Cameron Park, CA · 2026 Relocation Guide
Living in Cameron Park, CA (2026 Guide)
Homes, neighborhoods, schools, commute, cost of living, and community life in the established foothill community around Cameron Park Lake, written for buyers, relocating families, and seniors planning their next chapter.
Researched and written by Mike Giancanelli, a licensed California Realtor (DRE #01086118) with 36 years of experience serving Sacramento, El Dorado, and Placer Counties, who has helped 290 families buy and sell homes across the region.
ACS 2024 estimate; 2020 Census: 18,881
ACS 2024 median home value, DataUSA/Niche
City-Data 2024 estimate of median house value
Niche public school grade for Cameron Park, 2026
Cameron Park: pines, oaks, and single-story living on the plateau
What Is It Like Living in Cameron Park?
Living in Cameron Park means settled foothill living on the high plateau between El Dorado Hills and Placerville, in a community of about 18,000 people where pines and oaks line streets of mostly single-story homes. Median home values sit near $668K to $694K, Niche grades the public schools A, and the drive to downtown Sacramento runs roughly 30 to 40 minutes on Highway 50.
For families and seniors, the appeal is practical: Cameron Park Lake at the center, full-service shopping along Cameron Park Drive, single-level floor plans that suit aging in place, and Marshall Medical Center and Kaiser Folsom within 15 to 20 minutes. For anyone who wants foothill quiet with valley convenience, Cameron Park is one of the region's most livable balances of the two.
Jump to the section you care about.
Living in Cameron Park: Quarterly Market Snapshot (2026)
The numbers below are the core facts buyers and movers ask about first. Population figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau and ACS; home value figures are the latest published estimates from DataUSA/Niche, City-Data, and the Census Bureau's American Community Survey.
ACS 2024 median home value, DataUSA/Niche
City-Data 2024 estimate; no single citywide sale median published
ACS 2024 estimate; 2020 Census counted 18,881
Niche public school grade for Cameron Park, 2026
Typical one-way, US News and ACS estimates
Sacramento, El Dorado, and Placer Counties for this guide
Why People Are Moving to Cameron Park
A settled foothill community
Cameron Park is an established community on the high plateau between El Dorado Hills and Placerville, its neighborhoods threaded through pines and oaks. The housing stock runs mostly 1970s through 2000s, with many single-story floor plans on manageable, low-maintenance lots.
Cameron Park Lake at the center
The roughly 10-acre Cameron Park Lake anchors the community with a walking loop, fishing, playgrounds, tennis courts, and disc golf. The annual 4th of July fireworks show and the Ribstock barbecue festival give the town a genuine gathering place.
Respected schools on both sides
Buckeye Union Elementary School District serves the K-8 years across much of Cameron Park, and the El Dorado Union High School District operates Ponderosa High School nearby, with Oak Ridge High a short drive west. Niche grades the community's public schools A.
Foothill setting, valley convenience
The Sierra foothills start here. Residents get long views, pine air, and trails minutes from home, while Highway 50 puts Folsom, El Dorado Hills, and Sacramento within an easy drive in both directions.
Foothill climate with cool evenings
Cameron Park sits roughly 1,400 feet up, a few degrees cooler than the valley floor, with about 260 sunny days, warm dry summers, and evenings that stay comfortable. Niche gives the area a Weather grade of A+.
A practical place to age in place
Single-story homes, senior apartments and intermediate care residences in the community, full-service shopping along Cameron Park Drive, and Marshall Medical Center and Kaiser Folsom within reach make Cameron Park a favorite for senior transitions.
Cameron Park Homes for Sale
Search live Cameron Park-area listings on Mike's website, or ask him to set up a custom listing search for your exact needs: price, floor plan, neighborhood, and single-story requirements.
Cameron Park Housing Guide: New Construction or Resale
New Construction and Custom Builds
- New construction is rare in Cameron Park: the community built out mostly between the 1970s and 2000s, so the few buildable parcels are infill lots or teardowns on established streets.
- When a new build does happen, it is usually a custom home on one of the larger lots, with brand-new systems, energy-efficient construction, and a builder warranty.
- Plan on the buy-build timeline: securing a buildable parcel, working through county permits, and budgeting for upgrades and site work on sloping foothill lots.
Resale Homes
- Resale is the Cameron Park market: established neighborhoods from the 1970s through 2000s offer mature landscaping, proven communities, and the region's best selection of single-story floor plans.
