Westwood, CA

Westwood is a small mountain community nestled in Lassen County in northeastern California, with a population of approximately 1,600 residents. Tucked into the forested terrain of the Sierra Nevada at an elevation near 5,000 feet, the town has the feel of a quiet rural outpost surrounded by pine forests, volcanic ridges, and wide-open high country. Westwood is best known as a northern gateway to Lassen Volcanic National Park and the broader outdoor recreation scene of the Lassen National Forest, and it sits roughly 180 miles northeast of Sacramento and about 150 miles northwest of Reno, Nevada, with both cities reached by scenic drives through the mountains.

Just south of town, Lassen Volcanic National Park anchors the region as its marquee attraction, drawing visitors with steaming hydrothermal areas, jagged volcanic peaks, alpine lakes, and more than 150 miles of hiking trails. The drive from Westwood to the park's northern entrance near Manzanita Lake is roughly 30 to 40 minutes, making the town a practical base for travelers who want to explore the park's main highlights, including the trail to the summit of Lassen Peak and the dramatic Bumpass Hell basin.

A short drive to the west lies Lake Almanor, a large blue reservoir popular for fishing, kayaking, sailing, and lakeside camping. The drive to its southern arms from Westwood takes under an hour, and the lake is a particular draw in summer when visitors come for trout fishing, paddleboarding, and family-friendly beaches along its wooded shoreline. The surrounding community of Chester, at the north end of the lake, offers small-town amenities and serves as an alternative entry point to Lassen Volcanic National Park.

To the east, the county seat of Susanville is about 30 miles away and provides a more complete set of services, including the Bizz Johnson Trail, a well-known rail-trail that follows the route of a former railroad through the Susan River canyon. The trailhead is just outside the city and offers walkers, joggers, and mountain bikers a gently graded path through a deep, scenic gorge. The wider region also includes Eagle Lake to the north of Susanville, a large alkaline lake prized for trout fishing and bird watching.

For short-term rental investors, Westwood offers a compelling combination of small-town character and direct access to some of Northern California's most distinctive natural attractions. Its position as a quiet, affordable base near Lassen Volcanic National Park, Lake Almanor, and a network of forest trails gives it year-round appeal, with summer hiking and lake activities balanced by winter snows that transform the area into a destination for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and peaceful off-season escapes.