Willow Creek, California | |
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Census-designated place | |
The "Bigfoot Museum" in Willow Creek
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Location in Humboldt County and the state of California |
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Coordinates: 40°56′22″N 123°37′53″W / 40.93944°N 123.63139°WCoordinates: 40°56′22″N 123°37′53″W / 40.93944°N 123.63139°W | |
Country | United States |
State | California |
County | Humboldt |
Area | |
• Total | 30.610 sq mi (79.281 km2) |
• Land | 30.310 sq mi (78.504 km2) |
• Water | 0.300 sq mi (0.777 km2) 0.98% |
Elevation | 610 ft (186 m) |
Population (2010) | |
• Total | 1,710 |
• Density | 56/sq mi (22/km2) |
Time zone | Pacific (PST) (UTC-8) |
• Summer (DST) | PDT (UTC-7) |
ZIP code | 95573 |
Area code(s) | 530 |
FIPS code | 06-85642 |
GNIS feature ID | 1660182 |
U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Willow Creek, California |
Willow Creek (formerly, China Flat) is a census-designated place (CDP) in Humboldt County, California, United States. The population was 1,710 at the 2010 census, down from 1,743 at the 2000 census. Residents of this small mountain town are commonly referred to as "Willow Creekers." The town is located around 25 miles (40 km) inland from county seat and harbor city Eureka, with the two places vastly differing in climate.
Willow Creek sits along the Trinity River. Willow Creek is described as a “rugged mountain community nestled in the heart of the Six Rivers National Forest.” This area of California is located in the Trinity/Shasta/Cascade Region, near the Oregon border, and is easily reached via State Routes 96 (the "Bigfoot Scenic Byway") and 299.
The town, which is at the intersection of those Routes, is the Bigfoot capital of the world, and holds an annual "Bigfoot Daze" festival in September in honor of the creature, followed by various festivities in a local park. The roadhead of the Bluff Creek / Fish Lake Road, near which many alleged Bigfoot sightings and footprint finds occurred, is about 46 miles northeast, along Route 96. A non-commercial "Willow Creek Bigfoot Landmarks: A Brief Touring Guide, plus BF Odds and Ends" can be viewed online.
The region is the location of the Willow Creek American Viticultural Area. Organic gardens and vineries abound and welcome travelers to try their wares. The upper Trinity River offers a classic Class III river rafting run with moderate rapids, followed by the Burnt Ranch Gorge, which is one of the toughest runs in the entire state.