Willow Creek, 45 miles from the Pacific Ocean, is known as a warm escape for those living on the coast, especially during the foggy northern California summer months. But there’s one thing you can’t dodge in this area – Bigfoot. Willow Creek even calls itself the Bigfoot Capital of the world. “There’s tons of stories and lore around Willow Creek,” says Brooklyn Marvin, a Realtor with Estate Realty California who lives in Willow Creek. “It’s really funny because as much as you don’t want to believe in it, you hear the stories from good people who don’t tell fibs. Everyone has a story, and they happen up in the mountains. It’s not like we see Bigfoot walking around town.” Tales range from up-close-and-personal accounts, where locals have come face-to-face with the giant hairy creature, to midnight camping trips turned frenzied scrambles down a mountainside upon hearing an unmistakable Bigfoot call nearby. Aside from the supernatural, or, as some would contend, all too real elements of Willow Creek, the town has a communal atmosphere that focuses on the Trinity River Valley itself. “The culture here is really about homesteading and farming and being close with the land,” says Marvin. “It’s a really chill vibe. Cannabis culture has always been big out here. If people are growing anything in their backyard, there are always some cannabis plants back there, too. People care about gardening, good food and hanging out.”
Enjoy ranch-style home and barn decorations from the roadside in Willow Creek.
A Willow Creek activity map shows just how much fun you can find in the area.
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A riverside culture where rafting is the thing to do
Willow Creek is in the heart of the Six Rivers National Forest and is surrounded by hiking trails and mountain peaks. The Trinity River runs through the length of the area and is the center of culture and activity. “The river is really important and there are tons of spots to raft,” Marvin says. “All summer, you see people floating down the river. There’s no shopping out here, so if you have free time you’re going down to the river.” The Trinity River access trail curves up the side of the valley for a mile-long round trip and provides a view of the river below. Camp Kimtu, a 10-site campground on a beach along the Trinity River, has cabins and space for small RVs and Veteran’s Park has baseball fields, horseshoe pits and a playground.
The Trinity River runs through the center of the Willow Creek neighborhood.
The Trinity River Trail is just one of many adventures to be found in Willow Creek.
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Celebrating Bigfoot and Willow Creek
Willow Creek’s connection with Bigfoot, the ever-elusive, oversized cryptid, is on display at the Willow Creek China Flat Museum & Bigfoot Museum. There’s also information about the area’s past as a gold-mining hub alongside casts of Bigfoot footprints, the most recent of which was discovered in May 2024. The community unites every September for Bigfoot Daze, an annual festival celebrating the history of the big cryptid. It includes a parade, barbeque and live music.
The Bigfoot Museum is a major tourist attraction for the Willow Creek neighborhood.
Willow Creek homes are built around a golf course.
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Houses in the Trinity River Valley
Willow Creek’s homes are built along the slopes of the Trinity River Valley. The streets are tree-lined, and a look around from anywhere in Willow Creek means views of the river and the valley. Houses in Willow Creek tend to sell for between $200,000 and $750,000, and properties at the top of the price range come with 5 or more acres. Some properties are summer homes for people living on the coast. Ranch-style, Craftsman and chalet homes can be found across the area. The higher into the hills the houses are built, the better the views get, and the higher the chances become of a Bigfoot encounter. Homebuyers should know that Willow Creek scores a 1 out of 10 on the CAP Crime Index, lower than the national average of 4.
Suburban pockets of homes can be found in the Willow Creek neighborhood.
Ranch-style homes often display their agricultural past as art in Willow Creek.
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Getting around Willow Creek and moderate weather
U.S. Route 299 connects Willow Creek to Eureka and Arcata, the two closest cities, about 45 miles away. The California Redwood Coast-Humboldt County Airport is in the same coastal area as Eureka and Arcata. The Willow Creek Community Health Center offers medical care inside the neighborhood. Willow Creek is ensconced in its own world, from the culture to the weather. “It’s a completely different microclimate from the coast as you drive inland,” says Marvin. “It’s always sunny. You’ve got a real summer out here in a way you don’t on the coast; it snows in the winter, and you get fall colors.”
Willow Creek residents receive local health care at Open Door.
Catch a flight to or from Willow Creek at the Humboldt County Airport.
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Schools around Willow Creek
Trinity Valley Elementary School serves kindergarten through grade 8 and has a C-minus rating on Niche. Hoopa Valley High School has a B-minus rating and is about 10 miles north of Willow Creek. The school has a robust performing arts program that includes instrumental music, dance and theater groups.
Trinity Valley Elementary School is located in the town of Willow Creek, California.
Your children will love the Hoopa Valley High School campus.
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Grabbing a bite to eat in Bigfoot's backyard
Shopping and dining aren’t the focus in Willow Creek. In fact, some try to keep shopping trips to a minimum. “If you want to shop, you go to the coast,” Marvin says. “People will drive to Costco, load up, and not go back for a couple of weeks.” Willow Creek has a few restaurants and shops, like the Trinity River Farm, an organic produce market, and Bigfoot Steakhouse, which has a mural of several Bigfoots gardening and trading with humans. Ray's Food Place offers groceries and Gonzalez Mexican Restaurant serves Mexican dishes in a casual setting.
The Bigfoot Restaurant offers delicious food in Willow Creek.
Eureka Costco runs are about an hour and a half from Willow Creek.
GreatSchools:
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Come see this beautiful 10 acre lot right in the Bigfoot subdivision. The land is situated at the top of the subdivision, which means you have space, peace, and nothing but open mountain behind you! There is a cute little 10x12 cabin at the bottom of the property that has been used as an airbnb. It's a one room open space with a loft, and an outdoor kitchen.There is water storage on the
Located a half mile from Trinity River this cabin offers A/C large wrap around porch with views of Redwoods. Awesome vacation home or a retirement home. ''Listing Broker and agents DO NOT guarantee the information in this MLS Listing is accurate. It is the duty of any person, buyer or entity using this MLS listing to exercise due diligence to independently verify this information.''
Charming 3-bed, 2-bath A-frame in peaceful Willow Creek - Ideal for full-time living or a vacation retreat. Nestled among the trees for privacy and natural beauty, this cozy home features a wraparound deck, sparkling pool, and newer hot tub. Inside, enjoy a warm, inviting floorplan with a wood stove, newer forced air furnace, A/C, and roof for year-round comfort and peace of mind. The main level
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Claire Patton,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
1,502
Median Age
50
Population under 18
19.4%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
31%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$76,025
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$70,023
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
98.4%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
27%
Advanced Degrees
4.9%
% Population in Labor Force
53.2%
Below the national average
65.1%
Area Factors
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
0/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
