Bigfoot has been sighted more than 370 times in California, placing the Golden State second only to Washington state in number of times he's been seen. Within California, Humboldt County leads with 41 sightings, followed by Tuolumne County with 33. Del Norte, El Dorado, Trinity, Sikyou and Shasta Counties are close behind with over 20 each.
Willow Creek is the spot for Bigfoot fans in northern California, While looking for the elusive man-beast, you can partake of more reliable Bigfoot experiences than just looking for him, including taking a whitewater trip on the Trinity River with the Bigfoot Rafting Company or sipping a glass of Bigfoot Cabernet at Cinnabar Sam's (19 Willow Way, Willow Creek), a cozy mountain restaurant that has welcomed locals and visitors for decades.
A Bigfoot sighting is also guaranteed along Redwood Highway between Benbow and Leggett. In fact, you could even take the big guy home with you - in the form of a chainsaw carving sold at one of the several tourist traps alongside the road.
Bigfoot Museums, Festivals and Statues in California
You may not see the real thing at any of these, but you'll still find lots of fun and information.
- Santa Cruz Mountains: Near Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park between Santa Cruz and San Jose, the Bigfoot Museum features local history along with Bigfoot lore.
- Willow Creek, Humboldt County: Part of the Willow Creek/China Flat Museum is dedicated to an extensive Bigfoot collection and it's no wonder. In 1964, Roger Patterson and Bob Gimlin shot their famous footage nearby. The town also hosts and annual Bigfoot Festival every Labor Day and you'll find a statue in the middle of town.
- Happy Camp, Siskyou County: On Highway 96 (sometimes called Bigfoot Highway) near the Oregon border, this tiny town boasts a big statue and an annual Bigfoot Jamboree.
