Welcome to Sanger
The small city of Sanger is perfectly situated at the heart of Fresno County, surrounded by scenic lakes, ponds, mountain ranges, and lush forests. Bordered by the communities of Centerville, Clotho, and Del Ray, Sanger is only a 20 minute drive east of Fresno and a mere 18 minute drive northeast of Selma.
Around 45 miles east of Sanger is Kings Canyon National Park, where the Nation’s Christmas Tree – the
General Grant Tree – stands. This iconic tree is closely identified with Sanger, which has also come to be known as the Nation’s Christmas Tree City.
OVERVIEW OF SANGER, CA
A Tale of Christmas and Tradition
The vision for inducting the General Grant Tree as a national landmark started in 1925, when a little girl, upon seeing the tree, innocently remarked, “What a lovely Christmas tree that would be." The story goes that she was overheard by R.J. Senior, then president of the Sanger Chamber of Commerce, who also happened to be taking a stroll through Grant Grove.
That little girl’s remark inspired R.J. Senior to return to the General Grant Tree on Christmas that year, and start a tradition of holding a short service and leaving a wreath by the base of the tree. Through R.J.'s initiative, the General Grant Tree was officially designated by the US Department of Interior and President Calvin Coolidge himself as the Nation’s Christmas Tree.
Since then, locals, visitors, and members of the National Park Service gather in Sangler for the annual Trek to the Tree celebration. Participants make a trip to the General Grant Tree and have a fun and solemn ceremony to help spark and awaken the spirit of “Peace on Earth, Good Will to All Men.”
In 1949, the Post Office Department officially recognized Sanger as the Nation’s Christmas Tree City. Around seven years later, the US Congress officially inducted the General Grant Tree as a National Shrine under Public Law 441.
That same year, Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, a personal representative of the President of the United States, also officially dedicated the General Grant Tree as a perpetual shrine to the nation’s fallen war heroes.
Train Tracks and City Origins
It’s fair to say that Sanger is a city that railroads built. In 1887, the construction of the Sanger Railroad Depot next to the Southern Pacific Railroad transformed Sanger into a center for shipping various produce from the mountains. The town, which would later incorporate as a city, was named after Joseph Sanger Jr. who was the secretary and treasurer of the Railroad Yardmasters Association in 1887, around the time the town was being platted.
The city incorporated in 1911, 15 years before the General Grant Tree was proclaimed as the Nation's Christmas Tree.
Sanger Today
Present-day Sanger boasts a population of over 26,600 residents and 7,200 households spread across a fertile and robust residential area encompassing 5.76 square miles.
One of the best things about living here is the cost of living, which is about 24% lower than the state of California, with home prices also lower than the California average by 37%.
Sanger's agricultural heritage has been preserved through the years, and to this day, you'll find farms and orchards that produce much of the country's supply of fruits and nuts.
Surrounded by lush nature and boasting a rich culture and close knit community, the Nation’s Christmas Tree City is a wonderful place to put down roots and enjoy a high quality of life. Homes for sale in Sanger, CA are highly coveted, catering to families, singles, retirees, and everyone in between.
SANGER, CA HOMES FOR SALE
The Christmas Tree City does not disappoint when it comes to the range of architectural styles and property types. Single-family homes dominate the community, but townhomes have been rising, making for a vibrant mix of established and new homes in Sanger, CA. You will also find farms and acreage properties where you can start your very own agricultural operation, whether for commercial purposes or simply for your personal enjoyment.
Sanger is home to tranquil neighborhoods where suburban living meets the countryside, and where residents have easy access to refreshing nature destinations as well as convenient urban amenities.
These are some of the most sought-after neighborhoods in the city:
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SERENADE: Serenade by D.R. Horton is a single-family home community with houses in Craftsman, Farmhouse, and Americana styles. Some of the most desirable homes for sale in Sanger, CA are found here. Your options include bungalows and two-story homes with four to five bedrooms, two to four bathrooms, and two to three car garages, ranging in size from about 1,509 to 2,814 square feet.
The neighborhood is located just a few miles away from nature getaways such as Pine Flat Lake, and King’s River, as well as three schools – Madison Elementary School, Sanger High School, and Washington Academic Middle School.
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FAIRVIEW ESTATES: Fairview Estates offers the ultimate upscale community experience, featuring some of the largest homes for sale in Sanger, CA, with lot sizes of up to 2 acres.
This neighborhood offers aspiring homeowners the nostalgic, countryside type of living without compromising the convenience of living in close proximity to important establishments, such as shopping malls, parks, and schools. One school in particular is the Fairmont Elementary School, one of the top schools in Sanger.
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DORADO: Better known for being a quiet and affordable neighborhood, Dorado offers families and homeowners a much-needed break from the noise of the city. Built around the 1990s, it features homes on picturesque streets lined by wide sidewalks and mature trees.
LIVING IN SANGER, CA
While Sanger is well known as the Nation’s Christmas City, shoveling through heaps and layers of snow won’t be a problem during winter. Sanger’s winters are mostly characterized by an average low temperature of 40 degrees. The hot months record an average daily high of 98 degrees.
Overall, Sanger records nearly 15 inches of rain annually, far less than the national average. This means more time to have fun outdoors to enjoy the different recreational facilities around Sanger.
Quality Education
Driven by the motto: “Every Child, Every Day, Whatever It Takes”, and a vision for equitable access to learning for students from all walks of life, the Sanger Unified School District makes sure that Sanger’s youth get the quality education everyone deserves.
