Mount Shasta’s outdoor expanses have a magnetic pull
Mount Shasta is a Northern California community known for the 14,163-foot summit of the same name. The striking mountain is believed to emit a spiritual energy, and its varied terrain a wealth of recreation. Housing options within Mount Shasta cross multiple eras, and the area offers an assortment of restaurants and shops downtown. “A lot of the buyers I work with, people will say they didn’t just choose Mount Shasta, they were called to it,” says local Realtor Krista Cartwright, who’s with Alpine Realty and has sold real estate in this area for almost 10 years. “The mountains are a center for outdoor enthusiasts, people who love outdoor recreation. Our community has a lot of artists and healers. The energy here is both spiritual and scenic. It’s very unique. You don’t find this anywhere.”
Hiking to skiing, the area offers recreation year-round
Hiking is prominent in this mountainside community. Thousands come every year for treks to Mount Shasta’s snowy peak. The 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail cuts through this area, too. “We get hikers coming by on the Pacific Crest Trail,” Cartwright says. “They actually will stop in town. You see a lot of people stopping in with backpacks, as they’re on their journey.” Several mountain biking paths are available, including the 10-mile Gateway Trail. Another trail surrounds Lake Siskiyou, which is about 6 miles from downtown. The lake itself is a draw for fishing, swimming and boating. Winter brings opportunities for skiing and snowmobiling. Locals have access to the 260-mile Tri-Forest Snowmobile Trail System, and the Mt. Shasta Nordic Center features roughly 15 miles of cross-country ski trails. Municipal green spaces like City Park and Shastice Park offer playgrounds.
Homes are uniquely varied in terms of location, age and style
Mount Shasta’s residential streets are a mix of urban and pastoral. Some feature sidewalks, and most are framed by a lush mix of trees. Some homes were built in the early 20th century, while others are less than 25 years old. Ranch-style homes are common but not exclusive. “Each property is very unique,” Cartwright says. “We have cabins, vintage homes. Appraisers have a hard time doing appraisals, because it’s not a cookie-cutter village.” Cartwright estimates that full-time residents occupy about 60% of the area’s homes, while the rest are vacation properties. Most single-family houses in Mount Shasta go for $200,000 to $800,000. Options on the low end are typically less than 1,500 square feet, while those on the high end are over 2,000 square feet, come with at least an acre of land and sometimes include prime mountain views. The community also has limited manufactured homes for $40,000 to $140,000 and condos for $200,000 to $290,000.
Fourth of July is a festive time of year in Mount Shasta
Summer brings a major event here: the four-day Mount Shasta Fourth of July Street Fair & Festival. Cartwright says the festival draws over 5,000 people to the area for a parade, live music and fireworks over Lake Siskiyou. Mount Shasta also hosts a farmers market downtown on Mondays from May to October, with products from eggs to chocolates.
Downtown is a destination for dining and more
This area’s downtown is centered around North Mount Shasta Boulevard, a walkable strip with restaurants and specialty shops. Options include Pipeline Craft Taps & Kitchen, where the duck fat fries appetizer is a hit. “Probably the local favorite for lunch or dinner,” Cartwright says. “You can eat outside. They’ve got a great menu.” Close-by Drizzle is known in part for its breakfast burritos. “There’s usually a line out the door there,” Cartwright adds.
The Fifth Season Outdoor Store carries gear for outdoor enthusiasts, including hiking boots, skis and mountain bikes. Soul Connections has a wide selection of crystals and jewelry. “They’ve got a ton of stuff from all over the world there," Cartwright says. Locals can grab groceries from Mount Shasta Supermarket or pick up the popular tri-tips from the hot bar on Fridays and Saturdays. The 25-bed Mercy Medical Center Mt. Shasta, which has an emergency room, is just off North Mount Shasta Boulevard.
Mount Shasta schools find ways to enjoy the outdoors
The Mount Shasta Union School District carries a B rating on Niche. The system includes the B-rated Mount Shasta Elementary for kindergarten through third grade and the B-plus-rated Sisson School for grades 4 through 8. Both schools host periodic Lunch on the Lawn events throughout the school year, inviting families to eat lunch outside with their children. From Sisson, students can attend Mount Shasta High in the Siskiyou Union High School District. The school and the district earn B ratings, and students can take dual-enrollment courses through the nearby College of the Siskiyous. “Some kids even graduate with their Associate of Arts degree already,” Cartwright says.
Locals are closely connected to Interstate 5
Interstate 5 runs through the middle of Mount Shasta. The freeway flows south into Redding, where travelers can catch flights to Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle from the Redding Regional Airport. Siskiyou County’s STAGE bus service is a public transportation option with multiple stops in Mount Shasta.
Written By
Wayne Epps Jr.
