A steadily growing city between Sequoia forests and the Pacific Ocean
Located among the towering redwoods of Humboldt County and just 10 miles from the Pacific Ocean, the rural city of Fortuna is surrounded by dairy farms, fruit orchards and agricultural fields. The city thrives on outdoor recreation among all the natural wonders that surround it. "People like the location benefits because it’s in the center of Humboldt County. The ocean is 10 to 15 minutes away, and there are mountainous areas with a lake to the east. We have a park behind the Depot Museum where you can walk through the redwoods, and the river is very popular,” says Kim Quintal, a Realtor with eXp Realty of California with 20 years of experience. Fortuna is also known as "The Friendly City" because of it's small town charm, welcoming residents and community events.
Fortuna has been an agricultural area known for fruits, vegetables and berries for over a century. Fishing and lumber were also big industries that continue to significantly impact the city. More recent employment sectors include healthcare. For instance, Providence Redwood Memorial Hospital is a major area employer and the city's primary medical center.
The Depot Museum in Fortuna is also the gateway to Rohner Park where hiking in the redwoods, youth sports and roller skating events are held.
Fortuna thrives on outdoor recreation and offers opportunities to walk through marshes and through redwood trees.
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City parks, Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge and the Fortuna Rodeo
Rohner Park has trails leading through two miles of redwood forest, a skating rink and several playgrounds. It also has full-size and Little League baseball fields, as well as horseshoe and bocce ball pits. Newburg Park is home to the Dennis Wendt Sports Complex and the Gene Lucas Community Center, which has activities, such as art classes and toddler play groups. The sports complex has baseball, softball and soccer fields alongside a playground and a bike park.
Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge is 9 miles north and is one of the most biologically diverse areas on the planet. The preserve covers 5,000 acres and encompasses salt marshes, mud flats, coastal dunes, meadows and a forest. It’s popular for hiking and bird watching. Fortuna is located among vast swathes of towering Redwoods old enough to have been standing during the height of the Roman Empire. Part of Highway 101 passing through Redwoods State Park is called Avenue of the Giants, a 31-mile stretch of roadway flanked by these ancient trees.
Fortuna has a lot to offer including a bike park at Newburg Park which includes the Gene Lucas Community Center and the Dennis Wendt Sports Complex
Fortuna borders the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge where bird watching and hiking are popular.
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Various architectural styles and rising appreciation rates in the Eel River Valley
Fortuna’s somewhat competitive housing market primarily consists of single-family homes with two- to three-bedroom and manufactured housing. Most were built between the 1940s and the 1990s, although new constructions are still going up around the city. There are ranch-style homes, modified farmhouses, Colonial Revivals and contemporary Craftsman-styles lining a mix of tightly gridded streets and winding roads. “People can remodel or live in turn-key houses. The interest rate is low, and people won’t move because of how good it is. Of course, most people don’t move out anyway. They like where they live," says Quintal. Over the last decade, home appreciation rates have risen by over 6% each year. Homes sell for a median price of $400,000, around the national median.
Founded in 1874, Fortuna offers historic Victorian homes as well as new developments and custom homes in the hills.
A contemporary single-family home in Fortuna offers a view of the distant redwood trees to enjoy.
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The Fortuna Daffodil Festival, a rodeo and cook off
Fortuna has been an agricultural area known for fruits, vegetables and berries for over a century. Fishing and lumber were also early industries that continue to significantly impact the city. More recent employment sectors include healthcare and retail. For instance, Providence Redwood Memorial Hospital is a major area employer and the city's primary medical center.
Fortuna residents receive healthcare at Providence Redwood Memorial Hospital where many locals are also employed.
Lumber mills are an active part of the Fortuna economy both nearby and regionally with all the redwood trees.
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Local eateries, downtown shopping and Fortuna Farmer’s Market
There are national quick-service chains and locally owned eateries ranging from bakeries and frozen yogurt shops to breweries and international fare. Downtown Main Street has dozens of small businesses, cafes, specialty grocers, plant nurseries and art studios. The Fortuna Farmer’s Market is held on Main Street every Tuesday from June through October. Redwood Village Shopping Center and Strongs Creek Plaza are small open-air shopping centers with casual restaurants, cellphone retailers and supermarkets.
Main Street in Fortuna is the location for the the Fortuna Farmer’s Market where locally grown produce is available on Tuesdays in the Summer.
Redwood Village Shopping Center in Fortuna offers all the coveniences including grocery shopping, fast food, salons and a laundromat.
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Career development in the Fortuna Union High School District and College of the Redwoods
The Fortuna Elementary School District oversees four schools, enrolling over 1,000 kindergarten through eighth-grade students. It earned a B-minus ranking from Niche. The Fortuna Union High School District operates three campuses and has a B-plus rating. The College of the Redwoods awards two-year degrees and professional certificates 9.5 miles north in Eureka.
The Fortuna Elementary School District includes the Norman G Ambrosini Elementary School in Fortuna.
The Fortuna Union High School District offer several options in Fortuna including the Fortuna High School.
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Highway 101, the Redwood Transit System and short commutes
Highway 101 is Fortuna’s most significant roadway and intersects with Highway 36, a short distance from the city. While most people in Fortuna drive, public transportation is available. Humboldt Transit operates the Redwood Transit System, a bus service between Fortuna and cities like Rio Dell, Eureka and Fields Landing. The Amtrak Thruway 7 bus transports people from Fortuna to Arcata and Martinez, which has connections to other routes. People in Fortuna have shorter commutes than the national average, with many traveling around 20 minutes one-way each day. Downtown is designed for easy walking and mobility devices, but the city has very few bike lanes. Eureka, the county seat, is 14 miles north, and domestic flights are available 33 miles away at the California Redwood Coast-Humboldt County Airport.
Clear skies, Humboldt County natural disaster risks and FBI crime data
The city’s summers are cool with clear skies, while the winters are cold and rainy. Fortuna isn’t as foggy as some nearby northern cities, but it does experience about 11 days of poor air quality a year. Earthquakes, floods and wildfires are the most common natural disasters. Humboldt County’s website has preparation measures and safety information for these events. According to FBI crime data, in 2023, Fortuna's violent crime rate was 11% below the national average, while property crimes were 14% lower than the average.
Sarah has been a licensed real estate agent since 2003 and obtained her broker license in 2011. In July of 2018, Sarah branched out on her own as Forbes & Associates - Sarah Corliss. She has been a real estate professional and member of the Humboldt Association of Realtors, the California Association of Realtors and the National Association of Realtors since 2003, the same year she joined Sue Forbes at Forbes & Associates. Sarah is a great agent to work with and being a Humboldt County native she has great local insight to our local area.
Sarah is knowledgeable, experienced, has a friendly approach, an outstanding reputation for getting the job done. You will find her trustworthy, dependable, and all around honest. She is a Humboldt County native and a local area expert.
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.
