Open year round, Death Valley National Park is the hottest and driest place in North America, and it contains the second-lowest point in the Western Hemisphere — Badwater Basin at 282 feet below sea level. The area averages less than two inches rainfall per year, and summer temperatures routinely reach — and often exceed — 120 degrees Fahrenheit. The area’s 134-degree day on July 10, 1913, is the second-highest temperature ever recorded, edged out only by Libya’s 136 degrees in 1922.

1849’s California Gold Rush brought the first non-Indians to the area, and it was December of that year when two groups of Gold Country-bound travelers got lost and stumbled upon the valley. It was a harrowing time later detailed by William Lewis Manly in his autobiography, Death Valley in ‘49.

Although the travelers were fortunate to find enough fresh water to survive, they were forced to use the wood of their wagons as fuel to cook and eat several of their oxen. (This occurred at the area now referred to as “Burned Wagons Camp,” which is located near the park’s sand dunes.) Abandoning their wagons, the group eventually hiked out of the valley, and upon leaving one woman turned and said, “Goodbye Death Valley.” Even though only one member of the group actually died in the valley, the moniker stuck.

With wilderness stretching over 4,774 square miles, Death Valley National Park is the largest national park in the lower 48 states and the sixth largest in the country overall. The park’s first documented tourist facilities consisted of a set of tent houses built in the 1920s at Stovepipe Wells current location. Resorts built around natural springs believed to have curative properties were quite popular in the day, and the valley became a well-known winter travel destination.

Death Valley Ranch, better known as Scotty’s Castle, became a hotel in the area in the late 1930s, largely because of the notorious Walter Scott who lived there. Known as “Death Valley Scotty,” this gregarious miner — who falsely claimed to have built the castle with profits from his gold mine — was the human equivalent of a tourist attraction. The property was actually owned by Chicago millionaire Albert Mussey Johnson, who was likewise enamored by his creative caretaker and actually encouraged the myth.

One of Death Valley’s more picturesque areas is 20 Mule Team Canyon, from which borax was extracted via mules between 1882 and 1890. Also, as you plan your time in the park, consider a visit to Ubehebe Crater, either on the way to or from Scotty’s Castle. The road will deliver you to a lovely scenic viewpoint, from which you may choose to embark on a hike through some of the area’s smaller craters, including the perfectly formed Little Hebe.

The park’s visitor center can be found in the Furnace Creek Resort area (State Route 190, P.O. Box 579, Death Valley, CA 92328; 760-786-3200), where rangers present talks and walks during the more temperate December-through-April period. Year-round “living history” tours are available for a fee at Scotty’s Castle, which is located in the far-northern portion of the park. While there is also a visitor center at Scotty’s Castle, it is important to note there is no gasoline available at that location. The area is not nearly as foreboding as it was in 1849, but it is still unforgiving of carelessness. Plan accordingly.

Photo of California’s Death Valley National Park by birdgal5 via flickr (Creative Commons).

Related posts:

California Wineries

California Tourist Attractions

California Golf

Things To Do In California

Misc. Travel Resources

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change constantly. Please confirm details
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]]> http://www.californiatouristguide.com/death-valley-national-park/feed/ 0 http://www.californiatouristguide.com/joshua-tree-national-park/ http://www.californiatouristguide.com/joshua-tree-national-park/#comments Fri, 19 Mar 2010 19:01:30 +0000 California Tourist Guide http://www.californiatouristguide.com/?p=1268

Located about an hour and a half east of Palm Springs (and about three hours east of Los Angeles in good traffic conditions), Joshua Tree National Park includes two deserts — the higher Mojave Desert and the lower Colorado Desert — each of which supports an ecosystem indicative of its elevation.

The tree from which this California National Park takes its name – the Joshua Tree (or Yucca Brevifolia) – was so-named by early Mormon emigrants who thought their outstretched branches resembled supplicating arms of the biblical prophet, Joshua. The tree is abundant in the park’s higher, slightly cooler Mojave Desert area.

