State Route 89 (SR 89) is a
state highway
A state highway, state road, or state route (and the equivalent provincial highway, provincial road, or provincial route) is usually a road that is either Route number, numbered or maintained by a sub-national state or province. A road numbered ...
in the
U.S. state
In the United States, a state is a constituent political entity, of which there are 50. Bound together in a political union, each state holds governmental jurisdiction over a separate and defined geographic territory where it shares its so ...
of
California
California () is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States that lies on the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. It borders Oregon to the north, Nevada and Arizona to the east, and shares Mexico–United States border, an ...
that travels in the north–south direction, serving as a major thoroughfare for many mountain communities in the
Sierra Nevada
The Sierra Nevada ( ) is a mountain range in the Western United States, between the Central Valley of California and the Great Basin. The vast majority of the range lies in the state of California, although the Carson Range spur lies primari ...
and the
Cascade Range
The Cascade Range or Cascades is a major mountain range of western North America, extending from southern British Columbia through Washington (state), Washington and Oregon to Northern California. It includes both non-volcanic mountains, such as m ...
. It starts from
U.S. Route 395 near
Topaz Lake
Topaz Lake is a reservoir located on the California-Nevada border, about south of Reno. The census-designated place of Topaz Lake, Nevada, is located along its northwest shore.
The modern reservoir was formed by diverting waters from the Wes ...
, winding its way up to the
Monitor Pass
Monitor Pass (el. 8,314 ft / 2,534 m) is a high mountain pass in California in the Sierra Nevada southeast of Lake Tahoe. It is traversed by State Route 89 near that highway's southern terminus at U.S. Route 395 near the community of Topaz. ...
, down to the
Carson River
The Carson River is a northwestern Nevada river that empties into the Carson Sink, an endorheic basin. The main stem of the river is long although the addition of the East Fork makes the total length , traversing five counties: Alpine Count ...
, and up again over the
Luther Pass. From that point on, the route generally loses elevation on its way past
Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe (; Washo language, Washo: ''dáʔaw'') is a Fresh water, freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada of the Western United States, straddling the border between California and Nevada. Lying at above sea level, Lake Tahoe is the largest a ...
, through
Tahoe and
Plumas National Forests until
Lake Almanor
Lake Almanor is a large reservoir in northwestern Plumas County, northeastern California, United States. The reservoir has a capacity of and a maximum depth of about . The surface area is 43.75 square miles (11,331.2 hectares). It is formed by ...
. For roughly nine miles the route is then a part of
State Route 36. The route then ascends to the
Morgan Summit. After it enters
Lassen Volcanic National Park
Lassen Volcanic National Park is a List of national parks of the United States, national park of the United States in northeastern California. The dominant feature of the park is Lassen Peak, the largest lava dome, plug dome volcano in the wo ...
it continues to gain elevation until it reaches its highest point in an unnamed pass in the middle of
Lassen Peak
Lassen Peak ( ), commonly referred to as Mount Lassen, is a lava dome volcano in Lassen Volcanic National Park in Northern California. Located in the Shasta Cascade region above the northern Sacramento Valley, it is the southernmost active vo ...
and
Bumpass Mountain
Bumpass Mountain is a mountain located south of Lassen Peak in Lassen Volcanic National Park, California. It rises to an elevation of near Bumpass Hell and Lake Helen.
The mountain receives heavy snowfall during the winter, which can lead ...
. The road then descends and heads northwest, finally terminating at
Interstate 5
Interstate 5 (I-5) is the main north–south Interstate Highway System, Interstate Highway on the West Coast of the United States, running largely parallel to the Pacific coast of the contiguous U.S. from Mexico to Canada. It travels thro ...
at the foot of
Mount Shasta
Mount Shasta ( ; Shasta people, Shasta: ''Waka-nunee-Tuki-wuki''; Karuk language, Karuk: ''Úytaahkoo'') is a Volcano#Volcanic activity, potentially active stratovolcano at the southern end of the Cascade Range in Siskiyou County, California. A ...
at around .
Google Earth
Google Earth is a web mapping, web and computer program created by Google that renders a 3D computer graphics, 3D representation of Earth based primarily on satellite imagery. The program maps the Earth by superimposition, superimposing satelli ...
elevation for GNIS
The Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) is a database of name and location information about more than two million physical and cultural features, encompassing the United States and its territories; the associated states of the Marshal ...
coordinates.
Route description

SR 89 begins at an intersection with
US 395
U.S. Route 395 (US 395), also known as U.S. Highway 395, is a north–south United States Numbered Highway that traverses the inland areas of the western states of California, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. It travels for over from a junctio ...
. The highway goes west through a few switchbacks before crossing into
Alpine County and the
Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.
