In Northern California’s Shasta County, some 3,000 feet above sea level sits McArthur, Calif. Located in the northernmost section of the Sacramento Valley, this town like many in the Shasta Cascade Region, boasts a lot of natural beauty.
Large farm and ranch properties are common and a big part of the culture and economy here. The open areas among the lakes and rivers surrounded by pine forests and mountains are breathtaking, waiting for exploration by hunters, hikers, anglers and other outdoor recreation enthusiasts.
United Country Real Estate | McArthur Ranch & Home is based in McArthur and we feel blessed to live in such a gorgeous part of California. It’s a region with small towns, friendly folks and a slower pace of living. Let’s take a closer look at the appeal of the area to residents and visitors alike.
Like the small towns that make up the majority of Northern California’s Shasta County, McArthur is defined by a culture of closeknit communities, rural living and stunning scenery.
Events and festivals in the county bring residents together throughout the year. The Inter-Mountain Fair is a family-friendly September celebration of McArthur’s agricultural heritage, and the annual Honey Bee Festival in Palo Cedro is another popular fall event. In the spring, the Happy Valley Strawberry Festival in Anderson offers arts and crafts, food and entertainment. Don’t forget Rodeo Week in May at the Redding Rodeo, before heading to the Fall River Valley Wild Rice Festival in August for more family fun.
Even with so many small towns, there are a few larger cities in Shasta County worth exploring. Start with Redding, which is home to more than half the county’s 180,000 residents. Hit the Mt. Shasta Mall for shopping, marvel at the incredible Sundial Bridge in Turtle Bay, and catch a show at the iconic Cascade Theatre. Plus, the local eats and funky boutiques downtown always draw a crowd.
History-minded visitors may want to check out the Behrens-Eaton House Museum in Redding for gold rush and Victorian era discoveries. And the Northern California Veterans Museum & Heritage Center honors all branches of the U.S. military. But for a little more active and universal education, the 300-acre Turtle Bay Exploration Park features a museum, animal exhibits, playgrounds and more.
The entire Shasta Cascade Region in Northern California is defined by some of the most beautiful land in the nation. In Shasta and Lassen counties alone, there are multiple state and national parks for outdoor recreation. One standout is McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park, with its cascade of waterfalls and excellent hiking, camping and fishing. The famous scene in “Stand by Me” when the boys outrun the train was filmed on the railroad over Lake Britton at this park.
Unique to Northern California are volcanic parks such as Ahjumawi Lava Springs State Park and Lassen Volcanic National Park. The latter has wildflower meadows, mountain lakes and numerous volcanoes that visitors can hike. Midway between that park and the town of Burney, Thousand Lakes Wilderness touts multiple lakes and ponds among the meadows, rocky ravines and scenic mountain peaks.
Mount Shasta, the region’s fastest growing vacation destination, is a hot spot for caving, river rafting, skiing and much more. Fifteen minutes south you’ll find Castle Crags State Park, a rock climber’s dream. Shasta Trinity National Forest offers horse riding, hunting and watersports … and if you’re into mountain biking, head to Redding for hundreds of miles of trails, both paved and dirt.
Last but certainly not least, it would be remiss of us not to mention the incredible fly-fishing opportunities in Northern California. Fall River, Pit River, McCloud River and Hat Creek are all great for pursuing trout, bass and crappie.
Sources: Co.shasta.ca.us; VisitRedding.com; VisitMtShasta.com; Fs.Usda.gov; Nps.gov; En.Wikipedia.org; ShastaAngler.com; Inter-Mountainfair.com; Parks.ca.gov; BurneyFallsPark.org