Summer flowers in Plumas County

Summer Vacation Ideas in Northern California

Inspired Summer Fun in Plumas County

Plumas County is a summer wonderland for outdoor enthusiasts with great fishing, mountain biking, day hikes, and water sports. Add the over 100 lakes in Plumas County, sandy beaches, or the perfect perch on a granite boulder to your summer vacation ideas. For quality nature time with the people you love, make sure you add us to your list.

Beyond outdoor recreation, the mountain towns of Plumas County offer summer activities for the whole family. Kick-off your perfect summer vacation in beautiful Northern California!

Music and Arts

Plumas County offers some of the best music festivals and arts and crafts fairs in Northern California.

It is an iconic multi-day music festival featuring famous headliners and eclectic festivities the first weekend in July. With onsite camping and a kid’s village, HSMF is a big, family-friendly party! highsierramusic.com

Chester is known for summer art shows. The Almanor Art Show is a two-day festival in late June in historic Chester, with vendors, live music, food booths, and artists selling their original wares and crafts.  Over the summer, there is a 4th of July Craft Fair in Chester Park and two Cooperative Arts and Crafts Markets. Check out the Lake Almanor Area Events Calendar to plan your trip. 

The Drunk Brush Wine Bar in downtown Quincy has music most weekends during the summer. The three art galleries in town also host art openings on the first Friday of each month. Check out the Plumas Arts Calendar to plan your visit. 

From bluegrass and cowboy to blues and folk, the Plumas Homegrown Americana Festival is a lot of music-packed Labor Day weekend. Square Dancing too! plumasamericana.com

4th of July Festivities

Make 4th of July family memories in Plumas County with charming, small-town parades, lakeshore fireworks, and other festive events.

The Lake Almanor Basin is known for 4th of July festivities. With fireworks over the lake, an arts and craft fair in the park, a large parade through historic downtown, and a Family Fun Run 5K race, there’s something for everyone!

A bustling, cowboy classic Independence Day with a pancake breakfast, parade, and rodeo in a tiny Sierra Nevada town. It’s like stepping back in time.

For over 50 years, this quaint community has been hosting two days of family fun over the 4th of July weekend with games, a Fireman’s pancake breakfast, music, and fireworks over a beautiful pond in a park-like setting.

Top Summer Outdoor Activities

The Fair, Rodeos, and Horseback Riding

Experience Northern California’s cowboy country this summer with a trip to the County Fair, a local rodeo, or a trail ride up into the mountains.

Bring the whole family for a classic, rural County Fair. The Plumas-Sierra County Fair is known as the last, best little county fair and features a rodeo and Cattleman’s BBQ, stock car races, livestock shows, country music bands, carnival rides, and games.

The Silver Buckle Rodeo in Taylorsville has a pancake breakfast, parade, and classic rodeo events from team roping to bronc riding every 4th of July weekend. The second week in July is the Junior Rodeo, drawing kids and families from all over the West.

A unique Northern California dude ranch with daily trail rides available to both visitors and ranch guests. They also offer specialized kid-horse activities like grooming and arena lessons. greenhornranch.com

Graeagle Stables and Gold Lake Stables offer daily trail rides ranging from 1.5 hours to all-day trips in the high mountains June through September. They offer lessons for kids too! 

Farmers Markets

Support Northern California local makers, ranchers, and farmers when visiting Plumas County. Add a stop to a farmers market during your summer vacation.

Support Plumas, Butte, and Lassen County growers every Thursday afternoon and evening from June through October at Chester Park farmers market near the beautiful Feather River.

This sweet Saturday morning market at the Blairsden Garden Center offers fresh coffee, crafts, produce, grass-fed meat, and flowers just a stone’s throw away from Graeagle and a short drive from Portola.

Located just outside of the hamlet of Beckwourth in Sierra Valley, Romano’s Market is known for gourmet offerings and high-quality goods sourced from Northern California and nearby Nevada farms.

Craft Beer Tasting

Northern California is known for great, craft beer and Plumas County is no exception. Add beer tasting and a mini brewery tour to your summer plans!

With three local breweries in nearby proximity, take a brewery tour! The Brewing Lair is tucked in the woods with outdoorsy vibes, a disc golf course, and award-winning California-style ales. Down the road in Graeagle is the Ronin Fermentation Project, offering cutting-edge craft beers in a modern taproom with a patio. Then head east to the Chalet View Lodge for full-service dining and Eureka Peak Brewing Company for dinner and a flight of IPAs and pale ales.

Tucked away on the Lake Almanor Peninsula, Waganupa Brewing is a microbrewery offering various beers, sours, and ales. With minimal online presence, this hidden gem is a favorite of Lake Almanor locals.

Quintopia Brewing Co. is a fresh take on a mountain town brewery with a tap room and patio featuring easy-to-drink beers (much lower in alcohol), some hoppy seasonal ales, and flavorful pub food, including salads, wraps, and loaded fries. It’s the perfect stop after a day on Bucks Lake or after mountain biking.

