Beyond the most popular streets and downtown region of Sacramento, you’ll find quite a few “hidden” neighborhoods full of charm. The Sacramento Bee mentioned three unique and (to some) unheard-of neighborhoods that are worth a visit — or buying a home in if you can.

Mormon Island - El Dorado Hills

Close to Folsom Lake lies a rather different kind of neighborhood in El Dorado Hills. Called Mormon Island, homeowners here share a stake in 37 acres of private woodlands. Winding paths, a horse barn, and a corral are the community’s to share. The homes are relatively new, built around the 1970s, so not very many owners are looking to sell. The tight-knit community has remained a “secret” part of Sacramento for over 30 years.

Beamer Woodland Park - Woodland

The city of Woodland (the part that’s in Yolo County) has been holding onto the Beamer Woodland Park neighborhood with a tight grip. Woodland itself can be quite charming, as locals and non-locals alike enjoy the historic downtown, opera house, Victorian mansions, and interesting architecture. Beamer Park hides out in the north part of town, previously a master-planned subdivision in the early 20th century. Its homes from the 1920s, ‘30s, and ‘40s line winding streets and range from $400,000 to $700,000.

Village Homes - Davis

Just south of Woodland in Davis is the eclectic Village Homes neighborhood. Experimentally built in the 1970s with solar heating and a freely grown community garden, the Village Homes neighborhood has a unique setting. Street names in this area may seem familiar to those who haven’t yet been here, due to the inspiration drawn from the characters and settings in J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy (some locals refer to the neighborhood as "Middle-Earth."). When green living began gaining traction, people such as former First Lady Rosalynn Carter and former French President Francois Mitterrand visited the neighborhood to get a glimpse into sustainable community living.