French Gulch is a census-designated place (CDP) in Shasta County, California, United States.

The town became a major supply place when it became the terminus of the western branch of the California Trail.

[2] French Gulch was an important, early, hard rock mining district.

[3] On August 14, 2004, the entire town of French Gulch was evacuated due to a forest fire which roared out of control through much of Shasta County.

The evacuation lasted 3 days, allowing residents to return home on August 17, 2004.

On July 22, 2018, French Gulch was evacuated due to the Carr Fire, which was started by a motor vehicle malfunction.

As of August 2, air and ground crews continued to work in the area to protect the town from the fire, and many of the buildings, including the historic hotel, were still standing.

[4] On August 8, the evacuation order for French Gulch and surrounding areas was lifted, and residents were allowed to return to their homes.

[6] Lying a few miles northwest of Whiskeytown Lake, the hamlet lies along Trinity Mountain Road going north from California State Route 299 with the town center about 3 miles north of 299, and about 19 highway-miles from downtown Redding.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 12.4 square miles (32 km2), 99.70% of it land and 0.30% of it water.

[11] Federally, French Gulch is in California's 1st congressional district, represented by Republican Doug LaMalfa.