Nevada

8 Unspoiled Small Towns in California's Sierra Nevada

Published

1 year ago

November 3, 2024

8 Unspoiled Small Towns in California's Sierra Nevada

Although California is one of the most populous states in America, its sheer size and vast amount of beautiful landscapes mean that many small, unspoiled towns can still exist within its borders. The Sierra Nevadas, with its rugged mountainous terrain, is one of the most noteworthy regions of California that still feel truly wild.

Today, we will explore 8 of the small towns within the Sierra Nevada Mountains that will undoubtedly allow you to escape big city life. From gorgeous national and state parks to cozy dowtown streets, let’s dive in!

Downieville

The Yuba River in Downieville, California.

Downieville is one of many Gold Rush towns on this list. Having been founded as a base of operations for gold-hungry miners in the late 1800s, this small town along the Yuba River is surrounded by dense pine forests, and Sierra Nevada foothills.

Downieville features a collection of historic architecture that reflects its 19th-century roots. Key sites include the Downieville Museum, housed in a former Chinese immigrant-owned store from the gold-mining days, which holds a collection of artifacts detailing the life of the area’s residents during its earliest days.

Outdoor enthusiasts will find miles of trails for mountain biking, including the famous Downieville Downhill, and ample opportunities for fishing, hiking, and river swimming in pristine mountain water flowing nearby.

For those looking to stay the night, both the town and the area feature a number of hotels and lodges. Sierra Shangri-La, an inn just east of town, is a highly rated and incredibly scenic getaway that you should seriously consider.

Lone Pine

Nestled in the arid foot of the eastern Sierra Nevadas, Lone Pine is a gateway to both rugged mountain landscapes and cinematic history. With a population of only around 1,300, this small town has long served as the backdrop for dozens of Hollywood Westerns and adventure films, thanks in large part to the striking Alabama Hills nearby.

Movie buffs and landscape photographers alike should definitely explore Movie Road, where countless scenes have been shot, and visit the Museum of Western Film History, which showcases exhibits based on the town’s longstanding film heritage.

Beyond its historical appeal, Lone Pine is near popular fishing and sightseeing spots along the Owens River, Ownes Lake, and Diaz Lake, and a place for apparelled stargazing, given the extremely low amounts of light pollution in this fairly remote area of California.

Lone Pine also serves as an ideal starting point for hikers summiting Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the contiguous United States.

Nevada City

Nevada City, another well-preserved gem on the western side of Sierra Nevada, just north of Sacramento, combines historic charm with a vibrant arts scene. Founded in 1849 during the main wave of the Gold Rush, this town has retained its vintage architecture, with Victorian homes and brick storefronts filling its downtown core.

Nevada City’s extensive cultural heritage is evident in landmarks like the Nevada Theatre, the oldest theater building in California, which still hosts performances and films to this day. Visitors can also explore the town’s past at the Firehouse Museum, which displays local artifacts and photographs from previous eras.

Surrounded by lush forested hills and close to the South Yuba River, Nevada City also appeals to nature lovers with nearby trails, swimming holes, and parks, including the popular South Yuba River State Park.

Bridgeport

Bridgeport is truly a small town with a big amount of charm. With a population of just around 400 residents, this community is known for its expansive valleys, geothermal hot springs, and other wonderful landscapes. Established in 1864, Bridgeport’s unique historic district features preserved structures like the Mono County Courthouse, the oldest continuously operating courthouse in California, and the Bridgeport Inn, which has welcomed travelers since 1877!

Adventurers are drawn to the nearby Bodie State Historic Park, a ghost town that was once the center of the area’s since collapsed mining industry. For a more nature-centered outing, Bridgeport Reservoir and Twin Lakes both offer locales for fishing, boating, and camping, while the rugged peaks of the Sierra are full of trails for hiking and off-roading.

Bridgeport’s famous Travertine Hot Springs, with panoramic views of the mountains, offers a relaxing retreat in a naturally formed and heated mineral pool. It is a must-visit for anyone in the area at any time of the year.

Murphys

Murphys, a quaint Sierra Nevada town was once a bustling center during the California Gold Rush. Since those long-gone days, Murphys has made an effort to preserve its historic character. This is apparent in many of the buildings along Main Street, where you can find independently owned shops, cafes, and tasting rooms housed within centuries-old structures.

