Off the Beaten Path Places in Northern CA (Los Angeles, San Diego: hotel, camps)

[murlough23]

Southern California native here, one who enjoys road trips and who has undertaken successful multi-day journeys in the past in places like the Southwestern States, Alaska, and Hawaii. This coming summer, my wife and I are looking to keep our annual trip a little more local, and we're taking the opportunity to explore interesting parts of California that we haven't visited yet (or, in my case, that I haven't seen since childhood). Specifically, we want to reach some of the corners of Northern California that we haven't touched yet. We've already covered the Greater Los Angeles Area, some parts of San Diego, local desert and mountain spots like Joshua Tree and Big Bear, and most of the Pacific Coast between here and the Bay Area (including San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Big Sur). The areas we're looking to focus on are fartehr inland and farther north.

We plan to hit the national parks in the area - Yosemite, Lassen, and Redwoods. (We went to Kings Canyon/Sequoia last fall). I'm thinking of driving up 395 past Whitney and the back side of Yosemite, past Mono Lake and up through the Tahoe Area, then into the Eastern side of Northern California, before jumping over to the North Coast, making our way back down towards the Bay Area (which we've been to several times, but we have friends in the area that we want to visit again), with Sacramento and Yosemite being stops we can make before or after the Bay Area on our return trip south.

But what are we missing that's small enough to not be pointed out to most tourists from out of state, but interesting enough to warrant a side trip? What are good cities/towns to spend the night in along the way? What quaint towns are good for an evening stroll, with a lot of points of interest within easy walking distance of each other? Where are good spots for dayhikes, assuming we're up for something between 4 and 8 miles and aren't hardy outdoorspeople, but also not total suburban wimps? What do people usually miss when they visit this part of the state?

California is so huge that the parts of it farthest from L.A. feel like they might as well be another state to me. So I figure that's why it's high time I got more well acquainted with the state I've always called home.

[Snort]

What time of year are you making this trip?

[eightiesfan]

Check out Mendocino and Bolinas, both nice places to spend a day in. Of course you have the Arcata - Eureka area as well if you haven't been there. Enjoy the trip.

[vdy1985]

That sounds like a lot of fun. Can't wait to come back to California. 1 more week!

[clutternize]

Pescadaro. Roughly 40 miles south of San Francisco. Then inland for a bit to La Honda in the Redwoods. Also San Mateo.

[bellalunatic]

Jenner
Booneville
Sonoma.
Petaluma.
Bodega Bay.
Bodega.
Dillon Beach.
Mt. Tamalpias/Muir Woods.

[humboldtrat]

Burney Falls and also nearby Lake Shasta.

[bellalunatic]

oh yeah, and
Point Reyes Station

[murlough23]

I'll be making the trip in May or June. I have been to Point Reyes before... we drove all the way to the bitter end and hiked after we could drive no more. I was amazed at how foggy it gets there on an otherwise hot day in July.

[Idunn]

How long do you have? You might drive NE on I-15 to Baker, CA, thence north on CA 127, through Shoshone, CA to find your way through Death Valley National Park. If you haven't visited this Park, it can be quite interesting. And hot, even come May. The Mad Greek Restaurant in Baker is supposed to be very good. The Furnace Creek Inn is an old, historic hotel which should prove interesting (it was closed for the season, mid-summer when I visited) and possibly a nice place to stay. You'd also be driving past, and very close to, Badwater (in the Park), the lowest point in the US (and decidedly below sea level). It can be surreal walking out on the vast white salt flats.

You can climb steeply out of the Park, through Panamint Springs, CA to join US 395. It is an interesting and scenic drive north. You might turn left onto CA 120 at Lee Vining, CA to traverse Yosemite National Park. Absolutely gorgeous, of course. On the far side of the Park you can detour to visit the incredibly beautiful Yosemite Valley, only be prepared for the many tourists and congestion.

An interesting sojourn from Yosemite would be to continue west on CA 120, thence north on CA 49. This takes you through the heart of the California gold country. It would be an interesting and historic drive all the way to the junction with US 50 and thence quickly into Sacramento, CA. If in Sacramento, by the way, a visit to Old Sacramento (on the river) could be pleasant. Such a route will take you through the old gold camps of Sonora, CA and Angels Camp, CA. Angels Camp is immortalized in one of the writer Mark Twain's stories (of the jumping frog, and in fact the county fair has a jumping frog contest). If you look closely on the narrow, winding road between Sonora and Angels Camp there is a brass monument at the side of the road, and a very short detour to the very humble cabin where Twain lived for a time when in the area.

At Angels Camp you might opt to turn right and head east on CA 4. It is a beautiful mountain drive that can take you eventually into South Lake Tahoe, CA. Know that the section of CA 4 over Ebbetts Pass is narrow and winding, but that can very much be part of its charm. Needless to say there is lots of lodging situated around Lake Tahoe, with plenty of options in South Lake Tahoe. If preferring something a little more rustic and quiet, accommodations along the west side of the lake might better suite you. The west side of the lake can also offer the nicest drive north. Plus it takes you directly around beautiful Emerald Bay. If you have the time and inclination a short hike down to the shores of Lake Tahoe and fairy tale residence of Vikingsholm would not be amiss. Once north of Lake Tahoe you will follow the Truckee River to quickly join US 50, thence easily to Sacramento.

Your notion to visit Lassen Volcanic National Park is a good one. A beautiful, relatively quiet, Park whose thermal features make it quite interesting. From Sacramento, traveling up CA 49 would be a nice way to get there. If from near Lake Tahoe, taking CA 89 through Sierraville, CA would be a good option. If so inclined, there is also a laid back, commercial hot spring just outside Sierraville.

Redwood National Park would also probably be nice (I only drove past/through). Isolated, however. Your best bet from Lassen is straight through Redding, CA to continue west on CA 299, all the way to Arcata, CA on the coast. Just know that although a lovely drive, you might begin to wonder if you will ever get to the ocean. Redding of course has lots of services. Weaverville, CA could also be an option; despite being a logging town it seems to have a certain charm (possibly). Other than that, and some minor options, your best bet probably to press on west until reaching Arcata and Eureka, CA.

Even if this seems perhaps a bridge too far, since you're already up in the far northwestern corner of California, you might venture a bit farther north to visit Crater Lake National Park in southern Oregon. It should prove (I'm guessing) a fairly easy drive from Crescent City, CA. It surely is worth seeing, and unique in the world. Verily as a world unto itself. There also happens to be a very nice Park lodge situated right on the edge of the crater, with long veranda looking out across the intense cerulean blue of this crystalline lake's waters.

Well, this summary obviously only touches upon some of the highlights you might encounter. For instance, just east of Arnold, CA lies Calaveras Big Trees State Park. Just off the highway, and the opportunity for an enchanting stroll among some of the oldest living beings on this planet, magnificent redwoods. Could be, should be, and likely will a great trip.