Joshua Tree National Park is a popular destination for hikers, cyclists, horseback riders, rock climbers and bird watchers. Rock climbing enthusiasts are particularly intrigued by the geologically unique landscape, featuring hills of bare rock formed from magma that cooled over 100 million years ago.

Spring is a favorite time to visit, when the Yuccas and numerous wildflowers add a vibrant and panoramic splash of color to the otherwise stark desert environs. The Joshua Trees are usually the first to bloom (around late February), followed by an array of annuals sometime in March. Cacti usually follow suit and flower in April or May. Spring is also an excellent time for bird-watchers to plan a visit to the park.

Spring (and fall) high/low temperatures average 85/50 degrees Fahrenheit, respectively, but summer daytime highs often exceed 100 degrees. If you plan to visit during summer months, prepare accordingly. Winter brings cooler days (around 60-degree highs), freezing nights and occasional snow at higher elevations.

Keys View, named after desert loner Bill Keys (who, interestingly, was successfully defended by Perry Mason author and lawyer Erle Stanley Gardner in a notorious 1940s murder trial), offers a 360-degree summit view of the Salton Sea, Mexico and the San Gorgonia and San Jacinto Mountains. It is an ideal spot to enjoy a sunset any time of the year.

The Joshua Tree National Park visitor center is located at the park’s east entrance (74485 National Park Drive, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277; 760-367-5500).

Photo of Joshua Tree National Park by Paraflyer via flickr (Creative Commons).

Related posts:

California Wineries

California Tourist Attractions

California Golf

Things To Do In California

Misc. Travel Resources

Note: Information in this article was accurate
when it was published, but hours, prices, etc.
change constantly. Please confirm details
with local contacts before traveling.

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The nine California National Parks are diverse and dramatic — offering everything from a marine sanctuary (Channel Islands National Park) to the tallest trees in the world (Redwoods National and State Parks) and the world’s largest tree (Sequoia National Park). Each of the national parks will eventually be detailed in an area-specific California Tourist Guide article, which you can access by clicking on an area button above or by following the links below.

If you are traveling with children, consider taking advantage of the National Park Services Junior Ranger program. Once a child completes the requisite activities, most NPS Rangers do a fantastic job of “swearing in” the new junior rangers, administering the oath with proper gravity, raised right hands, the whole bit.

From north to south, the California National Parks are:

Redwood National and State Parks (located in the North Coast area)

Lassen Volcanic National Park (located in the Shasta and Cascades area)

Yosemite National Park (located in the Sierras and Gold Country area)

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (located in the Sierras and Gold Country area)

Death Valley National Park (located in the Deserts and Inland Empire area)

Mojave National Preserve (located in the Deserts and Inland Empire area)

Joshua Tree National Park (located in the Deserts and Inland Empire area)

Channel Islands National Park (located in the Pacific Ocean, near where the Central Coast and Los Angeles areas meet)

In addition to the parks listed above, California also enjoys an abundance of national monuments, historic sites, recreation areas, forests and one National Seashore, Point Reyes, just north of San Francisco. All of these California treasures are maintained by the National Parks Service (nps.gov/state/ca/index.htm), and they include the stunning hexagonal columns and geological wonder of Devils Postpile, the somber Alcatraz Island penitentiary, a look at our nation’s history at Richmond’s Rosie the Riveter National Historical Park and famous naturalist John Muir’s Martinez, California, home.

Muir opined, “Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where Nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body and soul alike,” and the California National Parks provide that beauty and respite to the Golden State’s residents and visitors.

Photo of Sequoia National Park in California by Paraflyer via flickr (Creative Commons).

Related posts:

California Wineries

California Tourist Attractions

California Golf

Things To Do In California

Misc. Travel Resources

Note: Information in this article was accurate
when it was published, but hours, prices, etc.
change constantly. Please confirm details
with local contacts before traveling.

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There are 14 California Tourist Information Centers available to assist the state’s visitors and travelers with maps, brochures, coupons, bathroom facilities and more.  These California tourism centers are staffed with friendly people who are happy to provide suggestions for and directions to local attractions and accommodations, and they are a wonderful resource for making the most of your California vacation, getaway or holiday.

