Reservation community surrounded by dense forests in Hoopa
Hoopa is a rural area along the Trinity River, surrounded by Northern California's dense pine and redwood forests. This unincorporated community is home to the Hoopa Valley Indian Reservation, the largest in the state. In 1864, the U.S. government recognized this tribe's sovereignty, which granted the Hupa people to maintain their generational land. While the occasional sasquatch sighting stirs local folklore, Hoopa remains relatively undisturbed, with plenty of natural scenery. "It's serene and beautiful country out here. We have the rivers, the mountains and hiking," says Tangie Markle, an area local and real estate agent at Humboldt Land Company Real Estate. "We focus on tourism and nature because we're in the beautiful mountains of Northern California."
Single-level homes on shady wooded lots
Residential streets wind through forests and residential communities in the town center. Some properties sit on shady acre lots, and land is a common feature of listed homes. The local architecture comprises a mix of single-level Craftsman and ranch-style homes. Based on limited home sale data, prices range from $100,000 to $300,000, significantly less than standard prices in California, although availability is limited. "Some houses have been in the same family since 1920," Markle says. "Tribal lands are often given to a family and transferred to other family members." The CAP Index crime score in Hoopa is 2 out of 10, which is lower than the national average of 4.
Hoopa Valley students learn about Hupa heritage
Hoopa Valley Elementary School serves students from kindergarten to eighth grade and earns a C-minus grade from Niche. Its curriculum features a Hupa Language Immersion Program that connects students to their cultural heritage and the surrounding land through summer camps. Hoopa Valley High School receives a B-plus and participates in the California Scholarship Federation, an honor society with volunteer opportunities.
Lunch at the Valley Cafe and local markets in Willow Creek
Hoopa has a limited selection of shopping and dining establishments. The Hoopa Shopping Center has grocery items, a deli and games at the Lucky Bear Casino. There are two main restaurants in Hoopa's downtown area. The Valley Café is a sit-in diner serving burgers and milkshakes. Another option is Gal's Firepit Pizza, a food truck that serves wood-fired pies. Willow Creek is a neighboring town about 10 miles south, with supermarkets like Ray's Food Place. Also nearby, the Trinity River Farm carries locally sourced produce and flowers.
Recreation on the Trinity River and Six Rivers National Forest
Residents can fish and raft the Trinity River, which has multiple access points in the area. The Tish Tang campground is a popular place to camp and swim, with a rocky beach by the water. Hoopa is also within reach of Six Rivers National Forest, which has campgrounds, swimming holes and hiking trails about 15 miles north. Local green spaces provide recreational facilities, and multiple baseball diamonds are along the Trinity River Parkway. Pookey's Park also has a softball field and a playground.
Humboldt County transportation and getting to nearby towns
The Humboldt Transit Authority (HTA) provides public transit with a bus system throughout the county. State Route 96 goes through the town center, connecting Hoopa to the greater area. Eureka is the county seat and the nearest coastline city, about 60 miles west. McKinleyville is another town about 50 miles away. The California Redwood Coast – Humboldt County Airport is also about an hour west, providing domestic flights to U.S. cities.
