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Natomas, Sacramento, California facts for kids

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Natomas
Neighborhood of Sacramento
Natomas marker sign (right foreground) and Sleep Train Arena (now demolished) (left background)
Natomas marker sign (right foreground) and Sleep Train Arena (now demolished) (left background)
Country United States
State California
County Sacramento
City Sacramento
Area
 • Total 20.15 sq mi (52.19 km2)
Elevation
25 ft (8 m)
Time zone UTC-8 (PST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP code
95833/95834/95835
Area code(s) 916, 279

Natomas is a community located in the northwestern part of Sacramento, in the U.S. state of California. It's a busy area with lots of homes, offices, and shops.

Natomas is split into two main parts by Interstate 80: North Natomas and South Natomas. North Natomas used to be mostly farms. But since the mid-1990s, it has grown a lot with new houses, office buildings, and stores. South Natomas mainly developed with homes from the 1950s to the 1980s. It also added many office parks along Interstate 5 in 1982.

Natomas is a major center for jobs, shopping, and fun. It's known as an "edge city." This means it's a suburban area that has become a big economic hub, almost like a city center itself. Natomas is generally located south of the Sacramento County line. It is north of the Garden Highway and the American River. It lies west of the Steelhead Creek. And it is east of the Sacramento River. The local schools are part of the Natomas Unified School District.

Exploring Natomas

Natomas has several important places and features. One famous spot was ARCO Arena, later called Sleep Train Arena. This was the home of the NBA basketball team, the Sacramento Kings. The Kings now play downtown, and the arena was taken down in 2022.

The Sacramento International Airport is also located within the Natomas area. It's a few miles from the main populated parts of Natomas. Because Natomas is the closest part of the city to the airport, many hotels are found here.

Natomas is a historical floodplain, which means it can be prone to flooding. However, there are systems in place to manage this. The area is also great for people who travel for work. It has easy access to major highways like Interstate 5, Interstate 80, and Highway 99.

Outdoor Fun in Natomas

Natomas offers many outdoor spaces for everyone to enjoy. You can find bike trails and parks here. A newer addition is the North Natomas Regional Park. This park is still growing, but it already has a water spray area for kids. There are also grassy fields, playgrounds, and ball fields. You can have picnics, or walk and ride on the paved paths. The park even has two dog parks, one for small dogs and one for big dogs. A permanent farmers' market structure is also available. You might see Jackrabbits, birds of prey, and other wildlife in the undeveloped areas nearby.

Economy and Shopping

Natomas is a big place for shopping and entertainment in the Sacramento area. It has large shopping centers like The Promenade at Sacramento Gateway. Other popular spots include Natomas Marketplace and Park Place Shopping Center. Many smaller shopping areas are also spread throughout the region. Northgate Boulevard also has many stores and hotels. As mentioned before, Natomas is considered one of the main "edge cities" in Greater Sacramento. This means it's a key economic center outside of the main downtown area.

Schools in Natomas

Most students in Natomas go to schools in the Natomas Unified School District. A smaller part of the area is served by the Twin Rivers Unified School District.

South Natomas Schools

In South Natomas, elementary schools include American Lakes K-8, Jefferson K-8, Bannon Creek K-8, and Two Rivers Elementary. The main high school for this area is Natomas High School.

North Natomas Schools

North Natomas has several elementary schools. These include Natomas Park Elementary (opened in 2000), Witter Ranch Elementary (2004), Heron K-8 (2006), H. Allen Hight Elementary (2008), and Paso Verde K-8 (2017). Natomas Middle School is the traditional middle school. The main high school is Inderkum High School.

Charter School Options

Charter schools are also a popular choice in Natomas. Leroy Greene Academy is a charter school for grades 6–12. It helps students get ready for college. Other independent charter schools include Star Academy (K-5), Leading Edge Middle School (6-8), and Performing Fine Arts Academy (6–12). These are all part of the Natomas Charter School. Star Academy has its own campus. The other schools are at the main Natomas Charter Campus.

Westlake Charter School (K-8) moved to a new campus in 2017. Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep Academy (K-12) also prepares students for college. NP3 K–5 is in a temporary spot. The middle and high school parts are on Del Paso Road.

Twin Rivers Unified Schools

The Northgate area of South Natomas is served by Twin Rivers Unified School District. Students here usually go to Grant Union High School. A small part of North Natomas is also in this district. Regency Park Elementary School is in this area. Middle school students might go to Norwood, and high school students to Rio Linda High School. However, many students choose to attend Natomas Unified schools or charter schools instead.

Notable People from Natomas

In the 1990s and 2000s, Natomas became a popular place for state lawmakers to buy second homes. This was because it was affordable and close to the state capitol building.

Current Residents

  • Heather Fargo, a former mayor of Sacramento (South Natomas)
  • Richard Pan, a doctor and assemblyman who lives in Natomas (Natomas Park)

Former Residents

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