Places to See in Northern California

Northern California is a diverse landscape that varies from rugged coast line to redwood forest (tallest trees) to volcanoes to the Sierra Nevada mountains to the Great Valley and desert.   Many state and national parks are found here. 

Volcanic LegacyWhy Mount Shasta's glaciers are in peril due to climate change

The Cascade Arc extends into northern California down to the Chico area.   Lassen Peak and Mt Shasta (14,180')  are strato volcanoes and the Medicine Lake volcano is a shield like volcano (flatter).   The most recent volcano eruption was Lassen in 1917. 

Lassen NP - (Guide)

Mount Shasta - Mt. Shasta Sisson Museum (Driving Tour Guide)

Medicine Lake (Guide)

Lava Beds National Monument (Guide)

Gold RushThe California Gold Rush – American English Podcast

The gold rush of the 1850s brought thousands to the state and mining towns sprung up throughout the foothills of the Sierra Nevada and Klamath mountains.  There are numinous state parks and museums to visit. 

Grass Valley Nevada City   Alleghany  Empire Mine State Historic Park  Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park

Yreka Siskiyou County Museum

Weaverville Trinity County Museum and Blacksmith Shop

North Coast / RedwoodsYour Guide to Visiting Redwood National and State Parks​

Highway 1 is a beautiful drive up the northern California coast but plan to take your time!   Highway 1 merges with highway 101 at Leggett, but 101 continues up the coast through the redwood country.   The fall is really the best time to visit the coast since it is usually fog free and there will be fewer people after labor day.   The coast line is rugged and water temperatures are in the low 40s.   You may see Gray Whales as they migrate south from the Artic to Baja California. 

Point Reyes National Seashore - A park just north of San Francisco that sits on the San Andres fault. 

Redwood National Park  Humbolt Redwoods State Park Armstrong Woods

Emigrant Trails

While the gold rush was a driver of much of the early emigration a number of trails brought settlers into the region.  Many of these led to northern California.  Trails West marks these trails and offers driving guides.  Local trails include the Lassen Trail, the Nobles Trail, the Yreka Trail, and Truckee Trail.

Lake Tahoe Area

The area is located in the Sierra Nevada mountains about 6000' on the California Nevada border.  It is home of many ski resorts, pretty in the fall.   If you want to explore this area consider flying into Reno.  Reno is about 3 hrs. from Chico and 170 miles.   Their are a number of nice routes to drive. 

HikingCalifornia Poppy 'Golden West'

There are many places to hike including several hundred miles of the Pacific Crest Trail.   Most of parks have nice day hiking trails.   Castle Crags SP on Hwy 5 has a nice, but steep trail up into the crags with great views of Shasta.  Jug Handle SP has a great trail from the ocean up through the redwoods into the pigmy pine forests.  Lassen NP with many active volcanic features has many trails including one to the peak (10,457 feet). Lava Beds NM has short trails to many caves.   Some caves are accessible by non-cavers (bring a flashlight and sturdy shoes). 

Locally:  Bidwell Park is a 3,670 acre city park that extends from downtown Chico into the foothills.  Table Mountain is a volcanic formation nearby, but is best viewed in the spring when the waterfalls are full and wild flowers are in bloom. 

Bird Watching

The Sacramento Valley is on a major flyway and has a number of wildlife refuges between Sacramento and Chico.  See: https://www.fws.gov/story/sacramento-nwr-complex-plan-your-visit  Geese and ducks usually come through the area between August and October.

Breweries

Map

Cideries

Map

Wine Tasting

Amador County

North Coast - Sonoma / Napa / Mendocino / Lake Counties

New Clairvaux Vineyard (Near Chico)

Southern Oregon

Tour Ideas

These are general ideas of routes to follow.   Most are state highways, but these are typically back roads and may not be the fastest route.   This map shows general routes from Chico to Sacrament Airport, but many others are possible.  Reverse the route if you are touring before the conference.

Gold Rush - Wine Tasting

Travel down the historic highway 49 through the northern mine country.   Amador County has many wineries. 

Coast - Wine Tasting

Travel through the wine country of Lake, Napa, and Sonoma counties to the Point Reyes National Seashore. 

Coast - Redwoods - Beer Tasting

Travel into redwood country.   Sample some beer from the numerous micro breweries on the north coast.  You will pass by a number of wineries in Lake and Mendocino counties. 

Volcanic Legacy

Visit three volcanoes and stop in Manton (a bit off the path) for a glass of wine. 

Getting to Chico

Sacramento International Airport (SMF) is 90 miles south of Chico.   I would recommend renting a car and car pooling.  

Need more info?  mspiess@csuchico.edu