Page 113 - 2025-2026 Travel Guide to California

DRIVE TOUR
The VOLCANIC LEGACY SCENIC
BYWAY is a 500-mile-long route that
winds from LAKE ALMANOR, south of
Mount Lassen, to CRATER LAKE in
southern Oregon, with access to most of
the region’s major attractions.
upstateca.com/account/
volcanic-legacy-scenic-byway
in the spring, summit-seekers are strung
out along its most popular routes like ants
on an anthill. To get to the top you need an
ice axe, crampons and the skill to use them
safely. On Mount Lassen, its neighbor to the
south, a well-graded trail runs all the way
to the 10,457-foot summit. World-class fly
fishing abounds in the Trinity Alps, and
those willing to walk a short distance with
their rods are almost guaranteed a spot to
themselves. On the Salmon River, between
the Trinity Alps and Marble Mountains,
Otter Bar Lodge (otterbar.com) is one of the
West’s premier whitewater kayaking
schools.
Heritage & Culture
The Shasta Tribe of Native Americans, a
band of hunters and fishermen who lived in
cedar-plank houses with basements, once
occupied much of what is now far-northern
California and southern Oregon. Their pop-
ulation dropped rapidly as settlers seized
land following the discovery of gold in
Yreka and Upper Soda Springs in 1850. To
the east, at what is now Lava Beds National
Monument, the Modoc Tribe and the U.S.
Army fought the last of the Indian wars in
California in 1872-73. In the late 1880s, the
Central Pacific Railroad spurred develop-
ment of the timber and tourism industries.
In the 1970s, New Age seekers began fil-
tering into the area, culminating in 1987’s
“Harmonic Convergence,” which identified
Mount Shasta as one of the world’s “power
centers.”
Family Fun
The Sundial Bridge is the big draw, but for fam-
ilies, the surrounding Turtle Bay Exploration
Park in Redding offers a full day’s worth of
activities emphasizing the Sacramento River
watershed, including a wildlife center,
museum, playground, botanical garden and a
recreated logging camp. turtlebay.org
SPECIAL EVENTS 2025
REDDING MARATHON Kick off the year with the exhilarating Redding Marathon, where
runners traverse scenic routes showcasing the city's natural beauty. Jan. 19, Redding
visitredding.com/event/redding-marathon
WEAVERVILLE ART WALK On the first Saturday of every month in historic Weaverville,
artists open their gallery doors. Live music often accompanies the one mile stroll.
trinitycountyarts.org/art-walk.html
KOOL APRIL NITES Miles of classic cars, an officially designated cruising route and
50s-style sock hops are the big attractions. April 19-28, Redding koolaprilnites.com
REDDING RODEO May is rodeo month in Redding, kicking off with a barbecue and dance
and then four days of classic riding and roping events, plus “mutton bustin’” for the kids.
May 14-17, Redding reddingrodeo.com
DUNSMUIR RAILROAD DAYS Step back in time to honor the town's railroad legacy with
train exhibits, parades, and nostalgic festivities. June 13-15, Dunsmuir drrd.org
2025-26 TRAVEL GUIDE TO CALIFORNIA 111