Where Sacramento’s Wealthy Really Live 🏡

Inside the Luxury Neighborhoods of Sac, Placer & El Dorado Counties

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When people think “luxury real estate,” they usually picture Beverly Hills, Malibu, or Silicon Valley. Sacramento is rarely the first name that comes to mind.

But here’s the truth: right here in Sacramento, Placer, and El Dorado Counties, we have some incredible luxury pockets. We’re talking about multi–million dollar estates, gated compounds, historic streets where governors once lived, quiet riverfront retreats, and golf-course and lake-view homes that feel like you’re on vacation year-round.

If we haven’t met yet, I’m Jake DaRosa with The DaRosa Real Estate Team. I’ve lived in this area for 49 years and been a real estate broker for 23. My team and I have helped families move into these neighborhoods, out of them, and pretty much everywhere in between.

In this post, I’m going to walk you through where the wealthiest residents of Greater Sacramento actually live, what makes each area special, and who each neighborhood tends to fit best.

The Fab 40s: Sacramento’s Classic Prestige Address

If Sacramento has a “calling card” for prestige, it’s East Sacramento’s Fab 40s.

The second you turn onto one of those streets, you know you’re somewhere different:

• Huge elm trees lining the sidewalks
• Wide streets and deep lots
• Perfectly manicured lawns
• Homes packed with character you just don’t see in new construction

You’ll find Tudors with steep gables, Mediterranean villas with red-tile roofs, and big Colonial Revival homes with wide front porches. These homes date back to the early 1900s, when developers intentionally set out to create Sacramento’s most prestigious address.

They weren’t thinking short term. They designed wider streets, planted massive shade trees that are now over 100 years old, and built homes with true craftsmanship. A century later, the Fab 40s still hold their value and their shine.

Prices commonly range from $1M to $3M+, and some properties climb higher depending on size, lot, and renovations. One of the homes here was featured in the Oscar-nominated film Lady Bird, which gave the neighborhood national attention, but locals have always known it as the address.

Living in the Fab 40s is less about just the house and more about the East Sacramento lifestyle:

• Minutes to downtown and the Capitol
• Next to McKinley Park with its rose garden, duck pond, tennis courts, and summer events
• Walkable to local favorites like Temple Coffee and neighborhood restaurants

Judges, doctors, CEOs, and politicians have called this area home for generations, and it continues to be one of Sacramento’s most desired luxury neighborhoods.

Sierra Oaks Vista & Arden Park: Quiet Compounds and Old Money

Head a little east and you hit one of Sacramento’s more low-key but very high-end pockets: Sierra Oaks Vista and Arden Park.

If the Fab 40s are about historic charm, Sierra Oaks Vista is about land and privacy.

Here you’ll find:

• Acre-plus lots
• Long gated driveways
• Huge oaks and mature landscaping
• A mix of renovated mid-century ranch homes and sleek modern estates with glass walls and infinity pools

Most homes start in the $1.5M–$2M+ range, and it’s easy to see properties in the $4M–$5M range when you’re looking at the large compounds.

A big bonus here is the proximity to the American River Parkway. Some homes literally back right up to it, which means you can step out your back gate onto 30+ miles of paved trail that runs from downtown to Folsom Lake.

This pocket tends to attract:

• Longtime Sacramento business owners
• Lobbyists and government insiders
• Families who want privacy and quiet more than “look at me” luxury

You won’t see tour buses or big light displays here. It’s very much quiet, old-money luxury.

Carmichael’s River Estates: Under-the-Radar Luxury with Space

Next up is Carmichael along the American River – especially areas like Merrihill, Del Dayo Estates, and Sheffield Estates.

These neighborhoods don’t always get the headlines, but they absolutely should.

Here you’ll see:

• Big lots, often an acre or more
• A mix of updated mid-century homes and brand new custom builds
• Premium riverfront properties at the top end of the Sacramento County market

Prices usually run from $1.5M to $4M, with riverfront homes commanding the highest numbers. It’s not unusual to see sprawling backyards with:

• Tennis courts
• Outdoor kitchens and covered entertaining areas
• Guest houses and big garages
• All tucked behind gates on quiet, tree-lined streets

What I love about this part of Carmichael is that it feels approachable and neighborly, even though a lot of residents are doctors, attorneys, and high-ranking state officials. From the main roads, you might not realize what’s hidden just a few turns away.

