Rural living in the redwood forests of Northern California
Alderpoint is deep in the redwood-covered mountains of southern Humboldt County in Northern California. Home to around 150 people, the town is surrounded by forests as far as the eye can see. Because of its remote locale, neighbors often rely on one another for help, whether it’s a downed tree after a heavy storm or a prolonged power outage. “It’s a very tightknit area. People take care of each other and look out for each other,” says Realtor Kim Quintal of Exp Realty’s Quintal Realty Group, who works out of nearby Fortuna.
Dense forests, rolling hills and rivers
Alderpoint is surrounded by natural beauty on all sides. Low mountains rise up along the horizon line, and gravel roads wind their way into untouched forests full of redwoods, sequoias and Douglas fir trees. Black bears, raccoons, deer and foxes can be seen wandering through their natural habitats. Mountain lions are also present, but typically keep to themselves. The Eel River skirts around the edge of the town and is a popular spot for fishing for salmon and steelhead. Nearby campgrounds include Benbow State Recreation Area, which is about 20 miles away. There’s also Richardson Grove State Park, an 1,800-acre park that protects redwood groves with trees that are more than 300 feet tall.
Homes in the countryside
Homes in Alderpoint are situated on narrow, country roads with plenty of open space surrounding them. It’s not uncommon to see trucks and cars parked in the front yard alongside mature trees and bushes. Most of the houses here were built in the 1960s, 70s and 80s and include many ranch style homes, bungalows and cottages. Lot sizes range from as small as a quarter-acre to an acre or more. Kitchen and living room windows often showcase sweeping views of the mountains and forests outside town. Prices range from around $100,000 to $200,000 depending on the size and condition of the home.
Head to Garberville for shopping and dining
There are no shops, restaurants or markets in Alderpoint, so residents will have to make the trek across the mountain to Garberville. At around 1,800 residents, Garberville is the largest of southern Humboldt’s tiny townships. Its main commercial strip is Redwood Drive where residents can dine at restaurants like the Eel River Café, stop for coffee and pastries at Getti-Up or grocery shop at Ray’s Food Place. There’s also a weekly farmers’ market that takes place every Friday and features fresh produce, food vendors and artisan wares.
Public schools in Redway and Miranda
Students will need to commute on winding mountain roads to get to school. The town is zoned for Redway Elementary School, about 20 miles away. Middle and high school students can attend Miranda Junior High School and South Fork High School, which are 31 miles west in the town of Miranda. All three schools earn B-minus ratings from Niche. South Fork High is known for its athletics programs, including a well-ranked varsity football squad.
Take the backroads to State Route 101
State Route 101, also known as the Pacific Coast Highway, is the nearest major roadway to Alderpoint. To get there, residents take Alderpoint Road for 17 miles to Garberville through the countryside. It’s about a 40-minute drive. From Garberville, it’s 65 miles to Eureka, the largest city in Humboldt County, and about 150 miles to Santa Rosa, the nearest major metro area. Jerold Phelps Community Hospital, also in Garberville, is the closest medical center.
Increased risk of wildfires
Alderpoint is an area that’s at a high risk for wildfires. There have been several major fires in the area, including the August Complex fire in August 2020 that burned more than 1 million acres and destroyed more than 900 homes.
