9 Best Places To Call Home In California's Sierra Nevada In 2025
California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains sit in the eastern portion of California, with its exceptional scenery and are home to Lake Tahoe, Yosemite National Park, Sequoia National Park, and the Giant Sequoia and Devil’s Postpile National Monuments. The canyons and valleys seen today were formed from melting glaciers. The Sierra Nevada Mountains encompass numerous towns where individuals seeking a connection to nature can find a home.
Mariposa
Mariposa is the perfect place to call home for those looking to be close to Yosemite National Park. Mariposa is considered a gateway town for Yosemite and offers residents exceptional scenery, hiking, and a rich Gold Rush history. For foodies, the tourist season supports a wider variety of restaurants in a lively and historic downtown area like the 1850 Restaurant and the Charles Street Dinner House. Most of the historic downtown buildings were originally constructed in the late 1850s. The town holds an annual Butterfly Festival to celebrate the number of the critters that make their home in Mariposa. Residents enjoy year-round access to the Butterfly Creek Winery.
Mariposa residents enjoy more than access to Yosemite. Residents are also minutes from the Stockton Creek Preserve. The preserve offers hiking and biking trails along Stockton Creek. Check out the wildflowers blooming from spring through late fall, and all the colorful butterflies visiting them. Residents and visitors can also skydive through Yosemite. See the whole 360-degree panorama experience as you jump from the airplane and float down to the Earth. Skydive Yosemite is available for hire at the Mariposa Yosemite Airport. Mariposa is home to those who love nature and are aware that city growth is limited in order to preserve Yosemite National Park. The cost of living is affected by limiting growth and, as of September 2025, is 6% higher than the US national average but 24% cheaper than California’s average. Mariposa also has the 18th lowest tax rate in the country.
Murphy’s
Another option for calling the California Sierra Nevada Mountains home is the wine town called Murphy’s. Wine lovers rejoice with two dozen wine tasting rooms on or close to Main Street. Residents can discover the history of the area and learn all about the active wine scene in Murphy’s. The town provides residents with access to learning skills for making artisanal jewelry, molding unique sculptures, or painting the exceptional mountain scenery that surrounds Murphy’s. Many residents decided to make Murphy’s home because of its friendly, laid-back vibe.
Residents enjoy the historic Main Street, as well as taking in the sights at Mercer Caverns or hiking among the trees at Calaveras Big Trees State Park. Those looking for a friendly and lively community find one in Murphy’s, along with pleasant weather year-round. Temperatures typically range from the mid-30s to 60 degrees in winter and 70 to 90 degrees in the summer. Murphy’s offers home buyers or renters a more reasonable cost of living that’s 58% lower than the California average.
Bridgeport
Bridgeport is an ideal place to call home for nature lovers and those seeking a small town that offers a sense of belonging and a connected community. Spend the day exploring the great outdoors by fishing, hiking, biking, or skiing and snowboarding during the winter months. Residents of Bridgeport enjoy a seasonal summer with low humidity and an average temperature of around 82 degrees Fahrenheit. The winters have periods of severe cold and heavy snow, perfect for serious snow and skiing lovers.
Living in Bridgeport offers access to a variety of activities to keep residents happy at home, including exploring the Pacific Crest Trail or relaxing by one of seven local lakes, such as Trumbull, Peeler, or Barney Lake. Bask in the waters of the Travertine Hot Springs or tour the old Bridgeport Jail and Mono County Courthouse. Living in Bridgeport is affordable, with an average home value of $632,500 as of August 2025.
Sonora
The welcoming town of Sonora is the northwest gateway to Yosemite National Park. Sonora has a rich history as a Gold Rush town, with remnants of the time visible in the architecture and historic buildings downtown that are still in use. As a community, Sonora serves the tourists coming into Yosemite. Residents and visitors enjoy the wide variety of restaurants, cuisines, and locally owned specialty shops like Indigeny Reserve and the Goodness Cafe. The town has a youthful energy and a mix of ages, including a substantial retiree population. Sonora offers families above-average public schools and easy access to outdoor recreation amidst the stunning High Sierra views.
The community hosts festivals and events seasonally, like the Spring Festival, Celtic Faire, Mother Lode Fair, and the local favorite, the festive Christmas Parade. Residents also enjoy a seasonal Sonora Certified Farmer’s Market. Check out the local city parks, such as Coffill Park, for picnics by the creek. Catch a baseball game at the Woods Creek Rotary Park and enjoy a picnic, or let the kids run on the playground. Residents love the Dragoon Gulch Trail, which takes hikers through the Mother Lode Oak Woodlands and runs along a creek. Find the perfect community to call home at Sonora, with a median home price of $363,000 as of September 2025, which is lower than the US average and significantly lower than California’s average home price.
Downieville
Downieville attracts residents with its exceptional mountain scenery, community events, and water recreation for every season. Downieville is the perfect home for those who want to live in a remote rural town with potentially challenging winters and limited off-season amenities. The town booms during tourist season but empties in winter, leaving only those who love winter activities and tackling heavy snowfall. As a historic Gold Rush town, Downieville sits on auriferous gravel beds that create blue-green pools along the North Yuba River. The town sits along the confluence of the Downie and North Yuba Rivers within the Lost Sierra region of the Tahoe National Forest.
