Loomis, Penryn & Newcastle — Placer County's Hidden Gem
Rural character, top-rated Del Oro High School, and a tight-knit community just 30 minutes from Sacramento.
County
Placer County
Population
~8,500
Median Price
$950,000
Avg. DOM
18 days
Median Income
$112,000
Top School
Del Oro 9/10
Overview
About the Loomis Basin
The Loomis Basin — encompassing the communities of Loomis, Penryn, and Newcastle — is one of the most sought-after pockets in all of Placer County. Buyers come for the space, the serenity, and above all, Del Oro High School, consistently ranked among the top public high schools in the Sacramento region. Homes here sit on larger lots, many with acreage, horse facilities, and orchard land — a lifestyle that's increasingly rare this close to Sacramento. Downtown Loomis anchors the community with beloved local restaurants, a weekly farmers market, and a calendar full of street fairs and car shows that draw the whole basin together. Penryn and Newcastle add even more rural character, with rolling hills, fruit orchards, and a pace of life that feels worlds away from the suburbs — yet I-80 puts you in Sacramento in under 30 minutes.
Live Market Data
Loomis Basin Market Trends
Updated monthly — powered by Trend Graphics. Real numbers, not estimates.
Del Oro High School — The #1 Reason Families Move Here
Del Oro High School is consistently rated 9–10/10 and ranks alongside Granite Bay High as one of the most sought-after public high schools in the entire Sacramento region. Strong academics, championship athletics, and a true community culture make it the single biggest driver of buyer demand in the Loomis Basin. Families plan their move around this school.
Why People Love It
Why Buyers Choose the Loomis Basin
Del Oro High School
Del Oro is the crown jewel of the Loomis Union School District — consistently rated 9–10/10 and one of the most sought-after public high schools in the Sacramento region. Families relocate specifically to be in this district, making it the single biggest driver of demand in the basin.
Rural Lifestyle, Urban Access
Loomis, Penryn, and Newcastle offer the space and serenity of rural living — large lots, horse properties, fruit orchards — while I-80 puts you in Sacramento in under 30 minutes and Roseville's shopping and dining in under 15.
Downtown Loomis Charm
Downtown Loomis punches well above its size. Local restaurants, a beloved farmers market, annual street fairs, and classic car shows give the community a vibrant small-town identity that residents fiercely protect and celebrate.
Horse Properties & Acreage
The Loomis Basin is one of the last areas in Placer County where you can find true horse properties and multi-acre parcels at a reasonable price. Penryn and Newcastle in particular offer rolling terrain ideal for equestrian use, hobby farming, and orchard living.
Strong Community Identity
This is a community where neighbors know each other. The Loomis Basin has a strong sense of place — residents are proud of their schools, their downtown, and their rural heritage. It attracts buyers who want more than just a house.
Limited Inventory = Strong Values
Outside of Bickford Ranch's planned development, the Loomis Basin has very little large-scale new construction. Supply is naturally constrained by lot sizes and topography, which keeps resale values stable and gives buyers long-term confidence in their investment.
Communities in the Basin
Five Communities, One Basin
Loomis
The heart of the basin. Downtown Loomis, top elementary and middle schools feeding into Del Oro, and a mix of suburban and semi-rural properties. Most homes sit on quarter-acre to one-acre lots.
Penryn
Frank's home community. More rural than Loomis proper, Penryn is known for larger parcels, horse properties, and a quiet agricultural character. Many homes have orchard land and mountain views.
Newcastle
Perched in the Sierra Nevada foothills, Newcastle offers stunning views, historic charm, and some of the most private acreage properties in the basin. A favorite for buyers seeking true seclusion without sacrificing school quality.
Loomis Basin Estates
Upscale custom homes on large lots, often 1–5 acres. These properties attract move-up buyers and executives who want space, privacy, and prestige without leaving Placer County.
Bickford Ranch
An exciting master-planned community between Lincoln and Penryn, with homes priced from $800K–$2M. Despite carrying a Lincoln mailing address (zip 95648), Bickford Ranch is zoned for the Loomis Union School District for K–8 and feeds directly into Del Oro High School — a critical distinction that surprises many buyers. The community is built around an equestrian lifestyle: a 14-mile multi-use trail system for horses, hikers, and cyclists, plus a dedicated horse trailer staging and loading area. Think Granite Bay-caliber planned living with a true ranch identity.
Frank Lives in Penryn
Frank Valente isn't just an agent who sells in this area — he lives here. As a Penryn resident, Frank knows the Loomis Basin from the inside: the best streets, the school boundaries, the horse property considerations, and the nuances that only a neighbor would know. When you work with Frank in this market, you're working with someone who has genuine skin in the game.
Ready to Find Your Home in the Loomis Basin?
Frank lives in Penryn and knows every street, every school, and every property type in this market. Let's find the right fit for your family.