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Guidebook Siskiyou County, California
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Location/region: Shasta Cascade Region
Geographical Information: Siskiyou County,
one of the largest counties in California is geographically
diverse, with alpine forests, high deserts, wild and scenic
rivers, high mountain lakes, and of course, magnificent Mount
Shasta rising from the plain below to a height of 14,162ft.
above sea level.
Climate:
Siskiyou County is so diverse, it is possible to play in the
snow on Mount Shasta in the morning and golf at Lake Shastina
Golf Resort in the afternoon. The alpine areas around Mount
Shasta and other mountainous areas have significant snow in the
winter, which blankets the ski area on the slopes of Mount
Shasta. The valley areas receive a light dusting of
snow in the winter. All areas have warm sunny springs, summers
and falls. |
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Population: The entire county has a population
of under 47,000 people who tend to cluster in or near the eleven towns
and villages. Visitors can choose to enjoy the friendly town
environments, or easily find a personal retreat in the uninhabited
forests and meadowlands of this beautiful country.
Area History:
Siskiyou County was home to a number of Indian tribes who depended upon
the rivers, lakes and forests for their livelihood. Trappers were the
first whites to discover the richness of the area. When gold was
discovered in California, it didn't take long for the rich gold deposits
along the Scott, Salmon and Klamath Rivers to be discovered. Gold fever
was soon replaced by the desire for roots in a place rich in timber to
supply the newly developed saw mills, and rich soil to grow crops needed
by the new settlers. Around the turn of the 20th Century, southern
Siskiyou County became a travel destination for wealthy visitors who
traveled by train to the spa resorts along the Upper Sacramento River.
Timber and agriculture have slowly declined as tourism has grown as
Siskiyou County's most important industry.
Cultural info: Cultural
Info - Siskiyou County residents are proud of their history and heritage
which they display in small town museums throughout the county. Unlike
museums in big cities, the visitor controls their experience in these
small treasure storehouses. A quick walk through will net the visitor a
modest understanding of life in the early days of Siskiyou County.
Taking time to ask questions of the docent on hand can transform an
afternoon into a living history experience. Most of the people keeping
these museums open have personal knowledge about the displays, and can
often talk about items that belonged to their ancestors.
Siskiyou County towns have sprouted gift shops and
galleries in recent years that showcase works by local and regional
artists. Live theater and music is performed in coffee houses and
cabaret style theaters. Performing Arts series are presented in two
venues every year, at the Yreka Community Theater and the College of the
Siskiyous Theater in Weed.
What to see and do: Siskiyou County, Mount
Shasta Country, welcomes visitors year round. Summer recreation includes
breathtaking extreme outdoor sports such as rafting class V rapids,
climbing Mount Shasta, and cycling up steep mountain trails as well as
the soft adventures, exploring gift shops and galleries, a family
rafting trip on the gentler stretches of the Klamath, hot air
ballooning, and enjoying some of the finest restaurants between San
Francisco and Portland. Winter recreation starts at Mt. Shasta Board and
Ski Park which also runs a groomed Nordic center. Snowmobilers will
delight in the hundreds of miles of groomed back country trails. Ice
skating at Siskiyou Ice Rink in Mt. Shasta, snowshoeing and ice fishing
draw visitors to the area. Mount Shasta is considered to be one of the
top ten back country skiing destinations in the world!
Little known facts:
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Siskiyou County is the Horseradish growing
capital of the world growing nearly 1/2 of all horseradish eaten in
the world.
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Siskiyou County is home to the two northern most
wineries in California, Neveu Vineyards and Shasta View Winery, both
which produce award winning wines.
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