Moving your family to Sacramento? With several high-quality schools, kid-friendly activities, low crime rates, and more, there are plenty of great places to raise kids in California’s capital city. Here are the five best Sacramento neighborhoods for families!
East Sacramento
- Home Price: $442,192 median purchase price; $1,156 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 87% of Sacramento neighborhoods
Known for having some of the most gorgeous real estate in Sacramento—particularly in the Fabulous Forties area—East Sacramento is a beautiful neighborhood with Tudor and Colonial Revival homes sprawled across quiet, tree-lined streets. The neighborhood was even featured in the Oscar-nominated film Lady Bird! This safe Sac neighborhood is of the best places in Sacramento to raise a family thanks to its suburban feel and abundance of quality Capital City schools—like the award-winning Phoebe A. Hearst Elementary School and Kit Carson International Academy. As for higher education, college-aged students can attend the esteemed California State University, Sacramento just outside the neighborhood.
Things to Do in East Sacramento
Stroll through the gorgeous Frederick N. Evans Rose Garden, take your kids to the Adventure Play Area, or play sports like basketball and tennis at McKinley Park. Shop for sweet, organic treats like fresh honeycomb and honey sticks, or buy beekeeping supplies to start a new family hobby at The Bee Box. Enroll your little ones or yourself in ballet classes, offered for a variety of ages and skill levels, at Deane Dance Center. Reserve private space for birthday parties and baby showers or explore beautiful gardens and art any time at the Sacramento Garden & Arts Center. Try a Red Potato Plate, Huevos Rancheros, or Breakfast Burritos with your choice of filling at Nopalitos Southwestern Cafe. Dig into authentic Thai dishes like Kana Moo Grob, Kang Panang, and Pad Ma Kur at THAI – The House of Authentic Ingredients. Savor everything from Falafel Wraps to Bacon Cheese Burgers at Falafel Corner. Or make reservations for date night to enjoy a daily-changing menu of upscale Japanese fare at Kru.
Land Park
- Home Price: $456,717 median purchase price; $1,278 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 53% of Sacramento neighborhoods
Land Park is another of the best places to live in Sacramento for families—and with the neighborhood being home to so many kid-friendly activities, it’s no wonder why! Families living in Land Park enjoy fun annual Sacramento events, like the International Kids Festival—and access to other top children’s attractions in Sactown, like the Sacramento Zoo. And the neighborhood‘s namesake, William Land Regional Park, adds over 200 acres of safe fun for families in SoCal, and further insulates the neighborhood from busy streets. Recreation aside, Land Park boasts a quiet vibe, an active community, and unique Capital City real estate with everything from spacious Santa Barbara-style houses to quaint bungalows on the market.
Things to Do in Land Park
Sign your kids up for educational summer camps or take the whole family to see animals from around the world, including capybaras, chimpanzees, and more, at the Sacramento Zoo. Explore dozens of attractions at local theme park Fairytale Town, including a story center and play areas themed after children’s stories like Jack and Jill or the Three Little Pigs. Go for a jog or take your kids for a pony ride at William Land Regional Park. Get your kids involved in youth athletics and watch them play ball through the Land Park Pacific Little League at Dooley Field. Grab unique bites like the East African Veggie Burger, Caribbean Salad, or a Baja Crab Melt at the eclectic Tower Cafe. Enjoy authentic African Cuisine like Doro Wot and vegan and vegetarian dishes like Tofu Tibbs at Queen Sheba. Sample delicious Pan-Asian cuisine like steamed BBQ Pork Bao, Kimchi Pork Dumplings, or Shrimp Pork Wontons at Dumpling & Tea House. Or dine on casual entrees like a Crispy Chicken Burger, Seafood Spaghetti, or Beef Birria Tacos at Meet & Eat.
Natomas
- Home Price: $285,950 median purchase price; $1,160 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 80% of Sacramento neighborhoods
Situated on the northern side of the Capital City and full of fun shops, restaurants, and parks, Natomas is a safe, scenic place to raise a family in Sacramento. The area consists of several sub-neighborhoods—including Natomas Park and South Natomas, where residents will find a variety of affordable Spanish and Ranch homes. But the crown jewel of this Sac neighborhood is North Natomas Regional Park, a 212-acre green space with multiple family-friendly facilities and amenities, including a dog park. The Natomas area even has its own school district, Natomas United School District, so families living in Natomas can feel confident sending their kids to great Sacramento schools like Natomas Park Elementary School and Natomas Middle School.
