Garden Valley (formerly, Johntown) is an unincorporated community in El Dorado County, California.

[1] It is located on Johntown Creek 6.25 miles (10 km) north-northwest of Chili Bar,[2] at an elevation of 1949 feet (594 m).

[2] The place was originally called Johntown in honor of the sailor who discovered gold at the site.

[3] Garden Valley, like many communities in the foothills of El Dorado County, lies in a region with significant levels of asbestos in the soil.

[4] The Black Oak Mine Unified School District serves Garden Valley.