And just like Sierra Oaks Vista, you’re right next to the American River Parkway, which means easy access to cycling, running, or just walking along the river.

Granite Bay: Sacramento’s Version of Beverly Hills

If there’s one neighborhood most people outside the region know by name, it’s Granite Bay.

This is often described as Sacramento’s version of Beverly Hills – not because it’s as over the top, but because it’s the default “luxury” answer when people ask where the area’s wealthy live.

Here you’ll find:

• Gated and guarded communities like Los Lagos and Shelborne
• Long driveways leading to big custom homes
• Resort-style pools, private tennis courts, and guest houses larger than many primary homes

Estate prices often range from $2M into the high single digits, depending on acreage, size, and level of finish.

Granite Bay has long attracted:

• Pro athletes
• Well-known coaches and managers
• High-level executives and business owners

On top of the homes themselves, you get:

• Top-rated Granite Bay / Eureka school districts
• Quick access to Folsom Lake for boating and water sports
• A reasonable commute into Sacramento or up toward the foothills

If you ask someone in the region to name a “rich neighborhood,” Granite Bay is usually the first name that comes out.

Loomis: Vineyard Estates and Quiet Country Luxury

Loomis is a completely different flavor of luxury.

Here, the draw is exclusivity, acreage, and old-world charm rather than being seen.

In communities like Sierra de Montserrat and other estate pockets, you’ll find:

• 5–10 acre parcels
• Olive groves, small vineyards, and horse setups
• Infinity pools and serious wine cellars
• Tuscan-inspired villas that feel like your own private retreat

Typical price points run $2M–$5M+, and the crowd is often:

• Executives from the Bay Area who cashed out and want more space
• People who want a country lifestyle without tourists
• Buyers looking for privacy but still within 30–35 minutes of downtown Sacramento

You’ll still see fruit stands, barns, and orchards as you drive through Loomis. Then tucked behind gates are some of the most impressive estates in the region. It’s rural charm mixed with high-end living, which makes Loomis one of the most unique luxury markets in Northern California.

El Dorado Hills & Serrano: Golf, Views, and Tahoe Vibes

Last but not least is El Dorado Hills, which has some of the most visually striking homes in the region.

A lot of buyers purchase a lot up here and then build their dream custom home. The centerpiece is Serrano, a gated, master-planned golf course community with its own private country club.

In Serrano you’ll see:

• Homes from roughly $1.5M into the multi-million range
• Golf course frontage properties
• Hilltop homes with panoramic foothill and valley views

Life here often revolves around:

• The country club – morning golf, evening dinners, and community events
• The nearby El Dorado Hills Town Center with concerts and seasonal activities
• Quick access to outdoor recreation and Folsom Lake

Some of the most impressive properties sit in **lake-view pockets above Folsom Lake**, where you’ll see:

• Glass walls and multi-level decks
• Infinity pools that look like they spill straight into the water
• Custom builds that push the high end of the market

El Dorado Hills has been a popular destination for Bay Area transferees, Sacramento executives, and remote workers who want space, views, and strong schools. You get that Tahoe-style feel without actually living in the snow, and you’re only about an hour and fifteen minutes from Lake Tahoe itself.

So Where Do Sacramento’s Wealthy Really Live?

Across all of these neighborhoods you see a few common threads:

• Exclusivity and privacy
• Strong school districts or proximity to outdoor amenities
• Long-term value and consistent demand

From the historic charm of the Fab 40s, to the hidden compounds of Sierra Oaks Vista and Carmichael, to the high-profile estates in Granite Bay, Loomis, and El Dorado Hills, Greater Sacramento has a deeper luxury market than most people realize.

And the best part is that many of these homes are designed to be lived in, not just looked at. They’re set up so you rarely have to leave if you don’t want to.

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Thinking About Buying or Selling in Sacramento’s Luxury Market?

Whether you’re:

• Moving into the region and want to explore these luxury pockets
• Already local and considering a move up into one of these neighborhoods
• Or thinking about selling a high-end home and want a strategic plan

I’d love to help.

📲 Call or text me at 91642-5786
Or reach out through the contact form on this site and let me know what you’re looking for.

My team and I have helped countless families buy and sell in Sacramento, Placer, and El Dorado Counties, and we can walk you through the options that best fit your lifestyle and budget.

Jake DaRosa
Broker | The DaRosa Real Estate Team