Section Image

About Ripon, CA

About Ripon, CA

Orchard setting and a small-town environment

Situated in the San Joaquin Valley, Ripon is known for its orchard-lined roads—primarily almond orchards—that highlight the region’s strong agricultural heritage. Quiet streets, a locally focused downtown, and ample parks help foster a relaxed pace of life. “It’s like a little bedroom community, but it’s really done a good job of keeping that hometown feel to it,” says Aaron West, owner of the West Experience Real Estate Group. “You’ve got highly rated schools, great little restaurants, a charming little downtown area – it’s one of the very few places in California that truly still has that small-town feel to it.”

Carousel Image
A sign welcomes visitors to historic Ripon.
Carousel Image
A clock tower stands at a roundabout in central Ripon.
1/2

Quiet living with a variety of home styles

Housing in Ripon generally consists of ranch-style homes, though historical Colonial and Spanish-style designs are also common. Many homes take advantage of the environment and climate by installing solar panels on roofs. The median price for a home in Ripon is $745,000. “For a town its size, you’d think there would be more on the market or more sold in the last month,” says Christina O’Neal, Real Estate Agent with Roundabout Realty and longtime resident of Ripon. “But the market is competitive, and people don’t really leave – not to mention that everybody knows each other so well that many homes are sold privately.”

Carousel Image
Solar panels are a common feature of modern homes in Ripon.
Carousel Image
Spanish style homes can be found throughout Ripon.
1/2

The Ripon Unified School District

The Ripon Unified School District serves roughly 3,000 students across five schools and earns a B on Niche. Ripon Christian Schools provides a faith-based curriculum for private education from pre-kindergarten through high school. Nearby higher education options include Modesto Junior College, roughly 15 miles southeast, offering two-year degrees and transfer pathways.

Carousel Image
Ripon Christian Center is a great private school option in The City of Ripon.
Carousel Image
Ripon High School serves grades 9-12 in Ripon.
1/2

Local staples and national favorites, with more in nearby Modesto

Ripon’s downtown preserves a small-town atmosphere. Ripon Coffee House combines café service with sandwich options, while Isabel’s Vintage Café offers boba drinks, deli items, and donuts. Both spots sit along West Main Street, near the Town Square Shopping Center. Those in search of retail shopping typically head to Modesto.

Carousel Image
Take a stroll down Ripon's Main Street and enjoy the shops and cafes.
Carousel Image
Stop into Ripon Coffee House for a bagel sandwich and hot coffee.
1/2

Go on an adventure at Oak Grove Park

Seventeen parks throughout Ripon offer a range of recreation options. The Curt Pernice Skate Park caters to skaters and BMX riders, and Mistlin Sports Park hosts a water tower among four baseball fields. Access to the Stanislaus River from Army Corps Park connects residents to the Lower Stanislaus River Multi-Use Trail, an eight-mile route suitable for walkers, runners, and wildlife observation. The Oak Grove Park has over 55 acres of undeveloped land full of oak trees, mushrooms and wildlife.

Carousel Image
Take a walk along the Lower Stanislaus River Multi-Use Trail in Ripon.
Carousel Image
Mistlin Sports Park in The City of Ripon has a water tower among four baseball fields.
1/2

Almond Country

Ripon has a long history of being one of California’s top almond producers. The city is surrounded by almond farms as well as production and packaging plants. Besides producing the tasty treat, the city is awash in scent of almonds and the pink and white blooms create a picturesque backdrop. The city celebrates all that almonds have brought it with the Almond Blossom Festival, which features a parade, bake off and art show. “People come from all over,” says West. “Ninety-eight percent of all the almonds in the world are grown in Ripon and the Central Valley, and it’s a part of the town’s identity.”

Carousel Image
The Almond Blossom Festival is a valley popular event in the City of Ripon Ca.
Carousel Image
Witness the color guard at the City of Ripon Almond Blossom Parade.
1/2

Convenient to several go-to destinations

Highway 99 runs through the city while Highway 120 is just north and Interstate 5 to the west. “Yosemite and ski resorts are an hour and a half away, and Napa and Santa Cruz are both an hour and 45 minutes away,” says West. “It’s super centrally located, where you have everything California offers within an hour to an hour and a half.” Many residents commute as far as the Bay Area, putting up with a longer drive in order to live away from the hustle and bustle of more urban areas.

Crime

Ripon has a reputation for being among the safest communities in the region. Violent and property crime rates are well below state and national averages, with recent numbers holding steady or trending downward in some cases, according to FBI statistics.

Gerald Withers
Written By
Gerald Withers
Joey Kaigler
Video By
Joey Kaigler

Neighborhood Map

Ripon by the Numbers

16,220
Population
$719K
Average Housing Value
40
Average Days on Market

Average Home Value



Source: Public Records

Top Schools in Ripon, CA

Source:

Best Public Elementary Schools

Park View Elementary School
#1 Park View Elementary School
A
Niche
8
GreatSchools
Weston Elementary School
#2 Weston Elementary School
A-
Niche
7
GreatSchools
Colony Oak Elementary School
#3 Colony Oak Elementary School
B+
Niche
7
GreatSchools
Ripon Elementary School
#4 Ripon Elementary School
A-
Niche
6
GreatSchools
Ripona Elementary School
#5 Ripona Elementary School
B+
Niche
5
GreatSchools
Dena Boer Elementary School
#6 Dena Boer Elementary School
B
Niche
5
GreatSchools
Sisk Elementary School
#7 Sisk Elementary School
B-
Niche
5
GreatSchools

Best Public Middle Schools

Park View Elementary School
#1 Park View Elementary School
A
Niche
8
GreatSchools
Weston Elementary School
#2 Weston Elementary School
A-
Niche
7
GreatSchools
Colony Oak Elementary School
#3 Colony Oak Elementary School
B+
Niche
7
GreatSchools
Ripon Elementary School
#4 Ripon Elementary School
A-
Niche
6
GreatSchools
Ripona Elementary School
#5 Ripona Elementary School
B+
Niche
5
GreatSchools
Salida Middle School - Vella Campus
#6 Salida Middle School - Vella Campus
B-
Niche
5
GreatSchools

Best Public High Schools

Ripon High School
#1 Ripon High School
A
Niche
9
GreatSchools
Joseph A. Gregori High School
#2 Joseph A. Gregori High School
A-
Niche
6
GreatSchools
Ripon High School
#3 Ripon High School
B-
Niche
7
GreatSchools

Best Private School

Ripon Christian Schools
#1 Ripon Christian Schools
B+
Niche

Agents Specializing in this Area

Agent Spotlight

David Church
(209) 699-8911
David is a knowledgeable, skilled, and professionally trained agent who specializes in selling the properties he list for the highest price, in the least amount of time with the least amount of hassles. As a proactive professional, David employs his skills, knowledge, experience, and aggressive marketing plan to find buyers for the properties he list. He prioritizes his client’s best interests, ensuring communication, integrity, honesty, and diligent effort that define his service. Serving clients in the Central Valley, Bay Area, and Sacramento region.
See Full Agent Profile
See All Agents
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.