In addition to these state-run resources, most large (and some small) California cities have an independently run Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.  Check out this list for additional California tourist information resources, including email addresses and phone numbers for your reference and research purposes.

Also, if you’re planning to visit a specific California city but are unsure what’s located in the same vicinity, this California cities list can be a good place to start your trip planning research.  Just locate the city you’re visiting on the alphabetical list, and then find other cities that are in the same area or sub-area. 

You can also learn about the different California areas and what they have to offer by clicking on the corresponding buttons under the logo-and-images section at the top of this page.  Plus, there’s a handy California tourist map on the home page that sets out the state’s various areas that’s useful for trip planning inspiration and planning purposes.

Locations for the 14 brick-and-mortar centers are set out on this California Tourist Information Welcome Centers Google map, where from north to south you’ll find:

Arcata Welcome Center
1635 Heindon Road
Arcata, CA 95521
(707) 822-3619

Anderson Welcome Center
1699 Hwy. 273
Anderson, CA 96007
(530) 365-1180

Truckee Welcome Center
10065 Donner Pass Road
Truckee, CA 96161
(530) 587-2757

Auburn Welcome Center
13411 Lincoln Way
Auburn, CA 95603
(530) 887-2111

Santa Rosa Welcome Center
9 Fourth Street
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
(800) 404-7673

San Francisco Welcome Center
PIER 39 – Marina Plaza, 2nd Level, Building “P”
San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 981-1280

Merced Welcome Center
710 W. 16th Street, Suite A
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 724-8104

Tulare Welcome Center
4500 South Laspina Street
Tulare, CA 93274
(559) 688-6894

Pismo Beach Welcome Center
333 Five Cities Drive,
Pismo Beach, CA 93449
(805) 773-7924

Oxnard Welcome Center
1000 Town Center Drive, Suite 135
Oxnard, CA 93036
(805) 988-0717

Barstow Welcome Center
2796 Tanger Way, Suite 106
Barstow, CA 92311
(760) 253-4782

Yucca Valley Welcome Center
56711 Twentynine Palms Highway
Yucca Valley, CA 92284
(760) 365-5464

San Bernardino Welcome Center
1955 Hunts Lane
San Bernardino, CA 92408
(909) 891-1874

Oceanside Welcome Center
928 North Coast Highway
Oceanside, CA 92054
(760) 721-1101

Photo of California Welcome Center sign by resedabear via flickr (Creative Commons).

Related posts:

California Tourist Attractions

Things To Do In California

California Culinary Vacation Ideas

Misc. Travel Resources

Note: Information in this article was accurate
when it was published, but hours, prices, etc.
change constantly. Please confirm details
with local contacts before traveling.

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“Restaurant Week” business and tourism marketing began in 1992. New York City hosted the Democratic National Convention that year, and renowned restaurant reviewer Tim Zagat and Manhattan restaurateur Joe Baum persuaded several of the city’s top restaurants to participate in a coinciding “$19.92 lunches” promotion. As they say on Broadway, it was a smash hit!

Building on that success but now typically repositioned an event to increase business during what might otherwise be “slow” or “off-season” periods, many U.S. cities now offer their own versions of the promotion.

You can use the following California Restaurant Weeks list – primarily populated with 2009 dates at this point – to get a general idea about what California cities and areas are likely offer 2010 Restaurant Week events and when they are likely to do so.

Bolded and italicized notations at the end of some listings indicate the locales that have already stipulated their 2010 dates, and links to more information about specific restaurant week events are provided when available.

Escondido – A great place to visit any time of year, but especially during May 3-15, 2009, when you can enjoy its Restaurant Week offerings.

Huntington Beach – You can surf in for Restaurant Week here May 25-June 2, 2009.

Los Angeles – Known as “DineLA,” this promotion is limited to weekdays only, January 25-30 and February 1-6, 2009. January 24 through February 5, 2010 [link]

Marina – This Central Coast city (near Monterey and Carmel) celebrates Restaurant Week June 4-10, 2009.