- Move-in now with no construction wait, and negotiate on real numbers in a settled, stable market.
- Older homes may need updates to heating, wiring, or accessibility features such as grab bars and step-free entries, which a pre-offer inspection should identify.
Which one fits depends on your timeline and your tolerance for projects. Mike walks every buyer through the real costs of each path, including tax implications, HOA and assessment details, and what the finished home is worth in that specific Cameron Park neighborhood.
Most Searched Neighborhoods in Cameron Park: Finding Your Right Fit
Inside the community, buyers search the neighborhoods around Cameron Park Lake, the streets off Cameron Park Drive near the shopping corridor, and the Green Valley Road side most often. Around the region, these four places are the ones Cameron Park families compare constantly, each with its own pace, housing style, and services.
El Dorado Hills
Golf-course master plans, the Town Center, and A-rated schools a short drive west on US 50.
Explore El Dorado Hills
Folsom
Lake and trail living next door, with strong schools, Intel jobs, and 55-plus enclaves.
Explore Folsom
Placerville
The historic Gold Country county seat: Main Street character, Apple Hill, and cooler mountain air.
Explore Placerville
Shingle Springs
Country lots and ranch homes on the Highway 50 corridor, minutes from Cameron Park services.
Explore Shingle Springs
Cameron Park vs. El Dorado Hills vs. Folsom: Which Is Right for You?
Home value figures reflect recent ACS and market estimates; drive times are typical and traffic dependent. Use the table as a starting point, then compare homes in person with Mike.
| Metric | Cameron Park | El Dorado Hills | Folsom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (2024-25) | ~$668K to $694K (ACS 2024 / City-Data) | ~$880K to $995K (U.S. News value / Homes.com sale) | ~$740K (sale medians) |
| Typical drive to downtown | 30 to 40 minutes via US 50 | 25 to 40 minutes via US 50 | 30 to 45 minutes via US 50 |
| Vibe | Established foothill community around a lake and pine-lined streets | Golf-course custom homes, gated master plans | Lake and trail town, newer neighborhoods |
| School districts | Buckeye Union (K-8) and El Dorado Union (9-12) | Buckeye Union and El Dorado Union | Folsom Cordova Unified |
| Senior services | Single-story homes, senior apartments, Marshall Medical and Kaiser Folsom nearby | Serrano-style plans, Kaiser Folsom minutes away | 55-plus enclaves, east-side medical corridor |
| Property tax pattern | CA Prop 13, roughly 1% of assessed value | Same California pattern | Same California pattern |
Cost of Living in Cameron Park (2026)
Housing is the biggest line item, just as it is everywhere in California. Home price figures come from Homes.com and U.S. News market data.
A Cameron Park mortgage near the ~$670K median value is a manageable step below the El Dorado Hills and Folsom medians, and buyers often compare it against Bay Area prices for comparable foothill homes. When you talk with Mike, he will bring current rate and payment examples for the neighborhoods you like, plus HOA, assessment, and tax numbers, so the monthly picture is honest before you shop.
Schools in Cameron Park
Your address determines your school district, so verify assignment block-by-block. These are the main districts that serve Cameron Park.
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Buckeye Union Elementary School District (K-8)
The primary elementary and middle school district for Cameron Park, serving most of the community. Niche ranks it #2 among El Dorado County school districts with a B+ grade.
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Rescue Union Elementary School District (K-8)
Covers portions of the Cameron Park area and the surrounding foothills with elementary and middle schools; rescue-area students often attend here.
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El Dorado Union High School District (9-12)
Operates Ponderosa High School near Shingle Springs, which U.S. News ranks #458 in California for 2026, plus Oak Ridge High in El Dorado Hills down the road.
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Higher education and training
Folsom Lake College is about 15 to 20 minutes away, Sierra College in Rocklin about 30, and Sacramento State about 40 to 45, putting community college and university options within easy reach.
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Private and charter options
Cameron Park also offers a range of private and charter school options for families who want them, alongside the public district schools. Mike can point you to the campuses families in your target villages actually choose.
Amenities and Community Services in Cameron Park
Hospitals and urgent care
Marshall Medical Center in Placerville and Kaiser Permanente and Mercy hospitals in Folsom are all within about 15 to 20 minutes, with urgent care and clinics closer along the Highway 50 corridor.