Things to Do in Natomas
Spend an afternoon at the playground, play volleyball with friends, or keep your kids active with soccer lessons through Lil’ Kickers Greater Sacramento in North Natomas Community Park. Explore vintage clothing, antiques, and more on the second Sunday of every month at the Sacramento Antique Faire. Shop nationwide outlets like GameStop alongside local businesses like Deluna Dessert Cafe at Natomas Marketplace. Get tickets for popular theatre productions like Something Rotten! and ensemble shows like Cabaret Through the Decades at Benvenuti Performing Arts Center. Wake up with some delicious Stacked Chicken and Waffles or Corned Beef Hash at Southern-inspired Huckleberry’s Breakfast & Lunch. Have a filling meal of comfort food classics like Fried Chicken, Oven-Roasted Turkey, and Mac & Cheese at Jack’s Urban Eats. Order Indian dishes like Chicken Biryani, Pani Puri Chaat, and Lamb Chops at Benaares Fine Indian Cuisine. Or savor authentic noodle dishes like Sing Ma Rice Noodle and dim sum like Sticky Rice in Lotus Leaf at Yue Huang Dim Sum.
- Home Price: $370,425 median purchase price; $1,070 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 90% of Sacramento neighborhoods
Looking for a quiet place to raise kids in Sacramento? Largely residential with stunning Craftsman and modern ranches, popular Pocket is near the city’s outskirts, bordered by the Sacramento River on three sides—and perfect for families! In addition to fantastic schools like Matsuyama Elementary School, Martin Luther King Jr. K-8 School, and School of Engineering and Sciences, this neighborhood offers families an inclusive community that supports local businesses and sponsors community events in Sacramento. To top it off, Pocket offers waterfront views and plenty of ways to enjoy the outdoors, including the Sacramento River Bike Trail and Renfree Park.
Things to Do in Pocket
Shop produce and artisan goods from as many as 41 vendors at The Farmers Market, located at Sacramento Elks Lodge. Take the boat ramp to get out onto the water, go biking, or have a barbecue at Garcia Bend Park. Attend Family Storytime or let your kids pick out books to bring home at the Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven Library. Browse everything from specialty shops like tabletop retailer Warhammer to gyms like 9 Round Fitness at Lake Crest Village Mall. Find flavorful breakfast fare like the Lox Bagel, Monaco Sweet Crepes, and the Greek Omelette at Caffe Latte Restaurant. Have delicious Tex-Mex in Sacramento, with plates like Steak Sandwich a la Vientos or Hamburger Mexicana at Vientos. Taste incredible Hawaiian barbecue dishes like Chicken Katsu, Kalua Pork with Cabbage, and SPAM Saimin at L&L Hawai’i. Or get mouthwatering Chinese delivery or takeout—including vegetarian options like Dry Fried String Bean and Ma-Po Tofu—at New China Restaurant.
Tahoe Park
- Home Price: $235,580 median purchase price; $1,226 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 76% of Sacramento neighborhoods
Tahoe Park is a desirable, family-friendly Sacramento neighborhood with a tight-knit suburban vibe and plenty of community events—like the monthly Tahoe Park Food Truck Mania and the annual Tahoe Park Yard Sale. This affordable Sac neighborhood shares its name with a local green space, Tahoe Park, where locals can enjoy endless family fun. Low real estate prices are another draw for people moving here, with charming brick homes and modern Ranch-style homes. As for practical amenities, residents are minutes away from UC Davis Children’s Hospital—the largest institution of its kind in the region, and one of the best in the country, overall. Tahoe Park parents appreciate the presence of high-quality schools like Capitol Elementary for kids with individualized education needs, as well as New Joseph Bonnheim Community Charter School, Hiram W. Johnson High School, and nearby William Lee College Prep.
Things to Do in Tahoe Park
Enroll your kids for youth baseball through Tahoe Tallac Little League. Make Jiu Jitsu a family tradition and sign up for classes at the Sacramento Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy. Play basketball as a family, go swimming, or have a picnic at Tahoe Park. See live theatre and other performing arts at the historic Colonial Theatre. Try farm-to-table breakfast fare like Oatmeal, Avocado Toast, or Citrus Poppy Seed Flapjacks at Bacon & Butter. Split a plate of Edamame to start, then order sushi rolls like the Shrimp Tempura Roll, Rainbow Roll, or Double Tuna Roll at Oba Japanese Kitchen. Have a great meal in a family-friendly setting with entrees like the Chicken Strip Sandwich and Triple Grilled Cheese, or a Beyond Burger from the vegan menu at Cafe Colonial. Or enjoy authentic Mexican plates like Molcajete de Camaron or the Mezcal Burrito at Mezcal Grill.
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Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes
