Alta Sierra blends foothill scenery with golf and a private airport
The rolling landscape of the Sierra Nevada foothills serves as the setting for the sprawling planned development of Alta Sierra. This Nevada County community dates to the 1960s, when ranchlands were being built out to hold thousands of homes, a golf course, a school and a private airport. Still, housing prices remain relatively affordable, particularly for entry-level homes. “You can actually get a fairly good value, because there are quite a few homes on the market there,” says Mimi Simmons, an area Realtor at Team Simmons and Century 21 Cornerstone Realty, with about 40 years of experience. “It has the attraction of being below the snow line, and easy access to Highway 49 for commuting to Sacramento or up to the slopes.”
Scenic roads through pine forests lead to Alta Sierra’s private airport.
Alta Sierra's homes are shaded by a bounty of trees.
1/2
Housing variety abounds, in age, style and price
Alta Sierra has almost 3,000 homes, and they’re far from cookie-cutter. Some houses date to the 1960s, when the development first sprouted. Others were built as recently as the 2000s. The area’s eclectic mix of architecture includes ranch and Mediterranean styles, contemporary homes and farmhouses. Roomy yards are a common denominator — Alta Sierra’s median lot size is roughly a half-acre. Prices for homes with less than 2,000 square feet often fall between $260,000 and $500,000, while properties exceeding that size consistently sell for $510,000 to $990,000. Simmons notes that the Alta Sierra Property Owners Association is volunteer-only. Residents can join the association for a fee of $49 per year.
Many homes are surrounded by lush landscape in the Sierra Nevada foothills.
There is a great selection of water adjacent homes that can be found in Alta Sierra.
1/2
Pleasant Ridge Union schools provide after-school programs
The vast majority of Alta Sierra is part of the Pleasant Ridge Union School District, which maintains a B-plus grade on Niche. The development houses the B-plus-rated Alta Sierra Elementary, which offers the statewide Expanded Learning Opportunities Program after school, with academic support. Magnolia Intermediate also has a B-plus grade. After-school programming at Magnolia Intermediate includes multiple sports teams, from cross-country to basketball. A northeast portion of Alta Sierra is zoned for the C-plus-rated Grass Valley School District, where options include the B-rated Grass Valley Charter. The charter school covers prekindergarten through eighth grade and provides hands-on instruction with its on-site science garden.
Students in grades 9 through 12 can move into the B-plus-rated Nevada Joint Union High School District. Bear River High, 10 miles south, has a B rating and a Career Technical Education department with computer science and digital media arts programs.
Alta Sierra Elementary School is a highly rated school in the area.
Nevada Union High School is located in Grass Valley, California.
Bear River High School is located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas in Grass Valley, California and serves southern Nevada County.
1/3
Below the snow line but close to ski resorts, golf and mountain trails
The Alta Sierra Country Club, with its 18-hole golf course, is one of the community’s signature features. Country club memberships are available to residents and nonresidents and are separate from Alta Sierra Property Owners Association memberships. The course is open to public play in the afternoons. Those in Alta Sierra also have quick access to the Alan Thiesen Trail, a 1-mile path that allows bikes. Mathis Park in the community has a pond open to fishing.
With an elevation of roughly 2,300 feet, Alta Sierra is often below the snow line — the point when rain turns to snow. However, Alta Sierra residents can hop on California state Routes 49 and 20 for skiing and snowboarding at places like the Donner Ski Ranch, about 55 miles away. Those with a knack for higher-flying recreation can take advantage of the private Alta Sierra Airport — some of the community’s homes back right up to it. “That certainly can be very attractive to people who have planes,” Simmons says.
There is plenty of snow recreation within a short drive of Alta Sierra.
Many golfers enjoy relaxation at Alta Sierra Country Club.
1/2
Summer nights bring music, food and more
Area communities including Grass Valley and Nevada City host a range of community events. Simmons says Hot Summer Nights in Nevada City is the most popular. Held on three Wednesday evenings in July, the event features multiple stages of live entertainment and dozens of vendors with food and other products. “It’s basically a big street fair,” Simmons says. A Fourth of July celebration is among the festivities in Grass Valley, which starts with a pancake breakfast, includes a parade and ends with fireworks.
Route 49 connects people with other communities
California state Route 49 runs adjacent to Alta Sierra and is a straight connection to downtown Grass Valley, an 8-mile trip, and Nevada City, 12 miles away. Grass Valley’s Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital has a 24-hour emergency room. Route 49 also goes south to Interstate 80 for trips to Sacramento, 52 miles away. Sacramento International Airport offers direct flights to over 50 places. A bus stop in the Nevada County Connects system is just off Route 49 in Alta Sierra.
Sacramento International Airport in Northwest Sacramento County offers direct flights to many areas.
State Route 49, aka the Grass Valley Highway, connects to Alta Sierra.
1/2
Grass Valley is a destination for restaurants and retail
Alta Sierra residents often head toward downtown Grass Valley for commercial attractions. Simmons says Tofanelli's Gold Country Bistro and Cirino’s at Main Street are two staples downtown. Tofanelli's is known in part for its breakfast, and the sandwiches at Cirino’s are popular. Mill Street is a section of downtown Grass Valley packed with locally owned shops like Empire Shoes and Foothill Mercantile, which carries toys, housewares and more. There’s also a Safeway supermarket downtown. People in Alta Sierra looking for a bite to eat closer to home can swing by Timbers Bar & Grill at the country club or Trailblazer Craft Pizza & Brews, just off Alta Sierra Drive.
Trailblazer Craft Pizza & Brews offers a cozy dining spot in a scenic setting.
Timbers Bar & Grill offers a variety of options at Alta Sierra Country Club.
1/2
Written By
Wayne Epps Jr.
Photography Contributed By
Aiyshanti Green
Video By
Bill Jennings
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Mimi Simmons,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Time to sing, "I'll be home for Christmas!" Pamela Drive is ready for you to celebrate the Holidays and enjoy decorating your regal Christmas tree. Inviting single-story home with soaring ceilings, four skylights, and wonderful natural light. Level lot, fully fenced and dog-friendly, it's designed for easy living for all ages, from littles to seniors. WATCH the Walk Thru VIDEO! Spacious rooms and
Welcome to 16479 Brewer Rd - a charming and comfortable 3-bed, 2-bath home located in the desirable Alta Sierra community! Just minutes from Alta Sierra Elementary, the golf course, clubhouse, and community pool, this 1,642 sq ft home offers a perfect blend of function and style. The open great room features vaulted wood ceilings, a cozy wood stove with tile hearth and a pass-through kitchen with
Welcome to this inviting & comfortable single-story 3-bedroom, 3-bath home, situated in the serene community of Alta Sierra. Set on a sprawling .98-acre lot with a shop, this home offers stunning mountain panoramic views and breathtaking sunrises that you'll enjoy right from your spacious deck. The home features an oversized primary bedroom with a walk-in closet, a secondary bedroom that
Located in the picturesque foothills of historic Grass Valley & Nevada City,in a highly rated school district,this 1,428 sq/ft, three-bedroom, two-bath home with beautiful flooring features a two-car garage with a workbench & new RV/boat pad. The easily workable kitchen, with granite countertops flows seamlessly to the dining area and oversized laundry room with plenty of storage and
Built as condominiums, Gold Creek Village offers home-style living at apartment prices. Our small community is conveniently located just 1/4 mile off Highway 49 in Alta Sierra at the corner of Ball Road and Alta Sierra Drive. We are just minutes from Grass Valley and a bus stop for area schools.Conveniences include; central heat & air, all major appliances, full-size washer/dryer
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
