A rust-brown water tower rises above the train tracks in Elmira, California, serving as a reminder of its origins as a maintenance stop on the California Pacific Railroad. Situated between Sacramento and San Francisco and surrounded by almond and alfalfa fields, Elmira remains a humble, rural town of about 200 people with a post office, tamale business, historic church and golf course. Neighboring Vacaville is a go-to for essential supplies and entertainment. “It’s right next to the city of Vacaville, which has jobs, shopping and schools,” says Barrett Adams, a realtor at Coldwell Banker servicing Vacaville and surrounding areas. Elmira is also near the Travis Air Force Base, and the train runs right through it, yet residents enjoy quiet lives. “It’s very peaceful, very tranquil, because it’s like countryside and agriculture,” says Brian Leyva, a lifetime Elmira resident and store manager at Chepo’s Tamales, a local staple.
Elmira has bungalows, homes on over 70 acres
Located 33 miles from Sacramento, Elmira is made up of a small town center with outlying planned developments containing newer housing. Ranch-style homes and bungalows are common there, with generous, grassy front lawns large enough to play a game of catch or plant a decorative garden. Three-and-four-bedroom properties typically go for around $750,000 in Elmira. For those with a higher budget, properties sitting on 70-plus acres can go upwards of $1 million. There is more and more housing to choose from as new developments pop up on the east side of Vacaville. "Vacaville housing is coming closer to us, and there’s nothing wrong with that,” Leyva says. “Housing is a good thing for us.”
A picket fence frames this cute single-story home in Elmira.
A historic Queen Anne style home can be found in Elmira.
The homes in Elmira vary greatly in style and size.
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Students attend the A-minus Vacaville Unified School District
Children living in Elmira are part of the Vacaville Unified School District, which Niche gives an A-minus. Some of the closest schools are Cooper Elementary, which gets a B-plus, Vaca Peña Middle, which gets a B, and Will C. Wood High, which gets an A-minus. Ranked the sixth-best public high school in Solano County, Will C. Wood High School offers career and technical education programs in aviation and robotics, culinary arts, medical sciences, automotive technology and other subjects to help give students an advantage in the workforce. It also offers band, choir, orchestra and theater for students interested in the arts and fall, winter and spring sports for students interested in athletics.
The entrance to the Vaca Pena Middle School is safe with a police presence.
Educational opportunities abound at Cooper Elementary School.
The entrance to Will C Wood High School is colorful and inviting.
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Elmira residents play in Vacaville
Vacaville has 33 parks, making it easy for Elmira residents to find playgrounds, picnic tables and large grassy spaces. Play 4 All Park, one of the closest parks to Elmira, accommodates individuals with disabilities through amenities such as wheelchair-accessible swings. Nashe Mesto Park, which is a mile from Elmira, has barbecue grills and tables for a picnic lunch and a large open field for playing games. Golfers take a swing at Cypress Lakes Golf Course, just 2 miles from downtown Elmira. It comes with a par 72 course, a pro shop and a restaurant. Elmira residents also have access to Vacaville’s extensive indoor entertainment. “It has movie theaters, bowling alleys, ice skating rinks, museums,” Adams says. “Vacaville has it all.”
Play 4 All Park includes a fun and safe zip line.
Cypress Lakes Golf Course Tee Off includes a beautiful view.
Cypress Lakes Golf Course players enjoy a conversation at the Par Lounge.
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A fresh batch of handmade tamales at Chepo's Tamales in Elmira.
Restaurant serves homemade tamales, more options in Vacaville
Elmira doesn’t have much shopping and dining, but there are plenty of options in Vacaville. Chepo’s Tamales is an iconic Elmira restaurant that stays busy selling homemade tamales, which customers typically take to go. They can also grab a soda, water or beer from one of the store’s fridges. Elmira residents won’t find grocery stores in their town but will find Raley’s, Walmart, Target, Costco and many more options in Vacaville. Vacaville is also a destination for clothes shopping with Calvin Klein, Coach and Gap at the Vacaville Premium Outlets.
I-80, Amtrack takes locals out of town
Locals commute 33 miles to Sacramento and 59 miles to San Francisco for work by taking Interstate 80, or they can catch the Amtrack from the Fairfield-Vacaville station. For out-of-town travel, the Sacramento Airport, which is 36 miles away, services domestic and international flights. Medical services are 3 miles away at NorthBay Health VacaValley Hospital.
Elmira residents will hear and feel the rattle of the train that frequently runs through town. Depending on how close they are to the Travis Air Force Base, they might also notice the planes flying in and out.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Elmira, CA sell after 51 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Elmira, CA over the last 12 months is $487,500, up 23% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Investors Special!! 3 Houses 1 lot. Front unit 3 bd/1 bath with Kitchen and Laundry room, Second Unit 1 bd/1 Bath with Kitchen and Laundry room, Third Unit 2 bd/1 bth with Kitchen and Laundry room. 2 back buildings are legal Non-Conforming. All 3 building are rentals.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
