Susanville, CA Area Guide

Originally called Rooptown after pioneer Isaac Roop, the settlement was renamed Susanville in 1857 to honor Roop's daughter Susan. A post office opened in 1860, and the city was formally incorporated in 1900. Early commerce centered on logging and mining, industries that shaped the town's physical layout.

Residents can explore that layered past at Roop's Fort, a reconstruction of the original 1850s-era fortification adjacent to the Lassen Historical Museum, which brings regional pioneer life into focus through exhibits and artifacts. The Bizz Johnson National Recreational Trail, following a repurposed Southern Pacific rail corridor along the Susan River, is another living piece of local history that connects the railroad era to present-day outdoor recreation.

Dining here is defined by locally owned spots concentrated along the historic Main Street uptown district. Cafes, casual American diners, and small eateries give residents a genuinely local roster of options.

Getting around Susanville means relying primarily on a personal vehicle. Highway 36, Highway 139, and U.S. 395 are the main arteries connecting the city to the broader region. U.S. 395 runs south to Reno, Nevada, and north toward Oregon, making it the essential corridor for longer trips.

Lassen Rural Bus provides limited public transit service within the area, though routes and frequency vary given the setting. The nearest commercial airport is Reno-Tahoe International, approximately 86 miles south. Recreational options like the Bizz Johnson Trail and Susanville Ranch Park serve outdoor enthusiasts on foot or by bike, though dedicated urban bike lanes are limited throughout the city.

Susanville Ranch Park stretches across 1,100 acres at the edge of the city, offering an extensive network of hiking and biking trails through open, high-desert terrain. One of the largest municipal parks in the region, it gives residents immediate access to nature without leaving city limits.

The Bizz Johnson National Recreational Trail runs approximately 25.4 miles along the Susan River, repurposed from a former Southern Pacific rail line and open to hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders. Memorial Park and Riverside Park provide playgrounds and picnic areas for everyday use, while Inspiration Point offers sweeping panoramic views of the city and surrounding landscape.

Lassen National Forest borders the city directly and supports camping, fishing, skiing, and snowboarding across all seasons. The annual Rails to Trails Festival each October and the Lassen County Fair each summer bring the community together around the natural and recreational assets that define the area.

Susanville ranks among the most affordable rental markets in California. Average one-bedroom rents come in at $1,256 per month compared to a statewide average of $2,266, putting local rents roughly 45% below the California norm. Two-bedroom apartments average $1,032 per month. Rent levels have remained largely stable with modest year-over-year changes.

The historic Main Street uptown district is home to locally owned retail shops set among well-preserved vintage storefronts, offering a welcome alternative to chain-store browsing. The Sierra Shopping Center and the Lassen Shopping Center both cover everyday retail needs. For major retail, electronics, or a broader selection of goods, many residents head to Reno, Nevada, about 86 miles away.

Some of California's lowest rents, direct access to Lassen National Forest, the 25-mile Bizz Johnson National Recreational Trail, and the 1,100-acre Susanville Ranch Park make for a lifestyle built around the outdoors. Historic Main Street, pioneer landmarks like Roop's Fort and the Lassen Historical Museum, and annual events such as the Rails to Trails Festival round out the picture.