In 2025, River Islands is looking back on a history of successful development as it continues to move ahead as the most popular lifestyle community in Northern California.

In the past decade, more than 4,000 residences have been designed, built and sold by some of the best homebuilders in the state. More than a dozen lakes have been built, ever-increasing the number of waterfront homes available within the community. A dozen parks range in size from neighborhood gathering spots to full-scale community attractions, with playing fields and passive areas for relaxation. In addition, bocce courts and sand volleyball is part of Sunset Point Park, home of the Boathouse Restaurant.

The backbone of the community is its

harter school system, hich includes three -8 grade schools and iver Islands High chool, now completing ts construction and andscaping for a Grand pening of all grades—9 hrough 12—for the fall 2025 term.

Also fundamental to assuring a high standard of services is the first Lathrop- Manteca fire station at River Islands and a police administrative headquarters building for the Lathrop Police.

One of Modesto’s most popular restaurants, the Redwood Café, made news last year by turning lemons into lemonade.

As the Mormon Church needed its land for its own expansion plans, the

Redwood Café was facing imminent closure until owner Bob Campana toured River Islands with its president Susan Dell’Osso. They struck a deal on the spot to move 

most of the restaurant’s physical buildings and its iconic artwork to a site along one of the levees overlooking the San Joaquin River. This will add a landmark building and an upscale venue for fine dining and special events to River Islands and ensures that many of

the long-time staff stays employed.

The homebuilders at River Islands are planning a year of introducing new model homes with some of the most requested amenities for today’s lifestyles: smart home features for comfort, energy savings and security. Adding to the attractiveness of the offering is a number of architectural styles and a wide range of floorplan designs, and prices ranging from the low $600,000s to over a million dollars.

In January alone, two new communities have come to market: Taylor Morrison Homes’ Paddlewheel neighborhood and Monterey by Van Daele Homes. Taylor Morrison has been voted America’s most-trusted homebuilder every year for the past nine years.

For its debut offering at River Islands, the builder has planned a lakeside enclave of four to six bedroom homes with three to four and half baths in spacious designs ranging from 2725 to 3465 square feet.

Van Daele Homes has been a part of River Islands since the community’s beginnings, and has built homes in almost every style and size. Monterey is its newest offering, built in an established area within River Islands, close to Epic Academy. Monterey’s homes range in size from 1856 to 2345 square feet and offer up to five bedrooms. Such distinctive

architectural designs as modern farmhouse, contemporary prairie and Spanish-style homes are available.

For an online tour guide, floorplans, features and pricing information, go to RiverIslands. com. The River Islands Welcome Center is open daily from noon till five.