Senior services
Senior apartments and intermediate care residences operate right in Cameron Park, El Dorado County's senior services are based in the county seat, and Mike's SRES team provides the downsizing, sorting, and transition coordination families here rely on.
Libraries and learning
The Cameron Park Library serves the community, the K-12 systems are top rated, and Folsom Lake College, Sierra College, and Sacramento State are all within reach.
Transit and airport
El Dorado Transit's Sac Commuter express runs weekday buses from the Cameron Park corridor to downtown Sacramento, US 50 ties the community to the metro, and Sacramento International Airport (SMF) is about 45 to 50 minutes away.
Shopping and daily life
The shopping centers along Cameron Park Drive and the Highway 50 corridor cover groceries, pharmacies, dining, and services, so most errands never require leaving the community.
Civic and cultural life
The Cameron Park Community Services District runs parks, pools, classes, and the annual lake events, while the community center and lake amphitheater anchor the social calendar.
Commuting from Cameron Park to Downtown and the Region
Cameron Park sits about 30 miles east of downtown Sacramento on Highway 50. The typical drive takes 30 to 40 minutes, with about 25 to 30 minutes free-flowing, and peak-hour traffic on US 50 can push it longer, which is why the Sac Commuter express bus is popular.
- Cameron Park to downtown Sacramento: roughly 30 to 40 minutes via US 50, longer at peak hours.
- Cameron Park to Folsom: about 10 to 15 minutes west on US 50.
- Cameron Park to Placerville: about 15 to 20 minutes east on US 50.
- Cameron Park to El Dorado Hills: about 8 to 12 minutes west on US 50.
- El Dorado Transit Sac Commuter: weekday express buses from the Cameron Park area to downtown Sacramento, an affordable alternative to the US 50 drive.
- Rail connections: the SacRT Gold Line light rail at Folsom and Amtrak at downtown Sacramento extend transit options for region-wide travel.
- Air travel: Sacramento International Airport (SMF) is about 45 to 50 minutes from Cameron Park and serves major U.S. destinations.
Parks and Recreation in Cameron Park
Cameron Park Lake and Community Services District parks define recreation here: a 10-acre lake with a walking loop at the community's center, plus Folsom Lake and the American River canyon 15 to 20 minutes away.
Cameron Park Lake
The community's roughly 10-acre lake offers a paved walking loop, fishing, playgrounds, tennis courts, and disc golf, and hosts the annual 4th of July fireworks and the Ribstock barbecue festival.
CSD parks and programs
The Cameron Park Community Services District runs neighborhood parks, a community center, pools, classes, and programs for every age across the community, with tree-shaded playgrounds in most neighborhoods.
Folsom Lake and the canyon
Folsom Lake's marinas, beaches, and trails are 15 to 20 minutes away, the American River canyon trails are within an easy drive, and nearby El Dorado Hills and Serrano golf clubs anchor golf life.
Dining and Shopping in Cameron Park
Dining in Cameron Park gathers along Cameron Park Drive, the community's main commercial corridor, with restaurants, coffee shops, and bakeries alongside the grocery and pharmacy centers. For a bigger night out, the El Dorado Hills Town Center and Folsom's Palladio are 10 to 15 minutes away.
Local favorites
- Cameron Park Drive: the community's dining and shopping spine, with restaurants, coffee shops, groceries, and services in one stretch.
- Highway 50 corridor: the grocery, pharmacy, and shopping clusters near the freeway cover daily life for every village.
- El Dorado Hills and Folsom next door: the Town Center, Palladio at Broadstone, and Folsom Premium Outlets are 10 to 15 minutes away for bigger outings.
Shopping and entertainment
- Everything in town: groceries, pharmacies, banks, and services cluster along Cameron Park Drive, so daily errands rarely need a freeway trip.
- Lake events: the 4th of July fireworks, the Ribstock barbecue festival, and community center events anchor the local calendar.
- Sacramento close by: downtown Sacramento's dining, sports, and arts are a 30 to 40 minute drive for the big-city night out.
Weather in Cameron Park
Cameron Park has a foothill Mediterranean climate: warm, dry summers that run a couple of degrees cooler than the valley floor, and mild, rainy winters, with about 260 sunny days a year. The numbers below are the 1991 to 2020 climate normals for the immediate foothills region.
July average high; foothill evenings cool into the 60s
December and January averages, with daytime highs near 55°F
Per year, well above the U.S. average of just over 200
Falls almost entirely November through April at this foothill elevation
Spring and fall are the most pleasant seasons, when daytime highs sit in the 70s and 80s. The community's elevation and lake breeze keep summer evenings genuinely comfortable, which is a big part of the foothill lifestyle.
