People move to Weaverville for the wilderness
Weaverville is an old gold rush town in the Trinity Alps of the Cascade Range. People move this far north in California for one main reason: the seemingly endless wilderness in every direction. “People don’t come for employment, they come here to enjoy their recreational life,” says Realtor Nancy Dean with Tri County Homes & Land, who’s been selling here since moving from the Bay Area almost 25 years ago. “Trinity County is over twice the size of Rhode Island, and most of it is open space, so you’re surrounded by all this outdoor opportunity,” Dean says. Weaverville is the seat of Trinity County. By no means is it a large city, but it has all the necessities residents could need. So, people can enjoy Weaverville’s outdoor lifestyle without driving miles and miles for school, shopping or a night out.
Late-1800s homes in town and mountain cabins with acreage
The median price for a single-family home is about $350,000. The amount of space available for the money draws buyers looking for the recreational lifestyle here. “People come up here from more expensive markets like the Bay Area when they realize they can get 3 acres for a fraction of the price,” Dean says. Spacious mountain cabins on a few acres and large late-1800s homes in town can cost around $600,000. Midsize cabins, prairie-style and ranch-style homes go for around the median, and small cottages and manufactured homes can be found for under $100,000.
Hiking in the Trinity Alps, with a possibility of Bigfoot sightings
Weaverville is immersed in millions upon millions of acres of forested mountains, locally called the Trinity Alps Wilderness. It’s part of the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, the largest national forest in California. Hikers have access to trails in every direction. “The Weaver Basin Trail System connects all the trails,” Dean says. “People can hike in the Alps and find campgrounds and connect to the Pacific Crest Trail.” The Alps have a history of bigfoot sightings, so if hikers keep their eyes peeled, they might catch a glimpse of the elusive creature. During the summer, if locals aren’t looking for a sasquatch, they’re probably at one of the area’s scenic mountain lakes. Lewiston Lake is 20 miles east, and Trinity Lake is 30 miles northeast on state Route 3.
Trinity Alps Unified Schools in town
The Trinity Alps Unified School District serves this mountain town and receives a B grade from Niche. The district’s two schools are both in Weaverville. Students complete kindergarten through eighth grade at Weaverville Elementary, which is rated a B-plus. They finish at Trinity High School, which earns a B.
Boutiques and eateries in the Historic District
The Historic District is Weaverville’s heart of activity. This few-block stretch of Main Street is lined with restaurants like Mamma Llama Eatery and Café, boutiques like My Revival and small grocers like Mountain Marketplace. The Diggins and New York Saloon are favorite spots for a drink, and they’re across the street from each other. The Trinity Theatre is a historic entertainment venue in the district. Just south on Main Street, there are a few strip malls with supermarkets, pharmacies and other necessities. For larger stores like Costco, residents drive 45 miles east to Redding.
Art Walks every Saturday
On the first Saturday of every month, the community congregates in the Historic District for the Art Walk. “You can grab a glass of wine and pop into all the galleries on Main Street,” Dean says. “Artists love it here because they can look in any direction and paint a picture.” The walk is organized by the Trinity County Arts Council. It involves exhibits, live demonstrations and vendors at galleries and other venues around the Historic District.
Local healthcare employers and a 45-mile drive to Redding
Weaverville isn’t close to any significantly larger city, but there’s ample employment in town. Trinity Hospital, just north of Main Street, is a prominent medical employer and provides convenient healthcare. People also work at local schools, city offices, small businesses and tourist attractions. Redding is the closest city that might offer more work opportunities, with its growing downtown, 45 miles east on state Route 299.
High summer temperatures and wildfire activity
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection categorizes Weaverville as a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. Endless forests and summer highs in the mid-90s combine to make wildfires a fairly common occurrence in the surrounding mountains. The 2023 Deep Fire and 2017 Helena Fire got the closest to Weaverville in recent years, but much more expansive fires have occurred in Trinity County and its neighboring counties more recently. With this threat, it’s crucial for residents to have an evacuation plan. Homeowners can take extra steps like creating a defensible space around their property by removing dry, overgrown brush.
