PLACER COUNTY
County Offices
175 Fulweiler Avenue
Auburn 530-889-4000
www.placer.ca.gov
Chamber of Commerce
917 Seventh Street
Sacramento 916-552-6800
www.metrochamber.org
Originally an agricultural area dotted by railroad towns, modern Placer County has matured beyond its status as a suburban extension of the City of Sacramento. While the Capitol City remains easily accessible to the west via Interstate 80, this Sierra foothills region continues to grow increasingly self-sufficient—with a diversity that is both intriguing and highly successful. Located on the northern border of Sacramento County, Placer County has drawn many new residents and new businesses that are relocating to Greater Sacramento. It has also provided a haven for those who want to escape the pressures and crowds of urban life without sacrificing access to metropolitan amenities.
The western quadrant of Placer County offers a mild climate with little snow or fog, while the eastern section is considered “snow country” as elevations rise into the high Sierras. Among the major towns scattered throughout the county are Roseville, Rocklin, Auburn, and Lincoln. Roseville and Rocklin are enjoying exceptional popularity and rapid growth in residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. In fact, the collection of large employers within these two cities is fueling growth throughout the county.
Many of the small towns and vacation destinations are expanding residential development to serve as scenic and rural bedroom communities. Granite Bay, Foresthill, Ophir, Sheridan, Penryn, Dutch Flat, Tahoe City, and Kings Beach are just a few of the unincorporated communities that dot the county. Each one claims its own distinctive flavor, atmosphere, and history.
Services
“Upwardly mobile” is the term that best describes Placer County’s outlook as the new millennium continues to unfold. Today’s population represents a sharp increase over that of the 1990s, and experts predict a prolonged period of brisk development and expansion. At the same time, the average personal income has climbed substantially, indicating the caliber of quality growth that builds strong and vibrant communities. From high-tech to the construction industry, Placer County’s robust economy shows no signs of slowing. Union Pacific Railroad recently named Roseville as its regional hub, and many other national companies have expanded in Placer County from name-brand apparel manufacturers to leading publishers. Roseville and Rocklin are also home to major retailers that include sprawling chain stores, restaurants, and auto malls. Developers remain busy planning and redeveloping regional malls with prestigious department store anchors and neighborhood shopping centers to meet the growing demand for goods and services close to home.
Traditionally, residents of Placer County farmed the fertile soil, harvested timber, toiled in granite quarries, or worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad. Today, economic activities vary with the natural resources, climate, and growth patterns. Ranching and farming dominate the scene in Lincoln and Sheridan, while Loomis and Newcastle have matured from their mining-town roots to take their place as select suppliers of farm-fresh fruits to local packing houses. Foresthill relies on recreation revenue from its sparkling reservoirs, pine-scented trails, and abundant campsites. Weimar has evolved as a health and nutrition center.
Sutter Roseville Medical Center and Kaiser Permanente Hospital are not only important employers within the county, they anchor a state-of- the-art healthcare network. Kaiser Permanente provides comprehensive outpatient primary and specialty care services to nearly 150,000 members throughout the region. Set on a 57-acre campus, the $108 million facility of Sutter Roseville Medical Center provides leading-edge medical and surgical specialties to residents of Placer and Sacramento counties. Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital provides additional resources including obstetrics, hospice, rehabilitation, occupational therapy, and home health. Serving the North Lake Tahoe region, Tahoe Forest Hospital offers a 72-bed institution that provides 24-hour emergency service as well as inpatient and outpatient services.
The Placer County public education system enjoys an excellent reputation for it successes in educating and preparing students for higher education. In addition to vocation and technical schools, Sierra College is a two-year institution that maintains a focus on specific business and career skills as well as certifications and associate degree programs. Other outstanding choices for higher education are less than a half-hour’s drive from home. The nationally renowned University California-Davis offers a wide range of degree programs in disciplines like agriculture, biochemistry, biophysics, computer science, engineering, and genetics. California State University-Sacramento also enjoys regional prominence for its programs in the fields of business, computer science, engineering, and health and human services.
Lifestyle
Accessible from Interstate 80, Placer County spans California’s Great Valley and climbs the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountain range, claiming scenic wonders from sea level to ski level. Open agricultural fields, rolling foothills, flower-dotted meadows, regional recreation areas, and the forests of the Sierras are all postcard images of Placer County. Within the county’s small and friendly communities, newcomers can enjoy quiet streets and a relaxed pace of rural life in close proximity to metropolitan advantages. However, the need for commuting to Sacramento for employment or entertainment wanes with each passing year, as the flood of new retailers and employers into Placer County quickens.
