Woodland Community Information
Woodland is a town of just over 54,000 situated in the heart of California's Central Valley, and surrounded by some of the most fertile farmland on earth.
With its historic roots planted firmly in agriculture, today Woodland is modern communinty with small-town charm. In Woodland you'll find the beautiful neighborhoods of the fine old victorian homes, as well as the most modern amenities for community services, business, and shopping.
With its many tree lined streets that offer a glimpse into the architectural history of California, Woodland abounds with Victorian, Craftsman and Mission Revival Style homes, commercial and public buildings, some of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The History of Woodland
In 1853, Henry Wycoff settled in a shady grove of trees in Northern California, northwest of Sacramento. He opened a store to serve the area settlers, and others joined him. Major Frank S. Freeman also settled nearby, and married in 1858. Before long the town became known as Yolo City. In 1861, Freeman built a federal post office and Yolo City was renamed. It is Freemans wife, Gertrude, who is credited with coming up with the name "Woodland". In 1862, the county seat of Yolo county was moved from West Sacramento to Woodland.
Annual Community Events
Each year, the Woodland area hosts a number of community events of interest to residents and visitors alike:
February - The Capay Valley Almond Festival attracts thousands each year to enjoy the beautiful blossoms, delicious almond products, arts & crafts and area hospitality.
April - The Scottish Games and Festival celibrates caber tossing, highland dancing, Scottish food, culture and history.
July 4th - Community Celebration includes a 5k/10k Run, Pancake Breakfast and Fireworks
August - Yolo County Fair at Woodland Fairgrounds
September - Dynamite Chili Cook-off
October - Farm City Celebration
Downtown Halloween Celebration
December - Downtown Tree Lighting Ceremony
Christmas Parade down Main Street
While still a hub for farming, agriculture and bio-science businesses, Woodland enjoys modern hi-tech businesses as well. As a growing community, Woodland citizens enjoy amenties such as the recently built Community /Senior Center and Pioneer High School.
Amenities
Retail
Woodland has a small town atmosphere with big city amenties including the new 55 acre Gateway Shopping Center anchored by Costco, Target, Michaels and Best Buy.
Recreation
With over 160 acres of Parks, there are plenty of recreational opportunities in Woodland oncluding 40 Parks, swimming facilites, sofball and little league complexes and a 20 acre Community Center with both Teen and Senior facilities.
Education
Pioneer High is a beautiful new High School built in 2003 and now has an enrollment of nearly 1,500 students.
Woodland is also home to Woodland Community College, with an enrollment of 3,000 students and a faculty of 120. Woodland is also just 6 miles from the University of California at Davis campus, with its 30,000 students and world class facilities.
Business
Woodland has a business friendly environment and a city government that is supportive.
In recent years it has attracted many agri-tech, light industrial and Warehousing/Distribution businesses. Due to it's location near the intersection of north-south Intersate 5 and east-west Interstate 80, Woodland is the first choice for the regional distribution centers for companies like Target and Walgreens.
In recent years the majority of new development has taken place in the Southeast area of town, with Residential, Commercial and Retail development. Capitalizing on Woodlands vibrant economy, Costco, Target and Best Buy have recently built new stores in Woodland.
The major North/South Highway (I-5), which stretches from Southern California to Seattle, borders the northeast side of town, and makes it an easy commute into Sacramento in less than 20 minutes. Just 10 miles east of Woodland sits the Sacramento International Airport, which allows easy travel to almost anywhere.
Here are some more sites to help you find information about Woodland and Yolo County
The Daily Democrat - Woodlands Newspaper
Yolo County Districts and Schools