Other historical landmarks include the Old Timers Museum, which mainly focuses on Murphys’ gold-mining past, and the Murphys Historic Hotel, a stagecoach stop that hosted notable figures like Mark Twain and Ulysses S. Grant.

Nearby natural attractions include Calaveras Big Trees State Park, where ancient giant sequoias tower over peaceful hiking trails. Other outdoor activities are plentiful, from caving adventures at Mercer Caverns to fishing in nearby streams.

Known as the “Queen of the Sierra,” Murphys is celebrated for its local wineries, as grape growing is ideal in the region’s rich soils. No trip here is complete without a stop at at least one vineyard or tasting room, with Ironstone Vineyards being a very popular option just south of town.

Lee Vining

Situated on the shores of Mono Lake, Lee Vining is a small town in a serene escape into the Eastern Sierra. Best known for Mono Lake’s otherworldly tufa formations—calcium-carbonate spires that rise dramatically from the water—Lee Vining draws visitors interested in geology, birdwatching, and landscape photography.

The Mono Basin Scenic Area Visitor Center provides further insight into the lake’s ecosystem, including its significance as a critical stop for migratory birds. For those seeking more lofty alpine views, Lee Vining is a main gateway to Tioga Pass, the eastern entrance to Yosemite National Park, which opens up to breathtaking high-altitude hiking trails and is simply one of the most iconic protected natural areas in the entire country

The town itself retains a quiet, rustic character with family-owned restaurants and small, locally-owned shops. Hotels like Murphey’s Motel and Lake View Lodge are two of the best (and only) options for visitors looking for a place to rest their heads.

Sierraville

Sierraville, a tiny agricultural town in the Sierra Valley offers a peaceful escape with its wide-open landscapes and nearby collection of mineral-rich hot springs.

Sierraville Hot Springs, located just outside town, is set within a pristine setting with natural pools and bathhouses surrounded by meadows, forests, and the Sierra Nevada Mountains in the distance—a favorite for those seeking a peaceful soak in a healing environment.

The surrounding Sierra Valley, one of the largest alpine valleys in North America, attracts sightseers and photographers with its vast open spaces and abundance of wildlife, from migratory birds to deer. Outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, and biking are popular in the warmer months, while winter offers snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

The town itself remains charmingly untouched, with few amenities. A small amount of shops, outfitters, and eateries can be found here, as well as a gas station to fill up the car on your road trip.

Foresthill

Foresthill, a small town perched above the American River Canyon, is a quiet place to embrace the natural wonders of California. The Foresthill Bridge, California’s tallest bridge, is perhaps the best place to get a 360-degree view of the surrounding canyon and river, and makes for a great way to commence your visit here.

Nature lovers also flock here for the Foresthill Divide, where a network of trails will take you through scenic pine forests and along ridge lines, including the popular Western States Trail. The nearby American River is not only idyllic for boating and fishing, but gold-panning is still a popular activity while surrounding campgrounds give you the option to spend the night in this pristine natural area under the stars.

See Another Side of California in These Small Towns

From its renowned Pacific Coast to its southern deserts, California is perhaps the most diverse state in the country in terms of natural beauty. The unique Sierra Nevada region stands out no less, and is notable for its lack of human development, a good thing for those seeking unspoiled solace away from the bigger cities nearby.

Whether you are driving down its eastern or western slopes, or right down the middle. All 8 of these wonderful towns will help make your trip a memorable one.

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Nevada

People urged to stay inside across California, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota

Published

5 hours ago

January 12, 2026

Press Room

People urged to stay inside across California, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota

Thousands of residents across parts of California, Nevada, Oregon, and South Dakota have been advised to stay indoors, as levels of fine particle pollution (PM2.5) will have reached “unhealthy” levels as of January 12, 2026, at 6 a.m. ET, the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) AirNow Map shows.

The EPA is urging people in sensitive groups, including the elderly, children, and those with certain health conditions, to completely avoid prolonged or intense outdoor activities. Everyone else should reduce their participation in long or intense outdoor pursuits.

This is because physical activity causes people to breathe harder and faster, which means the fine particulate matter can penetrate deeper into the lungs if people are exercising outdoors.