Because of the rapid growth in all sectors, many of the homes in Placer County are relatively new construction. Handsome master-planned communities combine with sprawling ranchettes and country estates—each one sporting a price tag that compares favorably to similar properties located in San Francisco, the Silicon Valley, or the sprawling Los Angeles metropolitan area in Southern California. Those seeking a Victorian or well-kept older home will find these treasures in the long-established neighborhoods and historic districts of the area’s small to mid-sized towns.
Although Placer County attracts a pleasing mix of young professionals and families in all stages, several of its residential communities are designed for retirees. Del Webb’s Sun City in Roseville has been followed by a similar development in Lincoln, both offering the Del Webb legacy of a truly active retirement surrounded by exceptional recreational amenities. Magnificent custom homes are available in the community of Granite Bay, many with spectacular views of Folsom Lake. Equestrian lovers will be able to find sprawling horse properties gracing the small towns of Loomis or Penryn. Placer County has all the versatility and natural beauty to fulfill any number of lifestyle dreams.
From east to west, residents of Placer County can easily discover seclusion and serenity, outdoor thrills and adventure, historic sites and fascinating museums, cultural events, and world-class recreational opportunities. The options are so attractive and abundant, you’ll want more hours in the day just to sample the activities and pleasures. Relax on King’s Beach or hike through the American River Canyon. Discover the Granite Chief Wilderness Area, Donner Pass, the shores of Lake Tahoe, or the China Wall Recreation Area. Whitewater raft, swim, ice-skate, downhill or cross-country ski, water ski, boat, horseback ride, backpack, snowmobile, hunt, camp, four-wheel, mountain bike, or ride the air currents in a hot-air balloon—not even the sky is the limit in Placer County. If you prefer groomed and well-maintained sports facilities, you’ll find championship golf courses, tennis courts, racquet clubs, athletic fields, swimming pools, and equestrian activities.
Aficionados of shopping will want to search the old-town districts for antiques and unique treasures, browsing through one-of-a-kind specialty stores. The open-air markets and shops of Rocklin and Roseville are characteristic of the relaxed, rural lifestyle of the valley. Residents of Placer County can discover health secrets at the local herb farm, select their jack-o-lantern at the pumpkin patch, visit the Farmer’s Market, or select the tallest pine from the Christmas Tree Farm. Year-round activities celebrate the county’s colorful legacy, beginning in January with the Dog Sled Races, Snowboard Races, and the Gem Faire in Roseville. In the springtime, Auburn hosts the Wild West Stampede and Polka Festival, while the Folsom Lake Area focuses on the American River Equestrian Endurance Ride. The Lake Tahoe Summer Music Festival and the Concours d’ Elegance Boat Show at North Lake Tahoe combine with colorful harvest and holiday lights celebrations to draw throngs of visitors.
Whether you decide to settle in the major cities of Rocklin or Roseville, a charming small town or peaceful rural area, Placer County mixes simple pleasures with progressive amenities. The warmth of friendly neighbors, good schools, excellent health care services, and a robust economy combine with internationally famous recreation sites to guarantee a truly unsurpassed quality of life. As you explore the hidden treasures along the highways and byways of this scenic land—from the Gold Country to the High Sierra—you are likely to discover the ideal place to call home.
Auburn
Municipal Offices
530-823-4211
www.auburn.ca.gov
Chamber of Commerce
530-885-5616
www.auburnchamber.net
The historic town and county seat of Auburn enjoys an ideal location with climate and elevation advantages. Nestled in the Sierra foothills, the town offers cooler summer temperatures and minimal winter fog without the heavy snows of the higher alpine regions. The result is a full calendar of balmy days and crisp, clear nights—the perfect formula for year-round recreational activities. Many home-sites feature innovative architecture with spectacular vistas, ingeniously designed to accommodate hills and sharp ravines. Against this heavily wooded background stands a charming town where beautiful Victorians cluster around the downtown district. In addition to the region’s abundance of outdoor activities, Auburn adds cinemas, cultural venues, a roller rink, Boys and Girls Club, recreation and community centers, and a variety of special events. With its community hospital, good schools and outstanding quality of life, Auburn is becoming a choice bedroom community for emerging employment centers in Roseville and Rocklin.
