Neighborhood Guide · Placer County
Auburn, Placer County
Gold Country character, a downtown with a century of stories in the storefronts, and river canyons at the end of the street.
When you visit Auburn, it is exactly what you heard or read about it, a beautiful, turn of the last century, "Old West" feel town, nestled in the hills at the foot of the Sierras, with rivers, lakes, ravines and loaded with oaks and pine trees (for the smell). It is the historic gateway to Gold Country where I-80 leaves the valley floor and leaves city life behind. It is where generational families have lived for over a century and you really know who the locals are. They stay because they love it. You'll stay or visit because you love it. Oh, and by the way, it's not an outpost in the middle of nowhere in the mountains, it's only 30 minutes to Downtown Sac and 15 to Roseville. More than that, it's loaded with excellent restaurants, tons of shops, and easy access to a world of outdoor activities.
What It's Like to Live Here
Don't Let The Historic Old Town Thing Fool You
Every single time I drive over the Sierras towards Sacramento, I think of how hard the trip would have been, just ask the Donner Party, and what it must have been like to make that trip walking, in wagons or on horseback. Then descending the west ridges of the mountains, you come to a spot where you can finally see the beautiful valley below. That is where Auburn sits today.
So, Auburn was THE hotspot in California since the first-time settlers hit NorCal. Then in 1848, gold was found in them there hills, and a boom town was born, named Auburn in 1849. Remnants of those times survived and are reminders of the storied past.
Now, Auburn is Placer County's seat, or capital. Old Town is brick buildings, independent shops, and the kind of main-street energy that suburbs try to manufacture. Around it, the neighborhoods climb the ridges with big lots, oaks, and views, and the American River and its North Fork cut through the town edges with canyons made for hiking and rafting.
This place is ideal for those people who love the mountains, with spectacular vistas and sunsets, the smell of fires in the fireplace, and wind whistling through the pines, but without the 10 feet of snow, howling winds and freezing temperatures. You can taste the mountains, without having to feel the mountains. Also, if you're an outdoor enthusiast and like swimming in "holes" in the rivers, or serene lakes, camping, trout fishing, unlimited hiking, biking, motorcycle and horseback riding, exploring, or yes, wine tasting in the vineyards at local wineries, this place is for you!
As an added bonus, Auburn's elevation is cooler in the summer, sits above the fog in the valley, and below the snow. Though it gets a low snow once or twice a year, and it's magic.
An Insider's tip:
Fill your weekend with trips down the Placer Wine Trail, which starts in Auburn, or up Hwy 49 north to the historic, artsy, foodie town of Grass Valley. They also have an amazing weeklong Christmas celebration that you've gotta experience.
Typical Homes & Prices
What Your Money Buys
Typical Price Range
$600,000 - $1,000,000
The working picture for Auburn proper. Ridge-top acreage and canyon-view properties run well above the top end.
Typical Homes
Entry level pricing is $200K-$500K, with most being smaller, older homes on small lots, and let's face it, some of those dogs have fleas. (17% of sales)
Mid range is $500K-$900K, and maybe 80% of those are on lots between 1 and 5 acres, with quality varying considerably, from new, to old and needing updates, to old and updated and showing well, plus subdivision properties of varying quality. (62% of sales)
In both entry level and mid range, investor flip or hold properties can be found... there's gold in them there hills.
The premium property range is $900K-$3M: from older homes, maybe needing updates, on acreage and view properties, to stunning estates with epic, drop to your knees views of mountains and valleys at the top end. (21% of sales)
Who It Suits
It's funny, and I've always wondered why, but in my 37 years here in the RE biz, of all the communities in the region, I've gotten more requests for info from around the country for Auburn than any other. Go figure.
Retired folks flock to the Auburn area, with 4 golf course communities from average to premier that by default serve them. Also, people who just want to feel like they can get away to nature, quiet, and privacy. Then of course, if you love the outdoors, this place is your playground.
The Practical Stuff
Commute, Schools & Everyday Life
Commute
Downtown Sacramento is about 45 minutes down I-80, and Tahoe is an easy hour and change the other way. It is a bit of a haul, but the reverse commute is a genuinely pleasant one, hills and river views included.
Schools
Auburn Union School District handles the elementary years, then Placer Union High School District takes over, with Placer High in town. It is a well-supported, community-focused system that fits the town's character.
Everyday Life
Old Town covers the dining, shopping, and events. The American and North Fork rivers deliver hiking, rafting, and fishing all summer. Big-box retail is a short drive down the hill in Rocklin or Roseville when you need it.
Steve's Take
The honest assessment
What I Love
- 1. Auburn has a soul. Old Town is the real thing, and people here actually know their neighbors.
- 2. The outdoors are not a hobby here, they are the setting. Two river canyons, miles of trail, and foothill weather that is kinder than the valley.
- 3. You get more for your money: bigger lots, wide-open views, and character that no master plan can copy.
- 4. The community is engaged. Schools, arts, and the town's events run on genuine local pride.
Honest Trade-Offs
- 1. If you work near Downtown Sac, the commute can be a commitment you have to be ready for. Also, the further north in Auburn on Hwy 49 you go, the longer, or much longer, the commute.
- 2. Big-city amenities are a drive away. Healthcare specialists, major retail, and the airport all live down the hill.
- 3. For the older homes, they could mean real projects. Foundations, roofs, and systems need a good look before you buy.
- 4. Winter weather is part of the deal: snow flurries and frosty mornings at elevation, and I-80 is not always your friend in a storm.
Hidden Gems & Local Spots
Where Locals Actually Go
Old Town and its edges are full of places worth the drive up the hill.
Old Town Grill
The dependable favorite on Sacramento Street. Big plates, local crowd, and the kind of service that keeps a town coming back.
Sacramento StKatrina's Café
Auburn's most-loved breakfast and brunch stop, with the wait to prove it. The locals' own favorite, and that is the highest compliment.
Grass Valley HwyRestaurant Josephine
James Beard Award winning, and would be hot in San Francisco or New York. Amazing food.
Lincoln WayThe Hidden Gem Locals Keep to Themselves
The American River Canyon. Ten minutes from the Old Town parking lot, the river runs through a canyon that feels a hundred miles from anywhere. On a summer evening, with the rafters gone and the light dropping through the oaks, you will understand why Auburn people never move back down the hill.
Thinking About Auburn?
Let's See If the Foothills Fit You
Auburn is a lifestyle choice, and the right fit depends on how you live. Tell me what your week looks like and I will help you see whether the hill is your place, or whether another community suits you better.