The EPA warns, “Your chances of being affected by particles increase the more strenuous your activity and the longer you are active outdoors. If your activity involves prolonged or heavy exertion, reduce your activity time—or substitute another that involves less exertion. Go for a walk instead of a jog, for example.”

What Do ‘Unhealthy’ Levels of PM2.5 Mean?

PM2.5 are tiny, inhalable particles of pollution, 2.5 micrometers or less in size (smaller than a strand of hair), that are considered to be one of the most dangerous forms of air pollution, according to the EPA.

This is because they get deep into the lungs—and sometimes even the bloodstream—triggering or exacerbating certain health conditions, like asthma, or causing symptoms ranging from coughing and nose, eye, and throat irritation to shortness of breath and chest tightness.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) uses the Air Quality Index (AQI) to report and classify air quality across the United States. The AQI is a standardized scale ranging from 0 to 301+, which categorizes air quality into the following levels:

Good: 0 to 50—Air pollution poses little or no risk to the public
Moderate: 51 to 100—Some pollutants may pose a moderate health concern for a very small number of unusually sensitive people
Unhealthy for sensitive groups: 101 to 150—Members of sensitive groups (children, elderly, people with respiratory or heart conditions) may experience health effects; the general public is less likely to be affected
Unhealthy: 151 to 200—Everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious effects
Very Unhealthy: 201 to 300—Everyone may experience more serious health effects
Hazardous: 301+—Health warnings of emergency conditions; the entire population is likely to be affected

What Causes PM2.5?

PM2.5 can come from a variety of sources, ranging from wildfires and smokestacks to emissions from vehicles and power or industrial plants.

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Nevada

3 takeaways from Big City Showdown: Gorman boys, girls shine — PHOTOS

Published

17 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Press Room

3 takeaways from Big City Showdown: Gorman boys, girls shine — PHOTOS

Bishop Gorman and Coronado’s boys basketball teams added another chapter to their rivalry at Saturday night’s Big City Showdown.

And the Gaels made sure they wouldn’t lose a third straight regular-season game to the Cougars.

Gorman, the two-time defending Class 5A state champion, almost saw its 10-point fourth quarter lead evaporate, but the Gaels, No. 4 in the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Class 5A rankings, pulled through late to hold on for a 62-58 road win at No. 3 Coronado.

“It’s been a great rivalry,” Gorman boys coach Grant Rice said. “Student sections are both great, they always show out. I was proud of our guys, just a fun night. We got a lot of basketball left ahead of us. This league is really tough.”

Gorman’s win capped off the seven-game Big City Showdown. The most surprising result came before Gorman and Coronado took the court, when the Gorman girls crushed Centennial 91-54.

“We practice extremely hard,” Gorman girls coach Sheryl Krmpotich said. “Our master plan, they did to a T. I’m proud of the girls. They executed exactly what we wanted. We played tougher and we played smart.”

The games have started to provide a clearer look at the playoff picture with a month before the postseason. Here are three takeaways from the Big City Showdown:

1. Gorman boys stand tall

Gorman (11-7, 2-0 5A Southern League) was in control most of the way until late in the fourth quarter. Dino Roberts’ layup with just over five minutes left gave the Gaels a 51-41 advantage.

Then Coronado (6-7, 1-1) went on an 8-0 run and later made it a one-score game at 55-53 on a Demari Hunter layup with 2:50 left. Coronado cut the deficit to one possession twice in the final minute, and the Cougars had a chance to win the game, trailing 60-58 with eight seconds left.

But a Jonny Collins 3-pointer missed, Coronado couldn’t control possession and Gorman guard Ty Johnson made two free throws at the other end to seal the win for the Gaels.

“We’re a really balanced team,” Rice said. “We only have two seniors and two juniors that get minutes and the rest are sophomores. We’re learning. … I think the guys needed this big game in Vegas to get their confidence back. We still have to stay grounded because we’re a young team, but we showed we can be pretty good.”

Johnson, who was named the game MVP, led Gorman with 23 points. The sophomore point guard scored 11 points in the fourth quarter to help the Gaels secure the win. Braylen Williams added 13 points for Gorman and Dino Roberts scored 10.