The route over
Monitor Pass
Monitor Pass (el. 8,314 ft / 2,534 m) is a high mountain pass in California in the Sierra Nevada southeast of Lake Tahoe. It is traversed by State Route 89 near that highway's southern terminus at U.S. Route 395 near the community of Topaz. ...
is typically closed during the winter due to snow accumulation.
SR 89 continues by
Heenan Lake before intersecting with the eastern end of
SR 4 and turning northwest, passing through
Markleeville. SR 89 continues northwest to the town of
Woodfords, where it turns west, running concurrently with
SR 88 for a brief distance before turning into
El Dorado County
El Dorado County (; ''El Dorado'', Spanish language, Spanish for "The Golden ne), officially the County of El Dorado, is a List of counties in California, county located in the U.S. state of California. As of the 2020 United States census, ...
.
The section of SR 89 from SR 88 north to US 50 is co-signed as
US 50 Alternate for use as a detour for when US 50 closes.
The highway continues north to
Meyers
Meyers is a surname of English origin; many branches of the Meyers family trace their origins to Anglo-Saxon England. The name is derived from the Old French name ''Maire'', meaning an officer in charge of legal matters. The English surname may ...
, where it runs concurrently with
US 50
U.S. Route 50 or U.S. Highway 50 (US 50) is a major east–west route of the U.S. Highway system, stretching from Interstate 80 (I-80) in West Sacramento, California, to Maryland Route 528 (MD 528) in Ocean City, Maryland, on the Atlantic ...
into the city of
South Lake Tahoe
South Lake Tahoe is the most populous incorporated city in El Dorado County, California, United States, in the Sierra Nevada mountains. The city's population was 21,330 at the 2020 census, down from 21,403 at the 2010 census. The city, along the ...
. SR 89 continues along the western shore of
Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe (; Washo language, Washo: ''dáʔaw'') is a Fresh water, freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada of the Western United States, straddling the border between California and Nevada. Lying at above sea level, Lake Tahoe is the largest a ...
, where it passes through
Camp Richardson
Camp Richardson is an unincorporated resort community at Lake Tahoe, in El Dorado County, California. It lies at an elevation of 6250 feet (1905 m) in the Sierra Nevada. A vacation community, Camp Richardson has a marina, cabins, hotel rooms ...
,
Emerald Bay Emerald Bay may refer to:
Geography
* Emerald Bay, Catalina Island, California
* Emerald Bay, Orange County, California
* Emerald Bay State Park in El Dorado County, California
* Emerald Bay, Lake Arrowhead, California
* Emerald Bay, Texas
Othe ...
,
Meeks Bay, Pomins, and
Tahoma. After crossing into
Placer County
Placer County ( ; ''Placer'', Spanish language, Spanish for "sand deposit"), officially the County of Placer, is a County (United States), county located in the U.S. state of California. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was ...
, SR 89 passes through
Chambers Lodge,
Homewood, Tahoe Pines,
Skyland
''Skyland'' (full French title: "Skyland, Le Nouveau Monde", or "Skyland, The New World"), is an animated television series developed in France in partnership with Canada and Luxembourg for television channels France 2 in France, Teletoon in Can ...
,
Timberland,
Pineland, and
Tahoe Tavern before coming to an intersection with
SR 28, where SR 89 continues to the west, away from the lake. The road curves to the north through
Tahoe National Forest before crossing into
Nevada County and the town of
Truckee
Truckee is an incorporated town in Nevada County, California, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 16,180, reflecting an increase of 2,316 from the 13,864 counted in the 2000 Census.
History Name
Truckee's ...
.
This portion of the highway has been designated the "10th Mountain Division Memorial Highway", honoring the US Army division that lost 992 soldiers during the
Italian Campaign in World War II.

SR 89 runs concurrently with I-80 eastbound briefly before exiting to the north and continuing through Truckee and passing near
Prosser Creek Reservoir outside of the town limits. SR 89 continues through
Hobart Mills before crossing into
Sierra County and continuing northwest to
Randolph and
Sierraville, where it shares a
wrong-way concurrency Wrong way may refer to:
* a traffic sign to warn of wrong-way driving
* nickname of Douglas Corrigan (1907–1995), an American aviator who flew east from New York to Ireland instead of west to California in 1938
* nickname of Roy Riegels (1908–1 ...
with
SR 49 through the town of
Sattley; they then intersect
CR A23 before SR 89 splits off to the northwest. SR 89 continues through
Calpine
Calpine is the largest generator of electricity from natural gas and geothermal energy in the United States, with operations in competitive power markets. A ''Fortune'' 500 company based in Houston, Texas,
Operations
Through wholesale power op ...
before crossing into
Plumas County
Plumas County () is a county located in the Sierra Nevada of the U.S. state of California. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 19,790. The county seat is Quincy, and the only incorporated city is Portola. The largest comm ...
.
SR 89 continues through
Clio
In Greek mythology, Clio ( , ; ), also spelled Kleio, Сleio, or Cleo, is the muse of history, or in a few mythological accounts, the muse of lyre-playing.
