Are you considering moving to Ridgemark? Ridgemark, CA, is a census-designated place (CDP) that borders Hollister, CA. The entire community is gated and is surrounded by the Ridgemark Golf Club and Resort. There are about 1,000 homes and over 3,000 people in the community. Ridgemark was founded in the 1970s and is best known as a prestigious, private golf community.
The history of the Ridgemark Golf Course is interesting. The land where the 18-hour championship course sits was originally a Turkey Farm. Sonny Paullus, the owner, was an avid golfer and decided to convert the area into his own private course. Its original name was “The Ridge,” but it was changed to Ridgemark after Sonny’s late son, Mark. The golf course officially opened in August 1972, on the date that would’ve been his son’s 20th birthday.
Ridgemark is a great place to live for many reasons, but mostly because it’s a safe, exclusive community to call home. If you’re an avid golfer who’s seeking a unique golf community to live in, Ridgemark is likely your best bet!
Where Is Ridgemark California?
Ridgemark is located in San Benito County, California, south of San Jose and Hollister. It’s 3.9 miles from Ridgemark to Hollister. Cities near Ridgemark are San Jose, Salinas, and Watsonville. Hollister and Tres Pino border the CDP.
San Benito County Express provides public transportation services to San Benito County citizens and those living in Ridgemark. No fixed routes go through Ridgemark, but you can access Paratransit, Dial-A-Ride, Rideshare, and On-Demand transportation services. For paratransit services, you will fill out this form and fax it to (831) 634 – 4160 or mail to San Benito County Local Transportation Authority. Dial-A-Ride services are available Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Ridgemark Population & Demographics
Ridgemark, CA, has a population of 2,572 and a median household income of $135,066. It’s the second-smallest CDP in San Benito County and has the highest median income. The median age is 48.1 years old, and 32% of people living in Ridgemark are under the age of 29.
Additional Ridgemark demographics:
- Educational attainment: 97.7% have high school diplomas or higher, and 37.% have bachelor’s degrees or higher
- Sex ratio: 51 females to 49 males
- Mean commute to work: 44.4 minutes
- Marital status: 59% married versus 42% unmarried
- Foreign-born population: 5%
- Veteran population: 10.5%
10.8% of people living in Ridgemark have relocated here in the past year, and 75% of people own their homes (25% rent.)
The racial and ethnic composition in Ridgemark is not particularly diverse: 49.5% White, 48.8% White (non-Hispanic or Latino), 1.05% Asian, and 1.05% Hispanic.
Is Ridgemark Safe?
While the FBI does not provide crime rate statistics for Ridgemark, we will use nearby Hollister as a reference.
- Hollister crime rate per 100k people: 1,265
- California crime rate per 100k people: 2,581
- US crime rate per 100k people: 2,346
The crime rate in Hollister is 51.0% lower than the state and 46.1% lower than the country.
- Hollister violent crime rate per 100k people: 316
- California violent crime rate per 100k people: 442
- US violent crime rate per 100k people: 388
The violent crime rate in Hollister is 28.5% lower than the state and 18.5% lower than the country.
- Hollister property crime rate per 100k people: 948
- California property crime rate per 100k people: 2,139
- US property crime rate per 100k people: 1,958
The property crime rate in Hollister is 55.7% lower than the state and 51.6% lower than the country.
Ridgemark likely boasts an even lower crime rate than Hollister, considering a gated community comprises most of the CDP. Ridgemark and its surrounding areas are safe and boast low crime rates.
On the off chance something does happen, Ridgemark is served by the San Benito County Sheriff’s Department.
Cost of Living in Ridgemark
Ridgemark, California, has a Cost of Living Index (COLI) of 170.1, meaning it’s 70.1% more expensive to live here than the average US city. Ridgemark is also 20.1% more expensive than its state. This steep cost of living is likely due to its beautiful homes, golf community, and safety perks.
