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WILD
OUTDOOR ADVENTURE AWAITS
IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
Editor's Note: My sisters
Rosalie and Sally were born in the Los angeles
area, However both chose to move to a charming
place on the old Golden Chain HIghway near
Sacramento. After several visits during which we
explored the area in detail, I can see the reason.
Diverse Geographical Regions Promise Family Fun and
Fresh Air
SACRAMENTO: With a renewed
emphasis on staying active and getting back to the
great outdoors, more families are planning their
summer vacations around Northern California's
diverse array of adventure activities. "You name
it, Northern California has it in the summer," said
Caroline Beteta, executive director of the
California Travel and Tourism Commission.
"Swimming, canoeing, sea kayaking, water skiing,
rock climbing, camping, hiking, fishing, mountain
biking, horseback riding, and even snow skiing are
all available for families who want an active
outdoor vacation."
With six diverse regions,
families can try a new outdoor activity or perfect
one they already enjoy. Here are a few places where
families can make sure their time in Northern
California is chock full of exciting outdoor
activities for everyone:
 Shasta
Cascade Region
Note: This is one of our
favorites at Air Highways Magazine. One of the most
unusual and pleasurable over night stays was at
Railroad
Park, near Mount
Shasta.
The Shasta Cascade region
encompasses the northeastern corner of California.
Hike, mountain bike or horseback ride along the
30-mile Bizz Johnson National Recreation Trail,
which links the communities of Susanville and
Westwood. If your family's idea of summer fun
includes plenty of time in the water, take
advantage of the many house-boating opportunities
on Shasta Lake. Swimming, fishing, water- and
jet-skiing are just a few popular activities. For
more information about recreational opportunities
in the Shasta Cascade region, contact the Shasta
Cascade Wonderland Association at (800) 474-2782 or
(530) 365-7500; Web site:
www.shastacascade.com
North Coast
Region
The North Coast region spans
400 miles of rugged coastline from San Francisco to
the Oregon border. Embark on one of the few coastal
hiking experiences available in the United States
at the Mattole Recreation Site, located at the
north end of the King Range National Conservation
Area. Not for the faint of heart, this rugged trail
provides a rigorous once-in-a-lifetime hiking
experience. The recreation site also offers
visitors a chance to interact with sea creatures at
three tide pools. For more information, contact the
Humboldt County Convention and Visitors Bureau at
(800) 346-3482 or (707) 443-5097; Web site:
www.redwoodvisitor.org
Enjoy swimming, fishing,
hiking, camping, and picnicking at the state's
largest natural freshwater lake, Clear Lake,
located in Lake County. Known as the "Bass Capitol
of the World," Clear Lake's fishing, camping,
swimming, and hiking will provide unforgettable
family memories in a beautiful, tranquil setting.
For more information, contact the Lake County
Visitor Information Center at (800) 525-3743 or
(707) 274-5652; Web site: www.lakecounty.com
Gaze up at some of the
world's tallest trees at the Redwood National and
State Parks around Crescent City. These trees can
grow to be more than 300 feet tall and live to be
2,000 years old. Enjoy backpacking, biking, bird
watching, camping, horseback riding, and kayaking
down the Smith River. For more information, contact
the Crescent City/ Del Norte County Chamber of
Commerce at (800) 343-8300 or (707) 464-3174; Web
site: www.northerncalifornia.net
San Francisco Bay Area
Region
San
Francisco:
Take in some history
while enjoying outdoor adventures at Angel Island
State Park. Once a hunting and fishing area for
Miwok Indians, Angel Island also has been used as a
base for Spanish explorer Juan de Ayala, a cattle
ranch, and a United States Army Post. The park now
offers camping, mountain biking, hiking, fishing,
sailing, and kayaking.
Visit the Ano Nuevo State
Reserve and experience the rocky coastline in much
the same way as Spanish explorer Sebastian Vizcaino
did in the 17th century. A popular place to view
sea life such as elephant seals and sea lions, the
park also offers families opportunities to fish and
hike. For more information about recreation in San
Francisco Bay area, contact the San Francisco
Convention and Visitors Bureau at (888) 782- 9673
or (415) 391-2000; Web site: www.sfvisitor.org
Central Valley
Region
One of the most productive
farming regions in the world is rich in
agricultural bounty, history, culture, and outdoor
adventures as well. Home to the California Delta,
this 1,000-mile waterway provides a wide range of
activities for families, including fishing,
camping, house boating, water skiing, wind surfing,
wake boarding, and bird watching. For more
information, contact the California Delta Chamber
and Visitors Bureau at (209) 367-9840; Web site:
www.californiadelta.org
Gold Country
Region
Scene of the 1849 Gold Rush,
which triggered the largest human migration ever
known, this region is filled with quaint towns and
a number of cultural and recreational outdoor
activities. Take the family gold panning at the
Auburn State Recreation Area northeast of
Sacramento. Other outdoor activities include
hiking, swimming, boating, fishing, camping,
mountain biking, horseback riding, motorcycle
riding, and whitewater rafting. For more
information, contact the Placer County Visitors
Council at (866) 752-2371 or (530) 887-2111; Web
site:
<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=tymyawn6.4xnbyrn6.wl99awn6&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.visitplacer.com>www.visitplacer.com
Visit the South Yuba River
State Park and check out the longest single-span
covered bridge in the world. Located north of
Nevada City in the heart of the Gold Country,
families also can enjoy wildflower hiking,
swimming, fishing, and gold panning. For more
information, contact the Nevada City Chamber of
Commerce at (800) 655-6569 or (530) 265-2692; Web
site: www.nevadacitychamber.com
High Sierra
Region
Spanning an area
encompassing Lake Tahoe, Mt. Whitney and Mammoth
Lakes, this region boasts three of the nation's
most treasured national parks. The world-famous
Yosemite National Park is home to waterfalls,
meadows, and forests of giant sequoia trees. With a
long list of outdoor activities that includes
stargazing, rock climbing, horseback riding, and
mountain biking, Yosemite offers something to peak
the interest of every family member. For more
information, contact Yosemite National Park at
(209) 372-0200; Web site: www.nps.gov/yose
No family outdoor adventure
through Northern California would be complete
without a visit to Lake Tahoe. Situated on the
California-Nevada border, this outdoor recreational
area is a must-see for adventure seekers. Lake
Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America,
measuring 12 miles wide by 22 miles long and has a
maximum depth of 1,645 feet. Hike, mountain bike
and horseback ride along famed national recreation
trail, Tahoe Rim Trail. Offering spectacular views
of the lake and mountain peaks, the 165-mile trail
winds through two states, six counties and three
national forests. Other outdoor activities such as
golfing, fishing, mountain biking, hot air
ballooning, parasailing, kayaking, boating, and jet
skiing make Lake Tahoe a vibrant destination during
summer months. For more information, contact the
Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority at (800) 288-2463 or
(530) 544-5050; Web site:
www.bluelaketahoe.com
or the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association Visitors
and Convention Bureau at (888) 434-1262 or (530)
583-3494; Web site:www.mytahoevacation.com
There are many other
majestic outdoor recreation destinations in
Northern California to make your next family
vacation a memorable one. For help planning your
California vacation, call California Tourism at
(800) 862-2543 or visit - www.visitcalifornia.com
and order a FREE California vacation
packet
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