The Timber House gets a new life as a brewery! This renovated travel lodge in Chester features California-style ales, in-house distilled spirits, and a full dining experience. Check out the menu and book a stay today!

Golfing

With fresh mountain air, verdant green grass, and plenty of water features, Plumas County Golf Courses are a summer retreat from the heat!

(530) 259-5545
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Lake Almanor West Golf Course is a beautiful 9-hole course with two distinct sets of tee boxes, creating the feel and challenge of an 18 hole course.

(530) 259-2868
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Semi Private golf club, open to the public. A challenging 9-hole layout with two sets of tees and views of Lake Alamanor and Mt. Lassen.

(530) 832-4200
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Grizzly Ranch Golf Club was voted top 100 in the nation and top 10 in California. Visit our website for more information.

(530) 897-2300
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Designed by Robin Nelson, with picture-postcard views from every tee, Nakoma’s 18-hole championship course, the Dragon, never disappoints.

(530) 836-2323
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With spectacular mountain views and 6,725 yards of “extreme golf”, with lofty pines, lots of water and elevated tees that offer the ultimate golf expe

(530) 836-0394
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Whitehawk Ranch Golf Club is operated as a public golf facility, offering one of the finest golfing experiences in California’s High Sierra.

(530) 259-4653
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Lake Almanor’s only 18-Hole Championship Golf Course Designed by Homer Flint, this 18-hole golf course is the crown jewel of the Lake Almanor basin.

Places to Stay

Destination lodging for your summer vacation in the Lost Sierra

Lake Almanor

Big Springs Resort is among the tall pines with a quiet serene atmosphere. Family and pet friendly near Hamilton Branch.

Lake Almanor

Set in a quiet cove, off Peninsula Drive, this lake access home sleeps 10.

Quincy

Five rustic cabins sit on the water’s edge of the lake while three sit nestled in the trees. Cabins vary in size, sleeping from two to eight guests.

Quincy

Greenhorn Ranch is a premier guest ranch in California’s Northern Sierra offering traditional & contemporary ranch activities.

Keddie

Unrivaled privacy on 5 acres of river. Wake up to coffee on the deck listening to the river, birds and basking in the morning sun.

Lake Almanor

Lakefront cabin, sleeps 12, near historic Hamilton Branch Powerhouse.

Quincy

Ada’s Garden Cottages are a gorgeous oasis hideaway in the center of historic downtown Quincy with full kitchens and cozy-custom-artful-architecture.

Lake Almanor

Nestled in the pines this quiet clul-de-sac cabin is right up the road from your own boat slip at Knotty Pines Marina in Big Cove.

Butt Valley Reservoir

Enjoy the outstanding views and tranquil atmosphere at Butt Valley Reservoir when you set up camp at Cool Springs Campground in Northern California.

KEEP PLUMAS COUNTY CLEAN, GREEN & WILD

We love welcoming visitors to create lifelong memories on our beautiful lands and unique communities. While visiting Plumas County, take the Plumas Pledge to help us care for the health of our natural places and the well-being of our communities.

take the plumas pledge!

  1. Prioritize wildfire prevention
  2. Leave places as you found them
  3. Pack out all of your trash—bonus points if you pick up trash left by others! 
  4. Stay on designated trails and camp in designated areas
  5. Check the weather before heading out
  6. Be mindful of your energy and resource usage
  7. Ditch plastic bottles and drink our mountain fresh tap water instead
  8. Choose locally made products and services from local businesses
  9. Slow down and enjoy the simple pleasures of life in Plumas

Know Before You Go

  • Plan for the heat. Bring plenty of water with you on all your adventures.
  • Never drink and drive. Plan ahead with a designated driver. Plumas County doesn’t have many driver services like Lyft or Uber. 
  • With the drier conditions California has been experiencing, please be sure to check fire permits if you plan to camp or grill.
  • Plan on possible road delays due to clean-up from Dixie Fire and summer road construction
  • Gas stations can be 30 miles or more apart depending where in the county you are traveling–when in doubt, get gas!

Summer Events

From festivals to farmers markets, bike races to rodeos, there’s something for everyone in Plumas County!

Regions of Plumas County

Four distinct regions define Plumas County, each with their own alluring qualities, diverse destinations, and unparalleled hospitality.

map of plumas county showing the 4 regions

Summer Conditions

Summer in the Lost Sierra is spectacular with warm days and cool nights. Don’t forget your jacket!  Because  Plumas County is in the mountains, bring layers and check the weather forecast before you pack. Summers are mostly dry with big blue skies and picturesque clouds, but thunderstorms are not unheard of. Late June, July, and August can be hot–bring hats and sun protection to keep things fun.

Fun Fact

The Plumas-Sierra County Fair was founded in 1859 and is known as the best, little county fair in the State!

 

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