Does anyone have any info about northern california. What are some must see places, parks, towns, restaurants etc. Is Redding a good place to stay for a few days and day-trip from there? Thanks

Hi dlnjab

You might want to be a little more specific. Northern california is a huge area. Some people include all the area north of San Francisco which is around 80,000 square miles. If you are going as far north as Redding ,you could do day trips to Lassen Nat. Park and Mt. Shasta from there. Although the motels are as nice in Mt. Shasta as they are in Redding. I am pretty biased but I think the coast is much nicer. The far northern area of California is sparsely populated, very rugged and quite beautiful. Come and visit.

Have fun
GP

As GP says Northern California is HUGE - some include everything as far south as Fresno in that description.

Since you mention Redding can we assume you mean far northern Calif? Why did you specifically choose Redding. Not that it is a terrible place - but it is really not a scenic treasure. It is convenient to Lassen to the east, and the Trinity Alps to the west.

But other than Lassen National Park, most of the great scenery is north of Redding. Mt Shasta, the upper Sacramento river canyon, MacArthur Burney Falls (the most amazing place and a "must" ), the Lava Beds National monument (site of the last battle between the US army and native americans), Castle Crags state park, etc.

If I had a few days I would base myself in Dunsmuir (a tiny riverside town) or Mt Shasta city (a larger town with a lot of motels)

Thanks Janis and GP. We'd like to stay away from the major cities, places like San Francisco etc and focus on the far northern areas. We choose Redding only because it is centrally located and within driving distance to many areas.

Hi, dlnjab!

I definitely second everything that janis and GP have said!

As you can see, this is definitely an outdoors location. Trinity Alps is a great outdoors destination!

If you go as far north as Redding, then you should probably consider going even further north to Oregon and visit the Medford-Ashland area as well as Crater Lake.

Would also strongly suggest your considering going along the coast in both south Oregon and northernmost California.

Yes, and Dunsmuir is much better than Redding!

Maybe a few more hints on your interests and exactly why you are choosing Redding? Relatives? Friends? Big Foot?

Jason

Jason, We choose Redding only because it appeared to be the largest city and it was centrally located. We like to ride our mountain bikes, hike, and I do a lot of photography. Since we are from NH it's not possible for us to bring our bikes so we have to be near a city where we can access many areas and where we can rent bikes. We will certainly drive along the coast. Our plan is to stay in Eureka and take in the Redwoods too.

Hi dlnjab

What time of year are you coming? Skip Redding go to Dunsmuir or Mt Shasta. Redwoods are great for hiking. Eureka is nothing special (I live in the area. If you want specifics about the North Coast I can offer them. I am off for the Mendocino coast for the next 4 days.

Havre Fun
GP

I think you would be likely to find more places to rent bikes in the areas outside Redding than in Redding itself.

Mt. Shasta and McCloud are great places to stay and take day trips from. The Fifth Season in Mt Shasta rents mountain bikes. The Ski Park offers bike trails during the off season.
Burney Falls is terrific but so is Mossbrea Falls in Dunsmuir.http://www.virtualguidebooks.com/Nor...braeFalls.html Here's how to get there http://www.dunsmuir.com/mossbrae.htm

In McCloud you can stay in historic places like the McCloud Hotel B & B http://www.mchotel.com/ or the McCloud River Inn B & B http://www.riverinn.com/

In McCloud you can take the train for a nice ride through the mountains or for dinner: http://www.shastasunset.com/index.shtml

There is so much to do in this area. Check out the visitor's bureau they even have a list of fall activities: httphttp://www.visitsiskiyou.org/

You can even spend the night in a caboose at the Train Resort.http://www.rrpark.com/RRP.htm

www.gualala.com

Thanks all. We now have a lot of ideas. We are planning for the spring or summer. For the past three years, we have vacationed in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. So we decided to look on the west coast for our next trip. Thanks for the help.

dln'b, All great suggestions. I can smell the fresh air just reading this thread. Mt Shasta on one side, Mt Lassen on the other...Trinity Alps Range....the drive from Redding to Eureka is gorgeous.

If you do stay in Redding, get a hotel on Hilltop and take a short ride downtown to "Jacks". Probably one of the best steaks I ever had. Cool little hole in the wall restaurant.
Kal

Thanks Kal. Any thoughts on where to stay/eat in the Eureka area? We'll probably do the Redwoods.

If this is a summer trip - definitely DO NOT stay in Redding. It is HOT, smoggy, and did I say HOT?

If it is 100F in Sacramento it will normally be 107 or more in Redding. In Summer you need altitude to get away from the worst of the heat - so Mt Shasta city would be a much better choice.

No prob.
We stayed at the old Eureka Inn. Very nice place and maybe GB can comment on if its' still a very nice old place.

As for grub, I recall something like the Samoan Cookhouse, and a fish place near the end of town by a mall.

We went over 15yrs ago for Tgiving/Wedding anniv. Stayed in Redding on Weds night and partied with friends. Since we have never been to Eureka we drove over to Eureka and spent 3 days and then got up early and drove home down 101 and then thur the wine country to I-80 and then home.
That was a long day but well worth it.

Actually saw our first "real Redwood tree" or "weel wedwood twee" as my gr'niece would say, and all due respects to Ronald Reagan, it's not just one tree/seen them all!

Good luck!

janis-yeah but it's a different kinda heat. FRIGGIN' HEAT!
Kal

Yeah - the central valley in the summer is hot, hot, hot. I'm sure it's better than the deep south because CA doesn't have as high of humidity, but there is enough humidity to make things downright unpleasant. Seek higher altitudes or the coast.

I always get a laugh out of people who claim that "It's a dry heat" when it's 100+ out. Well, hey the oven has dry heat but you don't see me sticking my head in there!!!

Actually the heat lately has been more annoying. Even the kids are complaining. They seem sweatier now than they did in the summer.

We're definately not into heat. In fact, we'd like to stay near the oceans or the mountains. We're used to Newfoundland in July, where it averaged 55 to 60 every year we were there. Maybe we should plan to spend more time at the coast?

I was wondering if anyone was going to mention the heat! Redding is a hot dry place in Summer. Definitely stay somewhere in the redwoods or at a higher altitude. I love love love Lassen. It is a gorgeous park and I second the MacArthur- Burney Falls recommendation. Lassen may take more than one day to visit, but you can stop by the falls as a day trip. Ithink they rent boats on the lake in that same park.

Mendocino Coast is very pretty and worth a look and as mentioned Crater Lake is not too far away in Oregon.

Outside Redding you are bound to find more charm!

Hi dlnjab

You should do the redwoods! I have been in the groves the last few weekends and they are just too great for words! Walking around 350+ foot trees is something everyone should do. Fall is the best time of year up here. Spring you will get some rain but there is no rain in the summer, mostly fog on the coast. In Eureka there is the Eureka Inn and the Red Lion Inn both have restaurants, bars and pools they are full service also for $$$ the Carter House. The Red Lion has bigger rooms, when my in-laws come into town they stay at the Holiday Inn Express. The best Redwood groves are 50 or so miles north and south of here. What you might consider doing is stay in Eureka for a couple of days and explore the redwoods to the south. Then head north along the coast and spend the night near Crescent City. We stayed at the Ship Ashore motel in Smith River a few months ago it is right on the mouth of the Smith River and has great views. You can explore the northern groves without having to drive 90 miles back to Eureka. If you have more question post here I always check back.

Have Fun
GP