Six Top Destinations in Northern California

1. Gold Country

The gold rush began in 1849 (giving their name to the San Francisco football team, the 49ers) and transformed California from a distant backwater into an economic powerhouse seen today in the film and technology industry.

A string of gold rush towns sprung up east of San Francisco and they are still here today showcasing their old frontier eta streetscapes and shopfronts

Perhaps the best example of the rough and tumble gold rush days is the town of Bodie where there was reported to be at least one gunfight a day and legend has it the funeral bell never stopped ringing for the dead. Though it’s a ghost town now, inits heydey it used to have more than 10,000 residents.

2. The Red Wood Forests of Humbolt County

Home to the world’s tallest trees, the Coast Redwood,Humbolt County in the far north of the state touching the Oregon border is torn between logging interests and protecting these ancient giants. Growing to over 400 feet tall and living for 2000 years the trees were alive when Jesus walked the earth. Conservationists have been known to live in a redwood for months to bring attention to the plight of these trees that have been completely logged in more southern regions of the state.

The northern redwoods are still home to the most spectacular redwood giants and hiking trails through ancient groves offer a memorable experience .

Just south of here check out Garberville.

People in Garberville are quick to call themselves ‘Northern Californians’ distancing their independent minded selves from the consumerist cities in ‘Southern California,’ anywhere south of Sacramento, the states capital. It’s a very liberal and relaxed place and one that is obvious in the amount of cannabis consumed there. In fact its called the Emerald Triangle and though pot is easily procured here it’s actually grown all over the state. Lots of residents are ex hippies and draft dodgers from the Vietnam war.

3. Yosemite

A haunt of legendary California photographer Ansel Adams, Yosemite holds some of the most beautiful natural scenery in all of California and is one of the gems of America’s National Park Service. Situated in the Sierra Nevada mountains, that form California’s eastern boundary with the state of Nevada, the park’s most famous sights are Half Dome and Bridal Veil Falls.
It’s a magnificent place to come and experience the unique California wilderness that has been threatened by over development.

In the peak summer months visitors swamp the park to capacity, often spoiling the experience and in recent years caps have been put in place to keep the park from being damaged by pollution and human pressure.

4. Lake Tahoe

Just an hour east of San Fransisco , Lake Tahoe Is home to spectacular ski fields at its higher altitudes in winter and the majestic turquoise blue freshwater lake itself . Hike the lake shoreline and canoe the nearby Truckee River

5. Wine Country

The Napa, Sonoma and Russian River valleys are located about two hours north of San Fransisco . The valleys have become one of the world’s most famous wine growing regions. Drive or cycle the backroads and drop into the many wineries that offer tastings .