Trails originally cut in the quest for gold are now world-renowned mountain biking trails that keep Downieville a prime spot for mountain bike racing competitions. The annual Downieville Classic Cross Country Race and Festival is held annually, attracting thousands of athletes and spectators from around the world. Downieville is popular for white-water rafting, kayaking, camping, fly fishing, and off-road or OHV trail riding. OHV trails become snowmobile trails in the winter. The town’s core remains that of a tiny village with a committed community that supports each other and the town’s inherent old western heritage. Downieville is considered affordable for California, with a cost of living that is only 1% lower than the state average..
Groveland
Groveland’s peaceful community and natural surroundings create the perfect home for those who love a quiet, connected community and access to nature. Groveland’s mountain lifestyle offers exceptional scenery and a variety of outdoor activities within the Stanislaus National Forest and Pine Mountain Lake. Groveland offers all the basic amenities for residents and tourists, featuring historic Gold Rush-themed B&Bs and hotels, such as the Groveland Hotel.
Groveland is a popular tourist destination for visitors to nearby Yosemite National Park, especially during peak summer and winter vacation periods. Residents can take advantage of the opportunity by running a tourist season business. Pine Mountain Lake offers visitors and residents championship-level golf courses, dining, camping, water activities, and horseback riding. Residents enjoy the benefits of a gated community and access to an airport.
Residents and visitors who enjoy hiking can choose from a variety of difficulty levels and terrain on the Carlon Falls Trail or the Wapama Falls Trail. Optionally, bring an OHV and check out the off-road tours. Mountain biking enthusiasts will never tire of the Ferretti Road Non-Motorized Trail Network that includes bike-only trails with drops, log rides, berms, and even rollers to test a biker’s skills. Groveland’s isolated nature makes it an affordable option, with an average home value as of September 2025 of $395,000, which is under the California average.
Oakhurst
Oakhurst sits just 15 minutes from Yosemite National Park’s South entrance. Residents and visitors who want to enjoy nature without sacrificing the comforts of civilization love Oakhurst. Oakhurst is a tourist town and a secluded residential sanctuary for its permanent residents. Residents and visitors are introduced to the wonders of Yosemite in Oakhurst via the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, Glacier Point Road, and the Yosemite Sugar Pine Railroad. The Yosemite Sugar Pine Railroad operates a vintage steam-powered train through the Sierra National Forest, stopping for gold panning and to explore the museum, where visitors can learn about the local history. Residents and visitors alike can tour the Nature of Wildworks in town and participate in local programs to help rehabilitate injured wildlife.
Find a peaceful, secluded, and natural place to call home in Oakhurst. The town is in close proximity to not only the natural wonders of Yosemite, but also the amenities of larger cities such as Fresno, San Jose, and San Francisco. The amazing part is that Oakhurst is considered affordable. Oakhurst provides residents with a cost of living that’s 13% less than the California average as of September 2025. The median home price remains steady at $499,000, which is lower than the California average.
Bishop
Bishop calls to those looking to live in a small, affordable California city with a fantastic backyard featuring both mountain and high desert terrain. Residents and visitors enjoy a variety of activities, including desert and mountain pursuits such as fishing, hiking, rock climbing, and biking. Bishop offers a relaxing and welcoming community focused on providing the best services to both residents and temporary visitors. Residents have access to modern facilities for recreation, updated hiking and biking paths, and organized community events, such as Mule Days, Millpond, and fishing contests like the Blake Jones Trout Derby.
Residents can take a horseback ride and pack a mule on the same trails, which are also used by trail runners, bikers, and hikers. Adventure awaits not only within the Eastern Sierras but also near Bishop, which is Death Valley National Park. Bishop itself is included as part of the Mojave Desert. Making Bishop home is the perfect option for those seeking to explore both the mountains and deserts, while living in a modern town. Golfers can enjoy year-round 18-hole championship-level golf at the public Bishop Country Club. Bishop is affordable, with an average cost of living that’s right at the US national average and lower than California’s average.
Auburn
The city of Auburn, like many Sierra Nevada towns, is known for its role in California’s Gold Rush history. The city itself is a registered California Historical Landmark. Auburn is a small mountain town located near the larger city of Sacramento. Auburn offers residents and visitors the opportunity to explore nature at Lake Clementine, the Auburn State Recreation Area, and the Foresthill Bridge. Auburn is home to many who love golf and mountain biking. There are three golf courses in town, including The Ridge, Dark Horse, and Black Oak. Mountain bikers find paradise within the Hidden Falls Regional Park. Residents and visitors can also sit back and relax in town, enjoying unique local wine and brewery options, such as Mt. Vernon Winery and the Moonraker Brewing Company.
History buffs enjoy The Gold Rush Museum and taking in the sounds of the Auburn Symphony. Residents and visitors can also enjoy access to a variety of camping options, skiing in the winter, or hitting the many OHV trails within Mammoth Bar Park. Auburn provides multiple city recreation centers with modern facilities and a range of programming. Auburn is considered an affordable option in California, with a median home price of $514,000 as of September 2025, which is significantly lower than the California average.
It’s easy to fall in love with California. The Sierra Nevada region is no exception. The area is full of welcoming small towns surrounded by nature, water, and expansive deserts. For those who fall in love with the Sierra Nevada region of California, residents can expect to fall for more than one town to call home. Visit all of the cities listed here and find the right home for an affordable price within the state of California.
