Gardnerville has changed, but it still has a small-town feel
Gardnerville is a growing community in Nevada’s Carson Valley. “It’s a magical little place that’s beautiful in all four seasons,” says Tomi Hochgurtel, a Realtor with Intero Real Estate and a lifelong resident of Gardnerville. In the late 1800s, miners would stop in the area on their way to Carson City. By the late 19th century, Basque immigrants began building restaurants and inns to house the weary travelers, and the town grew from there. Cattle ranching was another early industry.
Today, the community has a few remaining Basque restaurants and cattle ranches. In more recent years, the number of national chain restaurants has increased, and some of the ranches have been subdivided into housing developments, but that hasn't changed Gardnerville's character. “It still has a small-town feeling because everybody knows each other,” Hochgurtel says.
Trails, community parks and activities
With the Sierra Nevada and Lake Tahoe to the west and open desert to the east, hiking and outdoor exploration are very popular, Hochgurtel says. The Jobs Peak Ranch Trailhead, along Five Creek Road, is one entry point to a 10-mile trail system shared by mountain bikers, hikers and horseback riders. There are also community-run recreation areas, including Lampe Park, which has a large playground and several ballfields. Local kids play Pop Warner football at Stodick Park, and the Douglas County Community & Senior Center has a large gymnasium, workout rooms and space for group gatherings.
“We also have one of the most amazing communities for special needs adults,” Hochgurtel says. Athletes can participate in Douglas County’s Special Olympics sports, which include basketball and bowling. Expand-Able Horizons, a local nonprofit organization for adults with developmental disabilities, also provides a variety of activities, including art classes, community service projects and movie nights.
From cattle ranches to planned developments
For many years, cattle ranches dominated most of the land in Gardnerville. Beginning in the late 1980s and early ‘90s, some of the land was sold, and planned developments started to crop up around town. “There’s still a lot of new construction right now,” Hochgurtel says. Along the curving streets and cul-de-sacs, buyers may find stucco-sided homes with wide, front-entry garages and compact front yards. Single-family houses tend to list between $400,000 and $875,000. Condos and townhouses may range from around $300,000 to $500,000, and manufactured homes often sell between $100,000 and $370,000. Many communities charge HOA fees, which can add an additional $10 to $125 per month to owners’ costs.
B-plus-rated Douglas County schools
Students can attend schools within the Douglas County School District, which earns a B-plus on Niche. The district offers a gifted program for third- to sixth-grade students, an alternative learning option for middle and high school students and adult education. Some Gardnerville children begin their learning at the B-plus-rated Gardnerville Elementary School. Carson Valley Middle School and Douglas County High School also receive B-plus ratings.
Long-standing downtown businesses and newer chains
Gardnerville has a mix of locally owned businesses and chains. Sidewalks line the small downtown area, which is packed with antique stores, clothing boutiques, restaurants and dive bars. J.T. Basque Bar & Dining Room’s white, two-story Victorian exterior stands out from the many brick and stucco buildings. The restaurant has been in the Lekumberry family since 1960, and patrons can sip Picon punch and try authentic Basque cuisine. Overland Restaurant & Pub also offers a few Basque menu items, as well as some American and Asian-inspired entrees. Less than a half mile away, more modern shopping plazas line the sides of U.S. Route 395. They hold chain restaurants, pharmacies and grocery stores. Farther along, there’s an Ace Hardware and a Walmart Supercenter.
Carson Valley events and celebrations
The town’s most popular event is Carson Valley Days, a multiday celebration with a themed parade through Minden and Gardnerville and a carnival at Lampe Park. The BackCountry Festival brings rock and country musicians to the stages at the Corley Ranch. In September, the Douglas County Rodeo takes place at the County Fairground Complex, about 5 miles southeast of central Gardnerville.
In Minden Park, just a few miles north of Gardnerville, there are car shows and community dances. Genoa Western Heritage Days is another Carson Valley tradition. Many people make the 30-mile trip into Virginia City to participate in the annual International Camel & Ostrich Races, Hochgurtel says. These unusual races trace their origin to a Mark Twain tall tale.
Car and bus travel to nearby services and cities
Most residents rely on cars for travel, and U.S. Route 395 connects the town to Carson City, about 15 miles north, and Reno, around 50 miles north. Reno-Tahoe International Airport is also close to 50 miles away, and Tahoe Transportation District buses offer service from Gardnerville to the airport. Eastern Sierra Transit buses also run through town, and riders can travel to Stateline, Nevada, along the southeastern edge of Lake Tahoe. Emergency care is available at the Carson Valley Health Hospital in Gardnerville.
Environmental concerns and water testing
The region faces some environmental concerns, including the potential for wildfires and poor air quality. Arsenic has also been detected in groundwater and some Carson Valley wells. Buyers who purchase land or homes with private wells are advised to test the water quality. Most Gardnerville homes are connected to public water and sewer service, and the water quality is regularly tested and treated for contaminants.