Made up of 22 of the best schools around the area,the Sanger Unified School District has received several recognitions over the years:
- 24 California State Distinguished Schools over the last 16 years
- 3 National Blue Ribbon Schools
- 2018 Fresno County District of Distinction
- 4 National Schools to Watch Awards
- 2nd district in the nation to have all middle schools recognized as National Schools to Watch
- 18 Schools earn Bonner Character Education Awards 2013-2020
- 3-time State Distinguished School Award winner (Sanger High School)
- Silver and Bronze by U.S. News & World Report (Sanger High School)
- 18 Title 1 Academic Achievement Awards (from 2009-2020)
- 19 Schools earn Gold Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS) awards
- 2017 Model PLC District
The Sanger Unified community currently hosts an abundance of projects, all for the benefit of Sanger students. The Foundation for Sanger Schools helps maintain funding and initiatives for new learning methods. The LEAP after-school program focuses on providing kids with the support they need after school, covering not just homework but physical education, arts and crafts, and talent enrichment.
There are nutrition and transportation safety programs for all, and the Sanger Adult School program provides courses to help prepare any student for the real world and the workforce.
The Sanger Unified School District's biggest project is the Sanger Education Complex, a learning establishment project site spanning 116 acres of land. Started construction in 2016, this education complex will serve as a new home for middle and high schoolers, as well as more educational facilities.
Things to Do and See Around Sanger
The Nation's Christmas Tree City celebrates the Yuletide season like no other. Each year, the city prepares a host of activities that bring thousands of locals and visitors together to welcome the holidays.
Perhaps Sangler's most popular Christmas event is the
Annual Trek to the Nation's Christmas Tree, held every second Sunday of December. A ticket to the event includes a bus ride to the General Grant Tree in Kings Canyon National Park, with complimentary pastry and coffee. In addition to the wreath laying ceremony, the event also features live musical performances and a non-denominational Christmas message.
Back in Sanger, residents ring in the holidays with the
City Tree Lighting Ceremony, where a sapling of the Nation's Christmas Tree planted in the downtown area is lighted amid festive activities that include caroling, refreshments, and the
Arrival of Santa Claus in the annual
Toyland Christmas Parade.
Sanger's history as a railroad town is wonderfully preserved with the Sanger Depot Museum, which is housed in the original Sanger Railroad Depot. Built in 1887, the depot was once the heart of Sanger’s trade and commerce, and is now the oldest building in the city. In the 1970s, the building's former owners donated it to the Sanger Historical Society, who transformed the depot into a museum showcasing the city's vibrant history. Exhibits include The Indian Room, The Pioneer Room, The Victorian Home, and The Flume, with a special exhibit dedicated to The Nation's Christmas Tree. The museum was opened in 1977.
During the sweltering months of July to October, the Sanger Aquatic Complex offers both tourists and citizens of Sanger a much-needed way to help break the heat. Located at the Sanger Community Center, this water complex includes a main pool (complete with a diving board), a kiddie pool, and an Apache water slide. Swimming lessons are available as well, and the entire complex can be used for group rentals for different celebrations.
Sanger offers its very own version of the farm-to-table experience at Cedar View Winery, where guests can enjoy world class wines. Since 1999, the winery has been serving premier, quality wine produced through generational, established processes that have stood the test of time.
Sanger's most popular park, Greenwood Park is a haven for children of all ages, featuring wide open spaces, swings and slides, and comforting shaded areas perfect for picnics.
The Greater Fresno Area Chamber Blossom Trail Committee stages the annual Blossom Trail Run every first Saturday of March. At this event, runners and non-athletes try to conquer the beautiful Blossom Trail, a flat course running through a panoramic view of flowering plants and trees in full bloom. Visitors can also enjoy the approximately 70 mile trail from mid-February to mid-March on self-guided motor or bicycle tours.
Date Nights and Dining around Sanger
You don't need to go far to have an enjoyable dining and drinking experience in Sanger. The city is home to excellent restaurants, bars, and taverns where you can celebrate with the family or have a night out with friends or your significant other.
These are some of the best places to go:
- The Sticky Icky Barbeque Co.
Barbeque is an experience, which is exactly what dining at The Sticky Icky Barbeque brings. This establishment does not confine itself to just meat on the grill. It also features a Mediterranean menu that's perfect for healthier eaters.
Set in a schoolhouse building built in 1890 and remodeled in 1921, School House Restaurant and Tavern makes use of locally sourced ingredients for its delectable, seasonally fresh New American cuisine. It is also available for private dining, and wedding receptions.
With over six decades of unparalleled Italian cooking, DiCicco’s Italian Restaurant has never missed a beat since its opening in 1956. DiCicco’s authentic Italian pasta, pizza, soups, and seafood dishes are longtime local favorites, and the restaurant has become a part of the community through the years.
FIND YOUR DREAM HOME IN CHARMING SANGER, CA
The spirit of Christmas can’t come any sooner, especially in a city where the Yuletide season is more than just a tradition. A haven for culture, good wine, good schools, flowers in bloom, fair weather, and untouched nature, you will find plenty of reasons to choose real estate in Sanger, CA.
We are
John and Sherri DuBeau, and we’re more than thrilled to be a part of your journey to find a new home in Sanger and the rest of California Central Valley!
With over 35 years of experience, we are your go-to real estate agents in Sanger, CA. We understand how complicated the home-buying process is and we want to make it easier for you by keeping it casual and simple while also providing a personalized, full-service experience.
We ensure a service and a partnership centered around trust and transparency. Reach out to us, and be assured of a smooth and fulfilling real estate experience. Call us at
(559) 694-1036 or
send an email here.
