Fortuna, California
Fortuna is a city of 12,326 people in Humboldt County, California, founded in January 20, 1906.
Why visit Fortuna
Townapedia lists 1 museum or landmark, 3 parks and trails, 10 places to eat, 7 places to stay and 3 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include Fortuna Theatre, Fernbridge and Grizzly Bluff School.
September is the warmest month, with average highs of 72°F; December lows average 42°F.
Weather in Fortuna
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Fortuna
Fortuna (Spanish for "Fortune"; Wiyot: Vutsuwitk Da'l) is a city on the northeastern bank of the Eel River, approximately 9 miles (14 km) from where it enters the Pacific Ocean, and is on U.S. Route 101 in west-central Humboldt County, California, United States. The population was 12,516 at the 2020 census, up from 11,926 at the 2010 census.
From the Wikipedia article Fortuna, California (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do3
Fernbridge
Bridge · National Register of Historic Places · 3.7 mi
Bridge in United States of America
Clendenen's Cider Works
Farm and orchard · 0.7 mi
Cider, apples, and produce. Open seasonally, approximately August through January
96 12th Street, Fortuna
Museums and landmarks1
Grizzly Bluff School
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.3 mi
Place in California listed on National Register of Historic Places
Parks, trails and playgrounds3
Restaurants and cafes10
Pepper's
Diner · American
719 South Fortuna Boulevard, Fortuna
Mo-Th,Su 06:00-21:15; Fr-Sa 06:00-22:00
Hunan Village
Restaurant · Chinese · 0.9 mi
1468 Main Street, Fortuna
History
The settlement was originally called "Slide," for Slide Hill, in 1874, named for the slide that was a fixture on the northeast side of the Eel River and the southwest portion of Christian Ridge just to the northwest, near the edge of town. In 1875, the name was changed to Springville during the construction of the Springville Mill, a lumber mill for the nearby redwood forests, named so because of the numerous springs in the area. The mill's owners were Henry Rohner (namesake of neighboring Rohnerville), Alexander Masson, M. N. Weber and G.
Electricity came to Fortuna in 1883 when W. J. Swortzel and George W. Williams (of Swortzel & Williams), owners of the Springville Mill Company, built a $4,000 power plant. Some of the local sawmills were already powered by electricity, and by providing power to the mills, Swortzel and Williams saw the opportunity to also provide inexpensive electric lighting to the townspeople.
The town was incorporated on February 20, 1906, and, because of the Eel River, became known for its agricultural prowess in vegetable crops, berries and fruits, and for the fresh fish from the river. Although agricultural industry was expanding, the lumber industry is what started the town, and would continue as the main source of local income for some time to come.
From the History section of Fortuna, California on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay7
Churches and places of worship15
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Church · Mormon · 1.1 mi
1444 Ross Hill Road, Fortuna
Shopping7
Gas and EV charging7
Schools, colleges and libraries18
Healthcare2
Open Door Community Health Center
Clinic and pharmacy · 0.6 mi
3750 Rohnerville Road, Fortuna
Map of Fortuna
73 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 57°F | 43°F | 8.6 in |
| Feb | 58°F | 43°F | 7.8 in |
| Mar | 59°F | 44°F | 6.9 in |
| Apr | 62°F | 45°F | 3.9 in |
| May | 64°F | 49°F | 1.9 in |
| Jun | 67°F | 51°F | 0.6 in |
| Jul | 70°F | 54°F | 0.1 in |
| Aug | 72°F | 54°F | 0.1 in |
| Sep | 72°F | 52°F | 0.5 in |
| Oct | 69°F | 48°F | 2.4 in |
| Nov | 61°F | 45°F | 5.2 in |
| Dec | 55°F | 42°F | 9.7 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Scotia (7 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Humboldt County has had 11 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for severe storms.
- 2023-04-03: Severe Winter Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides (Severe Storm)
- 2023-03-10: Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides (Flood)
- 2023-01-14: Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides (Flood)
- 2023-01-09: Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, And Mudslides (Flood)
- 2020-03-22: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
- 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
Murray Field (EKA) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 15 miles away.
- Hydesville 4 mi southeast, about 6 min by car
- Rio Dell 6 mi south, about 10 min by car
- Ferndale 6 mi west, about 10 min by car
- Humboldt Hill 10 mi north, about 16 min by car
- Pine Hills 10 mi north, about 16 min by car
- Cutten 12 mi north, about 20 min by car
- Bayview 12 mi north, about 20 min by car
- Myrtletown 14 mi north, about 22 min by car
- Eureka 15 mi north, about 24 min by car
- Arcata 19 mi north, about 31 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- St. Joseph Catholic Church Fortuna CA, Ellin Beltz, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Motorcycle Run in Fortuna CA, Ellin Beltz, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Handicapped Parking Fortuna, Ellin Beltz, CC BY-SA 3.0
- No Loitering Fortuna, Ellin Beltz, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Gas Prices Coming Down in Fortuna CA3, Ellin Beltz, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Ray's Food Place Fortuna CA, Ellin Beltz, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Eel River Valley Disposal Fortuna CA, Ellin Beltz, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Former NWP grade crossing in Fortuna, October 2023, Pi.1415926535, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Caboose at Fortuna Depot Museum, October 2023, Pi.1415926535, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Fortuna Depot Museum (1), October 2023, Pi.1415926535, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Fortuna Depot Museum-CA, Myotus, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Interior of Fortuna Depot Museum, October 2023, Pi.1415926535, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Clintonia andrewsiana, Fortuna Redwood Park, Humboldt Co.,CA, 2019-05-23, Larry Blakely, CC BY-SA 4.0
- White Flowers on a White Fence Fortuna CA, Ellin Beltz, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Fortuna Theater, Ellin Beltz, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Fernbridge, Originally uploaded by Monotropa uniflora, Public domain
- Grizzly Bluff School, Ellin Beltz, Public domain
- Boraxo Soap Dispenser, Ellin Beltz, CC BY-SA 3.0
- FuzzyPeachesDisplay, Ellin Beltz, CC BY-SA 3.0
- GreenAppleDisplay, Ellin Beltz, CC BY-SA 3.0
- RedAppleDisplay, Ellin Beltz, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Mud Caked on Truck, Ellin Beltz, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Clendenen's Cider Works - December 2024 - Sarah Stierch 09, Missvain, CC0
- Clendenen's Cider Works - December 2024 - Sarah Stierch 10, Missvain, CC0
- Clendenen's Cider Works - December 2024 - Sarah Stierch 08, Missvain, CC0
- Clendenen's Cider Works - December 2024 - Sarah Stierch 01, Missvain, CC0
- Clendenen's Cider Works - December 2024 - Sarah Stierch 02, Missvain, CC0
- Clendenen's Cider Works - December 2024 - Sarah Stierch 11, Missvain, CC0
- Clendenen's Cider Works - December 2024 - Sarah Stierch 12, Missvain, CC0
- Clendenen's Cider Works - December 2024 - Sarah Stierch 07, Missvain, CC0
- Clendenen's Cider Works - December 2024 - Sarah Stierch 06, Missvain, CC0
- Clendenen's Cider Works - December 2024 - Sarah Stierch 13, Missvain, CC0
- Clendenen's Cider Works - December 2024 - Sarah Stierch 05, Missvain, CC0
- Clendenen's Cider Works - December 2024 - Sarah Stierch 03, Missvain, CC0
- Clendenen's Cider Works - December 2024 - Sarah Stierch 14, Missvain, CC0
- Do Not Block Fire Exit, Ellin Beltz, CC BY-SA 3.0
- 20170709- DSC4492 (36496831586), m01229 from USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
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