Cameron Park Growth and Development
Cameron Park is an unincorporated community in El Dorado County, counted at 18,881 residents in the 2020 Census, with recent ACS estimates near 18,300. Unlike the fast-growing valley cities, Cameron Park is largely built out, which keeps it stable, mature, and quiet: the growth story is the maturing of the neighborhoods rather than new rooftops.
Cameron Park grew through the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s as a foothill bedroom community, and today the Community Services District, the lake, and the schools continue to evolve while the pines and oaks stay protected. Fire, parks, and waste services are delivered by the Cameron Park Community Services District, with county government handling planning and roads.
What developers are building
- Infill and remodels: most activity is updating and rebuilding on established streets rather than new rooftops.
- Lake and community facilities: the Community Services District continues to invest in Cameron Park Lake, parks, and the community center.
- 55-plus and senior options: continuing-care and active adult choices continue to grow in and around the community.
- Highway 50 corridor: commercial and service projects along the freeway corridor support the community as it matures.
Cameron Park Awards, Rankings, and Recognition
- Niche#4 Best Place to Raise a Family in El Dorado County
Niche's 2026 rankings placed Cameron Park among the top family communities in El Dorado County, with a B overall grade. Source: Niche, 2026.
- NicheGrade A for Public Schools, A+ for Weather
Niche grades Cameron Park's public schools A and its weather A+ in the 2026 community profile. Source: Niche, 2026.
- Niche#6 Most Diverse Place to Live in El Dorado County
Cameron Park appears in Niche's 2026 diversity rankings for the county. Source: Niche, 2026.
- U.S. News & World ReportPonderosa High School Ranked #458 in California
U.S. News' 2026 Best High Schools ranks Ponderosa High, the El Dorado Union campus that serves Cameron Park, #458 in California. Source: U.S. News & World Report, 2026.
Pros and Cons of Living in Cameron Park
The Pros
- An established foothill community with pines, oaks, and a lake at the center
- Abundant single-story, low-upkeep homes from the 1970s through 2000s
- A-rated public schools across Buckeye Union K-8 and the El Dorado Union high schools
- Cameron Park Lake, trails, disc golf, and the annual 4th of July fireworks
- Full-service shopping within the community, with Folsom and El Dorado Hills next door
- Mike's home turf, with 36 years of experience serving the foothills
The Cons
- A car is essential: the community spreads across a plateau with no walkable downtown
- The US 50 commute is traffic sensitive, running longer at peak hours
- Cameron Park is unincorporated, so county and Community Services District governance rather than a city hall
- Housing stock skews older, so some homes need updates or accessibility improvements
- New construction is limited; most buying is resale
- Some streets and lots sit on steeper grades, which matters for aging in place
Client Stories from Cameron Park and the Region
Real engagements from the Sierra Home Transitions portfolio. Every family's transition is described factually; clients are named only as they have been on our public case-story page.
A room-by-room sorting and packing plan helped this family keep what mattered and release the rest, at a humane pace, before a confident move to a smaller home.
The Foothill DownsizingThe Miller Family / Downsizing & Sorting / 2024
A foothill-area home is being sorted and packed room by room so the family can move on their own schedule, with nothing rushed and nothing lost.
Foothill Community DownsizingThe Thompson Family / Packing & Sorting / In progress
A single-story Folsom Hills home was priced, marketed, and sold on a reliable timeline, freeing the family to move forward with clarity.
The Folsom Hills Market ListingThe Reynolds Family / Market Home Sale / 2023
From the decision through the first night in the new community, one team handled the sale, the downsizing, and the move so the relocation stayed calm and unhurried.
Independent Living RelocationHelen S. / Relocation & Settlement / 2023
Searching for the Best Real Estate Agent or Relocation Specialist in Cameron Park?
Whether you are relocating to Cameron Park for work, helping a parent downsize out of a long-time family home in the foothills, or handling a probate or inherited property, Mike Giancanelli of Keller Williams Realty coordinates the whole picture: the neighborhood match, the sale or purchase, the transition logistics, and the family communication, with real local knowledge.
