If you're looking at homes in Penn Valley, chances are you've also heard of Lake Wildwood. And if you're new to the area, it's easy to assume they're two different towns.
They're not.
Lake Wildwood is a private, gated community with charming street names like Hummingbird Drive, right in the heart of Penn Valley. In fact, because it's such a large development, many people think of it as the Penn Valley. But once you venture outside the gates, you'll discover a completely different side of the community: horse properties, cattle ranches, vineyards, modest country homes, luxury estates, and everything in between.
So the real question isn't Penn Valley or Lake Wildwood. It's what kind of Penn Valley lifestyle fits you best?
The Big Picture
Penn Valley offers something that's becoming harder and harder to find in California: options.
Within the same community, you can choose between life in a resort-style gated neighborhood or a home on acreage where your nearest neighbors might be horses, cows, or oak trees.
Neither is better. They're simply different ways of living.
And either way, Penn Valley has one thing in common: a strong sense of community. It's the kind of place where people know their neighbors, volunteer, support local businesses, and genuinely care about the area.
Speaking of local businesses, here's one of my hot takes: Twelve 28 Kitchen is the best restaurant in all of Nevada County. This isn't just coming from me, Wendy Newman, Realtor; it's a fact. You'll need reservations, or I'd be tempted to go for a spontaneous meal.
Country Living in Penn Valley
Outside the gates of Lake Wildwood, Penn Valley has a distinctly rural character. This is where you'll find everything from small country homes to sprawling ranches, with properties ranging from a few acres to much larger parcels.
One of the things I love most about Penn Valley is the variety. You can find an older manufactured home on acreage, a charming country cottage, an equestrian property, a working ranch, or a luxury estate with panoramic foothill views. There really is something here for almost every budget and lifestyle.
Space to Breathe
If your dream includes room for horses, chickens, gardens, workshops, RV parking, or simply more distance between you and your neighbors, this is where Penn Valley shines.
Many properties offer acreage and the flexibility that comes with it. You're not buying into a planned neighborhood—you're buying a piece of the foothills and making it your own.
And while we're talking about the countryside, here's another personal opinion: one of my favorite drives anywhere in western Nevada County is Springs Road. It winds through rolling ranchland, ponds, oak trees, and open pasture, and every time I drive it I'm reminded why so many people fall in love with this part of California.
Freedom Without an HOA
Most rural properties in Penn Valley aren't governed by a homeowners association. That means fewer community rules and more flexibility in how you use your property.
Of course, country living comes with its own responsibilities. Depending on the property, you may have a well, septic system, propane, longer driveways to maintain, or more land to care for. For many buyers, that's part of the appeal.
Recreation Is Everywhere
Living outside Lake Wildwood doesn't mean giving up recreation—it just looks a little different.
Residents enjoy nearby parks, hiking trails, horseback riding, fishing, boating, and all the outdoor recreation Nevada County is known for. Western Gateway Park is a local favorite, offering walking trails, sports fields, disc golf, playgrounds, concerts, and community events. Englebright Lake is also just a short drive away and is popular for boating, fishing, camping, and even houseboat vacations.
Life here tends to be less about organized amenities and more about enjoying everything the foothills have to offer.
Living in Lake Wildwood
Then there's Lake Wildwood.
If rural Penn Valley is about wide-open country living, Lake Wildwood is about community.
Behind the gates you'll find one of Northern California's largest private lake communities, centered around a beautiful 285-acre lake with boating, fishing, swimming, and five sandy beaches.
It's a completely different lifestyle—and that's exactly why so many people love it.
Resort-Style Amenities
Life in Lake Wildwood revolves around amenities that are just minutes from your front door.
Residents enjoy:
- A private lake for boating, kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing
- Five private beaches
- An 18-hole championship golf course
- Clubhouse and restaurant
- Community center
- Swimming pool
- Tennis and pickleball courts
- Parks and marina
- Clubs, classes, and year-round social events
Some residents spend every weekend on the lake. Others never own a boat and simply enjoy walking the neighborhood, golfing after work, or meeting friends at the clubhouse. There's something for just about everyone.
Neighborhood Living
Homes in Lake Wildwood typically sit on neighborhood-sized lots rather than acreage, giving homeowners less land to maintain while still enjoying the community's extensive shared amenities.
