The Best Things About Living in Granite Bay

Named after the sandy cove hugging the western shore of Folsom Lake, Granite Bay is an upscale community in Placer County just east of Roseville. Its proximity to outdoor recreation, top-rated schools and easy access to services and amenities all contribute to its high quality of life. Coupled with its many sprawling lakeside estates, it’s no wonder some of the region’s most affluent residents call Granite Bay home, including professional athletes, actors and musicians. From community parks to spacious backyard retreats, following are some of the best things about living in Granite Bay.

Folsom Lake

Many choose Granite Bay due to its immediate access to the expansive Folsom Lake, which offers opportunities for hiking, picnicking, horseback riding, boating, fishing and just about every water sport imaginable. Granite Bay beach has a large stretch of sand, grassy areas for cookouts, a buoyed swim area with lifeguards, plus a snack bar that rents beach equipment like kayaks and paddle boards. There are miles and miles of shaded trails along the shore for hiking, biking and horseback riding, and further upstream there are spots for whitewater rafting.

Golf Courses

Granite Bay is surrounded by a number of golf courses, including the renowned Granite Bay Golf Club. Situated at the southern tip of Granite Bay, the club is a certified Audubon International Signature Sanctuary with a championship 18-hole course designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. and Kyle Phillips. This private club is equipped with a number of amenities, including three on-site eateries. Other nearby courses include Indian Creek Country Club, Sierra View Country Club, and Whitney Oaks Golf Club.

Bars & Restaurants

Photo courtesy Hawks

It may not be as well-known as midtown Sacramento, but the dining scene in Granite Bay can still hold its own. Of note is Hawks, a refined American eatery with outdoor seating overlooking the lake located in the Quarry Ponds Town Center, as well as Farmhaus, a farm-to-table eatery with live music. Hazumi Sushi Bar has innovative takes on traditional Japanese fare, while Vaiano Trattoria turns out rustic Italian cuisine. If you’re looking for a causal spot for burgers and a beer, check out New Glory Eatery and Taproom, or sample local wines at Mount Saint Joseph-Vin Uva tasting room.

Community Parks

Granite Bay is home to a number of wonderful parks, including Granite Bay Community Park, which offers baseball fields, soccer fields, playgrounds, a BBQ pavilion, picnic areas, and bicycle/pedestrian trails. Other popular parks in Granite Bay include Miners Ravine Nature Reserve, Treelake Park, Douglas Ranch Park, Sterling Pointe Part, and Ronald L. Feist Park, which collectively offer a number of playgrounds, picnic areas, tennis courts, and soccer and baseball fields.

Farmers’ Market

In the agriculturally rich region of Sacramento, nearly every community has its own farmers’ market — and Granite Bay is no exception! The Granite Bay Farmers’ Market meets from June through October at the Quarry Ponds Town Center from 8 a.m.–12:30 p.m. on Sundays.

Plenty of Shopping

Photo courtesy Wit & Whimsy Toys

Like any suburban community, Granite Bay has all the services and amenities you need for day-to-day life — supermarkets, pharmacies, gas stations, hardware stores and the list goes on and on. It’s also less than 15 minutes to the major shopping centers in Roseville, such as the Westfield Galleria, The Fountains at Roseville and the Creekside Town Center. Granite Bay also has its share of smaller boutiques and charming shops, including Michaelangelo’s gift and home store, Wit & Whimsy Toys, Capitol Cellars wine shop, and Bushnell Gardens, a nursery, home & gift shop.

Exceptional Schools

Granite Bay is known for its exceptional schools. The Eureka Union School District consistently ranks as one of the highest-performing districts in the greater Sacramento and is a major draw for the community, along with the neighboring Roseville Joint Union High School District. The Eureka Union School District is also one of the few districts in California with its own parent-sponsored educational foundations. Both districts offer International Baccalaureate level education programs, available at Granite Bay High School and Oakmont High School.

Homes at All Price Points

Granite Bay is known for the area’s finest homes, including custom-built luxury compounds with home theaters, indoor saunas, elevators and other opulent features, many of which can be found in the gated communities of Los Lagos, Wexford, and Shelborne. But there are plenty of homes in more moderate price ranges, which still enjoy the luxury feel of the upscale Granite Bay community.

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