Etymology
Clio's name is derived from the Greek root κλέω/κλείω (meaning ...
and
Graeagle before running concurrently with
SR 70 through
Plumas National Forest
Plumas National Forest is a 1,146,000-acre (464,000 ha) National forest (United States), United States national forest located in northern California at the northern terminus of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. The Forest was named after i ...
, passing through
Blairsden,
Feather River Inn,
Cromberg,
Spring Garden,
Massack (where SR 70 and 89 have a
rest area
A rest area is a public facility located next to a large thoroughfare such as a motorway, Limited-access road, expressway, or highway, at which drivers and passengers can rest, eat, or refuel without exiting onto secondary roads. Other names ...
),
East Quincy, and the city of
Quincy. SR 70 and SR 89 continue north through
Keddie before SR 89 splits off to the north and passes through
Indian Falls,
Crescent Mills,
Greenville, and
Canyondam.
The section of SR 89 from SR 70 north to Crescent Mills was built over the abandoned railway bed of the
Indian Valley Railroad. SR 89 intersects with the south end of
SR 147 before paralleling the southern shore of
Lake Almanor
Lake Almanor is a large reservoir in northwestern Plumas County, northeastern California, United States. The reservoir has a capacity of and a maximum depth of about . The surface area is 43.75 square miles (11,331.2 hectares). It is formed by ...
and running concurrently with
SR 36 westbound, crossing into
Tehama County
Tehama County ( ) is a county located in the northern part of the U.S. state of California. As of the 2020 census, the population was 65,829. The county seat and largest city is Red Bluff. Tehama County comprises the Red Bluff, California m ...
and
Lassen National Forest
Lassen National Forest is a United States national forest of 1,700 square miles (4,300 km2) in northeastern California. It is named after pioneer Peter Lassen, who mined, ranched and promoted the area to emigrant parties in the 1850s.
Overv ...
.
SR 36 and SR 89 intersect the northern terminus of
SR 32 and
SR 172 before SR 36 splits off to the west and SR 89 enters
Lassen Volcanic National Park
Lassen Volcanic National Park is a List of national parks of the United States, national park of the United States in northeastern California. The dominant feature of the park is Lassen Peak, the largest lava dome, plug dome volcano in the wo ...
.
The SR 89 state designation officially does not run through the national park, and this segment is directly under the park's jurisdiction instead of
Caltrans
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is an Executive (government), executive department of the U.S. state of California. The department is part of the Government of California#State agencies, cabinet-level California State Tran ...
. When it is open, a park fee is charged. The segment through the park is typically closed during the winter due to very heavy snowfall and snowpack.
Outside the other park entrance in the northwest corner in
Shasta County
Shasta County (), officially the County of Shasta, is a county located in the northern portion of the U.S. state of California. Its population is 182,155 as of the 2020 census, up from 177,223 from the 2010 census. The county seat is Redding. ...
, SR 89 forms a
concurrency
Concurrent means happening at the same time. Concurrency, concurrent, or concurrence may refer to:
Law
* Concurrence, in jurisprudence, the need to prove both ''actus reus'' and ''mens rea''
* Concurring opinion (also called a "concurrence"), a ...
with
SR 44, heading northeast to
Old Station.
After splitting from SR 44 at Old Station, SR 89 continues north through
Hat Creek and
Doyles Corner before intersecting
SR 299. The highway passes through
Four Corners
Four Corners is a region of the Southwestern United States consisting of the southwestern corner of Colorado, southeastern corner of Utah, northeastern corner of Arizona, and northwestern corner of New Mexico. Most of the Four Corners regio ...
and
Cayton
Cayton is a village and civil parish in North Yorkshire, England, south of Scarborough.
History
Cayton is mentioned in the Domesday Book as Caitune.
In 2010, Cayton won a Silver-gilt, at the Britain in Bloom awards. This was achieved despit ...
before intersecting
CR A19 and crossing into
Siskiyou County
Siskiyou County ( ) is a county located in the northwestern portion of the U.S. state of California. As of the 2020 census, the population was 44,076. Its county seat is Yreka and its highest point is Mount Shasta. It falls within the Casca ...
. SR 89 briefly passes through the
Klamath National Forest
Klamath National Forest is a United States National Forest, national forest, in the Klamath Mountains and Cascade Range, located in Siskiyou County, California, Siskiyou County in northern California, but with a tiny extension (1.5 percent of th ...
and Bartle and
McCloud before coming to an interchange with
I-5. SR 89 then merges with Mount Shasta Boulevard and terminates just outside the
Mount Shasta City city limits.
One point of interest along California State Route 89 includes the
Pony Express
The Pony Express was an American express mail service that used relays of horse-mounted riders between Missouri and California. It was operated by the Central Overland California and Pikes Peak Express Company.
