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The perfect driving vacation for Northern California. You can start or stop at different locations than what's suggested, but the basic trip is a great one or two week driving get away. To cut down on driving distance, I'd fly into Sacramento or Oakland and rent a car.

The basic route is North Highway 99 from Sacramento to North I-5 to West Highway 299 to South 101 to Oakland or San Francisco

Highway 99 North
*Chico, it's a little over an hour north of Sacramento. Almost everything downtown is walking distance or take a Petty Cab (bicycle cab) Chico Park has turned Big Chico Creek into a pool at One Mile. Definitely a great place to cool off in the sumer. Lots of historical sites and haunted houses downtown. And, of course, plenty of party bars near the Chico State campus. Downtown also has tons of really cute shops and varieties of coffee.

Interstate 5 North
*Redding, it's about an hour north of Chico, or about three hours north of Sacramento. Redding is a planet of recreation unto it's self. It's slogan for a while was The Heart of the Golden Circle since there is so much gold mine relate history in them thar hills. Redding could be a vacation it's self. Not because Redding offers so much to do by it's self, but because it's where all the hotels and restaurants are that are close to a ton of day trips. Burney falls, Moss Berry Falls, Shasta Lake, Wiskeytown Lake, Lassen Park and more are all great day trips you can take based out of Redding.

Highway 299 West
*Shasta or as it's known by the locals as Old Shasta. They have the general store, courthouse and jail from the 1890's along with the old cemetery and more. Bring a picnic lunch or a bucket from KFC.

*Weaverville I'm told has the only fully operational church owned by the government. This state park is a Taoist temple of worship. An amazing experience for anyone of any faith also a humbling reminder of our treatment of Asians during the gold rush era. Lots of quaint shops and local folklore.

*Big Bar best soft serve ice cream cone. Also a great place to go river rafting or kayaking down the Trinity River. Fishing guides available too.

*Willow Creek great place to stretch your legs. Say goodbye to inland weather, pull out your jacket (anytime of year) and get ready for the Redwoods.

Highway 101 South
*Eureka/Arcada are two very different towns just 6 miles apart. In fact, every town along the 101 in Northern California is it's own little world. If you stay the night in one of these towns, it's easy to day trip north

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