Monterey Bay – Monterey Bay Restaurant Week runs October 22-29, 2009.

Newport Beach – Some spectacular restaurants participate in this Restaurant Week, January 18-22, 2009. January 22-28, 2010 [link]

Old Pasadena – Local foodies and visitors can indulge in some award-winning restaurant offerings here June 1-8, 2009.

Orange County – The very first Restaurant Week for this area: April 12-18, 2009. February 28 through March 6, 2010 [link]

Palm Springs – Enjoy Restaurant Week savings here May 31-June 19, 2009. June 4-13, 2010 [link]

Sacramento – Two separate events, the first of which focuses on downtown restaurants – Dine Downtown Restaurant Week during January 10-January 16, 2009 – and the other is a Wine & Dine Restaurant Week event July 4-12, 2009. January 8-17, 2010 [link]

San Diego – “America’s Most Beautiful City” is also hosting two 2009 Restaurant Weeks: January 11-16 and September 13-18. January 17-22, 2010 [link]

San Francisco – Called “Dine About Town” here, it usually runs the last two weeks of January. In 2009, an encore promotion was added for the first two weeks in June. January 15-31, 2010 [link]

San Marcos – This San Diego North County area’s Restaurant Week is September 20-28, 2009.

Santa Cruz – This seaside community celebrates Restaurant Week October 1-8, 2009. [link]

Silicon Valley – Restaurant Week is celebrated in Silicon Valley October 14-21, 2009.

Solvang – Even this tiny tourist enclave gets in the game March 15-19, 2009.

Sonoma County – 2010 is the first year for this foodie haven’s Restaurant Week: February 22-28, 2010 [link]

Stockton – Enjoy this Central Valley city’s Restaurant Week offerings September 19-25, 2010. [link]

California Restaurant Week events offer a great opportunity to enjoy affordable “prix fixe” (set price) meals at some of the state’s top restaurants, so “bon appétit!” or “come and get it!,” whichever works for you. The events are so good, they’re almost worth planning a California vacation — or two — around them!

(Do you know of any California Restaurant Week offerings to add to this list? Please use the contact email address on our “About Us” page (see footer) to share it with us. We’d love to add it to our list.)

Photo of Il Fornaio restaurant in San Jose, CA by atmtx via flickr (Creative Commons).

Related posts:

California Restaurants

California Culinary Vacation Ideas

California Wineries

Misc. Travel Resources

Note: Information in this article was accurate
when it was published, but hours, prices, etc.
change constantly. Please confirm details
with local contacts before traveling.

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This page links to all sorts of specialized travel gear intended to make your trip and your stay in California more enjoyable. Check it out!

1. Link 1
2. Link 2

etc

An inventive way to save on your California vacation or weekend getaway expense is by participating in a timeshare promotional tour offer. Typically, this means attending an informational presentation for which you’ll be rewarded in some way.

The presentation is designed to introduce you to a timeshare opportunity and, of course, it’s ultimately an attempt to induce you to purchase a timeshare fractional vacation opportunity. The reward usually comes in the form of reduced accommodation pricing and/or free tickets to nearby activities. Meals, cash and/or a chance to win other prizes are also sometimes used to “sweeten the pot” and encourage you to make a timeshare tour part of your California vacation.

In other words, there are companies willing to compensate you for spending some of your valuable vacation time learning about an alternative for future vacations.

This makes sense for some folks, as the rewards can have a significant monetary value. They also may have a genuine desire to learn about the timeshare vacation alternative. Other people view a timeshare tour as intruding into and interrupting their precious vacation relaxation time. They also may be fearful of the process, thinking they’ll encounter a high-pressure sales person who will talk them into an unwise purchase.

Speaking from personal experience, both positions are valid. You should definitely factor your interest, budget, time constraints, sales process comfort level, etc. into the equation if and when you entertain applying this tactic to save money on your California vacation.

Obviously, there are conflicting opinions about the value of a timeshare, as well. If you’re considering spending your vacation dollars on this sort of fractional opportunity, you’ll probably want to investigate the resale market, too, and see what people trying to sell timeshares or fractional vacations have to say about the experience. There’s no shortage of information online, of course, and you should always invest time to conduct proper due diligence when making a significant purchase.

