Retirement planning. At what elevation are the Sierra foothills relatively snow free? (San Francisco: house)

[kanhawk]

I still haven't given up on retiring to California, but anywhere near the coast just doesn't look doable to me based on online searches of home prices. However I am seriously considering the Sierra Nevada foothills as a possible alternative. I still want a fairly mild year around climate. I can handle an occasional dusting of snow or maybe an inch or so that melts quickly and doesn't affect me getting around and summers that don't get too much above 90 with mostly sunny days.
At what elevation in the Sierras does the snow meet that minimal amount?
I know housing won't be cheap even there, but what areas might I look more closely at for cheaper housing that still has that somewhat mild climate?

[Bulldogdad]

3000ft or below is fairly safe most years and most areas of the Sierra.

However, it has been known to get a few inches at 1500 every now and again.

[sequoias]

I agree with that above. 3,000 or below is the safest bet.

[sequoias]

Many retirees live in Paradise, CA from what I know. Grass Valley is also nice too.

[StandingLenticular]

I live in Paradise at 2000ft. You'll see an inch or two of quick-to-melt snow most years with a chance for a bigger storm every 5-10 years.

[DMenscha]

I'd say 2500'. Which is why my house is at 2284' and my office is at 2000'. We call it polite snow. It's pretty when it falls and it's gone within a few hours.

Although it's unusual, we did get 16 inches a few years ago. That day it also snowed in San Francisco.

BTW housing is probably way cheaper than you think, at least in my county.

[Zachj7]

Depends where you are. If you are in the northern part of the sierra, 3000 feet elevation is pushing it. Even at 2000 feet up near Lassen, you will see a few inches of snow from time to time. Near Lake Tahoe / Sacramento area, 3000 feet is probably okay. At 3000 feet in Sacramento area, you will have a little snow but it will melt quickly. At 4000 feet, you will be looking at consistent snow during the winter. At 5000 feet, you will be looking at consistent snow piling up. 2000 feet, you will probably see maybe a dusting or two per winter. 3000 feet in the southern part near Bakersfield, you won't see hardly any snow. Just remember 3000 feet on the coast is a lot different than 3000 feet in the Sierra. The Sierra is more inland and thus it gets a little colder.

[Mr5150]

Originally Posted by kanhawk

I still haven't given up on retiring to California, but anywhere near the coast just doesn't look doable to me based on online searches of home prices. However I am seriously considering the Sierra Nevada foothills as a possible alternative. I still want a fairly mild year around climate. I can handle an occasional dusting of snow or maybe an inch or so that melts quickly and doesn't affect me getting around and summers that don't get too much above 90 with mostly sunny days.
At what elevation in the Sierras does the snow meet that minimal amount?
I know housing won't be cheap even there, but what areas might I look more closely at for cheaper housing that still has that somewhat mild climate?

As to "the won't be cheap" part.....in my county the median home price is $165K. Is that in your budget?

Lot of retirees here. And I love living here.

[kanhawk]

Originally Posted by Mr5150

As to "the won't be cheap" part.....in my county the median home price is $165K. Is that in your budget?

Lot of retirees here. And I love living here.

Thanks for that information. That is definitely within my budget, with some to spare.

[BeauCharles]

My parents had a house in Mariposa County at 2,500' for 16 years. During an average winter we'd have couple of storms that would drop up to six inches. It was usually gone the next day. A few times over the years we had a foot and a half to two feet, but it would melt away in two to three days. Most storms produced just rain. A run of the mill winter day was 25-30F at night and 45-50F during the day. An average summer day would be 50F at night and 85F during the day. There usually was a few weeks each summer it would get into the high 90s (but usually bone dry air - so it was comfortable). It would always cool down to the point of being chilly in the early morning hours.

All in all its a nice climate if you like the four seasons. Unlike many areas of California you definitely know when each season passes, but none are too severe. Basically, in the Central to Southern Sierra if you stay below 3,000 feet you won't see much snow. If you stay above 2,000 feet you won't have much very hot weather in the summer.