Relax, Rejuvenate and Discover Nature in Northern California’s Great Outdoors

Discover why this area has been called a ‘Wonderland’ for almost a century. In this spectacular region of

Northern California, visitors will discover a rugged coastline, snow capped mountains, award-winning wine

region, pristine lakes, wild & scenic rivers, deserted beaches and a warm welcome.

Experience the best that California has to offer, with fine food, wine, cozy inns and B&Bs, meadows of

wildflowers, massive trees and wildlife to cross your path at an arms length. Be as adventurous or as relaxed as

you like with a range of activities to suit all. Try mountain biking, white-water rafting, houseboating, hiking,

kayaking, fishing, jet boating or for those looking for a more relaxed vacation, escape and contemplate life on a

deserted beach or beside a rushing river with a fine bottle of California wine and a basket filled with

California’s freshest picnic fare.

A Northern California adventure begins on the North Coast Highway 101, just an hour north of the Golden Gate

Bridge. Hwy. 101 enters North America’s most significant wine regions – Sonoma & Mendocino Country.

Sonoma and Mendocino’s unique connection to the North Coast provides a varied wine growing region offering

the best warm weather Cabernets to the cool coastal Chardonnays and Rieslings. Several scenic roads off of

Hwy. 101 lead to its scenic coastline and quaint little villages and unforgettable sunsets that sink into the crystal

blue Pacific Ocean.

North of Mendocino is California’s Redwood Coast. Known for the world’s tallest trees with many taller than

the Statue of Liberty, the experience of walking among these giants is truly breath taking. Eureka, the largest

town on the Redwood Coast retains its Victorian charm with a slight hint of the American Western frontier.

Heading inland, the geologic makeup of the Shasta Cascade Region makes it unique. This area of Northern

California is known for its fiery volcanic past where recent lava flows are often adjacent to thick dense rain

forests. With its numerous wild and scenic rivers and lakes, water adventure experience is awaiting you. A

fitting close to this outdoor adventure vacation should include Lake Tahoe and Sacramento before ending in

San Francisco.

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)

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.