Getting to know Elk Grove, California
A Virtual Trip down Candy Cane Lane, Ryland Court, Elk Grove, CA
Last modified Nov 24 1997
You are visitor number
Disney Archives Disney ascii art, attraction scripts, Attraction FAQ, Window's based park maps, Attraction midi's, the Universal FAQ, etc.......
The halloween-l For serious Halloween decorators, Mailing list archives, images, plans, Haunted Houses, etc.....
The xmas-l For serious Christmas decorators, inside and out, images, plans, etc....
Don Bertino's Home Page
1. History, Location and Quality of Life:
Elk Grove was established in 1850 as a hotel and stage stop, located about 15 miles south of historic Sutter's Fort. The area became a crossroads for business, entertainment, mail service and agricultural ventures as well as supplying much of the needs of the early miners in the gold fields of nearby Sheldon, Sloughhouse and Coloma.
After it played its part in the early gold rush and statehood history of California, a close-knit community evolved with a distinctly rural and western lifestyle. Despite its close proximity to California's capital city, Elk Grove remained quietly independent of Sacramento's growth and development as it expanded into adjoining countywide areas until the 1980's. Today, it is one of the fastest growing communities in Sacramento County.
Elk Grove has a lot going for it. It is an easy commute via Highway 99 and Interstate 5 for Sacramento workers. Elk Grove also boasts a wide selection of affordable housing, a reputation for excellent schools and a low crime rate. These attributes have attracted a continuing influx of young, homeowner families who are looking for a comfortable, affordable lifestyle, close enough to metropolitan living, yet without the congestion, overcrowding and expense.
The Laguna area, which is the newest part of Elk Grove has added a major new dimension to the community. Residential growth in the adjoining communities of Franklin, Wilton, Sheldon, Vintage Park, Churchill Downs, Sloughhouse and Rancho Murieta have made Elk Grove an increasingly important business center.
Because it is an unincorporated area, the Elk Grove Community Services District provides fire, ambulance, and parks and recreation services. Land use recommendations are presented to the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors by the Elk Grove, Franklin/Laguna, and Wilton Advisory Planning Councils.
Income among Elk Grove residents is 45% higher than the county median.
A wide selection of retail stores offer much of what is need in goods and services.
In addition to the 120 acre Elk Grove County Park, there are 17 additional neighborhood parks available in the immediate vicinity for year round recreation and family outings. One recent addition, which is sure to please the kids is the community-constructed playgrounds at Miwok Park.
Cultural as well as sports programs and facilities are abundant throughout the Sacramento area. Live theatre, opera, ballet and the Sacramento Symphony provide quality entertainment, with events scheduled throughout the year. Locally, the Strauss Festival attracts more than 40,000 to Elk Grove Park each year for a free evening of Strauss music and Viennese dance!
Sports fans can travel to Sacramento to cheer the Sacramento Kings at Arco Arena, to Rancho Murieta for the Senior Gold Rush Golf Tournament or to Elk Grove Park for softball tournaments which draw teams from throughout the United States.
For those who enjoy participating in sports activities, there is a wide variety of local choices, including boating, fishing, softball, baseball, soccer, bowling, tennis. swimming, horseshoes and equestrian events, both western and English.
Among the broader recreation choices, the Sierra Nevada mountains and Lake Tahoe are a comfortable two hour drive to the east for camping, skiing and other seasonal sports. San Francisco and other popular Pacific Ocean coastal attractions are equally accessible in similar driving time to the west.
Overall, the economic and social climate in Elk Grove/Laguna is bright, thanks to its young, stable, family-oriented population, blended with its nearly 150 year old rural environment, proximity to employment opportunities and an abundance of local businesses.
In Sacramento County, 4 miles south of Sacramento City Limits, Elk Grove/Laguna is 92 miles east of San Francisco, 379 miles north of Los Angeles, approximately 2 hours west of Lake Tahoe and Approximately 3 hours southwest of Reno, Nevada.
The community of Sheldon is approximately 3 miles northeast of Elk Grove, with rural Wilton just 2 miles east of Sheldon.
Sloughhouse is approximately 12 miles northeast of Elk Grove, with Rancho Murieta just 5 miles beyond.
Vintage Park and Churchill Downs are just inside the Sacramento City Limits , but are connected to Elk Grove by school district, utilities services and community sense of belonging.
Franklin is just west and south of Elk Grove, near Intestate 5.
Elk Grove has a climate with dry, moderately hot summers and moderately wet winters. Prevailing winds are from the south and southwest. Average annual rainfall is 21.66 inches, falling primarily from November through April. Elevation is 45 feet above sea level.