“It just helps us excel,” Johnson said of Gorman’s depth. “We had Hudson Dannels making 3s, (Kameron Cooper) and Braylen hustling on the boards. Defense and rebounding are the two things that’ll get us a (win). We’re going to score, points are going to come.”

Munir Greg led Coronado with 22 points. Missouri State commit Amare Oba scored 16 points and DeVaughn Dorrough added 10 points for the Cougars.

2. Gorman girls dominate

Just like Coronado and Gorman on the boys side, the Centennial and Gorman girls have played close, thrilling games. Not on Saturday, though.

Led by 30 points from Texas commit Aaliah Spaight, the Gaels, No. 1 in the Review-Journal’s 5A rankings, led nearly the entire game in its rout of No. 3 Centennial.

“Every game, we’re getting better. Every quarter we get better,” Krmpotich said. “We still haven’t put four quarters together yet. We want to do that in February.”

Centennial (8-4, 1-1 5A Southern League) had no answers for Spaight and Gorman’s depth. The 5-foot-8-inch guard showcased her scoring range — stepback 3s, jumpers and incredible post moves — passing and defense, when Spaight was matched up with Centennial four-star forward Nation Williams.

“She’s the All-American on our team,” Krmpotich said of Spaight. “She sets a tone at practice. She sets a tone in the game. She is a true leader and you expect that. … She’s an extremely smart basketball player, basketball savvy, so we knew she knew how to guard (Williams).”

Gorman (13-1, 2-0), which is ranked No. 5 nationally by MaxPreps, made 12 3-pointers. Taylor Scandrick added 22 points off the bench for the Gaels. Williams led Centennial with 18 points.

“We can rotate in and out. We have an inside-out game. We have kids that can post, kids that can drive to the bucket, kids than can shoot a 3,” Krmpotich said. We’re very multidimensional, so it’s very hard to defend just one or two people.”

3. Look at 5A

There are still plenty of challengers looking to dethrone Gorman for the 5A boys title race.

One matchup at the Big City Showdown pitted two of those contenders with No. 1 Liberty holding off No. 5 Desert Pines 67-66. Liberty led by 21 points early in the third quarter. Tyus Thomas scored 15 points to pace Liberty (13-5, 2-0).

The Patriots could be the biggest threat to Gorman, and you can’t count out Desert Pines, but there are other contenders in 5A with Democracy Prep and Mojave. Coronado should be primed for a state title run come February.

On the 5A girls side, No. 2 Democracy Prep will get its shots at Gorman and Centennial late in the regular season. Democracy Prep beat Gorman twice last year and came up short to Centennial in the 5A title game.

Contact Alex Wright at awright@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AlexWright1028 on X.

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Nevada gets back in win column, downs Wyoming, 92-83

Published

1 day ago

January 11, 2026

Press Room

Nevada gets back in win column, downs Wyoming, 92-83

Corey Camper Jr. put on a shooting clinic and helped Nevada get back in the win column.

Nevada beat Wyoming 92-83, on Saturday in front of an announced crowd of 8,906 fans at Lawlor Events Center.

Camper Jr., playing for the third time after missing a month with a back injury, scored a career-high 31 points as Nevada improved to 4-1 in the Mountain West Conference, 12-4 overall. He was 10-of-13 from the field including 5-of-7 from 3-point range, and 6-of-8 from the free throw line, playing 32 minutes. He had seven rebounds.

Elijah Price had a double-double with a career-high 20 points and 16 rebounds, in 34 minutes, while Tayshawn Comer, Amire Robinson and Peyton White each added 10 points. Comer had 10 assists as Nevada had 21 as a team. Vaughn Weems returned to the court after missing the San Diego State game on Tuesday with the flu. He played 12 minutes and scored nine points.

The Wolf Pack shot 61 percent from the field (31-51) and made 10-of-16 from the arc.

Nasir Meyer led Wyoming with 27 points as the Cowboys dropped to 2-2 in conference, 11-5 overall.

Nevada coach Steve Alford said the Wolf Pack’s defense was better against the Cowboys than it was in the loss to San Diego State.

But still not to the level he would like it.

He cited communication and players’ stances while both guarding the ball and off the ball as a few of the many fundamentals the Pack needs to improve.

