Westwood, CA

Tucked into the pine forests between the Sierra Nevada and Cascade ranges, Westwood is a quiet mountain town with deep timber roots. Founded in the early 1900s as a bustling hub for the Red River Lumber Company, the town is famously tied to American folklore as the commercial birthplace of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox. Today, Westwood is home to roughly 1,500 residents who enjoy crisp mountain air, a relaxed pace, and convenient access to Susanville just twenty miles down the road.

While the original sawmill closed decades ago, the historic company-town layout still gives Westwood its distinct character. Stately old homes and giant Paul Bunyan statues sit right alongside everyday local businesses and gathering spots on Birch Street. Outdoor recreation is practically out the back door, with nearby Lake Almanor, endless forest trails, and the scenic Bizz Johnson Trail tracing the former railroad corridor. It is a peaceful, down-to-earth community with plenty of open space and genuine small-town charm.