Mountain House, California's Newest City

1,000 feet elevation | County: San Joaquin | County Seat: Stockton | Population: 29,000 approx. | Size: 7.5 square miles

Location: 61 miles southeast of San Francisco
52 miles east of Oakland
51 miles northeast of San Jose
 76.5 miles southwest of Sacramento

When Mountain House became California's 483rd city in 2024, this planned community didn't miss a beat. Many residents of the Golden State have never heard of the town in the San Joaquin Valley near Tracy but it actually has quite a history & story!

Formed in 1996, Mountain House voted for independence in 2008 and established its own elected Board of Directors. 2008 was also the year New York Times declared Mountain House  "the most underwater community in America" - the zip code with the highest amount of negative equity on its homes.

While some lost their properties and investments, the housing market and economy rebounded and today, Mountain House focuses on the present and future. Following a loss in overall Assessed Valuation (AV) during the recession, the City has increased total AV from $1.1 billion in Tax Year 2013 to $5.5 billion in Tax Year 2025, owing to the number of property sales, higher sales prices, and new developments. Special fees and the transfer of funds from San Joaquin County to the newly-formed city were listed as several factors also contributing to the city's financial health. 

 Operating as an incorporated city under a Council-City Manager form of government, the City Council sets policies and adopts budgets, while the City Manager implements them and oversees day-to-day operations.

Development within the City has been ongoing for over 20 years, and the community is expected to continue developing over the next 25 to 30 years.

As new parks & facilities are introduced, the crown jewel of the Mountain House park system is Central Park in the heart of the Town Center. Serving as the community's primary gathering place for free concerts, farmers markets and seasonal celebrations, new phases will add baseball fields, soccer and cricket fields, plus a community center and pool. In addition, each neighborhood or village is built with its own park.

For a quick run-down as of this posting, The City of Mountain House Parks & Recreation Department hosts:

• Kite Day in the Spring
• Summer Concerts in the Park mountainhouseca.gov/ music-in-the-park
• Central Park Cinema on select summer nights where the public brings blankets & snacks for an evening under the stars watching movies suitable for all ages!
• JuneTeenth
• 4th of July Parade on July 4 at 9 a.m. on Central Parkway from Main St. to Heritage Drive.  Party in the Park and Drone Show.  mountainhouseca.gov/ Independence-Day
• National Night Out in Central Community Park, 5-8 p.m. approx., first Tuesday in August. Fire safety, police, public safety welcome public with free hot dogs & snacks, bounce house and games
• Mountain House High School Parade, September, daytime afternoon parade
• Halloween Spooky Safety Stroll - Join Mountain House Public Safety for the Spooky Safety Stroll October 31, 2-5 p.m. at Town Hall. Free treat bags for the kids, one per child (while supplies last).
• MoHoHo Holidays Parade of Lights on Central Parkway between Heritage Drive & Main Street. Parade ends at Town Hall for Tree Lighting ceremony on same night
• Mountain House Tree Lighting Ceremony, "Light Up Main Street" & Tree Lighting, mountainhouseca.gov/ MoHoHoHolidays

Originally home to the Northern Valley Yokuts, Mountain House became a rest stop during the Gold Rush era. In 1849, Thomas Goodall set up the first "Mountain House" structure-a blue tent that welcomed weary travelers heading east.