Country living in Genoa
Genoa is a small community of about 1,000 people nestled on the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountain range. Located about 20 miles east of Lake Tahoe and 10 miles south of Carson City, Genoa was the first Nevada settlement by Mormons in 1851. Today, the town has a selection of historic buildings mixed with a number of new developments and subdivision homes. Surrounded by unencumbered nature, this unincorporated town has a secluded feel. “Genoa is a historic small town,” says Katie Bowlin, who is an office specialist at the town of Genoa. “There are no state taxes, there’s fresh air and quite a bit of nature and wildlife. You can see deer in your backyard, and many of them come straight from the mountains and roam the streets.”
Historic homes and new subdivisions both dot Genoa
Genoa’s median home price is about $1,150,000, more than double the national median. Historic Genoa is located in the central part of the town, with homes ranging from historic Craftsman bungalows from the 1910s to Colonial Revivals and Queen Ann es from the 1970s to the 1990s. Newer 21st-century subdivision homes in New Traditional or Spanish-influenced ranch-style architecture are concentrated in the northern part of the town. In general, single-family homes typically start at around $620,000 and can go up to $1.2 million. Larger custom-built estate homes with private gates and acres of land, or in gated communities, can reach over $2 million.
Parks and trails around Genoa
Genoa has two parks: Genoa Town Park with a playground, and Mormon Station State Historic Park, which has historic monuments and a museum showcasing Genoa history. The Genoa Trail System has over 17 miles of recreation trails for equestrians, mountain bikers and hikers. “Hiking would probably be the number one recreation activity in Genoa,” Bowlin says. Popular courses include the 10-mile-long Sierra Canyon Trail and the 5.8-mile-long Genoa Canyon Trailhead. The private Genoa Lakes Golf Club has two championship courses for members. Residents can also go to Lake Tahoe, approximately 20 miles west, for water sports in the summer and skiing in winter.
Douglas County School District services the town
The community is served by Douglas County School District, which has an overall B-plus Niche grade and a student-teacher ratio of 22-to-1. Prospective schools include Jacks Valley Elementary School, Carson Valley Middle School and Douglas High School. The local high school offers foreign exchange, rotary and leadership, and United States Senate Youth programs to students. All three schools have a B-plus Niche grade.
Historic establishments in town and modern shopping options in Carson City
The town has several historic restaurants around Main Street. First opening in 1853, Genoa Bar and Saloon is the oldest continuously operating bar in Nevada. The establishment is covered in old memorabilia and serves classic drinks and local beer. The Pink House, first built in 1855 and previously known as the Reese-Johnson-Virgin House, serves classic American fare and has live music on the weekends. Walmart and Trader Joe’s are in Carson City, and Raley's is in Gardnerville.
Long-held traditions and festivals in Genoa
Established in 1919, Genoa Candy Dance is the town’s long-held annual craft fair that features over 400 local vendors and food booths. Taking place on the last weekend of September, the event attracts thousands of people with live entertainment and arts & crafts. “Vendors have to handmake their products, so everything on sale at the fair is homemade,” Bowlin says. Celebrating the town’s cultural heritage in the month of May, Genoa Western Heritage Days has a horse parade, concerts at the town hall, history and art workshops, and family-fun activities.
Proximity to Reno and Carson City
U.S. Routes 395 and 50 are near the community. Minden and Carson City are both about 10 miles away by local roads. Reno and Reno-Tahoe International Airport are about 45 miles north via Interstate 580. Carson Valley Health is about 10 miles northwest in Minden.
