$466,290Average Value$164Average Price per Sq Ft1Home For Sale
Rural living in the redwood-covered hills of Northern California
Tucked away in the hills of southern Humboldt County is Benbow Historic Inn, a hotel built in 1926 that was once a destination for Hollywood and political elites including Eleanor Roosevelt and Clark Gable. A small community sprouted up around this grand old hotel, and today its residents live a quiet life surrounded by winding country lanes, hilly scenery and dense redwood forests. It’s about 3 miles outside the small town of Garberville and 70 miles from Eureka, the nearest city. “People move out here for the redwoods, the river and the golf course. It’s nice rural living,” says Elizabeth Jimenez, a real estate agent at Re/Max Humboldt Realty and a longtime resident of southern Humboldt County. The community is also close to Daishu-in West, a Buddhist Temple perched in the wooded hills south of Benbow.
Rivers, redwoods and parks
Rivers, parks and campgrounds are minutes from many front doors in Benbow. The town is bordered by the South Fork Eel River, a teal-blue body of water that snakes through the mountains from the Pacific Ocean. It provides plenty of local spots for swimming, salmon fishing and kayaking. Benbow State Recreation Area sits alongside the river and has a campground, hiking trails and a picnic area. Golfers can tee up at Benbow Golf Course, a challenging 9-hole course that winds through picturesque woodlands. Richardson Grove State Park, a few miles south of Benbow, is an 1,800-acre park where visitors can hike alongside mighty, old-growth redwood trees, including some that are more than 300 feet tall.
Benbow has old growth redwood trees that reach heights of up to 300 feet.
Visitors enjoy the Eel River at Benbow State Recreation Area.
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Upscale homes in the Humboldt hills
In Benbow, it’s common to see large custom-built homes perched on hillsides with tall windows and patios facing the surrounding mountains and valleys. Well-kept ranch-style, bungalows, cabins and Mediterranean Revival style homes can be found here. The community also showcases some historic homes like Julia Morgan Redwood Grove, a large, Tudor Revival style estate built by architect Julia Morgan that now operates as a wedding venue. Many of the older homes in the community have been well-maintained, upgraded and renovated over the years to include modern amenities. Homes are typically situated on narrow country roads lined with lush foliage, brush and tall trees. Prices range from around $300,000 to $800,000 depending on size, condition and acreage. The median list price was about $350,000 in 2024.
There are a lot of homes in the hills and mountain areas of Benbow.
Further up the mountain, in Benbow, you will find more custom upscale homes.
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Dining and grocery shopping in nearby Garberville
The only dining in town is the Benbow Inn restaurant, a luxurious dining hall with half-timbered ceilings and dark wooden detailing. For everything else, Garberville is only a short drive away. This small town of around 1,800 residents offers a variety of shops and restaurants such as Café Bellini North, The Eel River Café, Humboldt Bar & Grille and Woodrose Café. Groceries and everyday essentials are found at Ray’s Food Place, while health-conscious consumers might swing by Chautauqua Natural Foods.
Garberville’s Getti-Up is a drive-up coffee spot near Benbow.
Rays Food Place is a local grocery store that serves the community of Benbow.
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Commute to public schools
Students and parents will need to commute to get to school. The town is zoned for Redway Elementary School, Miranda Junior High School and South Fork High School. All three schools earn B-minus ratings from Niche. South Fork High is known for its athletics programs, including its well-ranked varsity football squad.
Redway Elementary School is one of the top schools in the area.
South Fork High School offers exceptional educational options.
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Easy access to the Pacific Coast Highway
State Route 101, also known as the Pacific Coast Highway, cuts through Benbow. It connects with Eureka, 70 miles north, and Santa Rosa, about 150 miles south. There’s no public transportation in Benbow, so residents will need a car to get around. Medical care is found at Jerold Phelps Community Hospital in Garberville.
Increased risk of wildfires
Benbow is at a high risk for wildfires. In August 2020, the August Complex fire burned more than 1 million acres and destroyed more than 900 homes in Northern California, including in parts of Humboldt County.
