Christian Valley, Christian Valley, CA

Christian Valley sits in the Sierra foothills north of Auburn in Placer County, and the name covers a long, wooded stretch of road more than a town. The main road is the spine of the community, with houses set back among oaks and pines, and the roads leading off it climb into quieter pockets. Homes are mostly rural houses on large lots, from older ranch places and cabins to newer custom builds. Fences, horse trails, gardens and long driveways come with the setting, and neighbors are often out of sight of each other. Outdoors is what the valley does best. The Placer Nature Center, at 3700 Christian Valley Road, is a 60 acre outdoor classroom that opens by appointment. The Auburn Recreation District lists Christian Valley Park among its parks, and Sugar Pine Ridge Park sits a few minutes away for a change of scenery. Sugar Pine Mountain Trail and Halsey Forebay are close by, and the roads here suit walkers and riders who like light traffic. The nature center has been teaching outdoors since 1991, and it schedules open house days in the fall for people who want to look around. There is no restaurant row. The nearest sit-down dinner is The Tin Lantern in Meadow Vista, and a morning meal means Wings Grill & Espresso Bar at the Auburn airport, which serves breakfast and lunch and has a plane-watching view from the tables. A regular night out is part of the drive to Auburn. Daily life centers on the car. Groceries, gas and doctors are in Auburn, and Interstate 80 is the way to Sacramento. Convenience is what you trade for the space. Evenings are very quiet, and the nearest services are a drive away. In return, you get woodland quiet and a nature center on your own road.