A California Road Trip Beyond Highway 1

When people think of California road trips, typically the first thing that comes to mind is Highway 1 and Big Sur. North of the acclaimed highway, however, is a road less traveled that has just as much for travelers as the Pacific Coast Highway. California State Route 299 is the third-longest state highway in California, running east / west through Northern California for 305 miles. Start your journey in Redding and head west toward the Pacific.

Redding, the hub city of the Shasta Cascade region, has hundreds of restaurants and more than 50 lodging options. Set on the Sacramento River and having year-round temperate climate, Redding has become one of the outdoor activity capitals of California, offering a variety of hiking, mountain biking, paddleboarding and kayaking options.

Before heading out on the road, check out Redding’s Sundial Bridge, a glass-decked, cable-style cantilever suspension bridge spanning 710 feet across the Sacramento River, 217 feet into the air and forms a working sundial. It’s about five minutes from most Redding-area lodgings and takes about 15 minutes to walk across. Also worth visiting nearby are the Turtle Bay Exploration Park and Museum and the McConnell Arboretum and Botanical Gardens.

Back on the road, head west toward Shasta State Historic Park. About six miles west of Redding, a row of old, half-deteriorated brick buildings stand where the “Queen City” of California’s northern mining district used to be. Nearby are cottages and cemeteries that are now but an echo of the booming town that Shasta was during the Gold Rush. The county courthouse, restored to its original 1861 appearance, holds historical exhibits and collections of California artwork. Route 299 takes cars through the town’s Main Street.

Slightly further west, Whiskeytown, another old Gold Rush town, is now a national recreation area where visitors can hike, paddle, sail on a lake and even pan for gold. Once you park the car, get out and explore one of the four waterfalls and 70 miles of trails.

Escape the mining county for a minute by continuing west on 299 until you reach Weaverville, established in 1850 in the Trinity Mountains. Here you’ll find Joss House State Historic Park, home to the oldest continuously visited Chinese temple in California. On display within the temple are a variety of art and mining tools, as well as weapons that were used in the 1854 Tong War. Guided tours and family programs are available when the temple is not being used for worship.

Make a weekend out of your Redding road trip by heading back into town for an overnight stay at one of its six quaint B&Bs. Both Redding’s Bed & Breakfast and Bridgehouse Bed & Breakfast are pet friendly, so feel free to bring your four-legged companion along.

Don’t leave Shasta County without a visit to wine country. Several family-owned wineries operate in the Manton area, in the Lassen foothills. Manton is between Lassen Park and Redding, about 50 miles west via Highway 44. It is recommended to stop at places like Dakaro Cellars, Cedar Crest, Alger Vineyards or Indian Peak to find which winery has the right vintage for you.

Redding has two local airports, Redding Municipal Airport and Benton Airpark, although the popular nearby airport of choice is typically San Francisco. For automobile rentals, Redding is home to Enterprise Rent-A-Car, among others.