Community - California - Sierra Valley

A rural place to live. . . Just 25 miles north of Truckee on Highway 89, the 100,000 acre Sierra Valley in Plumas-Sierra County, is the largest alpine valley in North America. And you'll find out that it has a genuine small town country feel.

The Lifestyle: Crave a slow-paced, family-type lifestyle without being on the fast track? Its laid-back residents do just that. And note, a mere 3,000 people are in the entire Sierra County.

Neighborhood Features: Welcome to wide open spaces peppered with cattle in summer, and roadside cafes. But your big city neighbor, Reno, Nevada...a major shopping and international airport hub with gaming, is within an hour's drive. Just north on Highway 89, golf communities of Graeagle, Whitehawk and Gold Mountain continue to flourish.

Hot Spot: Stands of shimmering cottonwood and aspen, and sprawling pastures offer a tranquil sight to homeowners and travelers. Rare bird-watching is a phenomenon here, too. Landlubbers can rejoice because Sierra County (especially in the Sierra Buttes Lakes Basin Recreation area), offers camping, fishing, hiking and other activities in a peaceful setting.

Best Homes: Modest homes are available in Sierraville, Calpine, Loyalton and Portola, where gentleman's ranches are scattered between larger working ranches.