The Sierra Valley, located approximately 25 miles northwest of Truckee on Hwy 89, is part of Sierra County, one of the smallest counties in the state.

At an elevation of approximately 5,000’, the huge valley is the largest alpine valley in the Sierra Nevada range. Tucked at the base of the eastern slope of the Sierras, the Sierra Valley communities include Sierraville, Sattley, Calpine and Loyalton.

Known as the valley ranch communities, in the 1850s these communities provided dairy products, hay, and cattle for Truckee and the western Sierra County and Comstock Mines and proved to be one of the finest agricultural regions of California during that time. The lumber industry was also part of the agricultural economy. Sierra Valley timber supplied the Comstock mines, Central Pacific Railroad, and California fruit industry till the early 1900s when there was a decline in the timber demands with the closing of mines in California.

In present day times, much of the population has been devoted to cattle-raising and farming. The mountain valley reflects life as it used to be in much of the west. Amidst century-old barns built by early ranchers, herds of cattle graze on 120,000 acres of valley floor consisting of a grassland and sagebrush ecosystem and extensive freshwater marshes. These marshes are also part of a major flyway for migrating birds and therefore provide excellent bird-watching locations.

neighborhoods

Sattley Town

This a very small community of less than 50. There is no commercial development. On the edge of the valley, against the hills, Sattley offers remnants of both early ranching and logging with its old farmhouses, barns and stunning view of the valley.

Sierraville

Graeagle

Graeagle is a quaint resort community. All those cute red buildings aren’t just some of the neatest shops you’ve ever explored; they were once home to the mill workers who supplied lumber to the gold mines and towns that once flourished here. Graeagle’s new gold rush is its incredible charm, some of the best golf courses in California, and world-class dining establishments. Add to that a recreation paradise at Lakes Basin just minutes away and the historic ghost town, Johnsville, is nearby. It’s the perfect mix for vacation or year-round living.

Chilcoot, Vinton and Beckwourth

Along Highway 70 in the valley are the hamlets of Chilcoot, Vinton, and Beckwourth. Each community has been a gathering center for generations of ranchers, farmers, and townsfolk. Catch a cowboy poetry show at the grange hall in Vinton and get a taste for the way life was—and continues to be—in this wonderful, magical place.

Gold Mountain is a gated community planned by Taliesin, the architectural firm of Frank Lloyd Wright. The surrounding area has something for everyone: golfing at the Nakoma Golf Resort, fishing, hiking, biking, hunting, skiing, boating and kayaking in Lakes Basin, snow shoeing, amazing star gazing and dining.  The area is renowned for its fabulous Sierra golf courses. Also try the beautiful Whitehawk and Graeagle Meadows golf courses each located about 15 minutes from Gold Mountain.