After moving to Ridgemark, housing will be your most significant cost. The cost of housing index here is 282.9, compared to California’s 234.8 and the United States’s 100. According to RedFin, the Ridemark real estate market is slightly competitive, and the median Ridgemark home price is $870,000; the price per square foot is $354. 11 Ridgemark homes were sold last month, and they sat on the market for a median of 49 days. If you’re looking for Ridgemark homes for sale, we suggest keeping a close eye on the market.
Renting here is competitive; there are barely any homes for rent and no apartment complexes within CDP limits. RentCafe says the average rent in Ridgemark is $1,873 per month for a 1,042-square-foot rental.
Typical *Ridgemark living expenses:
- Gallon of milk: $5.61
- Pound of local cheese: $7.53
- Inexpensive restaurant meal: $29.00
- Loaf of white bread: $5.20
- Dozen eggs: $6.58
- Average Ridgemark utilities per month: $390 (per Doxo)
Source: Numbeo
*The above figures are for San Jose; prices may differ when living in Ridgemark.
According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four could live comfortably in the San Benito metro area with a household income of $118,917.
Ridgemark Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Ridgemark
Although small, Ridgemark boasts many great places to live! Here is the best neighborhood in Ridgemark.
Promontory at Ridgemark
Promontory at Ridgemark is a golf course community surrounding the CDP’s famous golf course. All homes in the Promontory were built by Century Communities, a top-10 U.S. home builder. The area is most famous for its rich agriculture; you’ll likely find an abundance of Blenheim apricots, olive oil, vineyards, pomegranates, and chocolate while living in Ridgemark.
Homes here are typically priced between $800,000 and 1.5 million dollars and can be anywhere from 2,000 square feet to 3,700. You can choose between eight-floor plans; these single-family homes are ready for move-in! Your family will love your new home after moving to Ridgemark.
Ridgemark Weather
The summers in Ridgemark, California, are long, warm, arid, and clear. In contrast, the winters are cold, wet, and cloudy. Ridgemark has a Koppen classification of Mediterranean climate or Csa.
The temperatures here range from 30 degrees Fahrenheit and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. August is the warmest month, with an average high of 64 degrees Fahrenheit, and January is the coldest month, with an average low of 38 degrees Fahrenheit.
One important thing to note before moving to Ridgemark is that the area is at a high risk of earthquakes. Due to California’s positioning, many of its areas are at a high risk of earthquakes; the juxtaposition of the Pacific and North American plates causes faults in lateral motions between the plates. Ridgemark was affected by a 4.5 magnitude earthquake in April of 2023 and experienced 697 earthquakes in 2023 alone.
Things to Do in Ridgemark & Nearby Cities
Although Ridgemark is small, you’ll find there are plenty of attractions, shopping options, and things to do in and near the CDP. Bella Charm and Village Market are convenient and popular shopping options for people living in Ridgemark. Below is a refined list of the area’s best activities.
Ridgemark Golf Club & Resort
Ridgemark Golf Club & Resort is the focal point of the CDP. This expansive resort is a member-only club, hosts events, and has a delicious restaurant. They boast an 18-hour champion course and a practice area with a driving range, putting green, chipping green, and a practice hole!
3800 Airline Hwy, Hollister, CA 95023, (831) 637-8151
Quail Hollow Park
Quail Hollow Park is a notable park in RIdgemark; many families living in the nearby homes walk here. There are picnic tables and a large field for your children to relax or explore.
Hollister, CA 95023, (831) 636-4170
Premiere Cinemas
Premiere Cinemas is one of the best things to do in Ridgemark. Movie dates are a great activity to do with the whole family or for a romantic date night. This theater is less than five miles from Ridgemark.
641 McCray St, Hollister, CA 95023, (831) 638-1800
Additional Attractions in & Near Ridgemark
Parks in and near Ridgemark are maintained either by the San Benito Parks and Recreation Department or the Hollister Parks and Recreation Department. To attend any Ridgemark events, you should watch the San Benito County special events calendar.
