Laguna Stonelake - Elk Grove, CA

The larger Elk Grove area has a history that leaves some confused. Not all locals can agree on exactly how the town came to be. While it started as farmlands before mixing in suburbia, Elk Grove either draws its name from its founder's hometown of the same name in Missouri or Mr. James Hall was just that impressed with the heavy population of elks in the area. The spirit from its original origins keeps Elk Grove focused on building community spirit.

While no museums or thriving arts scene exists in Stonelake, local events keep residents forever building that small-town feel that makes Elk Grove feel removed from the city. Break out your spurs for the Western Festival, or pick up all your Halloween and decorative fall pumpkins during the Giant Pumpkin Festival. Then, join in on the festivities during the holiday festival of lights and tree lighting.

While Stonelake lacks restaurants inside the neighborhood, Elk Grove and Laguna provide a mix of chain restaurants, such as Subway and Rubio's. Meanwhile, residents frequent the Asian, Mexican and Italian establishments right outside its borders on Elk Grove Boulevard.

Wake up your taste buds at Sol Mexican Restaurant on the corner of Elk Grove and Franklin. The Loca Mexican Salad arrives at your table with avocado, tomato, black beans and romaine lettuce alongside the shrimp, grilled chicken and jalapeños.

Fast service, abundant Korean side dishes that change daily and traditional flavors make Oz Korean B.B.Q., a favorite spot. Don't fill up too much on the crispy pork pot stickers because thick, juicy and flavorful meats await, whether you want the Rancho Galbi, sesame beef, or sweet or chili pork. The entrance sits in the back of the restaurant, so head there first to avoid getting lost.

Whether you need to feed just yourself or a group of friends, Thai Chili serves up authentic Thai in generous single portions or family style. Must-try appetizers include the crispy tofu or calamari with sweet chili sauce and fried tamarind shrimp. The small interior means you might wait for a table when the place has a lot of customers. However, dishes infused with traditional flavors, such as curry, spicy Thai chow and beef pad kee mao, make it worth the wait. Save room for dessert; try the sinfully good fried banana and coconut ice cream.

The neighborhood lacks options for a thriving nightlife, but that suits most residents just fine. Instead, locals saddle up for The Wrangler. Daily happy hour runs six days of the week, and this place starts the week with happy hour all day on Sundays. Live music from local artists and bands spices up the weekends, but you can get your groove on with midweek karaoke.

Most residents of Stonelake drive as the tight-knit design of the community keeps it isolated from heavy traffic flow and super-close transit stops. The wide streets with free side-street parking that run throughout Stonelake make leisurely neighborhood strolls and bike rides easy, but most errands require a car.

Just outside the community, commuters can hop on several bus lines. These provide easy access to other locales inside Elk Grove and the city, including several stops along Laguna Main and commuter route 53 at the intersection of Whitelock Parkway and Franklin Express, which heads straight into Downtown Sacramento. Most commuters face a 35-minute commute into the city one way. However, easy access to I-5 makes the daily grind a bit more bearable.

Biking within the neighborhood works well, and the plentiful bike lanes in Elk Grove make biking an option if you don't mind a little longer ride to local establishments. For cab rides, be prepared to call ahead, or opt for an Uber.

Stone Lake is surrounded by the Stonelake National Wildlife Refuge, but this protected habitat is just one of several open spaces in the Stonelake community or close enough to count as part of it.

Within the private community, a clubhouse provides an exclusive and amenity-rich escape and gathering center for community members. The Glen Houde Park surrounds the clubhouse. Take up a friendly neighborhood game on the basketball or tennis courts, or read a book in lush and green grass while your kids hit the playground or go for a swim in the wading pool. Residents enjoy free membership to all facilities, including the clubhouse workout areas and swim lessons, boot camp and Zumba. Your four-legged family members should stay at when heading to the clubhouse or the park that wraps around it.

Residents of Stonelake encounter a slightly higher cost of living than those who live in Sacramento. The average one-bedroom apartment runs roughly $1,225 per month. Hop on any e-Tran bus line to get to Downtown Sacramento for about $2.25 one way. Gas runs around 15 percent higher than the national average, and expect to pay $5 or so for a pint of beer, unless you head out during happy hour.

Stonelake residents need to head north closer to Sacramento for major shopping destinations and high-end shopping, but the Elk Grove and Laguna areas house a mix of department store chains, such as Walmart, Target and Home Goods, mixed in with discount stores, such as Family Dollar and Big Lots. A few local favorite boutiques and specialty stores stay in the mix, though.

Residents pick up their groceries at Safeway, the Sacramento-based Raley's and the health-food focused Nugget Markets nearby, but many grab their spirits at Stonelake Vine and Spirits at Stonelake Landing because of its wide selection and helpful staff. Hit the local farmers market right off Laguna Boulevard for fresh produce, meat, and baked goods.