Chris Gallardo, the man behind the plan for a Northern California wave pool, is a self-professed dreamer and do-er. “I haven’t had a large development team or group of investors behind me on my surf park development journey, I’m just a guy with a vision and the genuine desire to help make the world a better place through surfing and the long list of benefits the activity provides”, Gallardo told WavePoolMag in 2023.
Chris, the surf park world’s everyman has reason to celebrate this week as the Placer County Planning Commission has approved plans for his Alchemy Surf Resort, within the Placer One community in Northern California.
The project, proposed by Inland Surf Company, will include a five-acre surf lagoon using Wavegarden Cove technology, a 100-room hotel, bungalows, dining, retail and recreational facilities. Construction is targeted to begin in 2027. Located just outside Sacramento. Alchemy previously submitted an entitlement application for the project after several months of work with municipal agencies, planners and community stakeholders.
The five-acre artificial lagoon is expected by Alchemy to attract more than 200,000 visitors annually, while the surf park and its other amenities anticipate 450,000 visitors each year. The site plan includes a 100-room hotel with a rooftop bar, bungalows and powered parking spaces for Sprinter vans. Plans also include a café, restaurant, retail shop, cabanas and a private beach club.
Recreational facilities are planned to include a skatepark, pump track, climbing wall and a deep-water standing wave powered by Citywave. A members-only fitness facility, spas, cold plunges, indoor skate facilities and an outdoor skate plaza are also planned.
The project will incorporate youth outreach, school partnerships, surf therapy sessions and Para-Surfing events.
“Entitlements are more than just paperwork — they represent a shared commitment to the vision we’ve worked so hard to build,” said Chris. “We’re creating a transformative destination that doesn’t just attract surfers but becomes a catalyst for community connection, improved quality of life, and regional pride.”
In January 2025, the company initiated a seed funding round to support project development. The Sacramento Economic Council expressed support for the proposed resort and its potential regional economic impact. There were no financial announcements relased along with this recent council decision.
“This world-class resort will attract visitors from across the country and internationally, creating local jobs and driving economic growth in tourism, hospitality, retail and recreation industries,” said Barry Broome, President and CEO of the Sacramento Economic Council. “Beyond its economic impact, this project will raise the amenity level in the market, enhancing the quality of life for residents and helping to drive momentum for further development.”
The resort is planned for Placer County’s Gold Country, an area associated with California’s 19th-century mining boom and continuing residential development.
