Cherokee, CA

Cherokee is a tiny rural community on the northern slope of Table Mountain, about 12 miles north of Oroville. Fewer than a hundred people live here today across open acreage and rolling foothills. The area originated as a Gold Rush settlement in the 1850s, established by Cherokee prospectors and powered by large hydraulic mining operations. Hundreds of miners and families lived here during the late 19th century before the boom cooled and the community became the quiet residential area it is today.

ATTRFrank Schulenburg / CC BY-SA 4.0

Modern Cherokee is best known for its rugged landscape and direct access to the North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve. Every spring, the surrounding plateau draws visitors with sweeping fields of wildflowers, dramatic volcanic cliffs, and seasonal waterfalls. Residents get wide-open views, low traffic, and a secluded country atmosphere. When everyday services or dining are needed, Oroville sits about 20 minutes south and Chico is an easy drive to the northwest.