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Top Reasons to Go | Getting Oriented | What’s Where | Planning
Updated by Christine Vovakes
The Far North’s soaring mountain peaks, trail-filled national forests, alpine lakes, and wild rivers teeming with trout make it the perfect destination for outdoor enthusiasts, including hikers, cyclists, kayakers, and bird-watchers. You won’t find many hot nightspots or cultural enclaves in this region, but you will find crowd-free national and state parks, crystal-clear mountain streams, superlative hiking and fishing, plus small towns worth exploring. And the spectacular landscapes of Lassen Volcanic National Park and Mt. Shasta are sure to impress.
The wondrous landscape of California’s northeastern corner, relatively unmarred by development, congestion, and traffic, is the product of volcanic activity. At the southern end of the Cascade Range, Lassen Volcanic National Park is the best place to witness the Far North’s fascinating geology. Beyond the sulfur vents and bubbling mud pots, the park owes much of its beauty to 10,457-foot Mt. Lassen and 50 wilderness lakes.
The most enduring image of the region, though, is Mt. Shasta, whose 14,179-foot snowcapped peak beckons outdoor adventurers of all kinds. There are many versions of Shasta to enjoy—the mountain, the lake, the river, the town, the dam, and the forest—all named after the Native Americans known as the Shatasla, or Sastise, who once inhabited the region.
Top Reasons to Go
Mother Nature’s wonders: California’s Far North has more rivers, streams, lakes, forests, and mountains than you’ll ever have time to explore.
Rock and roll: With two volcanoes to entice you—Lassen and Shasta—you can learn firsthand what happens when a mountain blows its top.
Fantastic fishing: Whether you like casting from a riverbank or letting your line bob beside a boat, you’ll find fabulous fishing in all the northern counties.
Cool hops: On a hot day there’s nothing quite as inviting as a visit to Chico’s world-famous Sierra Nevada Brewery. Take the tour, and then savor a chilled glass on tap at the adjacent brewpub.
Shasta: Wonderful in all its forms: lake, dam, river, mountain, forest, and town.
Getting Oriented
The Far North is a vast area that stretches from the upper reaches of the Sacramento Valley north to the Oregon border and east to Nevada. The region includes all or part of eight counties with sparsely populated rural farming and mountain communities, as well as thriving small cities in the valley. Much of the landscape was shaped by two volcanoes—Mt. Shasta and Mt. Lassen—that draw amateur geologists, weekend hikers, and avid mountain climbers to their rugged terrain. An intricate network of high-mountain watersheds feeds lakes large and small, plus streams and rivers that course through several forests.
What’s Where
From Chico to Mt. Shasta. The Far North is bisected, south to north, by Interstate 5, which passes through several historic towns and state parks, as well as miles of mountainous terrain. Halfway to the Oregon border is Lake Shasta, a favorite recreation destination, and farther north stands the spectacular snowy peak of Mt. Shasta.
The Backcountry. East of Interstate 5, the Far North’s main corridor, dozens of scenic two-lane roads crisscross the wilderness, leading to dramatic mountain peaks and fascinating natural wonders. Small towns settled in the second half of the 19th century seem frozen in time, except that they are well equipped with tourist amenities.
Planning
When to Go
Heat scorches the valley in summer. Temperatures above 110°F are common, but the mountains provide cool respite. Fall throughout the Far North is beautiful, rivaled only by spring, when wildflowers and almond orchards bloom and mountain creeks fed by the snowmelt splash through the forests. Winter is usually temperate in the valley, but cold and snowy in high country. A few favorite tourist attractions are closed in winter.
Getting Here and Around
Air Travel
For the cheapest fares, fly into Sacramento and then rent a car—you’ll need one anyway—and drive north. Redding, which is served by United Express, has a small airport. There’s no shuttle service, but you can take a taxi for about $32 to downtown Redding.
Air Contacts
Redding Municipal Airport. | 6751 Woodrum Circle, off Airport Rd., | Redding | 530/224–4320 | www.ci.redding.ca.us/transeng/airports/rma.htm.
Ground Transportation
Taxi Service, Chico. | 530/893–4444, 530/898–1776.
Taxi Service, Redding. | 530/246–0577, 530/222–1234.
Bus Travel
Greyhound buses stop in Chico, Red Bluff, Redding, and Weed. Various transit authorities provide local bus transportation, though few tourists avail themselves of it.
Bus Contact
Greyhound. | 800/231–2222 | www.greyhound.com.
Car Travel
Interstate 5 runs up the center of California through Red Bluff and Redding. Chico is east of Interstate 5 on Highway 32. Lassen Volcanic National Park can be reached by Highway 36 from Red Bluff or (except in winter) Highway 44 from Redding. Highway 299 connects Weaverville, Redding, and Alturas. U.S. 395 leads from Susanville to Alturas. Highway 89 will take you from Mt. Shasta to Quincy. Highway 36 links Chester and Susanville. Check weather reports and carry detailed maps, warm clothing, and tire chains whenever you head into mountainous terrain in winter.
Road Conditions
Caltrans Current Highway Conditions. | 800/427–7623 | www.dot.ca.gov.
Train Travel
Amtrak serves Chico, Redding, and Dunsmuir.
Train Contacts
Amtrak. | 800/872–7245 | www.amtrak.com.
Restaurants
Redding, the urban center of the Far North, and college-town Chico have the greatest selection of restaurants. Cafés and simple eateries are the rule in the smaller towns, though trendy, innovative restaurants have been popping up. Dress is always informal.
Hotels
Aside from the large chain hotels and motels in Redding and Chico, most accommodations in the Far North blend rustic appeal, simplicity, and coziness. Rooms in Redding, Chico, and Red Bluff are usually booked solid only during popular local events. Wilderness resorts close in fall and reopen after the snow season ends in May. For summer holiday weekends in towns such as Mt. Shasta, Dunsmuir, and Chester, and at camping sites within state or national parks, make lodging reservations well in advance.
B&B Info
California Association of Boutique & Breakfast Inns. | 800/373–9251 | www.cabbi.com/region/Mount-Shasta.
Visitor Information
Contacts
Lassen County Chamber of Commerce. | 75 N. Weatherlow St., | Susanville | 530/257–4323 | lassencountychamber.com.
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association. | 1699 Hwy. 273, | Anderson | 530/365–7500, 800/474–2782 | www.shastacascade.com.
Trinity County Chamber of Commerce. | 509 Main St., | Weaverville | 530/623–6101 | www.trinitycounty.com.
Visit Siskiyou. | 800/926–4865 Mt. Shasta Chamber of Commerce | visitsiskiyou.org.