TEMPERATURE (F) HIGH MEAN LOW MEAN HUMIDITY
January 60 42 24 77%
July 110 80 50 30%
Current conditions & forecastThe Elk Grove/Laguna area is predominately Caucasian, with a rich mixture of other races and ethnic groups well integrated into the various neighborhoods. The combined Elk Grove/Laguna population is:
1980 1988 1990 1992 1994 2015
19,269 29,494 49,741 53,746 58,225 214,237
5. Median Income
Sacramento County $32,297
Elk Grove $45,685
Laguna $54,566
6. Government
Elk Grove is in the 5th Supervisorial District,
the 10th State Assembly District,
the 5th State Senate District.
7. Housing
Elk Grove Trade Area: The newest part of Elk Grove, the Laguna
area, was designed to accommodate 20,000 dwelling units -- or
approximately 50,000 residents.
Median Home Prices (December 1995)
Sacramento County $129,000
Elk Grove $139,000
Laguna $149,000
Median Rent (December 1995)
Sacramento County $527
Elk Grove $700
Laguna $991
8. Transportation
Interstate 5 is the western boundary for the Greater Elk Grove
area. The area is also served by Highway 99, and major surface
thoughfares providing both noth and northest access into
Sacramento. The percentage of workers who commute to work outside
of the Elk Grove/Laguna area is 79%, with an average
commute time of 27 minutes.
Traffic Counts:
Highway 99 -- approximately 65,400 vechicles per day
Elk Grove Blvd. -- Approximately 29,400 per day
Ship:
Port of Sacramento (Sacramento/Yolo Deepwater Port facilities),
15 miles northwest of Elk Grove, Port of Stockton, 35 miles south of
Elk Grove
Transit Services:
Provided by Sacramento Regional Transit and Greyhound Bus Service.
Paratransit services provided by A.M.T. Services.
Truck:
Seven carriers, including United Parcel Services.
Rail:
Southern Pacific Railroad, Western Pacific Railroad and Central
California Traction Company.
Amtrak in nearby Sacramento.
Air:
Privately owned Sunset Skyranch; Rancho Murieta Airport;
Sacramento Executive Airport (10 miles northwest of Elk Grove);
Sacramento Metropolitan Airport (20 miles northwest of Elk Grove);
Mather (under conversion from military air base to private sector
facility)
9. Media
Newspapers:
Elk Grove/Laguna Neighbors, published twice weekly in the
Sacramento Bee.
The Elk Grove Citizen, published twice weekly, by Herburger
Publications.
Murieta Times, published weekly by El Dorado Newspapers.
10. Utilities
Water: Elk Grove Water Works (916) 685-3556
Telephone: Citizens Telecom (916) 685-7100
Electricity: Sacramento Municipal Utility District (916) 452-7811
Natural Gas: Pacific Gas & Electric (916) 383-2323
Sewer: Sacramento County (916) 855-8555
11. Community FacilitiesCHURCHES:
More than 50 churches in the Greater Elk Grove area provides a worshipful environment and social services for Elk Grove residents of many faiths.
SCHOOLS:
Geographically, because it covers 320 square miles, Elk Grove Unified School District is the second largest school district in the state. Detailed information regarding schools and academic programs available in the Elk Grove Unified School District is available through the District office at 686-5085 or the Chamber of Commerce at 685-3911.
Cosumnes River College is a community college located 4 miles northwest of Elk Grove.
California State University, Sacramento is approximately 9 miles north of Elk Grove.
There are also 7 private elementary and secondary schools in the are, four of which are Christian.
Instruction is also available locally in specific areas such as aircraft flight, dance, modeling and acting, reading skills, medical and dental technology, occupational therapy and business skills.
RECREATIONAL, SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
Elk Grove Park is used throughout the year for Western Festival, Strauss Festival , church and company picnics, family reunions, weddings, tournaments, soccer, swimming, equestrian events and other activities. More than 17 other, smaller parks are scattered throughout the area for the enjoyment and recreation of area residents.
Several golf courses, including two country clubs, and a number of driving ranges provide area golfers with facilities to meet their needs.
Tennis facilities area also provided by Laguna Creek Racquet Club and there are other tennis courts available in the area.
HEALTH
Local hospitals include: Elk Grove Convalescent Hospital, Kaiser Permanente Medical Center South Sacramento, Methodist Hospital, Bruceville Terrace Skilled Nursing Facility and Sutter Health Center. Both Methodist and Kaiser provide emergency care. In nearby Sacramento, Sutter Health operates two acute care hospitals. Mercy Hospital and University of California, Davis also operate Sacramento acute care facilities.
Local, City and State Goverment
Laguna's Ryland Court during Halloween.
Home-made Main Street Electrical Parade float for the First Annual Christmas Light Parade (1995)
Many thanks to the Elk Grove Chamber of Commerce for most of this information.
![[City.Net]](images/citynet.gif)
![[USA CityLink]](images/usflag.gif)
Please send comments, correction or questions for me
bertino@netcom.com
