Looking to move to Sierra Foothills..but where?

[CADRMNDANES]

Check out Dixon & Woodland. They are not to far from Napa.
Also look at Loomis, Penyn, Newcastle, Grass Valley and Lincoln for horse property. All would be in driving distance to UC Davis Vet Hosp. I've used them several times for my horses & dogs.
Loomis also has a wonderful horse clinic (Loomis Basin Large/Small Animal Clinic- 24 hours) with several specialist that come from UC Davis.

[mzmercury]

I know this is an old thread but for others that may be looking for affordable horse property in the Sierra Foothills, take a look at Springville CA...it's beautiful here, has a large animal hospital, river front properties...you name it.

[GVGal]

I live in PV on ten acres and love it, and have been here over 20 years. Great place for horses (PV used to be cattle ranches). Don't quite agree with other poster about growing fruits and veggies, because it depends on where you live in PV. Some of the low areas in PV proper near the creeks have good soil, but a lot of the surrounding areas are decomposed granite, so growing requires LOTS of water and soil amendments. We have had to struggle with gardening for years, as do many of the foothillers here. Also, BE CAREFUL about water; some areas have been experiencing dry wells lately due to the drought. The converse is trying to get a "perk and mantle" in some of the areas that do have water and great soil. Our neighbor had to engineer his septic field, and it cost a lot of $$$! So do your homework, as realtors here have gotten very hungry and some will say anything to get the sale. It does get hot, very hot sometimes, over 100 degrees, and it can last a while, so you need AC during part of the summer. Winters are mild, although we have had dustings of snow lately. Regarding your gift store, I have seen businesses come and go over the years here in PV, and many do not survive because of the lack of foot traffic, even when the business is run well (our favorite florist just sold out). People just don't come down to PV to shop, and that doesn't appear to be changing anytime soon. Any business you might get here would be local PV shoppers, who may not buy much. So I agree with the other post that you really should consider Nevada City or Grass Valley for a gift shop, even though I would selfishly love to have one closer, your odds of making it with little traffic flow are slim (but not impossible if you don't have to rely on profits...). Hope this helps!