Alturas is a quiet farm town surrounded by mountains and forests
Alturas is a small agricultural town in NoCal's Shasta Cascade region. It's the county seat of and sole incorporated town in Modoc County — the third least populated county in the entire state. The city motto, "Where the West Still Lives," pretty much sums up the Alturas experience: horseback riding and outdoor sports are popular, and the town is surrounded by high plains and mountain views straight out of a classic Western. "Modoc County kind of is the community," says broker and lifelong Alturas resident Sandy Stevenson of United Country Stevenson Realty. "There are only around 8,000 people in the entire county, and Alturas is basically the heart of it, so if you're the kind of person who likes people, you get to know just about everyone in Modoc. It's small-town stuff." Ranching and farming have always been a part of life in Alturas, but the Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management and Modoc Medical Center — the only hospital in the county — are also major employers.
Bungalows and midcentury ranch-style homes
The vast majority of local housing stock is found within city limits, though some custom-built homes can be found in surrounding areas, often with a few acres attached. Most of the homes in Alturas, though, are cozy early 20th-century bungalows and midcentury ranch-style homes on relatively small city lots. Most single-family homes sell for between $100,000 and $300,000.
Surrounded by the expansive Modoc National Forest
Alturas is surrounded by opportunities for outdoor recreation, including extensive tracts of Bureau of Land Management land popular with off-roaders and horseback riders. “You can find great hiking and beautiful surroundings in pretty much any direction,” says Stevenson. The town is surrounded by the 1.6 million-acre Modoc National Forest, which offers hundreds of miles of hiking trails and extensive camping opportunities. The Modoc National Wildlife Refuge just south of town provides additional hiking and wildlife viewing options. Fishing is also a popular local pastime, with multiple rivers, ponds and reservoirs within easy driving distance of town. Green space closer to home is mostly found around the local elementary school and middle school in the center of town, including the town pool, athletic fields and skate park.
Multiple supermarkets and a quaint downtown
Most retail in Alturas, and by extension Modoc County, is concentrated along state Route 299, where locals can find all three of the town's supermarkets, and Main Street, which is home to a small walkable downtown area. Downtown Alturas has a few antique stores, shops and restaurants, along with the Niles Theater, the only cinema in the county. Alturas' dining scene is small but relatively diverse, featuring highly rated eateries like Hoang Chinese Restaurant, The Auction Yard Cafe and Rubio's Taqueria. The Alturas Farmers Market operates on Saturdays, offering fresh produce and local goods. Nightlife and entertainment options are relatively limited, though the Desert Rose Casino on the outskirts of town does regularly feature live music.
Modoc County public schools
Alturas' public schools are overseen by Modoc Joint Unified School District and serve most of the county's students. Alturas Elementary School has a C-plus rating on Niche, while Modoc Middle School and Modoc High School both have B-minus ratings. Modoc High offers dual enrollment courses through Shasta College.
Fandango Days and a balloon festival
The Fandango Days celebration, held around the Fourth of July, features a parade, carnival rides and fireworks. The Alturas Chamber of Commerce Balloon Fest in September sees a variety of colorful hot air balloons rise above the town.
Long drives to the nearest cities
Alturas is accessible via state Route 299 and U.S. Route 395, the two major ways in and out of town. Car ownership is a must for most residents, as there is no public transportation system within the city. It's almost 100 miles from Alturas to Klamath Falls, the nearest commercial airport. Reno, the nearest major city, is roughly 170 miles away by car.
