Martis Valley at a glance
- Completed versus planned trail
- The county reports 4.6 completed paved miles; the eventual 10.2-mile route toward Brockway Summit is a longer-term plan. Source
Regional housing context
$1,312,500
Median sale price · Truckee · Single-family
2026 Q3
Regional comparison only.
Read the market dataReviewed . Market periods are shown separately. Next resource review due 2027-01-22.
Quick answers
Can I enjoy Martis Valley without a private club membership?
Yes. The land trust describes public recreation at Waddle Ranch Preserve and other protected valley lands. Follow the visitor rules for each property.
Do club amenities automatically transfer with a home?
Request the specific membership and transfer documents. A real estate listing does not establish what rights, fees or approvals apply.
Sources & further reading
Community resource review: . This date applies to the local resources and answers added to this guide, not to live home inventory, pricing or future project completion.
- Martis Valley protected lands (opens in a new tab)
- Placer Tahoe service area (opens in a new tab)
- TTUSD schools (opens in a new tab)
- Martis Camp official community (opens in a new tab)
- Schaffer's Mill official club (opens in a new tab)
- Lahontan Golf Club (opens in a new tab)
- Placer County STR ordinance (opens in a new tab)
- TTUSD enrollment and transfer rules (opens in a new tab)
- TART Highway 267 route (opens in a new tab)
- California Department of Insurance homeowner guidance (opens in a new tab)
- Placer County Martis Valley Trail (opens in a new tab)
- Placer County Martis Valley project setting (opens in a new tab)
- Tahoe Sierra MLS Q3 2026 sold analysis (opens in a new tab)
- Placer STR new-ownership FAQ (opens in a new tab)
- Schaffer's Mill rental and amenity rules (opens in a new tab)
- State planning record: Gray's Crossing location (opens in a new tab)
Jump to a section
Which parts should I compare?
A valley crossing two counties
Martis Valley spans Placer and Nevada counties near Truckee. County planning material describes roughly 70 square miles overall, with the Placer plan addressing only its portion. The Town of Truckee, unincorporated county land and a Truckee mailing address are not interchangeable jurisdictions. Identify the parcel first, particularly when rental rules, development standards or services are part of the purchase decision.
SourcePrivate club communities and public trails
Martis Camp advertises a private Northstar ski connection, golf and a beach club; Lahontan has its own club and community structure. Those are distinct communities, not amenities available to every Martis Valley owner. By contrast, the county's completed 4.6-mile Martis Valley Trail connects Truckee through the valley to Northstar Drive. Compare public access with the exact private membership, transfer and dues terms attached to the home.
SourceSchaffer's Mill
Schaffer's Mill is another distinct Martis Valley club community. Its official rental program says only short-term guests booking through Exclusive Accommodations receive private amenity access. A rental plan therefore needs both county eligibility and the community's booking and access terms.
SourceNearby comparison: Gray's Crossing
Gray's Crossing is a separate Truckee community in Nevada County, not a Placer County neighborhood. Include it as a nearby comparison rather than folding it into Martis Valley's Placer communities; its town jurisdiction and location create a different purchase checklist.
SourceA feel for everyday life.
Martis Valley has a public landscape worth exploring alongside its residential communities. Truckee Donner Land Trust identifies Hopkins Ranch, Elizabethtown Meadows and Waddle Ranch Preserve as distinct protected places. State Route 267 is an important locator for the valley, but it is not a substitute for identifying the actual property.
The named communities deserve separate research. Martis Camp advertises a private ski connection to Northstar and a Tom Fazio golf course. Schaffer's Mill publishes golf, membership and dining information, while Lahontan Golf Club provides its own community resources. These are private offerings with their own terms, not amenities shared by every Martis Valley address.
Waddle Ranch Preserve has trails and picnic sites for hikers, cyclists and wildlife watchers. Elizabethtown Meadows offers another view of the valley through forest and wet meadow. A visit to these public places can help you separate the broader valley experience from private club amenities advertised in a home listing.
When comparing a club-community home with another valley property, request separate figures for association dues, club access, assessments and insurance. Treat an advertised amenity as a question about membership and transfer terms. Use the parcel record to establish the responsible jurisdiction before comparing rental programs or taxes.
Make a visit more than a house tour.
Waddle Ranch Preserve
Find land trust trails, picnic sites and visitor guidance.
Explore the details (opens in a new tab)Elizabethtown Meadows
A protected meadow and forest setting described by the land trust.
Explore the details (opens in a new tab)Explore homes with the full picture.
Compare the home and club obligations together. Include transfer charges and recurring dues before deciding whether amenities justify a higher price.
Browse Placer County homes on Zillow (opens in a new tab)Zillow opens separately. Listings, estimates and boundaries are third-party information, not our inventory or a guarantee of value or availability. Check the exact address and terms with your agent.
Ask us and your real estate professional to research new construction for your specific search. Use the current new-home directory alongside county planning records; an approved project is not the same as homes available to buy.
Schools and districts
Directory: Truckee or Glenshire Elementary, Alder Creek Middle and Truckee High.
School information Enrollment informationConfirm the exact address, current attendance boundary and enrollment with the district. A nearby school is not a guaranteed assignment.
- Alder Creek Middle School (opens in a new tab)
District enrollment information.
Local services and providers
- Placer County Tahoe Station (opens in a new tab)
County service-area context includes Martis Valley.
- Caltrans QuickMap (opens in a new tab)
Review SR 267 and I-80 conditions.
What does getting around look like?
Highway 267 transit
TART's free Highway 267 route connects Crystal Bay and Truckee with stops near Northstar Village and Truckee Airport. That gives a useful corridor for a test trip, but not a stop inside every private community. Map the route from the actual gate or home and include the first/last leg in your plan.
SourceWhat belongs in the ownership budget?
Rental jurisdiction and club costs
Establish county or town jurisdiction before applying rental rules.
SourceInsurance and carrying costs
Request property-specific coverage; compare deductibles and exclusions.
SourceCompare the address, not just the price.
Bring the listing, tax bill, HOA statement and insurance quote. We can help put the recurring costs beside the loan payment before you compare homes.
Talk through the numbersWhat should I check before choosing a home?
- Keep club memberships, HOA dues and parcel assessments as separate budget lines.
- Confirm the parcel jurisdiction before comparing rental rules.
Visit at more than one time of day. Check insurance availability, utilities, total property charges and commute conditions for the specific address before removing contingencies.
