Mount Shasta is a town of 4,000 souls set high in the Cascade Range, overlooked by the peak of Mount Shasta. Summers are beautiful, making the area a popular resort destination. Winters and springs are snowy but mild, and the local ski park attracts visitors from near and far. The town itself is surprisingly cosmopolitan for a location so small and isolated. A great many residents are former urbanites from the Bay Area, seeking a simpler life in the mountains. As a result, the town has amenities usually found in much larger urban areas, like natural foods stores, arts and crafts of all kinds, and a wide variety of dining options.

Neighboring towns also offer points of interest. College-level and continuing education is close at hand at College of the Siskiyous in Weed, just up the highway. Yreka, a historic gold rush town to the north, is the official capital of the "State of Jefferson." McCloud offers a lovely dedicated social dance venue and a unique opportunity for fine dining on the Shasta Sunset Dinner Train.

Numerous mythic and spiritual traditions venerate Mount Shasta. A climb to the summit is considered an achievement by spiritual seekers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. A Buddhist monastery, a huge crystals and minerals emporium, and a substantial population of metaphysical practitioners keep the spiritual mystique of the locale alive.

For more information on housing prices, local schools, demographics, and local resources, please visit these websites: City of Mount Shasta, County of Siskiyou, the Mt. Shasta Chamber of Commerce, Mercy Medical Center Mount Shasta, City-Data online portal, Wikipedia, and the Mount Shasta Herald.

Some photos above used with permission of Shasta Abbey.