There are various qualifications you must meet in order to qualify for timeshare presentation rewards. Typically, current employment is required, and there’s usually a minimum household income level you must meet. Your spouse or significant-other must also participate in the presentation. Always ensure that you know and comply with all the requirements. Some of the negative comments you might read online seem to be from folks who’ve skipped the “know and comply” step.

Here are a few links to timeshare tour promotional offers in various California vacation destinations to get you started:

Northern California Wine Country Timeshare Tour Vacation – Even if you don’t like to drink wine, you can have a great time in Wine Country. It’s hard to go wrong touring opulent wineries (it’s a bit like touring European castles without the trans-Atlantic flight!), enjoying culinary delights, pampering yourself at a spa or just communing with nature.

San Diego / Carlsbad Timeshare Tour Vacation – Carlsbad is home to Legoland, not to mention some awesome California beaches. Escondido’s Wild Animal Park is nearby, as well, and San Diego is about 45 minutes south while Disneyland in Anaheim is just a bit over that to the north. This is a great home base from which to enjoy all Southern California has to offer!

Palm Springs Timeshare Tour Vacation – The rich and famous have longed enjoyed the oasis of Palm Springs with its outstanding golf, shopping and spa vacation opportunities, and Death Valley and Joshua Tree National Parks are nearby.

Lake Tahoe Timeshare Tour Rewards Program – Skiing and gambling perks in the awesome Sierra Nevada Mountains – what’s not to love?

The California Tourist Guide does not endorse any of the companies linked above nor does it receive any compensation for sharing this information. Only you can evaluate whether attending a timeshare presentation serves your California vacation needs.

If you’d like to enjoy the additional comforts a timeshare vacation often affords (e.g., additional space and a kitchen – great additions to vacation accommodations, in my opinion, especially when traveling as a family) but you aren’t interested in the timeshare presentation experience, you may want to consider California vacation rentals instead.

Photo of Wine Country Road Sign by brianholsclaw via flickr (Creative Commons); Photo of Palm Springs Tram Car by bossco via flickr (Creative Commons).

Related posts:

California Wineries

California Tourist Attractions

California Golf

Misc. Travel Resources

Note: Information in this article was accurate
when it was published, but hours, prices, etc.
change constantly. Please confirm details
with local contacts before traveling.

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This Wine Country vacation and travel guide will discuss two very special counties in the Golden State – Napa and Sonoma – home of America’s most established wine region.  California’s Napa-Sonoma Wine Country is the state’s second most popular tourist destination (the first is Disneyland), and it offers superb culinary and spa offerings in addition to simply stunning natural environs.  In this section, you can learn about the cities of Napa and Sonoma, of course, but other wonderful places to visit, as well, for example:

Yountville, St. Helena and Calistoga in the Napa Valley;

Glen Ellen, Healdsburg, Santa Rosa and Petaluma in and
near the Sonoma Valley; and,

Bodega Bay, Fort Ross, Sea Ranch and Gualala, along the coast.

A little over an hour’s drive north from San Francisco will lead you to Wine Country’s beautiful rolling hills. (You may already be familiar with this view, actually, since it was immortalized by Microsoft and a photograph called “Bliss” that serves as the default wallpaper for Windows XP.)

The scenery you will find depends upon the season of your visit, but the vineyards are lovely all year-round – teeming with yellow mustard flowers in the spring or vines laden ripe, awaiting harvest in the fall – so be sure to bring a camera. Many Wine Country visitors, in fact, prefer to come during the off-season.  The area slows down a bit after the summer and harvest have passed, and for many people the winter and spring climates are more temperate, as well.

The summer and fall high seasons are, as you might imagine, quite crowded, and if this is when you plan to visit, advance planning can significantly improve your overall experience.  Some quick suggestions:

• avoid Highway 29 as much as possible (Silverado Trail can be a useful alternative, and a good map can guide you through some lovely back roads),

• visit wineries early in the day (swim, shop or visit a spa when everyone else is crowding the wineries in the afternoon); and

• make your dinner reservations months in advance, especially if the trendiest restaurants are on your “can’t miss” list.