Photography Contributed By
Daniel Reagan
Video By
Vladislav Sedykh
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Marcus Schaible,
an experienced agent in this area.
On average, homes in Benbow, CA sell after 102 days on the market compared to the national average of 54 days. The median sale price for homes in Benbow, CA over the last 12 months is $197,000.
Enjoy views, privacy, and room to breathe on this 4.37-acre, two-parcel property in the Benbow Hills. City water on site and a large gardening area make it ideal for a homestead or weekend getaway. Just five minutes from Garberville and close to shopping, it's a great setting to build a cozy cabin and enjoy the best of rural living
Contractor Special! The house was in the middle of a complete remodel when the owners ran out of money. The top floor was being configured into a 2 bdrm, 1 bath home with laundry room. Downstairs is a 1 bedroom, 1 bath apartment. Many of the materials are on-site to finish the home, sheetrock, insulation, kitchen cabinets etc. Apartment can be utilized while finishing the top floor. Separate
Experience stunning river views and soothing sounds right in your backyard! Welcome to Palomino Estates, a peaceful dead-end street with river access. This charming three-bedroom, two-bath home sits on an expansive lot featuring a delightful deck perfect for savoring the river scenery. The spacious kitchen and dining area flow seamlessly into a bright living room filled with natural light. Enjoy
Two adjacent nice lots right on the fourth green of the Benbow Golf Course. $30,000 for both lots! Access on the top from Blue Rock Road. The fourth Green is below. Benbow Water, power is right there...just need a perc test!
Undeveloped lot in the beautiful town of Benbow. Minutes from the historic Benbow Inn, KOA Campground, Benbow Valley Resort Country Club golfing, and the Eel River. This is the perfect location to camp and vacation near the Humboldt County Redwoods. Reach out today!
7.8 acres for you to use as a future site for your home, vacation area when you're too cool and want to be warm for a bit or just to bring your RV, camper or tent to enjoy your own wilderness for a while. Many trees, and 1 acre of a flat area with a couple of containers to store whatever you would like to keep onsite, nearby. Very private and quiet location
Come and see for yourself how remarkable this property is. The slab has a huge storage building, constructed by the renowned company, STAR. The building measures 35' X 70'. It's constructed with steel beams and posts with plenty of insulation (R30) between them, which will keep the interior cooler on warmer days and warmer on cooler days. The top floor of this structure has 900 square feet of new
Discover this peaceful Benbow retreat at 217 Blue Rock Road, a well-maintained home overlooking the serene Benbow golf course. This property offers beautiful natural surroundings, great light, and a comfortable layout perfect for full-time living or an investment opportunity. Recent improvements include a newer roof, updated deck, refreshed appliances, and solid exterior upgrades that make this
Laura CourtemancheEXP Realty of Northern California, Inc
The 7 acres on the historic Benbow Valley Golf Course with ample space to build your dream home along with a second unit. The property includes two water meters, has been surveyed, and power is conveniently available at the street. This ideal location is near the Benbow Inn, state park, and the Eel River, making it perfect for those who appreciate nature and convenience. You can enjoy stunning
Spanning across 6.36± acres above the historic Benbow Inn, this stunning multi-level home offers spectacular views of the Benbow Valley, river, mountains and golf course. Located on a paved road with a private driveway, the property combines privacy, convenience and breathtaking scenery.This beautifully designed 3-bedroom, 2-bath home features vaulted ceilings and skylights throughout,
Legal 10k square foot Cannabis farm with Humboldt and California active permits, and ranchette for sale. This is a turn-key business opportunity. Also, this amazing property has a house and all of the outbuildings that a horse lover and dog lover could want. located on 82.5 acres in the Benbow area of Southern humboldt, this property is 15 minutes from town and schools. There are three
Attention Investors! We have 1.7 acres available at the Benbow Golf Course, offering prime development potential with R3 zoning. This flat land provides picturesque views of the surrounding mountains and river, making it an ideal location. Situated adjacent to a state park and the Benbow Inn, the property is perfectly positioned for future growth. R3 zoning allows for the construction of multiple
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