The community is well maintained, with private roads, security, water, sewer, parks, and common areas managed through the homeowners association.
For many buyers, that's a welcome trade-off. Instead of maintaining acres of land, they spend their weekends golfing, boating, or simply relaxing.
A More Connected Community
Because so much of daily life centers around shared spaces, Lake Wildwood naturally feels more social than much of rural Penn Valley.
It's common to meet neighbors while walking the lake, playing pickleball, attending community events, or enjoying dinner at the clubhouse.
If you enjoy an active neighborhood where it's easy to get involved, Lake Wildwood delivers.
Which Lifestyle Fits You?
Here's a simple way to think about it.
Country Living in Penn Valley | Lake Wildwood | |
|---|---|---|
Setting | Rural foothills | Private gated community |
Lot Sizes | Often acreage | Neighborhood-sized lots |
Lifestyle | Independent and private | Active and community-oriented |
Amenities | Parks and regional recreation | Lake, golf, beaches, clubhouse, pool, pickleball and more |
Maintenance | Property owner responsibility | HOA maintains many community amenities |
Best For | Buyers wanting space, privacy, animals, or workshops | Buyers wanting recreation, security, and an active neighborhood |
Questions to Ask Yourself
Before you fall in love with a house, think about the lifestyle that comes with it.
Do You Want Space or Convenience?
If your dream includes acreage, privacy, gardens, or room for animals, country living may be the better fit.
If you'd rather have less yard work and more time on the golf course or lake, Lake Wildwood might be exactly what you're looking for.
Will You Use the Amenities?
Some buyers absolutely love having boating, golf, beaches, pickleball, and a clubhouse just around the corner.
Others know they'd rarely use them and would rather put that money toward more land.
Neither answer is right or wrong. It's simply about knowing yourself.
How Much Property Do You Want to Maintain?
More land offers more freedom—but it also comes with more responsibility.
Lake Wildwood offers a more bundled approach to community maintenance, while country properties tend to require a little more hands-on ownership.
For some buyers, that's a chore. For others, it's the dream.
My Take
Here's the funny thing: I show both all the time.
I'll spend the morning touring horse properties with one client, then head through the gates of Lake Wildwood that afternoon to look at waterfront homes with another.
Neither lifestyle is "better." They're just completely different.
Some people dream of tractors, gardens, and enough land that they can't see their neighbors.
Others picture Saturday mornings on the golf course, afternoons on the lake, and evenings meeting friends at the clubhouse.
The good news is you don't have to choose between two towns. You simply have to choose which version of Penn Valley feels like home.
If you're thinking about making a move to Penn Valley, I'd love to help you explore both sides of the community and find the one that truly fits your life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lake Wildwood part of Penn Valley?
Yes. Lake Wildwood is a large private, gated community located within Penn Valley. Because it's such a significant portion of the area's housing, many people mistakenly think it's a separate town.
Is Penn Valley more rural than Lake Wildwood?
Generally, yes. Outside Lake Wildwood you'll find more acreage properties, ranches, horse facilities, and country homes, while Lake Wildwood offers a more traditional neighborhood setting.
Are homes in Lake Wildwood less expensive than homes on acreage?
Both areas offer a surprisingly wide range of prices. You can find entry-level homes in Lake Wildwood as well as luxury waterfront properties. Likewise, rural Penn Valley includes everything from modest country homes to high-end estates.
Which is better for horse owners?
Most equestrian buyers prefer properties outside Lake Wildwood, where acreage and agricultural uses are much more common.
Does Lake Wildwood have an HOA?
Yes. Lake Wildwood is governed by a homeowners association that maintains the community's roads, lake, parks, common areas, and many of its recreational amenities. The dues are often surprisingly reasonable considering everything that's included. Another benefit many homeowners appreciate is that Lake Wildwood is a Firewise community, which may help reduce insurance costs for some properties. Every insurance policy is different, but it's definitely worth asking your insurance agent whether that designation could lower your premium.
Which is better for retirees?
That depends on your lifestyle. Many retirees love Lake Wildwood for its golf, lake, social activities, and lower-maintenance lifestyle, while others prefer the peace, privacy, and space that rural Penn Valley provides.
