Susanville, a former logging and mining town, is the site of the High Desert State Prison, California (not to be confused with High Desert State Prison, Nevada), which opened in 1995. Nestled in northeastern California at the edge of the Sierra Nevada, Susanville is a scenic and welcoming town full of history, community pride, and outdoor recreation. The Bizz Johnson Trail makes for a superb bike trip and is our top outdoor activity in the Susanville area.

Understanding the Context

The trail is located well away from roads and traffic, providing a highly enjoyable wilderness experience. Historic Susanville keeps close ties to its landscape and its past. Visit this town perched on a high-desert plateau to stroll golden foothills, hike or pedal one of the West’s best rail trails, delve into California history, or chat with the locals over craft beer and pizza. Susanville, city, seat (1864) of Lassen county, northeastern California, U.S.

Key Insights

It lies on the Susan River, at the eastern base of the Sierra Nevada, at the head of the Honey Lake Valley, 85 miles (137 km) northwest of Reno, Nevada. Recent posts about Susanville, California on our local forum with over 2,500,000 registered users. Susanville is mentioned 441 times on our forum: Tucked away in northeastern California, where the Sierra Nevada meets the Cascade Range, Susanville offers a slice of Golden State living that feels like stepping into a vintage postcard come to life. Susanville is a small, close-knit community in the upper reaches of northern California. The city of 12,000 people was originally a logging and mining settlement, but now is home to a state prison, with a federal one close by.

Final Thoughts