When it comes to Wine Country dining, however, don’t forget about the picnic option because this may very well be the best place on Earth for a picnic!

Napa Valley is warmer in the summer than its western neighbor, and this is why it is better known for its Cabernet Sauvignon while Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are Sonoma’s most popular varietals. Each person has different tastes and preferences, of course. If you’re new to learning about wines,the variety that the Napa-Sonoma Wine Country offers makes it a perfect destination for a wine introduction vacation. Just remember that wine is really nothing more than a beverage – certainly nothing to feel intimidated about – and the most important thing is to have a good time during your visit.

Are you interested in learning about other California vacation destinations? Check out these articles…

Central Coast Vacation Ideas

Central Valley Vacation Ideas

Deserts and Inland Empire Vacation Ideas

Los Angeles Vacation Ideas

North Coast Vacation Ideas

Orange County Vacation Ideas

San Diego Vacation Ideas

San Francisco Bay Area Vacation Ideas

Sierras and Gold Country Vacation Ideas

Shasta and Cascades Vacation Ideas

Click to enlarge

It’s almost difficult to know where this Sierras and Gold Country vacation and travel guide should begin with all there is to see and do in this California area. How about…

…in tiny Coloma (site of the state’s first gold discovery on January 24, 1848, where you can try your hand at panning, too), or

…in Grass Valley (where you can descend a mine shaft at the Empire Mine State Historic Park), or

…in Sutter Creek (with lovely shops, galleries and restaurants housed in converted, century-old buildings), or

…in Jamestown (and its restored landmark 1859 Historic National Hotel with nine B&B rooms and a charming public restaurant)?

If you get thirsty along the way, there are several award-winning wineries in Calaveras County, some of which also produce olive oil and honey. That’s just a sampling  to whet your appetite. We’ve only just begun!

As you peruse the Sierras and Gold Country travel articles, you’ll learn about Lake Tahoe, which is about 80 miles northeast of Sacramento – so pure that it’s 99.7% clear (you’ll have to see it to believe it!) – and the equally stunning surrounding Sierra Nevada Mountain range. The lake and its environs are enjoyed by both summer-water and winter-snow enthusiasts and by everyone from tree-huggers to gamblers. Mark Twain once said of Lake Tahoe: “Surely the fairest picture the whole Earth affords,” and we all know Twain wasn’t one to exaggerate!  California Highways 89 and 28, Nevada Highway 28 and Federal Highway 50 combine to provide an approximately 75-mile loop around the lake. It’s a beautiful drive and definitely a worthwhile afternoon’s activity.

During the winter months, the region averages 360 inches of snow annually and is home to North America’s largest concentration of ski resorts. With around 20 resorts to chose from (including Squaw Valley Resort, host of the 1960 Winter Olympics), there is ski terrain to challenge all skill levels, plus snowboarding, sledding and snowmobiling opportunities, too, of course.

Driving about five hours south from the Lake Tahoe area, you will arrive at what many consider the Golden State’s crown jewel, Yosemite National Park. It has it all, really – lush groves of giant Redwoods, majestic waterfalls and massive granite walls and domes. The 750,000-acre, 1,200 square-mile park contains thousands of lakes and ponds, 1,600 miles of streams, 800 miles of hiking trails and 350 miles of roads.

Yosemite’s temperatures will vary with elevation, and conditions can change rapidly, so wise travelers dress in layers and always carry some kind of rain gear. Precipitation is most predominant during the January-through-March winter months, but storms are also commonplace during the transitional spring and fall seasons, and summer can bring spectacular thunderstorms. To avoid the worst of the crowds, try to plan your Sierras and Gold Country Yosemite trip during winter, spring or fall – any season but summer.

And, again, be sure to bring your camera! Ansel Adams shot his most famous photos here, and the park is extremely popular with professional and hobby nature photographers.

