A Travel Guide to the Golden State’s Northern Hot Spots
If a trip to America is tickling your fancy, there's no better destination than California. But there’s more to the Golden State than LA and its surrounding beaches and mega-theme parks, and if you’re willing to explore the cooler northern climes, you can discover the true diversity of this magical place.
San Francisco
For starters, San Francisco is a stunning, world-class city. It’s brimming with culture, beauty and atmosphere - second only to New York in the US list of urban gems.
The city’s famously steep, multi-layered hills - which have appeared in countless films and TV clips - help carve the city into digestible chunks.
By foot, tram, bus or cab, it’s easy to access the classy Italian restaurants of North Beach, the trendy bars of the Mission and colourful shops of Haight-Ashbury - the original hippy village. Chinatown is also a must see, with its colourful, bustling streets lined with gift shops, markets and restaurants.
Well-known attractions like the Golden Gate Bridge and the prison island of Alcatraz are easily reached, but just soaking up the laid-back spirit of the ‘city by the bay’ is time well spent.
The city's history is as colourful as it is diverse, from Spanish colonial outpost and the boomtown of the gold rush, to more modern reincarnations such as the liberal centre of the free love and hippy movement. It’s also classed as the gay capital of America and the hub of the dot-com industry.
Bay-side you’ll find waterfront shops and the restaurants of Fisherman's Wharf. The Wharf's most famous residents are the sea lions that bark noisily as they bask in the sun.
Marin County
Just north on Route 101 is Marin County, a great location for walking trails and bike tracks offering spectacular views of the Pacific.
Eureka
If you head up to Humboldt County you’ll come across a real find – the art town of Eureka. Well worth the diversion, Eureka boasts interesting shops and eye-catching murals. The place is also home to the unique ales, stouts and beers of the Lost Coast Brewery.
Shasta County
Inland to Shasta County, the town of Redding – sandwiched between mountain ranges in Sacramento Valley – is an ideal base for exploring the volcanic mountains, glaciers, waterfalls and national parks.
At the Lassen Volcanic National Park, you’ll be greeted with the bubbling mud and sulphuric smell of a volcanic zone, as well as the opportunity to climb Lassen Peak, which tops 10,457ft.
A far sterner challenge is the mystical Mount Shasta - a couple of hours drive north of Redding, which at 14,162ft, is the second largest volcano in the United States.
Before you embark on the hike, however, remember to get travel insurance that covers such activities.
There are more sedate outdoor pastimes on offer in the region, including golf, skiing (in season), fishing, cycling, gentle walks or even moonlit kayaking across Whiskeytown Lake. Again, it’s a good idea to check what activities are covered by your travel insurance policy.
Wine Country
So what else can northern California offer, besides stunning landscapes, giant trees, a world-class city and steaming volcanoes? The answer is, of course, great wine.
The choice of wineries and districts is overwhelming but all are conveniently located on the route back to San Fran. In Lake County, the wineries are small and friendly, while wine tasting can be combined with relaxing days on Clear Lake.
And thanks to the success of the film Sideways, the Napa Valley, closer to San Francisco, has also been attracting large crowds.
So be sure to jump on the Napa Valley Wine Train to enjoy this destination to its full.
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