Phoenix Lake draws buyers with views, value and location
Phoenix Lake is a community and reservoir in the Sierra Nevada foothills, roughly 5 miles from Sonora. Suzie Mills, a local broker with Century Sierra Properties, says the community's draw is its waterfront properties, location and relative affordability. "We're adjacent to Calaveras County, and people come here because they can get a little bit more for their money." The town preserves much of its land for living and enjoying the outdoors. However, it does have a local distillery and restaurants along its bordering highway. The lake primarily serves as a source of drinking water for Tuolumne County and is only lightly used by nonmotorized boaters. Larger recreational lakes are nearby when people want to sail, swim and fish. The CAP Index Crime Score in Phoenix Lake is 2 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
Forested surroundings, lakefront vistas and community features
Ranch styles, cabins and custom builds, including those in Mediterranean and Tudor Revival styles, have a foothold in the area. Phoenix Lake features established communities and homes on their own plot of land, whether on the water or in the countryside. Homes in the gated Apple Valley Estates offer easy access to the lake; many properties there are surrounded by forests and open spaces. The centerpiece, Phoenix Lake Country Club Estates, closed in 2019, but changes may be coming. Mills says, “they do have tennis courts, and there is talk of the golf course being turned into a vineyard, so we’re thinking that’s going to be a plus." Phoenix Lake's manufactured homes are the minority. They begin in a range of $13,000 to $30,000 for tiny options and fixer uppers. The range rises from $60,000 to $115,000 as condition and size increases. The median sales price in town is $550,000, which is significantly lower than the state average of more than $900,000.
Access to hiking, swimming and Yosemite within an hour
Phoenix Lake doesn’t allow swimming and only permits nonmotorized boating. Much of the land surrounding the water is privately owned, but the county has proposed creating three public access sites. Larger lakes built for recreation and hiking trails are accessible from town. Dragoon Gulch Trail Head is a destination for hiking around 8 miles away. “Dodge Ridge Mountain Resort is a 30-minute drive up the road, and it’s pretty popular,” Mills says about the ski spot. “Pine Crest Lake is up by the resort. It's gorgeous and packed all summer long with boaters and swimmers.” New Melones Lake is about the same distance from town for another place to boat and swim. Yosemite National Park is less than 60 miles away.
Hard cider, homestyle meals and grocery stores nearby
Commercial businesses follow California 108, which passes through the town's southern edge. Indigeny Reserve, a distillery, is an exception, located on a 160-acre preserve and apple orchard. The distillery crafts hard cider, apple brandy and citrus-infused liqueur from homegrown apples, which guests can enjoy in its tasting room. Papa's New Roost is a popular breakfast spot serving homestyle classics such as biscuits and gravy. Mike's Pizza of Sonora offers burgers, salads, sandwiches and specialty pies like Mike's Hawaiian and Greek Goddess. Taco Shop El Rey is a casual taqueria known for its salsa bar and carne asada fries. Divine Market, Grocery Outlet and Safeway are nearby for grocery runs. Downtown Sonora is less than 7 miles away. "It has art galleries and locally owned restaurants," Mills says. "There are a lot of consignment-style stores."
Two public school districts serve the local area
Students in the community attend public schools within two districts. These are the Summerville Union High School District, which receives an A-minus from Niche, and the B-plus-rated Sonora Union High School District.
The lake supports emergency efforts, but suffers from drought
Periodic droughts and wildfires reduce Phoenix Lake's water level, which was exceptionally low in 2021. Aside from being a source for drinking water, the reservoir is also the principal fill source for Cal Fire helicopter operations in the Highway 108 corridor.
Highway access and dial-a-ride service
State Route 108 crosses through the southern side of town and connects Sonora to the Nevada border. Tuolumne County Transit offers dial-a-ride services covering Phoenix Lake.
Written By
Kathryn Ashworth
