Valley Springs is a small town in California. Before, it was known as Spring Valley. However, the name was changed because it was similar to a post office in another county in California.
Despite undergoing development, Valley Springs has a low population number. Yet, it has one of the highest housing expenses in the U.S. What once was a center of cargo distribution is now a calm city, where you can enjoy many nature activities and wildlife.
About Valley Springs, California
Valley Springs, California, is a typical rural community. This hidden gem is in the Sierra Nevada Mountain foothills. Being a small town in California, Valley Springs is peaceful, with beautiful scenery and a variety of wildlife.
Despite its calmness, not many people live in Valley Springs. Thus, it’s a perfect destination for those who want to escape city life’s hustle and bustle.
Facts About Valley Springs, California
- Location: California, United States of America
- County: Calaveras County
- Total Area: 9.875 square miles
- Zipcodes: 95226, 95252
- Population: 3825 (2022)
- Crime Index: 58% (with property crimes being predominant)
- Average Temperature June: 58.5°F to 75.9°F
- Average Temperature January: 49.6ºF to 66.4ºF
- Closest Airport: Stockton Metropolitan Airport
- Best hotels: Bonnie’s Inn Motel, Greenhorn Creek Cottages, Eureka Street Inn, Hanford House Inn, and Victoria Inn.
- Popular Restaurants: Ziggy’s Take And Bake pizza, Tacos Campos, Fusion Grills, Thai House, Brew’gers, and Taco Truck.
What’s Valley Springs, California Known For?
Valley Springs, California, is known for its natural scenery. Although the town is predominantly land, you can still visit three beautiful lakes in it, and the best part is they’re all within 30 minutes reach. So, it’s possible to enjoy all three sceneries in one trip!
However, lakes aren’t the only place Valley springs offers. Wild animals are a part of everyday life. Deers, quails, coyotes, hawks, bald lakes, and even big cats can wander through the neighborhood.
- Lakes – New Hogan lake is among the famous lakes in Valley Springs, California. It has an earth-fill dam of a height of 210 feet. Owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, this artificial dam provides drinking water, electricity, and flood protection.
- Natural landscape – Since Valley Springs resides in the foothills of a mountain, it’s only natural the land is full of nature’s beauty. Oak savanna woodland is the predominant type of land found.
However, some areas are covered with chamise and other common trees like California willow, Fermont willow, and California walnut. You’ll find most of the natural land surrounding lakes, which makes great camping sites.
People From Valley Springs, California
Visitors will find Valley Springs residents friendly and calm. Mainly this has to do with the low population count and relatively low crime rate. The People in Valley Springs enjoy camping, fishing, and boating, thanks to the reservoirs and camping sites available.
Plus, there are few schools in Valley Springs with a small number of students, which probably plays a role in the overall calmness in town.
- Demographics – Considering it’s a small city, Valley Springs, California doesn’t contain much ethnic diversity. Around 88.66% of Valley Springs’s population is white. The second largest group is of two or more races, making about 11.03%, with 8.17% of that being Hispanic. Only 0.31% in town are Asian.
Currently, there aren’t any native Americans or African Americans residing in Valley Springs.
- Sex ratio and average age – Males make up slightly over half the population in Valley Springs, occupying a percentage of 54.32, with the rest being females.
About 2,969 out of the total population (3,825) are adults. The average age of females is 35.8 years, making it smaller than the average age of males, which is 41.7 years.
Where Is Valley Springs, California?
Valley Springs is a part of Calaveras country, which is located in central California. The town is seated at the intersection of California State Route 12 and Route 26.
Nearby Locations
All the listed cities are within 30 to 40 miles away from Valley Springs.
- Lodi, CA
- Galt, CA
- Garden Acres, CA
- Oakdale, CA
- Stockton, CA
- Country Club, CA
- Riverbank, CA
- Elk Grove, CA
- Cameron Park, CA
- Manteca, CA
- Lathrop, CA
- Ripon, CA
- Placerville, CA
- Rancho Cordova, CA
- Florin, CA
The Layout of Valley Springs, California
The total area of Valley Springs, California, is 9.875 square miles, with land being predominant, occupying 9.872 square miles (99.96%) of the total area, while the rest is water. The city has an elevation of 669 feet above sea level.
Areas in Valley Springs, California
Residential areas make up a significant portion of Valley Springs. However, you can find many camping sites as well as commercial and retail areas.
Getting About Valley Springs, California
The main transportation method in Valley Springs is driving. Since Valley Springs is a small town, there isn’t a public transit system within the city. The only public transport system is Calaveras Transit buses, which connect the cities of Calaveras county.
On Foot
Sure, you can enjoy a stroll in the beautiful landscape present in Valley Springs, as there are plenty of hiking trails in the city. However, don’t forget to take precautions during elevated temperatures.
Public Transport
Although there isn’t a public transit system in Valley Springs, you can choose other transportation like taxis and ridesharing services to travel.
Driving
California is a car city, so it’s only natural that driving is common in Valley Springs. The best part is that the town, generally, has low traffic.
What to Do in Valley Springs, California?
With being seated on foothills, nature enthusiasts can enjoy many outdoor activities in Valley Springs, including:
Water Activities
You can enjoy a few reservoirs in or near Valley Springs, like New Hogan lake, Lake Camanche, and Pardee lake.
Each has its unique topography, but one thing in common is that you can do all sorts of water activities. From fishing, pontoon boating, kayaking, and swimming, spending time doing those fun activities is definitely a mood booster.
What’s more, if you’re not a fan of water, you can still enjoy some tranquility by picnicking and watching the spectacular scenery.
Go Hiking
From hiking trails, running and walking trails, and trails with water scenery, you’ll find a variety of options to choose from when it comes to hiking in Valley Springs.
One famous destination to hike on is the Coyote and Hogans trail. It’s an easy-to-follow route, which takes around 3 hours to complete. Aside from hiking, you can try mountain biking, camping, or even just chilling.
References
- Valley Springs population: worldpopulationreview.com
- New Hogan Lake: spk.usace.army.mil
- 58% crime index in Valley Springs: neighborhoodscout.com
