Roseville, California

It’s no secret Roseville is one of the top places around Sacramento to raise a family. Sure, the schools are top-notch (learn more about those in our Schools section below), but it’s so much more than that. There is an impressive list of amenities and activities available within city limits that will appeal to the whole family– yes, parents, that means you’ll love them too.

First, winters here are short, so exploring the great outdoors is a popular pastime. Within the city, you and your family have more than 70 parks to choose from as well as several nearby walking trails like the Miners Ravine Trail and Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail. For fishing, boating and swimming, look no further than the beauty of Folsom Lake just 9 miles to the east in Central Valley. Also a short drive away are the Bay Area, Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada Mountains, meaning you and the kids won’t have to be cooped up in the car too long to visit some of the best places in the state.

So there’s all that, and we haven’t even gotten to the man-made entertainment available. On a balmy summer day, stay cool and smile big enjoying one of Golfland Sunsplash’s many water slides, race tracks and arcade games. Keep it casual with a game at TopGolf or take the more serious athletes in the family to one of the 30 golf courses in and around Roseville. Or, if your kids are older and you’re looking for more culturally-rich experiences, your family might enjoy the Maidu Museum and Historic Site or the Blue Line Arts Gallery.

Even when it comes to simple tasks like getting your shopping done or squeezing in a date night, the businesses of Roseville have families in mind. For example, the Westfield Galleria, the second-largest mall in the state, offers childcare options for when parents need that extra support.

Last but not least, no one likes to think about it, but if an adventure goes awry, it doesn’t hurt that your kids will have access to two Level II trauma hospitals, Sutter Roseville and Kaiser Permanente, open 24 hours a day right in your backyard.

We’ll start with the complaints about powerlines, because that one was unique enough to make us stop for a minute. Yes, all cities have power lines, but one real estate agent noted that apparently several homes have power lines running right through their backyards – yuck. The bright side (no pun intended)? Because Roseville city owns and manages all their own utilities, costs are about 10% lower here than the national average.

Okay, on to the biggie…traffic. The two freeways that pass through the city are Interstate 80 and California 65. Freeway access can be an amazing thing, but it does lead to plenty of through-traffic and back-ups getting on and off the freeway. It’s possible to just be trying to get to the other side of town but the traffic from folks going to and from the freeways makes you late. Living here, it’s helpful to learn the backroads to get where you’re going in town during rush hour.

Here you can find a wide range of lifestyles. Divided into three sections, Central, West and East Roseville all have their distinct character. You can find a neighborhood that is walkable to nearby restaurants and downtown events (like Cherry Glen + Folsom neighborhood), or more up-and-coming neighborhoods (like Westpark) where new schools, businesses and restaurants are popping up regularly to fill out the area's growing list of amenities and activities. Everyone from young professionals to retirees find their niche in Roseville.

Let’s start by talking about what’s available at your doorstep. In Roseville, you’ve got a bunch of entertainment options to choose from. Think everything from theme-park-style activities at the Golfland Sunsplash to more refined experiences like the beautiful 18-hole golf course at Woodcreek Golf Club. Outdoor enthusiasts have the 8+ miles Miners Ravine Trail while sports enthusiasts have plenty of facilities and fields to choose from like Mahany Park and Fitness Center. And don’t worry, we didn’t forget about those of you looking for a flavor-packed restaurant, art gallery or high-end shop, you’ll find more than you can consume within the city's various malls and hubs, like Westfield Galleria (the second largest mall in California) or everyone’s favorite sushi bar: Mikuni Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar.

As for leaving the city – we’re looking at you commuters and weekend warriors – Roseville has excellent access to freeways and good public transport options. You’ve got the 80 and the 65 freeways that both go through the city. If you don’t feel like driving your own car, take advantage of the city’s large list of park & rides that allow you to utilize the Roseville Transit commuter bus program that’ll get you from Roseville to downtown Sacramento in roughly 30-45 minutes depending on the time of day. If you’re looking to escape on the weekend, the iconic Lake Tahoe nestled within the Sierra Nevada Mountains is an easy 2-hour drive to the northeast.

Also worth noting, residents appreciate the ethnic, economic and cultural diversity of the area. Young professionals, married couples, families and retirees all live here. While it is majority White/Caucasian, there are also large Asian, Hispanic and Ukrainian populations here.