Burney is a rural yet developed pocket of Shasta County
Planted in the shadow of Burney Mountain, a prehistoric volcano, Burney is a community of about 3,000 that’s a draw for its amenities. This area features more grocery stores, restaurants and other commercial attractions than some other hamlets in this rural region of Northern California. That’s without sacrificing access to the array of outdoor recreation across Shasta County. “You’ve got a few more options,” says John Beckwith, a Northern California native and owner of United Country Real Estate McArthur Ranch & Home, who has about 25 years of industry experience. “Burney Falls is a big attraction to the area.”
Fishing is the tip of the iceberg for outdoor fun
Located by multiple waterways, Burney and the surrounding region are popular for fishing. Trout is the species du jour, and anglers hit spots including Burney Creek, which runs right through this community. Hat Creek is another draw for fishing. Burney Falls is within the 910-acre McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park, about 10 miles north of this community. The waterfall is 129 feet tall and is fed from a series of springs. The park includes its own series of trails, totaling 5 miles, plus a portion of the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail. “We actually get a lot of people walking that trail that will come through that area,” Beckwith says. Area adventurers can also hike or drive to the top of Burney Mountain using a 7-mile dirt path. The mountain hasn’t erupted since the Ice Age period. Burney’s Washburn-Bue Park has a pair of ball fields and a play area, and Raymond Berry Community Pool is open from June to August.
Burney offers a suburban-style residential environment
Burney is dense with bungalows and ranch-style homes constructed from the 1930s through the 1980s. These houses line tranquil residential streets and fill lots that are consistently between one-tenth and three-tenths of an acre. The environment is a bit of a departure from what’s found in some nearby communities. “You’re more likely to find your tract-style homes versus the homes on acreage that you’ll find in McArthur or Fall River Mills,” Beckwith says. Single-family houses in Burney sell for $170,000 to $450,000 based on square footage. The area also has manufactured homes for $40,000 to $80,000.
Basin Days is a July staple
Early July brings an annual tradition in the community: Burney Basin Days. Held around the Fourth of July, Burney Basin Days is a four-day celebration with live music, a parade, fireworks and a carnival.
Main Street is a magnet for restaurants and other businesses
Most of Burney’s businesses are located along Main Street. Options on this main drag include Alpine Drive Inn, which dates to 1956 and is hard to miss with its distinctly pink exterior. Alpine is known for its lengthy list of milkshake flavors, including butterscotch and banana peanut butter. Beckwith says The Outpost Steakhouse, open for more than 45 years, is a good option for a sit-down experience. Burney Sporting Goods is among the shops on Main Street and is stocked with fishing gear. Friends Main Street Books carries a selection of used titles. Grocery stores in Burney include Safeway and Grocery Outlet.
Extracurricular opportunities abound in area schools
The region’s Fall River Joint Unified School District gets a B-minus rating on Niche. The C-rated Burney Elementary offers extracurricular activities like a news crew that films and produces morning announcements and a sound crew that oversees the sound system for assemblies and other events. Burney Jr. Sr. High School carries a B-minus grade, and student groups include a Leo Club and 4-H.
Route 299 links locals with the rest of the region
Burney’s Main Street is part of California State Route 299, which drivers can follow west to Redding, a 55-mile trip. United and Alaska Airlines combine to provide direct flights to Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle from the Redding Regional Airport. Mayers Memorial Healthcare District, a hospital 18 miles east on Route 299, features a 24-hour emergency room. Main Street also has stops in the Redding Area Bus Authority and Sage Stage bus networks. Both systems provide service to Redding, but rides on Sage Stage are by reservation only.
Written By
Wayne Epps Jr.
