Neighborhood and Area Descriptions for Nevada County

Nevada County Overview

Nevada County is home to many diverse areas all within easy driving distance of each other. The main areas are Grass Valley, Nevada City, Alta Sierra, Cedar Ridge, Chicago Park, Peardale, High Country, lake of the Pines, Lake Wildwood, McCourtney, North San Juan, Penn Valley and South County. These areas all have their own flavors, private beauties and respective charms. Each area has its own blend of plant and animal life, and each is worth exploring. Below you will find a written tour of our lovely county, beginning with our two fair cities of Grass Valley and Nevada City. This will be followed by descriptions of Alta Sierra, Cedar Ridge, Chicago Park, Peardale, The High Country, Lake of the Pines, Lake Wildwood, McCourtney, North San Juan, Penn Valley and South County. Of course, nothing will beat actually exploring these areas (click for large version of Overview Map).

Grass Valley

Centrally located, Grass Valley is where Highway 20 and Highway 49 merge. To the south is the highly ranked Nevada County Fairgrounds. Empire Mine State Park is must see for those wanting to get the flavor of the mining era, and great for those who want to hike or mountain bike miles of trails. Downtown Grass Valley continues with refurbishmentof its Dowtown Core.. You will not be disappointed as you stroll along the new sidewalks and admire the expanded town. Sierra College, in Placer County, has extended its campus to Grass Valley offering a diverse curriculum for the new student, retiree or person desiring a career enhancement. In town living and larger parcel sizes just out of town can be found. Elevation ranges from 2000' to 4200'

Nevada City

Historical downtown Nevada City is one of those must see towns which will take you back and make you feel as if time has stood still; from 100+ year old brick buildings, gas street lights and horse-drawn carriages. The Historical Preservation District has unique buildings at every turn. Many of the buildings have been restored and have a historical plaque to describe their history. You will find charming stores and great restaurants, along with excellent theater and music performances. And don't forget that dear creek rumbles through town! As you move away from downtown the homes get newer and the lots get bigger. The feeling of being away from it all can be had only minutes from downtown. Elevation ranges from 2000' to 4400'.

Alta Sierra

Located south of Grass Valley; the Alta Sierra area encompasses areas along Highway 49 and moves eastward to the county line. Alta Sierra's center is the 18-hole Golf Course. Smaller lots under an acre can be found in the environs around the golf course. The further you move away from the Golf Course the larger the parcels. To the south and east, one finds the larger 10 to 15 acre parcels in the Alta Sierra Estates. The topography is rolling to steep.

Some spectacular Sierra Nevada Mountain views can be found. Pines, cedars and black oaks can be found on the north end around the golf course, while the southern area consist of black oaks, live oaks, digger pines and grass lands. Elevation ranges from 1500' to 2500'. A ten minute drive north and you are in downtown Grass Valley. 20 minutes south and you're on Interstate 80.

Cedar Ridge

Cedar Ridge is a quaint little area about five minutes east of Grass Valley along Highway 174. Along it's western edge you will find the Empire Mine State Park, with miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. The topography is generally flat to rolling and consists mainly of pines and cedars. Various parcel sizes can be found in the area. Elevation is about 2200' to 3000'.

Chicago Park

Apple country best describes this area. The "world famous" Happy Apple Kitchen is a local favorite for good hamburgers, peach shakes (in season) and fantastic apple anything. Located about 15 minutes east of Grass Valley this area has a little bit of everything. The Overland Immigrant Trail passes through the area. Rollins Lake is a recreational favorite. 10 minutes east on Highway 174 and you are on Interstate 80at the town of Colfax. At its' eastern edges are Tahoe National Forest and BLM land. Parcel sizes vary. Elevation ranges from 1900' to 2600'

Peardale

Nonchalantly located between Cedar Ridge and Chicago Park; the Peardale area is quiet area with many different resources. Parcels range from 1 to 15 acres. Elevation ranges from 2600' to 3000'. The dominant forest in the area is mixed conifer.

