11 Most Scenic California Sierra Nevada Towns

The breathtaking Sierra Nevada Mountain Range is one of the most captivating regions of the United States. With a north-to-south length of 400 miles, this mountain range runs between Central Valley, California, and the Great Basin in Nevada. Most of its landmass is in California; the portion known as the Carson Range crosses the California-Nevada state border to sit primarily in Nevada. Renowned for such features as Lake Tahoe, which is the largest alpine body of water in the United States, General Sherman, which is the largest tree in the world, and Mount Whitney, which, at 14,505 feet above sea level, is the tallest mountain amongst the 48 contiguous states. This range has a diverse ecology, which is broken down into five zones. The one thing consistent throughout its entirety, and in particular amongst California’s Sierra Nevada, are the gorgeous and scenic towns scattered throughout.

Mammoth Lakes

As many towns in the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range do, Mammoth Lakes, California, owes its existence to the California Gold Rush. In 1877, four prospectors made a fortuitous discovery of a vast gold vein near where this town now sits, and the rest, as they say, is history. With stunning natural surroundings, Mammoth Lakes is one of the most beautiful towns in the entire Sierra Nevada, let alone amongst the California side of this range. Located in the High Sierra, at an elevation of 7,880 feet above sea level, Mammoth Lakes is surrounded by glacial lakes such as Twin Lakes and Horseshoe Lake, as well as being a half hour by car from Devils Postpile National Monument, where there are many scenic hikes and lookout points.

Angels Camp

Sitting in the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada, Angels Camp was brought to world renown by Mark Twain and Bret Harte, who both highlight this town in their literary works. For those who love the outdoors, this is a wonderful community to set up shop in while you explore the surrounding region, which includes sites such as Calaveras Big Trees State Park, Tuttletown Recreation Area, Black Creek Park, with Yosemite National Park being slightly farther from Angels Camp, but certainly worth the drive. The downtown area of Angels Camp has a unique and scenic Old West aesthetic and is a great place to stroll around and enjoy a warm evening. If you are visiting during the first weeks of September make sure to visit the Calaveras County Fair to get a taste of the small-town charm Angels Camp is known for.

Tahoe City

Found along the western shore of its namesake lake, Lake Tahoe, the community of Tahoe City is in Placer County, California, a northern region of California’s Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. There are some fantastic accommodations in Tahoe City that have scenic views out across the lake, including Basecamp Tahoe City and the chic The Inn at Boatworks. Tahoe City is one of those communities where you can spend a day wandering through enjoying the different styles of architecture and the many local parks. In the downtown region of Tahoe City, you will find Cobblestone Center, which is a quaint shopping village with a fantastic Bavarian aesthetic. Just a short distance from town, there are also two great parks to visit, these being William B. Layton Park and Burton Creek State Park.

Three Rivers

Founded in 1886 by a group of utopian socialists, Three Rivers Village originally went by the name Kaweah Colony. Since then, Three Rivers Village has had many iterations, with the current one having been founded in the 1960s and is known as the "Gateway to Sequoia National Park." Three Rivers Village sits close to a range of parks, the most popular of which is Sequoia National Park, where you will have the opportunity to visit General Sherman, the largest documented tree in the world, and Homer Ranch Preserve-Sequoia Riverlands Trust (please note that this preserve is only available to visitors during spring and summer). Both of these parks offer scenic views of the region that surrounds this village, with very different terrains to explore.

Woodlake

In the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, and home to the Woodlake Botanical Gardens, one of California’s many beautiful botanical gardens, you will find Woodlake, California. It is most scenic during late spring and early-to-mid summer months, when the flowering species, in and outside the botanical gardens, are in full bloom. No matter when you visit, there is something beautiful to see. Sitting on a parcel of land 13 acres large, the Woodlake Botanical Gardens showcases fruit trees, vegetable patches, and ornamental shrubs, it has a rose garden, row crops, and a large range of gorgeous flower beds. If, after visiting the Woodlake Botanical Gardens, you still have not had enough horticulture, then Mystery Oak Gardens Nursery, in Exeter, California, is located 30 minutes by car southeast of Woodlake.

