Looking for the best places in Northern California to work from home? If Bay Area traffic and housing costs have you rethinking your commute, consider making the move to Lathrop, CA – a growing hub for remote workers. Just a short drive from the Bay Area, Lathrop offers larger, more affordable homes, a lower cost of living than San Francisco, and a safe, family-friendly community. With nearby access to the San Joaquin River, scenic nature trails, and uniquely designed city parks, it’s a refreshing place to live, work and unwind. Give yourself more time and more space to enjoy the best things in life right here in Lathrop.
Convenient Location
Lathrop is in San Joaquin County in northern California, near Interstate 5 (north-south) and Interstate 205 (east-west). For hybrid workers, that might have to head into work or an in-person meeting every once in awhile, Lathrop has the advantage of being within driving distance of big cities like Stockton, Sacramento and San Francisco.
- Tracy – 20 min (11.8 mi) via I-5 S
- Stockton – 23 min (10.7 mi) along 1-5 N
- Sacramento – 1 hr 8 min (57.4 mi) along I-5 N
- Fremont – 1 hr 5 min (56.9 mi) along I-580 W
- Oakland – 1 hr 10 min (62.8 mi) along I-580 W
- San Jose – 1 hr 21 min (71.9 mi) along I-580 W and I-680 S
- San Francisco – 1 hr 33 min (73.7 mi) along I-580 W
If you need to fly out for work or would like to fly someone in for a visit, Lathrop makes that easy, too. There are four major airports not too far away, Stockton being the closest airport to Lathrop:
- Stockton Metropolitan Airport (7.7 miles)
- Oakland International Airport (58 miles)
- Sacramento International Airport (67 miles)
- San Francisco International Airport (75 miles)
Lower Cost of Living & Beautiful Homes
One of the biggest reasons to move to Lathrop is to save money. Lathrop’s cost of living is about 24% lower than San Francisco’s. Plus, in master-planned communities like Lathrop’s Stanford Crossing, you can enjoy beautiful homes with extra rooms for office space, bigger backyards and better amenities—all without any HOAs.
Stanford Crossing’s Generations Center is aimed at all ages with a library, skate park, parkour course, playgrounds, pickleball courts and outdoor amphitheater for summer concerts. There are also 12 excellent parks in Lathrop near Stanford Crossing, including several right on the river and others with splash pads and dog parks.
Closer to Nature
One thing you probably won’t find much of in an office is nature. But when you work remote, you not only have the ability to get a lot closer to the outdoors, you can even work out in it! Stanford Crossing is near the San Joaquin River, giving you ample opportunity for biking, hiking and excellent fishing when you need a break. At 366 miles, it’s the longest river in Central California and is well-known for its trifecta of trout, Rainbow, Brooke and Brown Trout, plus Striped Bass and Chinook Salmon.

Better for Kids & Pets
Lathrop has excellent schools, and Stanford Crossing is within walking distance of the local high school. Lathrop is also pet-friendly, with several parks, trails and more for your furry friends. The Generations Center even offers obedience classes for them.
Safe Community
Without a doubt, where ever you work remotely, you should feel safe. Most residents feel that Lathrop is a safe place to live. Among those surveyed, 88% report feeling safe or pretty safe. Stanford Crossing in particular is especially close to help:
- Lathrop Police Department is 4 minutes away.
- Lathrop Urgent Care is 5 minutes away.
- San Joaquin General Hospital is 9 minutes away.
Loads of Fun Things to Do Near Lathrop
One of the best aspects for working remotely is the flexibility in your schedule it provides. Whether you’re taking a break from work or looking for other places to set up shop nearby fun activities, there’s no shortage of things to do near Lathrop to influence where, when, and how you work.
Just 15 minutes away from Lathrop, you could grab a laugh at the Deaf Puppy Comedy Club or take the family to Great Wolf Lodge, a hotel with an indoor water park, bowling alley and mini-golf course. You can also slip away for a weekend getaway to San Francisco or San Jose, or road trip it up to Yosemite, just 100 miles away.
Work Remotely From Stanford Crossing
If you’re searching for the best places in Northern California to work from home, Stanford Crossing in Lathrop should be at the top of your list. With its affordable, spacious homes, access to high-speed internet, and family-friendly environment, it’s an ideal setting for remote workers seeking both productivity and quality of life.
Skip the Bay Area congestion and discover how easy it is to work remotely while enjoying more time outdoors, shorter commutes, and a true sense of community.
Visit Stanford Crossing today to explore homes designed with remote work in mind, and experience for yourself why so many are choosing to call Lathrop home.