Pentz (formerly, Lyon Ranch and Pence) is an unincorporated community in Butte County, California. It is located in the Messilla Valley, 7 miles (11 km) south-southeast of Paradise, at an elevation of 440 feet (134 m). The place was founded in 1850 by Manoah Pence, who became the first postmaster when the post office was opened in 1864. The post office closed in 1912.