Honeydew, California

Honeydew is a small unincorporated town in the U.S. state of California and is home to less than 1,000 residents. Honeydew is located convert|15|mi|km from the Pacific Ocean in an area that is known as "The Lost Coast". The town is located in Southern Humboldt County, and is composed of little more than a general store, elementary school, post office, with a few houses located nearby. Many of the locals live in the hills surrounding the Mattole valley, that is named after the Mattole River, that runs through the valley. The ZIP Code is 95545. The community is inside area code 707.

Transportation

There are three roads leading to Honeydew: one comes from neighboring Southern Humboldt town of Garberville, which follows Wilder Ridge Road, another off the U.S. Route 101 (State Highway) that runs through the Redwood forest, and another from Ferndale in the north. The Ferndale route, over what is locally known as "the Wildcat" (in reference to bobcats that reside in the area) offers scenic views of the Pacific Ocean and the neighboring town of Petrolia. All three routes transverse over twisting mountain roads which can be treacherous in bad weather, especially during coastal fog conditions. The Valley itself is at a confluence of climates. Just a few miles away to the west weather is often foggy and cool, while the interior valleys can reach summer temperatures of 100 degrees and convert|100|in|mm of rain per year. It is wise for travelers in the area to prepare for quickly changing weather at anytime during the year as there is no cellular service, electricity and accessibility to the area can be questionable in inclement weather. People visiting the area are strongly encouraged to check local road reports should conditions change.

Culture

Because of its isolated location, Honeydew retains a small town atmosphere. There are no motels in the town, but there are several campgrounds nearby. The community, and nearby Petrolia and Cape Town were originally stagecoach and mail stops in the 1800s. The local firefighters, Honeydew Volunteer Fire Company, put on the Roll on the Mattole every summer to raise operating funds for the fire company. The region has a long history of sheep and cattle ranching.

There are three schools in the area [http://realestate.yahoo.com/California/Honeydew/Schools/result.html] Honeydew Elementary School, Mattole Valley Triple Junction High School, Honeydew Charter School #159

The Mattole Grange is the main gathering place for community events [http://mattolegrange.com/default.aspx] Mattole Grange #569

References

[http://www.switchboard.com/usps.1355/dir/map.htm?&where=95545&ypcobrand=1355&sd=100&navigatorchoices=&navigatorchoices=&navigatorchoices=&navigatorchoices=&navigatorchoices=&navigatorchoices=&recordid=Business|19442530&sortOrder=&Z=95545&xValue=0&sortBy=Distance&yValue=-50&cntLongitude=-124.16680955967703&mapOperation=Pan&listingPagination=0&CID=1222&zoom=4&cntLatitude=40.284174921567704&navigatorChoices=] Honeydew Post Office (95545) Location

[http://www.mattolehistory.org/] Mattole Valley Historical Society

External links