Lincoln
Municipal Offices
916-645-3314
www.ci.lincoln.ca.us
Chamber of Commerce
916-645-2035
www.lincolnchamber.com
Lincoln is one of many charming small towns in Placer County that sprang up almost spontaneously during the Gold Rush era. Rich in land and the beauty of open space, Lincoln is drawing the attention of major developers. While young professionals and families are attracted to the area’s impressive recreational amenities, retirees will find a growing number of reasons to settle in Lincoln. Del Webb, the renowned planner of premier retirement communities, has chosen Lincoln as the site of Placer County’s second “Sun City.” The sprawling ranch land and fertile fields that surround Lincoln create an atmosphere of healthy country living. Long-established neighborhoods in the heart of town offer older homes in a variety of architectural styles, although the attraction of Lincoln for most newcomers lies in the availability of vast, untapped acreage for ranchettes, horse properties, and large lots of 5 or 10 acres for custom home sites. Regional recreational amenities are focused on outdoor activities that include hiking, horseback riding, swimming, golfing, skiing, boating, four-wheeling, and mountain biking.
Rocklin
Municipal Offices
916-625-5000
www.ci.rocklin.ca.us
Chamber of Commerce
916-624-2548
www.rocklinchamber.com
Growing rapidly, Rocklin is one of the two emerging business centers in Placer County. Now the hub for Union Pacific Railroad, Rocklin is also home to highly visible corporations in diverse industries. Business parks are blossoming, providing state-of-the-art commercial properties for high-tech firms and progressive new businesses. Residential development is equally impressive in Rocklin, where modest older homes in the heart of town blend with country estates and executive estates on spacious hillside lots. A number of attractive new subdivisions are beginning to emerge around the Sierra College area. To the credit of city planners, the rapid growth rate is tempered by strict zoning and a concern for creating the finest presentation of modern suburbia. Although the construction industry is busy accommodating the many new homes spring up throughout the city, the resale market is equally active. While Rocklin residents are only minutes from the expanded commercial district and amenities of Roseville, the town is becoming increasingly self-sufficient. The blend of small-town living with urban convenience is difficult to rival.
Roseville
Municipal Offices
916-774-5200
www.roseville.ca.us
Chamber of Commerce
916-783-8136
www.rosevillechamber.com
A community that harmonizes tradition, pride and progress, Roseville has evolved from its roots as a sleepy railroad hamlet into a bustling city. Just an hour’s drive from the world-class resort of Lake Tahoe and convenient to the capital city of Sacramento, Roseville is a friendly, vibrant, dynamic, and prosperous community. In spite of its emergence as one of the new “hot spots” for high-tech business and light industry, Roseville has managed to preserve the charm and tranquility of yesterday. Few locales in the nation can offer the welcome comforts of small-town living without sacrificing the modern amenities and conveniences that add to the quality of life. In countless aspects of everyday life, Roseville truly epitomizes “the best of all worlds.” Housing options vary from vintage homes along the tree-lined streets of Old Town to beautiful new subdivisions and planned developments graced by lovely estates and meticulous landscaping. Some of the most prestigious homes have as many as eight bedrooms and every luxurious appointment. Sun City provides a first-class development specifically for retirees. Parks, cultural events, concerts, and local shopping combine with close proximity to Folsom Lake and the alpine playground of the high Sierra Nevada Mountains for outstanding leisure and recreational attractions.
Tahoe City
County Offices
530-889-4000
www.placer.ca.gov
Chamber of Commerce
530-581-8764
https://www.gotahoenorth.com/business-directory/about-the-nlt-chamber
The North Lake Tahoe region encompasses “Tahoe City,” which is actually an unincorporated village between Truckee and South Lake Tahoe along Highway 89. The majority of the North Shore region, home to approximately 10,000 residents, falls within Placer County. Tahoe City serves as a hub of resort activity, one of many small communities nestled in the breathtaking Sierra Nevada Mountains. The three ski areas within Placer County—Squaw Valley, Northstar, and Alpine Meadows—anchor the local economy and rank among the counties largest employers. The majority of other local businesses revolve around tourism and hospitality either directly or indirectly. Housing in Tahoe City is primarily designed to fill the second-home niche, from casual or rustic to elegant and upscale. Residents of this area have the advantage of world-class recreational destinations that provide year-round options for outdoor adventure and sports. From boating on Lake Tahoe to skiing on Olympic-quality slopes, every aspect of life in Tahoe City is first class.