High Country

For the outdoor adventurer, Nevada County's High Country is second to none, located east of Nevada City off of Highway 20. Thanks to the Tahoe National Forest one can find trails, lakes, and campgrounds easily accessible to anyone. For the rugged off road enthusiast, there are plenty of 4-wheel drive roads, for kayakers there is the Yuba River Canyon, for the fisherman there are numerous Sierra Nevada mountain lakes and reservoirs and for hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders, take advantage of the numerous contemporary and historic trails. Oh, we must not forget the Pacific Crest Trail for those wanting a Trans-Continental trek. Truckee, is a great destination for winter activities. Downhill and cross-country ski areas are some of the finest in the West. While in Truckee, stop off at the Donner Memorial Park and Museum for an impressive narrative on the natural history of the Sierras, the Central Pacific Railroad and of course, one of the most widely read pioneer tales in US History; the ill fated Donner Party. Parcel sizes vary. The dominant vegetation here consists of pine and firtrees. Elevation 2300' to 9100'.

Lake of the Pines

Excerpt from the Lake of The Pines Directory of Information 1997-1998.
"The development of Lake of the Pines Association consists of 1300 acres. The project was developed by Boise Cascade in 1966 and was completed by 1972. The Association, made up of almost 200 lots, owns and operates all of the amenities which include: a championship 19 hole golf course, a Clubhouse with major dining facilities and catering staff, a Sports Lounge with food and bar service, a junior Olympic and Wading pool, two small community buildings, four tennis courts, a man made, 230 acre lake with seven adjacent parks, a Marina with 100 slips, and three smaller ponds within the development. Additionally, the gated community, self-governed by a seven-person Board of Directors, is served by its own public Safety Department which patrols the almost twenty miles of privately maintained roads. Average elevation is about 1500 feet."

Lake Wildwood

Located west of Grass Valley, Lake Wildwood is a private, gated community with 2,850 lots that are currently about 90% developed. There are also about 65 acres of parks and greenbelts. Lake Wildwood is owned by the homeowners, and has elections for the Homeowner's Association. Wildwood has it's own piped-treated water, sewer system, cable TV, mail, garbage pickup, and a 24-hour gated security. The lake is 300 acres with 5 parks for residents - 4 have sand beaches, and all have picnic setups. There are tennis courts, a swimming pool, a clubhouse, restaurant, bar, meeting rooms, and clubs. Within minutes away is a grocery store, pharmacy, shopping center, gas station, restaurants, top-rated K-8 schools, and professional offices, as well as Bridgeport State Park on the banks of the south fork of the Yuba River. Average elevation is 1300 feet.

McCourtney

Located on the west side of Highway 49, the McCourtney area consists of rolling grass covered hills dotted with live oak trees. While some of the large ranches are located here and in South County, many smaller ranches can be found in the area. Take a drive along Mcourtney Road and see some beautiful horse ranches along with Llama and Emu ranches. Parcels range in size from 1 acre to 10+ acres. Elevation ranges from 1600' to 2600'.

North San Juan

The North San Juan area is located North of Nevada City. It is a very unique and self-sufficient place where a sense of community and independence can be found. Mother Truckers is a major community center, while breakfast at Toki's is second to none. For those looking for a spiritual retreat, North San Juan is the home of Ananda Village. Parcel sizes range from 3 to 20+ acres. Elevation ranges from 1800' to 4400'.

Penn Valley

Penn Valley maintains its small town atmosphere with its sweeping meadows, rolling hills, and golden oaks, older farm buildings and Western Gateway Park. During the spring, the Penn Valley Rodeo is a must see. Parcels range from small lots less than an acre close in to Penn Valley central to large 30+acre parcels to the west and south. Elevation ranges from 200' to 2000'. Due to the lower elevation, temperatures are warmer in both summer and winter.

South County

Bordered by the Bear River on the East and Spenceville Wildlife Area on the West, the southern area of Nevada County is home to some of Nevada County's largest and oldest ranches. There is nothing prettier than springtime in South County. Vibrant greens coupled with spectacular rock outcroppings and majestic oaks can take your breath away. There are areas in South County where the views are 360 degrees, spanning northward on a clear day you can see the Sierra Buttes, west the jagged Sierras, southward Mount Diablo and westward across the Sacramento Valley floor to the Coastal Mountains. Parcels range from small lots to large 180-acre parcels. Elevation ranges from 1100' to 1700'.

The Written Tour!

Now that you have had a written tour, time to go explore! Please do contact me with any questions you might have. We hope to see you soon.

Thanks for touring!

Sincerely,

Rolf Kleinhans