Northeast of Yosemite and near Mono Lake, photographers will also likely enjoy a stop at Bodie State Historical Park. Bodie is an honest-to-goodness ghost town, deserted since the 1930s in a most eerie fashion – residents just moved on for some reason, leaving all their belongings behind.  Current park authority requires that it remain in a state of “arrested decay” (i.e., no repairs are made to the structures), and it provides a striking photo-shoot location – perfect for black-and-white or sepia-tone photos.  The late-afternoon-into-sunset lighting is optimal.

Driving southeast through the Sierra National Forest, you will pass through the Mammoth Lake area and arrive at Bishop. About another hours’ drive will take you to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, whose resident trees are estimated to be more than 4,600 years old and believed to be the oldest living trees on Earth.

Two other national forests blanket this area, Inyo and Sequoia, serving as frames for two more geological jewels – Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks. Despite their close proximity, the two parks are quite different. Sequoia National Park encircles 14,495-foot Mt. Whitney (the highest mountain in the lower 48 states) and is home to a tree called “General Sherman,” the largest tree in the world and believed to be the world’s largest organism, as well. Kings Canyon National Park takes its name from the narrow chasm – one of the deepest in this country – cut by the Kings River.

Here are some articles where you can learn more about California’s Sierras and Gold Country vacation destinations and the extraordinary experiences you can enjoy there:

Planning Your Gold Country Vacation or Getaway

Gold Country Tourist Attractions

Gold Country Wineries

Sierras and Gold Country Museums

Lake Tahoe Tourist Information

Yosemite Vacation Guide

Misc. Travel Resources

Note: Information in this article was accurate
when it was published, but hours, prices, etc.
change constantly. Please confirm details
with local contacts before traveling.

Was this article useful and/or interesting?
Would you please consider sharing it?
We appreciate it!

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People often use the words “breathtaking” and “awesome” to describe the unspoiled beauty of California’s Shasta and Cascades area.  It is the epitome of “wilderness,” and it’s almost hard to fathom this area exists in the same state as San Francisco and Los Angeles.

The Shasta and Cascades area is home to seven national forests, several national and state parks and a portion of the Cascades Mountain range that includes two glaciated volcanoes: the still-active 10,457-foot Lassen Peak and dormant-but-imposing Mt. Shasta, which rises a majestic 14,162 feet into the air.

These grand peaks, the lush forests and a handful of glistening lakes provide visitors an incomparable opportunity to reconnect with the wonder of the natural world. Whether you enjoy hiking or fishing, whitewater rafting or horseback riding, it’s all waiting for you here in the Shasta and Cascades “God’s Country.”

A unique way to enjoy the area is offered on select weekends by the non-profit Wildhorse Sanctuary in Shingletown. Two or three-day trail rides and evening barbeques complete with singing and storytelling complement overnight accommodations in rustic, lakeside cabins. The area is rich in Indian and pioneer history, and the present-day ranch house was once a circuit court — complete with hanging tree!

Other historical references can be experienced in and near the city of Red Bluff. An outstanding collection of restored Victorian homes remain from the city’s Gold Rush transportation hub days, and the Kelly Griggs Museum provides a look at 1880s daily life. Just north of Red Bluff, the restored adobe home of the first and only President of the California Republic, William B. Ide, is open for tours in what is now a state park.   In Weaverville, another state park is home to Joss House and California’s oldest continuously operating Chinese temple.

In addition to the history and natural beauty, there are modern-day wonders to enjoy in the area, as well. In Redding, don’t miss the $23M Sundial Bridge that is more sculpture than sundial (it’s only an accurate timepiece one day of the year, the summer solstice) and the surrounding Turtle Bay Exploration Park.

Are you interested in learning about other California vacation destinations?  Check out these articles…

Central Coast Vacation Ideas

Central Valley Vacation Ideas

Deserts and Inland Empire Vacation Ideas

Los Angeles Vacation Ideas

North Coast Vacation Ideas

Orange County Vacation Ideas

San Diego Vacation Ideas

San Francisco Bay Area Vacation Ideas

Sierras and Gold Country Vacation Ideas

Wine Country Vacation Ideas