Restaurants in & Near Ridgemark
Ridgemark isn’t known for a specific type of food, but you will find countless restaurants with varying options in and near Ridgemark. From Mexican cuisine to quaint coffee shops, Ridgemark has options.
Ridgemark Restaurant
Ridgemark Grill is located in the Ridgemark Golf and Resort Club; you will find tasty food and beverage options here. People love the cheeseburger quesadilla and their large selection of beer, wine, and spirits.
3800 Airline Hwy, Hollister, CA 95023, (831) 637-8151
Country Rose Café
Country Rose Cafe is a popular diner located just miles outside of Ridgemark. Per their reviews, the French toast, pancakes, and huevos ranchero are the best around!
756 San Benito St, Hollister, CA 95023, (831) 635-0252
Capo Signora Italian Cuisine
Capo Signora is a notable Italian restaurant located in nearby Hollister. This tasty Ridemark restaurant is popular for its calamari and fettuccine alfredo.
1709 Airline Hwy A, Hollister, CA 95023, (831) 282-4787
Ridgemark Jobs
Ridgemark has an unemployment rate of 8.2% but a ten-year projected job market increase of 37%. The sales and income tax rates here are slightly higher than the US average.
Ridgemark has a small economy and only employs 1,380 people; the CDP’s main employer is the Ridgemark Golf Club & Resort, a large resort in the CDP’s center. Ridgemark Golf Club employs hundreds of people living in Ridgemark and nearby cities. Other large industries here are manufacturing, construction, and healthcare & social assistance. The largest employers of San Benito County residents are Coke Farm, Corbin Sparrow, and Denise & Filice Packing Co.
The hospitality and leisure industry in Ridgemark has an average hourly rate that’s between $21 and $27. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA region has a median hourly rate of $22.03 and a mean hourly rate of $29.66.
Despite your industry, you’ll find plenty of jobs in Ridgemark! If you work in the public sector, you’ll look for Hollister School District, Southside School District, San Benito County, and surrounding cities for government jobs.
Overall, Ridgemark has limited commercial activity but is near other larger cities and towns. Many people living in Ridgemark commute to Hollister, San Jose, San Martin, and other bigger cities for work. The mean commute time is 44.4 minutes.
Ridgemark Schools
While no schools are within CDP limits, people living in Ridgemark with children in grades K-12 will commute slightly outside their town. The schools in and near Ridgemark are served by the Southside School District and Hollister School District; Hollister School District maintains most of the schools your children would attend.
Ten schools and over 5,000 students are in the Hollister School District–90% of whom are minorities. The student-to-teacher ratio is 23:1, and 100% of the teachers are certified. You can expect the district to invest $14,284 into your child’s education annually.
Ridgemark is a great place to live and has exceptional educational resources. Just outside of Ridgemark, in Hollister, you will find the San Benito County Public Library. There are thousands of books, Ebooks, and audiobooks awaiting your exploration. You can utilize their computers, internet, and even request help filing your taxes. There are countless community events weekly, providing a great environment for you and your children.
If you or a loved one is interested in furthering their education, the University of San Jose (USJ) and Merced College are both less than 100 miles from Ridgemark, California!
Ridgemark Statistics & Information
- County: San Benito County
- Ridgemark area: 2.570 square miles
- Ridgemark zip code: 95023
- Ridgemark area code: 831
- Ridgemark elevation: 489 feet
- Ridgemark time zone: Pacific Standard Time (UTC-8)
- Closest airport to Ridgemark: San Jose International Airport (SJA) is 53.6 mile from Ridgemark
Ridgemark CA Map
Explore more of this unique CDP with the Ridgemark, California, map!
If you’ve decided moving to Ridgemark is indeed the right choice, you’ll want to hire experienced Ridgemark movers to handle your transition. Call Southbay Moving Systems at (831)786-5537 for a free moving estimate.