Northern California’s Great Outdoors 7-Day Itinerary

Northern California’s Great Outdoors 7-Day Itinerary This driving itinerary going north out of San Francisco can provide an opportunity to experience the best that nature can provide, a chance to see some of California’s most distinctive wineries and sparkling wine cellars, and enjoy a California small town experience offered in the numerous Northern California communities highlighted on this itinerary. The beautiful North Coast, California’s only Redwoods, numerous wild and scenic rivers, and its fiery volcanic interior begin just two hours north of San Francisco across the Golden Gate Bridge.

Day One

(San Francisco to Santa Rosa is 88.5 kilometers, San Francisco to Ukiah is 185 kilometers)

Sonoma is where California’s wine country meets the rugged coast. In Sonoma is one of California’s earliest champagne cellars with a history dating back to the 1800’s. Korbel’s champagne has been served at the six most recent presidential inaugurations. The wineries of Sonoma and Mendocino counties can be an attraction all in themselves and offer the perfect spot for lunch on your first day in California’s North Coast region.

Mendocino is America’s greenest wine regions with Parducci Cellars, located just south of Ukiah, being the first carbon neutral winery in the US. Located in charming Hopland on Highway 101, Sip! Mendocino is a discovery center for wine lovers who are interested in learning about and buying Mendocino wines, as well as having a fun place to SIP! You’ll drive up a beautiful winding country road through vineyards and orchards to visit and spend the night in Ukiah, twice bestowed the award as one of the best small towns in the United States. Depending on how far your wanderings have taken you in through this magnificent region, your first night will be either in Santa Rosa or Ukiah.

Day Two

(Santa Rosa to Ukiah is 96.5 kilometers, Ukiah to Fort Bragg is 91.7 kilometers)

You’ll drive over the coastal mountain range through the rural Anderson Valley to visit family owned wineries, another micro brewery and some of America’s best sparkling wine houses.

After a visit in the historic village of Mendocino on bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean, your next stop will be the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. After an opportunity to ride through towering redwoods on the historic “Skunk Train”, a visit to the local fishing harbor will acquaint you with the region’s seafood, after which you’ll spend the evening in Fort Bragg.

Day Three

(Fort Bragg to Eureka is 201.1 kilometers)

Leaving Fort Bragg will provide an opportunity to drive along California’s North Coast on Highway 1. Approximately 30 kilometers of the highway is adjacent to the rocky shoreline until it heads inland to meet Highway 101. This route will take you through the Humboldt Redwoods State Park and world-famous Avenue of the Giants to walk among the world’s tallest trees. Continuing north on Highway 101 will provide the opportunity to take a short side trip to the Victorian Village of Ferndale, an often used setting for Hollywood movies.

Just north of Ferndale is the City of Eureka with its historic Old Town district and the place to call home for the evening.

Day Four

(Eureka to Redwood National Park is 101.3 kilometers)

This day’s activities can include breakfast at the historic Samoa Cookhouse, visiting the Humboldt National Wildlife Refuge, Fort Humboldt State Historic Park, a Humboldt Bay cruise, or just walking the streets of Eureka and Arcata to enjoy the many fine examples of Victorian architecture. If you would rather get close to nature this day, head north to Redwood National Park and enjoy one of the many hiking trails through the Redwoods, this area also includes spectacular Fern Canyon (used in one of the Jurassic Park films). A popular activity is watching the numerous herds of Roosevelt elk commonly seen in this area. Of course the many beaches along the North Coast should not be missed by those wanting to experience this magnificent coastline. Return to your lodging to rest your feet before trying another exciting restaurant in Eureka. How about a visit to one of Humboldt County’s six brew pubs?

Day Five

(Eureka to Redding is 238.1 kilometers)

An early start will provide the opportunity for several stops and possibly a raft trip on the Trinity River. Highway 299, the nationally recognized Trinity Scenic Byway will take you through such quaint towns as Willow Creek (home of the Bigfoot Museum) and Weaverville.

The highway follows the Trinity River for more than ninety kilometers of this beautiful 250 kilometer drive, and provides numerous picnic spots next to the water’s edge.

One of the stops along the way is an opportunity for a mid-afternoon swim or free kayak tour on Whiskeytown Lake. Your overnight stay in Redding will be a chance to unwind after seeing some of the Shasta Cascade’s most spectacular scenery. Redding, the largest city in the region, offers a wide-range of lodging opportunities and numerous restaurants, and is home to the world famous Sundial Bridge, which is the beginning of the Sacramento River National Recreation Trail. This nationally recognized trail system can provide a beautiful walk along the river or an all-day biking adventure to Shasta Dam. Plan on a visit to Turtle Bay Exploration Park to learn about the area’s rich history.

The region around Redding is known for its vast area of adventures, including: world-famous fly fishing, jet skiing, houseboating, cavern and dam tours, aqua golf, Segway tours, cycling and mountain biking, horseback riding and rafting.

Day Six

(Redding to Burney Falls is 183.4 kilometers)

Heading north out of Redding on Interstate 5 will almost immediately take you across California’s largest lake. Shasta Lake is considered the best boating lake in California and numerous marinas provide the opportunity to rent a boat for the day (no license required). If you choose this, this will consume your entire day. For those of you who want to explore some of the volcanic legacy of Northern California continue driving north another 30 minutes.

Possible stops along this route include the Upper Sacramento River or Castle Crags State Park. Great hiking trails are easily accessed in the state park and also on Mt. Shasta, just ten miles north. The town of Mt. Shasta provides a great lunch stop. At this point head east toward McCloud on Highway 89. McCloud, a historic logging town and the nearby McCloud waterfalls provide another interesting stop. Further south on Highway 89 is the region’s best-known waterfall and state park – McArthur-Burney Falls State Park, a scenic wonder that should not be missed. Continue on Highway 89 south to Highway 299 and return to Redding for your last night’s stay.

Day Seven

(Redding to Lassen Park is 120.7 kilometers, Option 1 -Redding to Chester is 168.9 kilometers, Chester to Tahoe City is 210.8 kilometers, Option 2 Lassen Park to Red Bluff is 49.8 kilometers, Red Bluff to Sacramento is 210.8 kilometers, or Red Bluff to San Francisco is 299.3 kilometers)

The final day provides an opportunity to decide between heading off to Lake Tahoe or California’s State Capitol, Sacramento. To start your journey, head east on Highway 44 to Lassen Volcanic National Park. Here you will turn south on Highway 89 one of America’s newest scenic All American Roads. This route through the park will provide numerous opportunities to see the results of millions of years of volcanic activity. If you decide on the Lake Tahoe option 1, continuing south will take you by Lake Almanor, one of California’s

most scenic mountain lakes as well as through a nationally re-known mountain golf resort area, Plumas Pines/Graeagle where you will overnight in Chester. From Chester, continue to Tahoe City, take Hwy. 89 to Hwy. 70 along the Feather River Scenic Byway which follows the North Fork of the Feather River. If you decide on the Sacramento option 2, you will continue south on Hwy 89 to Hwy. 36 to overnight in Red Bluff, then depart to Sacramento the next day.

This itinerary will hopefully help you develop an interest in the undiscovered reaches of Northern California. Several fly/drive vacation packages are available from your travel agent.

Karen Whitaker Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association 1699 Hwy. 273 Anderson, CA 96007 530-365-7504 / fax 530-365-1258 www.shastacascade.org Email: karen@shastacascade.org

Scott Schneider North Coast Tourism Council 120 S. Franklin Street Fort Bragg, CA 95437 707-964-9010 / 866-836-7557 www.northcoastca.com Email: info@ northcoastca.com