SIERRA COUNTY
C A L I F O R N I A
V
ISITORS TO NEIGHBORING SIERRA COUNTY will find much to discover. Here
scenic highways take you to old mining camps, cattle ranches, wetlands,
snowy peaks, waterfalls, abundant wildlife and fall colors. Sierra County has
two quite different regions. On the west side, it is mountainous and heavily forested. The eastern side is dominated by the largest alpine valley in North America.
Along the county’s southern border are the towns of Alleghany, Forest City and
Goodyears Bar. At the confluence of the Downie River and North Fork of the Yuba
River is Downieville. Nearby is Sierra City and Bassett’s Station located at the
gateway to the Lakes Basin Region. At the eastern slope of the Sierra are the towns
of Calpine, Sierraville and Sattley, nearby is Loyalton.
Sierra County is easily reached from both western and eastern Nevada County.
From Nevada City take Hwy. 49; from Truckee take Hwy. 89. Visit for a day or linger
longer. There is a variety of lodging on the western side, and camping is popular.
GEORGE LAMSON
SIERRA COUNTY
SIERRA COUNTY CHAMBER
OF COMMERCE
(800) 200-4949
sierracountychamber.com
EAST SIERRA VALLEY CHAMBER
OF COMMERCE
702 Main Street, Loyalton
eastsierravalleychamber.com
Visitor Guide:
SierraCountyGold.com
Visitor Centers:
Downieville, Loyalton
HISTORY
Historical Parks / Museums
Established in 1852, Sierra County’s history
goes back to the time when Maidu and
Washoe Indians lived in the area. More recently it was part of the Gold Rush. The discovery
of gold brought 16,000 miners to the county
between 1848 and 1860. One interesting
relic from the past, the Sheriff’s Gallows, still
stands beside the county courthouse in
Downieville. The Sierra Valley was settled in
the 1850s and ranches provided supplies for
miners. There was also a lumber industry.
DOWNIEVILLE MUSEUM: Main Street. Collections depict life from Gold Rush to
present. Open every day from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Open weekends other
times of year, except winter. (530) 289-3506.
KENTUCKY MINE & MUSEUM: East of Sierra City on Hwy. 49. Gold Mine dates from 1853.
Working stamp mill, tours. Museum contains artifacts from mining days. Park with picnic
area. Open Memorial Day through Labor Day. (530) 862-1310;
sierracountyhistory.org
LOYALTON MUSEUM & HISTORICAL PARK: 105 Beckwith Rd. Features 200 years of Sierra
Valley history. Research center. Open Saturdays and Sundays Memorial Day weekend
through Labor Day. (530) 993-6754.
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