During its 18 months of opera ...
remount station in
Woodfords, the Lake Tahoe Outlet Gates in
Tahoe City
Tahoe City (formerly Tahoe) is an unincorporated town in Placer County, California. Tahoe City is located on the shore of Lake Tahoe, at the outlet of the Truckee River.
The site was surveyed in 1863, and Tahoe House was built in 1864. The Tah ...
(control of these gates was the source of the two-decade "Tahoe Water War" between lakeshore owners and downstream
Truckee River
The Truckee River is a river in the U.S. states of California and Nevada. The river flows northeasterly and is long.U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline dataThe National Map accessed October 20, 2012 Th ...
water users),
Plumas-Eureka State Park
California Historical Landmark 723, Johnsville Ski Area, Plumas
Plumas-Eureka State Park is a California state park located in the Sierra Nevada and Cascade Range in Plumas County, California.
The park, as a mining museum, shows and protects th ...
(containing
Johnsville, a well-preserved '49er town, and Pioneer Ski Area, the first sport
skiing
Skiing is the use of skis to glide on snow for basic transport, a recreational activity, or a competitive winter sport. Many types of competitive skiing events are recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and the International S ...
area in the Western hemisphere),
Lake Almanor
Lake Almanor is a large reservoir in northwestern Plumas County, northeastern California, United States. The reservoir has a capacity of and a maximum depth of about . The surface area is 43.75 square miles (11,331.2 hectares). It is formed by ...
and Lassen Volcanic National Park.
Many other points of interest, including
Brokeoff Mountain,
Sulphur Works,
Emerald Lake,
Lake Helen,
Bumpass Hell
The geothermal areas in Lassen Volcanic National Park include several groups of hot springs and fumaroles, as remnants of former volcanic activity, exist in Lassen Volcanic National Park in northeastern California. Most of these lie in or are clos ...
,
Lassen Peak
Lassen Peak ( ), commonly referred to as Mount Lassen, is a lava dome volcano in Lassen Volcanic National Park in Northern California. Located in the Shasta Cascade region above the northern Sacramento Valley, it is the southernmost active vo ...
and
Summit Lake are also located on this highway.
SR 89 is part of the
California Freeway and Expressway System
The California Freeway and Expressway System is a system of existing or planned freeways and expressways in the U.S. state of California. It encompasses both state highways and federal highways in California. It was defined by Article 2 (comme ...
,
and north of the southern SR 44 junction is part of the
National Highway System,
a network of highways that are considered essential to the country's economy, defense, and mobility by the
Federal Highway Administration
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is a division of the United States Department of Transportation that specializes in highway transportation. The agency's major activities are grouped into two programs, the Federal-aid Highway Program a ...
.
SR 89 is eligible for the
State Scenic Highway System;
however, it is only a scenic highway as designated by Caltrans from the El Dorado-Placer county line to a point 3.2 miles west of the
US 395
U.S. Route 395 (US 395), also known as U.S. Highway 395, is a north–south United States Numbered Highway that traverses the inland areas of the western states of California, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. It travels for over from a junctio ...
junction,
meaning that it is a substantial section of highway passing through a "memorable landscape" with no "visual intrusions", where the potential designation has gained popular favor with the community. From the junction with
SR 147, through the park and including the gap on SR 44, to its terminus at I-5, SR 89 is part of the
Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway
The Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway is a scenic byway and All-American Road in the U.S. states of California and Oregon. It is roughly long and travels north–south along the Cascade Range past numerous volcanoes. It is composed of two separate ...
, a
National Scenic Byway
A National Scenic Byway is a road recognized by the United States Department of Transportation for one or more of six "intrinsic qualities": archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational, and scenic. The program was established by Co ...
.
The segment of SR 89 from I-80 in Truckee to SR 49 through Sattley also forms part of the
Yuba-Donner Scenic Byway, a
National Forest Scenic Byway
The National Forest Scenic Byways are roads that have been designated by the U.S. Forest Service as scenic byways. Many are also National Scenic Byways (NSB). The program was initiated in 1987.
List
The following roadways were listed by the Fede ...
.
Major intersections
See also
*
References
External links
{{CASR external links, SR, 89
AARoads- State Route 89
089 89 may refer to:
* 89 (number)
* Atomic number 89: actinium
* 89ers, a German Eurodance duo
* 89 Julia, a main-belt asteroid
Years
* 89 BC
* AD 89
* 1989
* 2089
In contemporary history, the third millennium is the current millennium in t ...
089 89 may refer to:
* 89 (number)
* Atomic number 89: actinium
* 89ers, a German Eurodance duo
* 89 Julia, a main-belt asteroid
Years
* 89 BC
* AD 89
* 1989
* 2089
In contemporary history, the third millennium is the current millennium in t ...
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Sierra Nevada (United States)