Seiad Valley, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Seiad Valley, California
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 Seiad Valley, California
Location in California
Seiad Valley, California
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Siskiyou |
| Elevation | 1,388 ft (423 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| Area code(s) | 530 |
| GNIS feature ID | 232793 |
Seiad Valley is a small unincorporated community in Siskiyou County, California situated 15 miles south of the Oregon border. A population of approximately 300 people is clustered around the Klamath River, State Route 96, and spread out along the surrounding creeks. The three craggy peaks of the Lower Devils look over the forested valley, which is completely surrounded on all sides by the green Klamath Mountains, just north of the Marble Mountains Wilderness area. The Pacific Crest Trail, which runs all the way from Canada to Mexico, passes through the West Side of Seiad Valley. A general store/cafe/post office, an elementary school, a small trailer park, a volunteer fire house, forest service station, gas station and the historic Wildwood Tavern and Lodge make up central portion of the town; beyond that are small agricultural/herding fields, a scattering of residences, and the bridges crossing the Klamath River. Seiad Valley is within zip code 96086, but itself is not incorporated and so has no strictly defined boundaries.
Population
Approximately 350 people live in Seiad Valley. The vast majority are of European descent, a small minority is Hispanic, and another minority has some portion of Karuk or other native American ancestry.
Most people live in houses scattered about the mountains, usually along paved side-roads or dirt former logging roads. A small number of people live far off in the hills, some living a more subsistence lifestyle.
The population does not include many young people, and is increasingly aging as the younger generation moves away to find broader opportunities, although the internet is changing that dynamic.
Culture
Seiad Valley's two claims to fame are the Pacific Crest Trail and the Seiad Cafe. The first is a beautiful hiking trail that winds through the Klamath mountains, passing through Seiad Valley along the way. During the spring and summer months hikers are a frequent sight in the central area of Seiad Valley as they pass through town to buy supplies.
Secondly, the Seiad Cafe was nominated third in the Travel Channel's "Top 10 Places to Pig Out" for all of America. The flap-jack challenge at the Cafe gives the eater a free meal, but only if he or she is able to finish five inch-thick, dinner-plate sized pancakes in less than two hours.
Seiad Day is the yearly local celebration, and features a parade, games, music and late-night parties for the locals.
