Eldridge, CA

Tucked in the heart of Sonoma Valley between Glen Ellen and the town of Sonoma, Eldridge is a quiet community surrounded by vineyards and rolling oak-studded hills. Home to around 1,300 residents, the area has long been defined by the sprawling grounds of the historic Sonoma Developmental Center. Today, the shuttered facility is beginning a new chapter, with hundreds of acres of its open space now protected as state parkland full of scenic trails.

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Local students attend schools in the Sonoma Valley Unified School District, and neighbors enjoy easy access to nearby wineries, parks, and regional dining. Long-term redevelopment plans for the old campus include housing, small businesses, and shared green spaces, but the day-to-day feel remains calm and rural. Eldridge is a great fit for anyone drawn to a slower pace of life in one of Northern California's prettiest valleys.