The Basics: Coarsegold is a small town on the lower slopes of the Sierra Nevada, not far from California's exact geographic center. The name was derived from nearby Coarse Gold Creek (AKA Coarse Gold Gulch), in which gold rush prospectors found some big ol' hunks of the glittery stuff.

Coarsegold is rarely mentioned as part of the mother lode—but it is, in fact, the southernmost populated settlement in California's famed mother lode territory. The town was once a stage stop for Yosemite-bound travelers. The Golden Chain Highway (State Route 49) through California's quirky old gold rush towns and wild foothill topography begins about seven miles north, in the town of Oakhurst.

Coarsegold, the region, consists of scattered ranches, homes on big lots, Indian trust land, and "estate-style" subdivisions. The most populated section is strung along an eight-to 10-mile stretch of State Highway 41 in non-incorporated Madera County. To the west, scattered parcels and smaller subdivisions are hidden along narrow country roads between Highway 41 and the Fresno River. To the east lie larger ranches, open land and the wild Sierra Nevada mountains.

At Coarsegold's southern end is a large subdivision called Yosemite Lakes Park, which consists of more than 2,000 lots. Heading northeast on Highway 41, about three or four miles before you reach the downtown district, you'll find another reasonably large subdivision (around 500 lots) called Indian Lakes Estates. This tract is reached by heading east on Road 417 (Picayune Road).

North of the downtown, at higher elevations, lie several smallish subdivisions, including Mudge Ranch and Teaford Meadows, where properties are typically a bit pricier. Several miles beyond is the town of Oakhurst—and 20-some miles beyond Oakhurst is Yosemite National Park.

In elevation, the Coarsegold region ranges from about 1,200 feet to almost 3,000 feet. The downtown district offers a large grocery store (which includes a deli, fresh meat and produce departments, and a liquor section), an Ace Hardware Store, several galleries and gift shops, three or four sit-down restaurants, some fast food stops, a couple of gas stations, a bank, some miscellaneous services, and several popular tourist attractions (including an interesting Western Village with arts and craft shops and regularly staged events). Yosemite Lakes Park has two small business districts with all the basics.

Coarsegold's population is probably somewhere around 9,500. Judging from the number of building permits issued, Coarsegold is the fastest growing region in Madera County. The climate here is much better than that of the Central Valley—often warmer in the winter, due to the lack of Valley fog, and five or 10 degrees cooler in the summer, depending on elevation. Rainfall totals are maybe twice as high as the Valley's, and snowflakes fall a time or two each year. The snow doesn't stick around for long. It's not unusual to see brilliant blue sky, even when the Valley below is lost in a shroud of sickly gray.

Demographics? Schools? If you are checking the area out with an eye to living here, it's best to contact one of the real estate agents listed in the Commerce section for more information (or check out the Google ads on the right). See the Links section for general information about Eastern Madera County. FYI, Coarsegold also has a newly developing Chamber of Commerce.

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New Casino/Resort: The Chukchansi Gold Resort is a large casino/entertainment complex on about 160 acres in the Indian Lakes/Quartz Mountain area of Coarsegold. The project includes a 192-room luxury hotel with eight suites and eight spa-rooms; seven individually themed restaurants and bars; a future RV park; a 56,000-square-foot casino with 1,800 slots and 47 table games (including a variety of poker games); and live entertainment in two show venues. An expansion is underway. Per a July 7, 2006 article in the "Sierra Star," the expansion will add an above-ground parking facility, an 11-story hotel tower with another 220 rooms, and such visitor amenities as swimming pools, spas, and workout facilities. More restaurants will be added too.

Located just off Highway 41 on Lucky Lane, the Chukchansi Gold is one of the largest casino complexes in Central California and employs 1,000 to 1,300 people. It sits at a higher elevation than its Central Valley counterparts, has more picturesque surroundings, and makes for an easy stop-off on the southern route to or from Yosemite National Park.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs approved the tribe's environmental assessment in 2001, and the state and County reached mitigation agreements with the tribe regarding the casino complex's impacts on traffic, water, security etc. before construction began.

Click here to view the agreement between Madera County and the Picayune Rancheria Chukchansi. Some may find it a rather fascinating example of the ongoing balancing act between tribal interests and the concerns of local citizens and their representatives, as Indian gaming continues to flourish in California. Click here to visit the Chukchansi Gold Resort website for information on casino entertainment, food, employment and lodging.

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What Residents Say: Please read on to see what some residents have said about life in Coarsegold. We thank certain members of the now defunct Coarsegold Mailing List for their contributions.

"It's great to be outside on warm summer evenings and see the deer walk through your property, watch the raccoons and possums parade across the deck, watch the bats flying around catching insects, and listen to the coyotes. The commute to Fresno isn't bad. I live on Lilley Mtn in Yosemite Lakes Park, and I can be at the Herndon off-ramp on Highway 41 in 35 minutes. It's just another 14 minutes from there to the airport, and another ten minutes from the Herndon off-ramp to downtown Fresno. Not a bad commute at all, by Bay area standards. Highway 41 does get congested, but again, nothing to compare with driving into San Francisco during rush hour via the Bay Bridge!"

"It's friggin' hot in the summer, usually 100 or so. If you're used to Valley weather, it's not bad. If you're like me, and you're from the Bay Area, it can be unbearable ..."

"Last summer, there were only two nights that we had to run the air conditioning all night -- all other nights, we could open up the doors and windows and get a great breeze in. If you like being out after dark in the summer in shorts and sandals and not even think about carrying a sweatshirt, this is the place."

"I live in Indian Lakes Estates, where the commute to East Fresno is 35-to 40 minutes. It's well worth the drive. Coming home is incredibly refreshing."

"Coarsegold in the Fall... . The vultures are definitely wonderful to see en mass, on their way down to clean up the roads in Mexico and leave us on our own for the winter. Cool to see the tarantulas crossing the roads now. The leaves are starting to turn, it's getting chilly, garden tomatoes are starting to get that fall change in flavor, and Halloween pumpkins are appearing!"

"I have been in the Bay Area the last 6 days, and what a breath of fresh air to return here! No traffic, no noise, no heavy smoggy air. Lots of wildflowers, coyotes singing, peace and quiet, green everywhere, snowy mountains around us. Spring is great up here!"

"It's a great place to live. The live oaks are beautiful year round, and we've got a little creek running through the yard full of frogs and minnows. I can flyfish for bass just down the street, and the wildlife parades through our yard at all hours."

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