Is Yreka Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Yreka, California, is a small town in Northern California near the Oregon border that was once a gold-digging destination but now the riches come from the scenic views and fresh air.

Known as “The Golden City”, this small town offers a big country to explore.

Pronounced Why-REEK-uh, this city lives in the shadows of the massive Mount Shasta standing 14,000 feet tall.

Mount Shasta also brings climbers, skiers, and hikers to enjoy her many natural physical challenges.

Fishing is good in the surrounding lakes and rivers and the forests make for perfect campgrounds for people looking to unplug.

Yreka is located in Siskyou (pronounced Sis-Q) County, and it’s just an hour east of the Klamath National Forest, an area that covers more than 1.7 million acres.

There are five wilderness areas ripe for exploring within the park and several climate zones on top of that.

Warnings & Dangers in Yreka

OVERALL RISK: LOW

There's low overall risk when it comes to crime. If you are prepared for the natural elements, including cold weather, high altitudes, and wildfire risks, you can keep that low rating. If you are not much of an outdoor person and try to climb Mount Shasta, you're going to run into some greater risks.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Siskiyou Transit and General Express (STAGE) is the public bus transportation throughout the county with several stops throughout cities in the region, including Yreka and Mount Shasta. Prices range from $4 through $30 (that's for a 10-day pass). You do have a couple of local cab options, but honestly, having a car here is critical to getting to, from, and around Yreka if you want the full experience. There's low risk with any option you choose.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

There's a low risk here. Two purses snatchings were reported in 2020. It's easy in a small town like this to let your guard down and leave a bag or backpack unattended, but crime can and does happen everywhere.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

Winter storms and wildfires are the biggest concerns here, and there's a decent risk of both each year, so we have to go with medium risk. Winter weather can quickly shut down roads, including the main artery of I-5. Wildfires the rest of the year impact air quality, travel, and safety.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

There have been no more than six robberies per year in the past decade. You are safe from being mugged and have a very low risk. There's a better chance a bear will take your things than a human. (We'll get to bear worries in a little bit.)

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

There's a low risk of terrorism in a place this remote. There's nothing to target.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

There have been a few scams here involving door-to-door magazine sales and fake kidnapping phone calls, but nothing that would impact a tourist. There's a low risk.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

From a crime perspective, there's a low risk. If a woman is outdoorsy and can handle the elements, the risk stays low. This is not a mountain spa retreat. This is the wilderness and all the beautiful benefits and dangers that come with it.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

California is in a water crisis because of drought, but there's nothing about tap water to cause you concern when using it for drinking or bathing. There's a low risk of contamination. You should limit showers to 10 minutes and use only the water you'll need. Take precautions like turning off the running water while you brush your teeth to help keep water flowing. Some smaller communities around Yreka have run out of water from time to time.

Safest Places to Visit in Yreka

A walk down Miner Street in Yreka is like walking back in time to the Gold Rush era.

Seven of the buildings you’ll pass along the 164 acres of land are marked as historical landmarks.

Don’t miss the Franco-American Hotel museum.

The Siskiyou County Museum is a great place to learn about the history of the land too.

If you want to do your own “search for gold”, hit up the Rain Rock Casino in Yreka.

There are more than 300 slot machines and video poker options to choose from and a restaurant with a basic sports bar menu.

Klamath National Forest is an hour east.

Mount Shasta (the city) is about 35 minutes south and from there you head east to get to the railheads for the actual mountain of Mount Shasta.

Places to Avoid in Yreka

There aren’t enough parts of town in Yreka to have a bad part of town.

Reviews of the area say the locals are very friendly and it’s noted that this is a very conservative area, so no political arguments on vacation, okay?

You want to avoid going off any marked trail, whether you are hiking or skiing.

Be sure to check weather conditions before you head out so you know the potential for road closures, incoming storms, or wildfires.

Don’t go into the mountains during winter (or late fall/early spring) without snow chains.

Make sure you put them on when needed and remove them when they are not needed or if they are not allowed in certain areas.

Avoid taking shortcuts in this area.

Even the best technology doesn’t always have the most up-to-date maps and a road could start or end suddenly or you could end up on an unpaved road.

Too many people get lost or stuck trying to take shortcuts through mountain areas.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Yreka

So... How Safe Is Yreka Really?

Yreka is a town of 7800 people.

There were 40 violent crimes reported in 2020, 142 thefts, and no robberies.

A look at recent crime reports shows some pretty intense events that you’d expect in a bigger city, but most of the victims somehow knew each other.

This is a rugged environment about as far away from a big city as is possible.

The people here are tough but friendly.

Talk to a manager at a hotel or store and heed their advice about safety in the community and in the mountains.

They will know this area like the back of their hands.

You should choose Yreka and Siskyou County for a trip if you are prepared for a trip without a whole lot of amenities.

If you need to do shopping, Mount Shasta is probably going to be the best choice.

It’s the shopping center of this Northern California nook.

How Does Yreka Compare?

Useful Information

Visas

You'll take care of the Visa requirements at the airport when you arrive in the United States. You won't need to do anything additional in Yreka. Be sure to get all the proper permits before going into the woods.

Currency

The U.S. Dollar is the only currency accepted here. You won't need a lot of cash. The main reason people come here is for outdoor activities. You can get a national park pass online for a day or an extended stay.

Weather

Yreka gets cold in the winter and you've got to plan the weather by elevation as well as a time of year. It might be 30°(F) in Yreka but 15°(F) when you get to 6000 feet. You'll need lots of warm layers and water shoes as well as a thick coat. Highs average in the 40s and lows average in the 20s from December through February. Even in June, the lows are in the 40s, so this isn't a sundress and flip-flops vacation. While it can get into the mid-80s during the day, those temperatures drop at night.

Airports

The Medford Oregon Regional Airport is about an hour north and that's your closest option. You can also head south to Redding's airport about 90 minutes down the road for a connection to San Francisco or Los Angeles.

Travel Insurance

You'll need travel insurance for the wildness getaway to Yreka due to storms, wildfires, and road closures that can quickly impact travel plans.

Yreka Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

California - Safety by City