Pine Mountain Lake’s private, resort-like setting in Tuolumne County
Pine Mountain Lake in Tuolumne County is a private, gated community with resort-like amenities. It's in the rural setting of the Sierra Nevada foothills and about 23 miles from Yosemite National Park. Pine Mountain Lake's population is about 2,800. "Pine Mountain Lake is giant, with different areas around the golf course, the lakefront and the airport," says Ben Bazar, the owner of Cecil Mitchell Equities. "In the 'taxiway neighborhood,' you can actually taxi your plane right up to your house. It's what they call a fly-in community," Bazar says. The Pine Mountain Lake Airport is used for private flights and general aviation services. An equestrian center, marina and lake lodge are among Pine Mountain Lake's other highlights.
Mailing addresses are assigned to Groveland, a town on state Route 120 that’s known as the Gateway to Yosemite. Groveland has history connected to the gold rush of the mid-1800s. Its downtown area is about a mile south of Pine Mountain Lake's main gate. Sonora, about 30 miles away, is the county seat and a hub for the surrounding areas.
Ranch-style and contemporary homes, some million-dollar lakeside lots
Many homes in Pine Mountain Lake were built between the 1970s and '90s, though more have been added in recent decades, into the 2020s. Single-family homes comprise the vast majority, with ranch-style homes, contemporaries, cabins and custom architecture among the options. Some properties come with special features. By the airport, hangars may be included. "Every house at least has a pad cut out for a hangar. And, at the lakefront, some homes have their own private dock," Bazar says.
Prices typically range from about $200,000 to $900,000, and age, size and proximity to the lake, golf course or airport may influence pricing. Lakefront homes can go up to $1.3 million. There is a limited number of townhomes and not enough recent sales for up-to-date pricing.
Homeowners are members of the Pine Mountain Lake Association
The Pine Mountain Lake Association (PMLA) is a homeowners association with automatic and mandatory membership. The PMLA holds regular board meetings at the Lake Lodge, maintains common areas and publishes a yearly recreation guide and a monthly magazine, the Pine Mountain Lake News. Among the clubs and organizations are the PML Shooting Club, the Garden Club, the Pine Needlers Quilt Guild and the Friends of the Groveland Library. The Pine Mountain Lake Aviation Association and the Aero Club are groups for plane enthusiasts.
A safe community crime-wise, though wildfires pose a threat
Pine Mountain Lakes has over a dozen entry points, a 24-hour motor patrol and a safety force. The Tuolumne County Sheriff's Department and the California Highway Patrol also serve the area. The CAP Index Crime Score is 1 out of 10, compared to the national average of 4.
The region has suffered destruction from wildfires, like the Canyon Fire in 2024, which burned 85 acres in Tuolumne County. Pine Mountain Lake is within California's wildland-urban interface (WUI) zones, where using flame-resistant materials is mandatory for new construction. Additionally, the PMLA provides a variety of wildfire-prevention standards, suggestions and emergency contingencies.
Lots of sports amenities, outdoor recreation and events
In addition to the equestrian center and golf course, sports facilities include a pool and tennis and pickleball courts. There are hiking and biking trails, and the Pine Mountain Lake Campground has sites prioritized for property owners and their guests, though they are also available to the public.
There's a lot to do around the shore. "The lake is very nice, they keep it very clean, and there are designated swimming areas," Bazar says. There are three community beaches, and Fisherman's Cove is one spot to cast a line. The annual lake swim awards prizes for the fastest swimmers, there's an Independence Day boat parade, live music at the marina and bingo on the beach.
Other events include Roping in the Pines, a multiday rodeo in May; the Shrimp Fest in August and the Pine Mountain Lake Community Airport Day in October. Groveland Summer Fest, held in June at Mary Laveroni Park in downtown Groveland, has barbecue, local vendors and wine and beer tastings.
Places to eat, hang out and buy essentials close to home
The Grill at Pine Mountain Lake, overlooking the golf course, offers lunch, dinner and the 19th Hole Lounge for cocktails. Live music, line dancing, karaoke, and trivia nights are some of the activities at The Grill. The Lakeside Café serves snacks, milkshakes and soft-serve ice cream at the marina, which also has a store with fishing and boating supplies, ice and other essentials.
Outside the gates, Groveland has more restaurants and stores, including Mar-Val's Main Street Market, which is less than a mile from Pine Mountain Lake’s main gate.
Public schools include Tenaya Elementary and Tioga High
Students may attend public schools in the Big Oak Flat-Groveland Unified School District. Tenaya Elementary serves kindergarten through eighth grade and earns a C grade from Niche. In 2025, a student from Tenaya came in No. 6 in the California State Junior High Spelling Bee. About 60 students attend C-rated Tioga High School, which has a teacher-to-student ratio of about 12-to-1. Athletics include basketball, golf and girls' volleyball. Students may enroll in online community college courses from Columbia College.
Walkable interior streets, transportation and medical care
Though Pine Mountain Lake has interior walkable streets and seasonal water taxis, trips outside the gates require a vehicle. Transportation services are geared toward seniors; the median age in the community is 62. Southside Community Connections (SCC), a non-profit organization serving southern Tuolumne County, offers WAVE, a free transportation service from downtown Groveland to Sonora, Modesto and beyond. Wheels, another SCC program, connects ride seekers to volunteer drivers with their own vehicles. Both WAVE and Wheels are available by reservation.
Tuolumne County Ambulance provides emergency services, and several medical facilities are located in Sonora. The nearest passenger airport is the Stockton Metropolitan Airport, approximately 76 miles away.
Written By
Robin Silberman
