If you wanted to get to the beach from Redding, which way would you go? (Sacramento: motorhome, movies)

[NoMoreSnowForMe]

Thinking about relocating to Redding. Was just curious as to which way would be the best route to get to the beach, from folk who live up that way. Looks like you'd have to go across the mountains. Was wondering which route you take, if you want a weekend getaway.

Would you go to Arcata? Eureka? Oregon? Further south?

[MIKEETC]

Southeast.

[to Lake Tahoe]

[kettlepot]

When Reddingites go to the beach as in an ocean beach, it usually means Patrick's Point or similar in the Eureka/Arcata area. 299W is narrow, crooked, and slow. It is easily a 4 hour drive. There are few passing lanes and the road will be filled with plenty of slow moving big rigs and RVs. It's a pain, so don't think it's a fun trip for a 3 day weekend. However, if you are willing to invest a week, the woods are beautiful and worth the drive.

And don't forget, the water will be cold.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

Wow, that is a tough one. What's worse, 299W or heading north then west (e.g. Gold / Rogue River mouth).

At that point, one might ask themselves, why not simply go for the Rogue Valley communities instead.

[Deezus]

That drive feels like it takes forever(299), I remember making that drive on a summer late afternoon for the first time, thinking it wouldn't be that far and getting to Redding and I-5 well after dark. To get to the Oregon beaches or Crescent City area, it's probably almost easier to just take I-5 north and then take 199 from Grants Pass. The coast feels a surpsingly long way from Redding or Red Bluff or from inland Southern Oregon(where I used to live)--there's a lack of fast highways over the Klamath Mountains(including the Trinities and Siskiyous). That mountain country in between the valleys and the coast has stayed pretty remote in feel due to the rugged nature, which is great for hiking and camping on the other hand.

Comparatively, from Sacramento you can get to a beach in like 2 hours(without traffic of course), and from Portland or the Willamette Valley you can be at the beach in under 1.5 hours.

[NoMoreSnowForMe]

All great posts, thank you! Ironically, I'm in Santa Clara, and about 30 minutes from the beach, and I can't tell you the last time I was there lol! I'm pretty much a homebody these days. But, I was just curious if there was some secret easier drive to the coast than I could see by looking at the map. Doesn't appear to be so.

That's okay. I love the woods, too.

[Usrname]

Originally Posted by Deezus

That drive feels like it takes forever(299), I remember making that drive on a summer late afternoon for the first time, thinking it wouldn't be that far and getting to Redding and I-5 well after dark. To get to the Oregon beaches or Crescent City area, it's probably almost easier to just take I-5 north and then take 199 from Grants Pass. The coast feels a surpsingly long way from Redding or Red Bluff or from inland Southern Oregon(where I used to live)--there's a lack of fast highways over the Klamath Mountains(including the Trinities and Siskiyous). That mountain country in between the valleys and the coast has stayed pretty remote in feel due to the rugged nature, which is great for hiking and camping on the other hand.

Comparatively, from Sacramento you can get to a beach in like 2 hours(without traffic of course), and from Portland or the Willamette Valley you can be at the beach in under 1.5 hours.

It takes about 3 hours over 299 between Redding and Coastal hwy.
To me, the drive and the mountains are a part of the experience (though once long time ago, after dark, I had taken the wrong road and ended up spending quality night lost in the maze of logging roads...I remember thinking "what kind of dog is that?" around 1am while going 5mph on a dirt road, as small black bear kept running along).
Lack of easy roads is the beauty of it: less tourist crowds. Anyway, with the finest lake/river opportunities out in Mendocino range-Trinity forest, why bother going all the way to coast... there're hidden gems all over the place. As to mentioned Rogue River in OR...another fine place, for sure (Bear Camp Road beware! ), and as to driving up to Tahoe instead...the tourist hell that Tahoe is (as former resident, I can attest), I'd make sure I steer clear of Tahoe within 1 hour radius min and stop somewhere around Lassen, lake Almanor or on hwy 70 or 49, up to Sierraville.

[Hawk J]

For swimming, camping, fishing in the summer, we often took our young'uns to Camanche Lake, south shore. Not tooo far from Sacramento. We were tent camping at the beginning, then later we bought a used motorhome. Lake Camanche Recreation, Central California: Fishing, Boating, Camping, Cottages, RVing

They had a nice beach area with warm water for the young'uns & adults, game room & snack area (burgers, sundaes, fries, etc) Showed outdoor movies in a park like area.

We did a lot of fishin from our boat, bass, catfish, crappie, etc. Lots O' FUN. Went exploring different areas of the lake. (Shallows) (used to be gold mining).

Years ago we also had some FUN times camping, fishing at Lake Oroville & Lake Almanor...

The lake water is much warmer then the ocean beaches. We enjoyed some great days at Whiskeytown Lake & Lake Shasta.

[Deezus]

Originally Posted by Usrname

It takes about 3 hours over 299 between Redding and Coastal hwy.
To me, the drive and the mountains are a part of the experience (though once long time ago, after dark, I had taken the wrong road and ended up spending quality night lost in the maze of logging roads...I remember thinking "what kind of dog is that?" around 1am while going 5mph on a dirt road, as small black bear kept running along).
Lack of easy roads is the beauty of it: less tourist crowds. Anyway, with the finest lake/river opportunities out in Mendocino range-Trinity forest, why bother going all the way to coast... there're hidden gems all over the place. As to mentioned Rogue River in OR...another fine place, for sure (Bear Camp Road beware! ), and as to driving up to Tahoe instead...the tourist hell that Tahoe is (as former resident, I can attest), I'd make sure I steer clear of Tahoe within 1 hour radius min and stop somewhere around Lassen, lake Almanor or on hwy 70 or 49, up to Sierraville.

We used to go down to Clear Creek north of Happy Camp for swimming when I lived in Ashland. Go camp down there with a couple of cases of beer--one of the best swimming holes I ever saw in my whole life. Yeah, the Siskiyous and Marble Mountains and Trinities are beautiful country. I went backpacking once in the Marble Mountains and saw like one other group of people in like 4 days.

But, 299 is still a long tiring drive(though scenic) if you really want to go to the coast and back in a day, get stuck behind a logging truck and it takes forever. Highway 96 is similar, but even more remote--I've seen black bears several times crossing that road in the twilight.

[NoMoreSnowForMe]

Three hours is a long drive for me these days. And forget Tahoe, too, if there's any chance of snow :-)

Think I'll take your wise advice and get to know the forests and lakes in the closer vicinity - assuming I get to move there. I should know this week.