Grass Valley

Founded under the name Boston Ravine, then for a period known as Centerville, and finally becoming Grass Valley, this California Gold Rush town is a great place to learn about the mining era in California’s Sierra Nevada through hands-on experiences, highlights of which include the opportunity to independently pan for gold in any public river space. But, if you want a more structured education, you will have a fantastic day at Reinke Gold Mining Adventures and Services. Twenty-odd minutes by car northwest of Grass Valley, partially along the scenic Rough and Ready Highway, you will find South Yuba River State Park, where you can swim in the otherworldly Yuba River Swimming Hole, open for swimming during the summer months.

Bishop

Used as a popular filming destination for Old West-styled films due to its proximity to Los Angeles, Bishop, California, sits in the northern portion of Owens Valley. The popularity of Bishop as a filming local, with films such as True Grit and Ride the High Country shot in town and around town, comes from the scenic nature of downtown Bishop, as well as the natural beauty around this community. The historical downtown district, used in many films, is a great place to spend a leisurely day with many great activities at your fingertips. Spend the morning visiting Keough's Hot Springs or exploring Owens Valley Paiute Shoshone Cultural Center, where you can learn about the Indigenous people of Owens Valley.

Pine Grove

With lush greenery all around, Pine Grove, California, is a great place to get off the grid and explore the Sierra Nevada. Partly within the border of Pine Grove, you will find Mt. Zion State Park (not to be confused with Mt. Zion National Park). This park, while not enormous, has a wonderful scenic drive that runs through it. Spending an afternoon driving along Mt. Zion Road and Lookout Road is a great way to get to know the area. Just five minutes by car northeast of Pine Grove is Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park which is a fascinating park where you will find a Miwok village recreation available to explore.

Pollock Pines

Just over an hour southwest of Lake Tahoe sits Pollock Pines, the perfect place to do some camping in the scenic El Dorado County, California. Campgrounds populate the outskirts of Pollock Pines with some of the best being Harris Family Farm and Forest, Pollock Pines Recreation Park, Pinecone Area Campground, and, slightly farther outside of town, Hazel Meadow Campground and Cabins. But remember, at an elevation of 3,980 feet above sea level, you will want to bring something warm to wear at night. Fifteen minutes west of town, the small city of Placerville is a great day trip to take with wonderful old buildings, including J. Pearson Soda Works, as well as a range of interesting activities and scenic vineyards, including Lewis Grace Winery and Tasting Room and Starfield Vineyards and Winery, found along the highway back into Pollock Pines.

Nevada City

While its name may imply a Nevada location, Nevada City is in the state of California. Known as the "Best Preserved Gold Rush Town in California," a visit to Nevada City will be enjoyed by all. The historic downtown district, especially at sunset, is a gorgeous tableau, with historic buildings framed in lush forests and mountains in the distance. To get the full dose of gold rush era Nevada City, look to stay at Broad Street Inn or Northern Queen Inn, both in historical buildings. Around Nevada City, there are great sites to explore, including the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum, Doris Foley Historical Library, and Fire House #1 Museum.

Truckee

The perfect location to visit all year round, Truckee, California, lets you experience a variety of popular natural sites in California’s Sierra Nevada. Lake Tahoe is a 25-minute car ride southeast of town, Truckee River Regional Park is within walking distance from downtown Truckee, and Schallenberger Ridge is half an hour west of town. While in the area, you will want to take a drive along the scenic Donner Pass Road, which follows along the northern shore of Donner Lake. Along this road, there are fantastic accommodations that will allow you to enjoy the gorgeous view out across Donner Lake, in particular Loch Leven Lodge and Donner Lake Inn Bed and Breakfast. If you are looking for a luxury experience less than 20 minutes south of town, you can stay at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel on Lake Tahoe.

California’s Sierra Nevada Mountain Range is filled with astounding scenic landscapes that vary from glacial lakes, dense forests, and grasslands as well as red rock deserts filled with too many sandstone features to count. With such a vast range of geological and natural beauty, one will have a new experience no matter which town in California’s Sierra Nevada one stays in. No matter the season you explore this region, its charm and beauty will surely impress you.