“We had slippage in the (San Diego) State game and we didn’t have a whole of improvement in this game, from a defensive standpoint,” Alford said Saturday night.

Nevada’s offense was much better, though, than in the loss to the Aztecs. The Pack took better shots and eliminated bad shots.

Alford said Price played more of a complete game than he has most of the season.

Price said the Pack’s defense was not good, but played better in the second half and that as why the Pack won.

“We’re a lot better defensively than what we’ve been showing the past two games,” Price said. “We know if were going to beat Utah State on the road, we’re going to have to get some stops, so that’s what we’re focused on.”

More Key Stats

Nevada outrebounded Wyoming, 38-32. Both teams had nine offensive boards.

Nevada had eight turnovers and Wyoming had six.

The Pack outscored the Cowboys, 38-32, in the paint.

Wyoming’s bench outscored the Pack’s, 31-29.

Out

Nevada’s Joel Armotrading and Tyler Rolison did not play. Armotrading was injured against Washington on Nov. 27 and has not played since. Rolison has a back injury.

Half

Wyoming led, 39-38, at the half. Camper Jr. had 19 points in the first half.

Nevada shot 14-of-27 from the field and 5-of-10 from the ac.

The Cowboys outscored the Wolf Pack in the paint, 22-14.

Up Next

Nevada travels to play at State at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

The Aggies dominated Boise State on Saturday, taking a 93-68 win to improve to 14-1 overall, 5-0 in conference.

Nevada will travel to Logan, Utah on Tuesday, and stay on the road for the following game, at Air Force on Saturday.

“(Utah State) has one of the best crowds in the Mountain West , so we know it’s going to be a very difficult game for us,” Alford said. “We needed to get this one, to get that momentum before we go on the road.”

Alford said if Indiana wins that game, and finished 16-0, it means Indiana will have the only two undefeated season in college major sports as the Hoosiers 1976 basketball team was undefeated.

Alford’s Alma Mater

Alford played college basketball at Indoana.

The Hoosiers are playing Miami for the national football championship on Jan 19.

Steve Alford discusses Nevada’s 92-83 win over Wyoming on Saturday

Nevada men’s basketball coach Steve Alford discusses the Wolf Pack’s 92-83 win over Wyoming on Saturday

Nevada’s Remaining Schedule

Wednesday, Jan. 14, 7 p.m. at Utah State (TV: CBS Sports Network/Radio: 95.5 FM)
Saturday, Jan. 17, 1 p.m. at Air Force (TV: MW Network, Ch. 21/Radio: 95.5 FM)
Tuesday, Jan. 20, 7 p.m. vs. San Jose State (TV: KNSN, MW Network, Ch. 21/Radio: 95.5 FM)
Saturday, Jan. 24, 5 p.m. at New Mexico (TV: CBS Sports Network/Radio: 95.5 FM)
Tuesday, Jan. 27, 7:30 p.m. vs. Grand Canyon (TV: FS1/Radio: 95.5 FM)
Friday, Jan. 30, 7 p.m. vs. UNLV (TV: CBS Sports Network/Radio: 95.5 FM)
Tuesday, Feb. 3, 5 p.m. at Boise State (TV: MW Network, Ch. 21/Radio: 95.5 FM)
Saturday, Feb. 7, 7 p.m. vs. Fresno State (TV: KNSN, MW Network, Ch. 21/Radio: 95.5 FM)
Saturday, Feb. 14, 7 p.m. at San Diego State (TV: CBS Sports Network/Radio: 95.5 FM)
Tuesday, Feb. 17, 7 p.m. at San Jose State (TV: MW Network, Ch. 21/Radio: 95.5 FM)
Saturday, Feb. 21, 7 p.m. vs. Utah State (TV: FS1/Radio: 95.5 FM)
Tuesday, Feb. 24, 8 p.m. vs. New Mexico (TV: CBS Sports Network/Radio: 95.5 FM)
Saturday, Feb. 28, 7 p.m. at UNLV (TV: CBS Sports Network/Radio: 95.5 FM)
Tuesday, March 3, TBD at Wyoming (TV: MW Network, Ch. 21/Radio: 95.5 FM)
Saturday, March 7, 7 p.m. vs. Air Force (TV: KNSN, MW Network, Ch. 21/Radio: 95.5 FM)