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:

• Siskiyou County is the Horseradish growing capital of the world growing nearly 1/2 of all  horseradish eaten in the world.

• 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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