For our next stop along The Cannabis Trail, we visit Bigfoot Cannabis in the charming town of Willow Creek, in the hills of Northern Humboldt County, at the heart of the legendary Emerald Triangle. This unique and rugged destination is a celebration of the region’s sun-grown cannabis heritage, its rich terroir, and the playful folklore of Bigfoot that thrives in this picturesque mountain community.
CULTURAL CANNABIS LANDMARK
By Brian Applegarth @thecannabistrail
Destination: Bigfoot Cannabis – Willow Creek, CA
Honors: The Craft Cannabis Farmers of Humboldt County
Storytelling: Where Cannabis Culture Meets Local Folklore
Willow Creek: A Hidden Gem in the Emerald Triangle
Tucked away along the scenic Trinity River, Willow Creek is a small but vibrant town that embodies the heart of Humboldt County’s cannabis culture. Known for its pristine natural beauty and close-knit community, Willow Creek also holds the unofficial title of Bigfoot capital of the world.
Bigfoot Cannabis, situated in the heart of downtown Willow Creek, embraces the region’s dual legacies: its globally renowned cannabis and its folklore of the elusive Bigfoot. Across the street, the Bigfoot Museum offers a glimpse into the mythical creature’s history and its place in local lore, making this stop a true blend of cannabis culture and quirky small town charm.
Bigfoot Cannabis: A Celebration of Local Craft
Bigfoot Cannabis is a hub for showcasing the exceptional sun-grown cannabis cultivated by the region’s small family farms. The shop’s in-house brand, Bigfoot Cannabis Co., is grown on their nearby farm, where generations of knowledge and regenerative farming practices come together to produce some of Humboldt’s finest flower.
Inside the welcoming dispensary, visitors will find a curated selection of local products that highlight the unique terroir of the area, from full-spectrum concentrates to terpene-rich flower and edibles, as well as fun Bigfoot inspired merch like t-shirts and hats. Bigfoot Cannabis prioritizes local brands and cultivators, ensuring that every purchase supports the small farming community that has shaped Humboldt’s cannabis legacy.
The staff at Bigfoot Cannabis are as knowledgeable as they are friendly, offering insights into the region’s cultivation techniques and the stories behind the products on their shelves, many of which are grown just steps from their front door. Whether you’re a seasoned connoisseur or a curious traveler, the dispensary provides an authentic and immersive experience of Humboldt cannabis with a selection that is hyper-local and always fresh.
Exploring the Local Legends
No visit to Bigfoot Cannabis is complete without a trip across the street to the Willow Creek-China Flat Museum, affectionately known as the Bigfoot Museum. The museum features an extensive collection of artifacts, photographs, and stories about the legendary creature, adding an extra layer of mystique to the town’s charm.
Willow Creek’s connection to Bigfoot isn’t just a fun theme—it’s a testament to the town’s identity as a place where folklore and culture are deeply intertwined. Bigfoot Cannabis pays homage to this unique spirit, inviting visitors to engage with the rich traditions and captivating legends that make Willow Creek so special, and inspiring plenty of laughter at the silly antics of their namesake mascot. Enjoy some time in the quiet redwoods, keeping an eye out for Bigfoot of course, and sample the rich agricultural delights that the legacy cultivation community in Willow Creek has to offer with a visit to Bigfoot Cannabis.
Cultural Landmark Statement of Purpose
May this Cultural Landmark honor the sungrown cultivation craft of the Willow Creek’s cannabis farmers and shine a spotlight on the unique terroir that defines this award-winning cannabis region.
May it honor the small family farms of Willow Creek and the surrounding region, where generations of cannabis cultivators and genetics breeders have worked in harmony with nature, stewarding both cannabis alchemy and community.
May this Cultural Landmark remind us of Willow Creek’s unique place at the intersection of cannabis culture and local folklore, where the legends of Bigfoot walk hand in hand with the high-quality, sun-grown cannabis of Humboldt County.
May it be so.
Northern California is where the battle for legalized cannabis was waged. The Cannabis Trail honors the pioneers, places, and significant historical moments that paved the way for the legal cannabis access we have today. The Cannabis Trail is an immersive travel adventure for cannabis enthusiasts, history buffs, and culture seekers seeking an extraordinary California experience. – https://thecannabistrail.com
Check out all of The Cannabis Trail Series here at Beard Bros Pharms below.
Traveling The Cannabis Trail Series #1- A Cultural Journey
Traveling The Cannabis Trail Series #2- Plantshop Cannabis Lounge
Traveling The Cannabis Trail #3 – Huckleberry Hill Farms
Traveling The Cannabis Trail #4 – The Hemp Connection
Traveling The Cannabis Trail #5 – Sol de Mendocino
Traveling The Cannabis Trail #6 – Root’d in the 510
Traveling The Cannabis Trail #7 – Humboldt Cannabis Tours
Traveling The Cannabis Trail #8 – The Bohemian Chemist
Traveling The Cannabis Trail #9 – NUG Oakland and Oaksterdam University
Traveling the Cannabis Trail #10 – Flore Dispensary
BRIAN APPLEGARTH is a travel writer and innovator with a passion for cannabis travel experiences and cultural heritage preservation.
He has written for San Francisco Travel, Visit Oakland, Local Getaways, Skunk Magazine, Green State, Pineapple Express, Visit Greater Palm Springs, Visit Mendocino County and others. Brian was the sole advisor on the first ever national research on the cannabis-motivated travel audience in the United States.
He has been quoted in Forbes, The Washington Post, Smart Meetings, Travel Weekly and elsewhere, and his award-winning work has been featured on NPR, CBS, NBC, and The New York Times.
Brian is the founder of the Cannabis Travel Association International and the co-founder and co-creator of the CA State Fair Cannabis Awards & Exhibit. He leads the Cannabis & Hemp Task Force for the California Travel Association and Destinations International and is a certified cannabis sommelier Ganjier and a certified cannabis therapy consultant.
He recently published The Ganja Traveler’s Guide to the Emerald Triangle, a first-of-its-kind travel guide to California’s legacy craft cannabis region. Follow Brian on Instagram @thecannabistrail and @theganjatraveler or learn more at www.brianapplegarth.com.
