Susanville
Around Susanville
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Town and around · California · 28k people
Susanville
Locals say Lost Sierra
Where the high desert meets the pines
Deep forest greenWarm earth brownMidnight blue
Welcome to the Lost Sierra, where the mountains meet the high desert. Get ready for small-town charm, endless trails, and a sky full of stars.
Clubs for Susanville
No clubs for Susanville yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Susanville. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Susanville. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Lassen Volcanic National Park Active volcanic peaks and boiling mud pots
- Eagle Lake California's second-largest natural lake, known for fishing
- Bizz Johnson Trail 25-mile trail along an old railroad grade
- Plumas National Forest Vast forest with lakes, rivers, and trails
- Susanville Railroad Depot Restored depot with railroad museum
- Quincy Courthouse Park Historic courthouse surrounded by parkland
- Outdoors Hiking in Plumas National Forest
- Outdoors Fishing for trout on Eagle Lake
- With kids Visit the Railroad Museum in Susanville
- With kids Swim and picnic at Eagle Lake
- Evenings Live music at local taverns
- Evenings Summer concerts in the park
- Locals love Small-town diners
- Locals love Trout streams
Through the year
- Lassen County Fair July County fair with livestock, carnival, and rodeo
- Plumas-Sierra County Fair August Fair in Quincy with exhibits and entertainment
- High Sierra Music Festival July Four-day music festival in Quincy
- Modoc County Fair August Fair in Alturas with rodeo and agriculture
- Sierra Valley Birding Festival May Guided bird walks and workshops
High desert with cold, snowy winters and warm, dry summers. Best time is late spring through early fall. Best: Late spring through early fall
Talk like a local
- “Lost Sierra”
- Local name for the region
- “the valley”
- Refers to Sierra Valley
- “Eagle”
- Eagle Lake
- “the mountain”
- Lassen Peak
Getaways
Local flavour
Rooting for San Francisco 49ers (NFL), San Francisco Giants (MLB), Golden State Warriors (NBA), Sacramento Kings (NBA), Reno Aces (MiLB AAA)
Eat and drink
- Lumberjack breakfast
- Dutch oven stew A camp-cooking tradition popular among outdoor enthusiasts in the national forests.
- Huckleberry pie Wild huckleberries grow in the region, and pie is a local seasonal treat.
Where people go
- Historic railroad depots
- National forest trailheads Access points to Lassen National Forest and Plumas National Forest for hiking, camping, and fishing.
- Mountain lakes Almanor, Eagle Lake, and other alpine lakes are central to recreation and local identity.
- Small-town diners and cafes Family-owned eateries that serve as community gathering spots.
Heritage and traditions
The Lost Sierra is proud of its rugged, independent mountain culture, rooted in logging, railroading, and Native American heritage, with a deep love for the outdoors and small-town community life.
This time of year in Susanville
- Deer hunting season Fall Hunters take to the forests in October for deer and elk.
- Birdwatching in Sierra Valley Spring and Fall Spring and fall migrations bring thousands of birds to the valley.
Say it like a local: “Snowed in” — Stuck at home due to heavy snowfall (e.g., 'We were snowed in for three days').
Festivals
- Lost Sierra Songwriters Festival June Showcases singer-songwriters in Quincy's historic venues each June.
- Portola Railroad Days August Celebrates the town's Western Pacific railroad history with train rides and exhibits in August.
- Plumas County Bluegrass Festival July Bluegrass bands from across the West perform in Quincy's Courthouse Park in July.
Landmarks with a story
- Western Pacific Railroad Museum A living museum in Portola with vintage locomotives and railcars, celebrating the railroad era.
- Lassen County Historical Museum Housed in the historic Nye House in Susanville, showcasing pioneer and Native American artifacts.
- Plumas County Museum In Quincy, displays on gold rush, logging, and Maidu culture.
- Modoc County Museum In Alturas, exhibits on the Modoc War and ranching history.
- Roop's Fort A reconstructed trading post from the 1850s in Susanville, the town's founding site.
- The Roundhouse A former railroad roundhouse in Susanville, now used for community events.
Food traditions
- Trout fry Freshly caught trout from Eagle Lake, fried over a campfire—a classic local meal.
- Cowboy coffee Strong black coffee brewed over an open fire, a staple at ranch gatherings and hunting camps.
- Venison jerky Hunters make their own jerky from deer or elk, a protein-rich snack for the trail.
- Sheepherder's bread A simple bread baked in a Dutch oven, reflecting the Basque and sheepherding heritage of the region.
- Huckleberry pancakes A summer breakfast treat, made with locally picked huckleberries.
Music and arts
- Maidu basketry Traditional woven baskets by the Mountain Maidu, a craft still practiced and celebrated.
- Cowboy poetry Gatherings and open mics where locals recite verses about ranch life and the outdoors.
- Mountain music Bluegrass and folk music scenes thrive in small venues and festivals across the Lost Sierra.
- Railroad folk songs Songs and stories passed down from the railroad era, performed at heritage events.
A little history
- 1854 Isaac Roop establishes a trading post that becomes Susanville.
- 1872-73 The Modoc War takes place in the lava beds near Alturas, a significant conflict between the Modoc people and the U.S. Army.
- Early 1900s The Red River Lumber Company builds Westwood, the world's largest lumber town at the time.
- 1909 The Western Pacific Railroad reaches Portola, boosting the region's economy.
- 1916 Lassen Volcanic National Park is established, preserving volcanic wonders.
- Game day Friday night high school football
- Game day Lassen County Rodeo
- Outdoors Huckleberry picking
- Outdoors Hunting
- With kids Sledding at the local hill
- With kids Ice skating at the community rink
Locals speak with a relaxed Western accent, often using terms like 'the hill' for the Sierra Nevada and 'snowpack' for winter accumulation. The pace is unhurried, and phrases like 'down the hill' are common.
Only here
- Westwood was once the world's largest lumber town, built by the Red River Lumber Company.
- The Lost Sierra is one of the least populated regions in California, offering true solitude.
- The Modoc War was the only major Native American war fought in California.
- The Bizz Johnson Trail follows a former railroad line through volcanic landscapes and old tunnels.
New here? A few tips
- Be prepared for winter: carry tire chains, a winter emergency kit, and learn to drive on snow and ice.
- The region is remote—plan fuel stops and stock supplies before heading into the mountains.
- Support local businesses; they are the heart of the community.
- Attend the county fair to meet people and experience local culture.
- Explore the many national forests and lakes; outdoor recreation is the best way to connect with the area.
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Nearby
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Susanville, CA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.