another. I'm friends with all the owners,” Zimmerman says. The restaurants range from laid-back tavern Bill's Place Bar & Grill to old-school diner Elkin's Frosty. Mi Pueblito Taqueria is a popular restaurant, serving Mexican dishes in a relaxed setting. Locally owned stores include Stinemans Farm Supply, a hardware shop with everything from gardening tools to cattle feed. Big Al's Market is the only grocery store in the area.
Bungalows, ranch-style homes and contemporary homes in Wheatland
Around its retail district, Wheatland has grid-style streets of historical homes like Craftsman bungalows and Cape Cods. Wheatland Manufactured Home Park, a 55-plus community, offers manufactured homes just a block away from Main Street. The city then expands with ranch-style homes. On the edges of the community, there are subdivisions with cul-de-sacs of contemporary homes, some built in 2025. Manufactured homes range from $130,000 to $190,000, while single-family homes built onsite range from $260,000 to $600,000. “We're a bedroom community for the county, so it has lower prices than Lincoln and Rocklin, and we’re so close to that area,” Zimmerman says. The median sales price in Wheatland is $500,000, compared to Rocklin’s median of $688,000. “I'd say the market overall has always been very strong in Wheatland. Wheatland sells fairly quick," Zimmerman says.
Outdoor activities at McDevitt Park, Camp Far West Lake and Spenceville Wildlife Area
On the west side of Wheatland, McDevitt Park offers a playground, a basketball hoop and a picnic pavilion. Camp Far West Lake is located in the remote northeastern outskirts of the city. “There is a big draw for the lake. It brings people in for boating, fishing and camping,” Zimmerman says. About 5 miles north of Camp Far West Lake, Spenceville Wildlife Area features trails in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. “The wildlife area is where people hike and ride their horses,” Zimmerman says. This site’s main attraction is the Beale Falls Trail, a 5-mile trek that leads to a 100-foot waterfall and a swimming hole.
Education from Wheatland Elementary to Wheatland Union High
Wheatland Elementary School, which serves kindergarten through third grade, has a B-plus rating on Niche. Serving fourth grade through eighth grade, Bear River School earns a B-plus rating. Wheatland Union High School has a B rating. The high school offers career technical education pathways, including agri-science, business management and food service and hospitality.
Bishop's Pumpkin Farm and concerts at Toyota Amphitheatre
On the south side of Wheatland, Bishop's Pumpkin Farm has a corn maze, pig races, rides and plenty of pumpkins to take home from September through November. “Everybody loves the pumpkin patch. It’s the Disneyland of all pumpkin farms, with over 100,000 visitors every year ,” Zimmerman says. Toyota Amphitheatre hosts concerts on the western edge of the community. Throughout the year, artists from Chris Stapleton to Cyndi Lauper perform. About 10 miles northwest, the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Sacramento has card tables and live music.
A 10-mile drive to Beale AFB, 15 miles from Yuba City and more transportation
Wheatland is only 10 miles from Beale Air Force Base via Spenceville Road and about 15 miles from Yuba City via state Route 65. It's about 35 miles to downtown Sacramento. Yuba-Sutter Transit provides bus services at a few stops throughout Wheatland. For commercial flights, Sacramento International Airport is about 30 miles away.