- 36 years of real estate experience in California, working with Sacramento, El Dorado, and Placer County families since 1990
- 290 homes sold across the region
- Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES) designation for senior relocations, downsizing, and probate sales
- Licensed California Realtor, DRE #01086118, with Keller Williams Realty
- One coordinator for the sale, the cleanout, the movers, and family communication
Realtor · SRES · Keller Williams Realty
CA DRE #01086118 · Sacramento Association of Realtors MLS
Cameron Park FAQ: Everything Buyers Ask
People Also Ask about Cameron Park every day. Here are the answers buyers and relocating families ask Mike most often.
Is Cameron Park a good place to live?
Yes. Cameron Park is an established, family-friendly foothill community anchored by Cameron Park Lake, with A-rated public schools per Niche and a Weather grade of A+. Niche ranked it among the top places to raise a family in El Dorado County in 2026, and it sits right on US 50 between El Dorado Hills and Placerville.
Is Cameron Park safe?
Cameron Park is generally regarded as a safe, settled foothill community with a strong owner-occupied base and a median age near 44. As with any area, block-by-block due diligence is wise, and a local agent can point you to the streets that match your comfort level.
What is the median home price in Cameron Park?
This 2026 guide uses a median home value of about $668K (ACS 2024, DataUSA/Niche) and a median house value estimate of about $694K (City-Data 2024). No single citywide sale-price median is reliably published; live listings range widely by age, size, and lot, so check current inventory at your price point.
How far is Cameron Park from Sacramento?
Cameron Park is about 30 miles east of downtown Sacramento on Highway 50. The drive typically takes 30 to 40 minutes, running longer at peak hours. El Dorado Transit's Sac Commuter bus also provides weekday express service to downtown.
What is the weather like in Cameron Park?
Cameron Park has a foothill Mediterranean climate with roughly 260 sunny days a year. Summer highs average about 91°F in July with evenings that cool into the 60s, winter lows sit near 38 to 41°F, and most of the 26 to 30 inches of annual rain falls between November and April.
What are property taxes like in Cameron Park?
California property taxes follow Proposition 13, typically about 1% of assessed value plus local bonds and assessments, with assessed values generally growing no more than 2% a year. Many Cameron Park neighborhoods carry no HOA or only modest dues, though some planned pockets have assessments.
Which school districts serve Cameron Park?
Cameron Park is served by Buckeye Union Elementary School District (K-8) across much of the community, with portions covered by Rescue Union Elementary School District, and El Dorado Union High School District (9-12), which operates Ponderosa High School nearby. Your address determines your schools, so verify assignment before making an offer.
How long is the commute from Cameron Park?
The typical drive from Cameron Park to downtown Sacramento takes 30 to 40 minutes via US 50, longer at peak hours. El Dorado Transit's Sac Commuter express bus is a weekday alternative, and Sacramento International Airport is about 45 to 50 minutes away.
Is Cameron Park expensive to live in?
Cameron Park sits moderately above Sacramento's city median of roughly $505K, with median home values near $668K to $694K, but it remains well below the El Dorado Hills and Folsom medians. The premium buys a foothill setting, larger lots, the lake, and a quieter pace.
Where do Cameron Park buyers find homes?
Most-searched pockets include the neighborhoods around Cameron Park Lake, the streets off Cameron Park Drive near the shopping corridor, and the Green Valley Road side of the community. Buyers also compare nearby El Dorado Hills, Folsom, Placerville, and Shingle Springs, each linked from this guide.
Is Cameron Park a good place to retire or downsize?
Yes. Single-story floor plans are common, senior apartments and intermediate care residences are right in the community, daily services sit along Cameron Park Drive, and Marshall Medical Center and Kaiser Folsom are within 15 to 20 minutes. As a Seniors Real Estate Specialist, Mike Giancanelli helps families match the right home and services to the next chapter.
How close is Cameron Park to Tahoe and the mountains?
Cameron Park is about an hour to an hour and a half from Tahoe ski resorts via US 50, and the Gold Country towns of El Dorado County start right at the community's edge. That easy mountain access is one of the biggest reasons people choose Cameron Park over the valley floor.
Ready to Move to Cameron Park? Let's Talk.
Whether you are relocating now or planning a move for next year, a 15-minute conversation covers your timeline, your budget, and the Cameron Park neighborhoods worth visiting first. No pressure, no obligation, just straight local guidance.
Mike Giancanelli, Realtor · SRES · Keller Williams Realty · CA DRE #01086118 · Serving Sacramento, El Dorado, and Placer Counties · Equal Housing Opportunity.