In my last article you may have eaten your way through those great cafes, bistros and restaurants from Yreka to Nevada City.
Now it’s time to hit the road again for the pure pleasure of a new adventure and spending a few dollars on that décor item you’ve always wanted. These shops and places are great for a weekend jaunt in your merry mobile. As you might notice, Redding gets the lion’s share of mentions, after all, Redding is the capitol of the North State in so many ways.
Yreka
Again, let’s start in Yreka, a charming community just south of the Oregon border and the seat of Siskiyou Couny government. For a visual treat, visit Liberty Arts Gallery, located on Yreka’s historic street at 108 W. Miner St., 842.0222.
Liberty Arts Gallery, Yreka, California.
Liberty Arts Gallery is one of two fine art centers in Siskiyou County. From there you can easily walk around the city and its many antique stores, cafes and friendly folk. Don’t forget the Montague Hot Air Balloon Festival, usually in September, a new miles east of Yreka.
Photo credit: Montague Balloon Fair Facebook page.
Weaverville
Let’s head for Weaverville, another historic town, south of Yreka. To get there from Yreka, you can either come back to Redding and take Hwy. 299 west, or take the Scott Valley Road, driving through Fort Jones and Etna, and soon you’re in Weaverville. The entire Main Street is home to hours of looking and shopping. One of my favorite places is Main St. Shoes (521 Main St., 530.623.3333).
Photo credit: Main Street Shoes Facebook page.
What a grand selection of shoes, wearing apparel and art. When Toms are on sale you’ll want several pair. Up the sidewalk, toward the county seat and courthouse is the Weaverville Hotel Emporium. You’ve gotta stay there, soak in the champagne tub, sample confections in their curio shop and just sit and relax in the Victorian study and watch the world pass by.
Downtown Weaverville photo: Weaverville Hotel Emporium Facebook page.
Right next to this grand hotel is Weaverville Antique (22 Court St. 917.0567), for antiques and art galore. It’s not over. We’re still in Weaverville. Take in a movie, visit more shops and then head back to Redding.
Redding
I accidentally found one of Redding’s most unique barbershops; Legend’s Barbershop (105 Hartnell Ave. Ste E, 768.1217, Redding), is owned by the young and talented, Ty Houghton. His trendy setting allows him to create virtual art on one’s scalp; traditional cuts as well. But, if you have a full head of hair, let Ty create one of his stylish pieces for you, you’ll stand out for sure. You can book appointment@legendsbarbershop530.booksy.com
For everything you wanted to know about lamps, it’s Loren’s Lamp Repair & Vacuums (3219 Bechelli Lane, Redding, 530-223.2342). When you walk in the door you immediately feel there are a zillion lamps and chandeliers from every era surrounding you; one just waiting to sit on your Louis XV side table. Shades, lamp parts, you name it, Loren can find it and repair it.
Over on Redding’s west side there are three businesses clustered on Placer and Market Streets that I recommend. The first is Redding Fashion Alliance (1698 Market St. 530.276.0458). It’s one of the most remarkable places to sew, design, take classes and rub elbows with very talented staff who makes you feel like you’re in the fashion world of NYC.
Right next door is Sizzle’s Kitchen (1440 Placer St., 530. 255.8744) in the former Leatherby’s location. This commercial kitchen and event center is fully equipped to handle a variety of venues. During the Carr Fire, Sizzles was the center for the World Kitchen that fed the fire responders, thanks to owner Karen Christensen.
Sizzle’s Kitchen rents out space for events and for the use of its commercial kitchens.
Directly across the street from Sizzle’s Kitchen you’ll find Bella La Vie Wig Boutique (1700 Market St, 530.355.7375). The friendly and discreet owner will fit women and men in hair pieces that’ll send you skipping down the sidewalk.
One of the more eclectic shoppers’ delight in Redding is The Beadman (2619 Park Marina Dr. 530.243.8808), serving bead enthusiasts for some 50 years, zillions of beads from around the world, and other décor that you can’t do without: wind chimes, crystals, tie-dye clothing, salt rock lamps and of course, jewelry lessons, check it out.
Mt. Shasta
That should do it for one day of your weekend, but you still have one more day to head back up north. Take I-5 exit to Mt. Shasta City, origination of the Sacramento River, and you’ll get the stunning view of the 14,000 foot mystical mountain itself, a place where many folks from around the world come to find peace and healing. Then search out the Sisson Museum, named after Justin Sisson, which was also the name of Mt. Shasta City from 1886-1925. The museum is tucked in among tall fir trees and right next to the Mt. Shasta State Trout Fish Hatchery, built in 1888 and the oldest west of the Mississippi. The museum and hatchery are both an informative place for the family.
Dunsmuir
Five miles south down I-5 is the quaint and historic city of Dunsmuir. This railroad town has so much to see. The compact village is squeezed in the tree-lined canyon along with the Sacramento River, Southern Pacific railway, and some 1,600 town folk. But, the center of attraction is the Siskiyou Arts Museum (5824 Dunsmuir Avenue, 530.235.4711). The exhibits are continually changing and are curated with a professional touch. Artists’ work are on sale.
For some reason I find that Siskiyou County produces the most prolific and fine collection of artisans. It must be the fresh mountain air that sweeps down off Mt. Shasta and fills the artists’ minds with wondrous visions. Take a stroll up the sidewalk and you come to Mossbrae Hotel (530.235.7019), named after the local and almost hidden Mossbrae Falls that empties into the Sacramento River. This boutique hotel at, 5734 Dunsmuir Avenue, has been created by a visionary duo that has captured the look of Dunsmuir from the past.
For a restful night, stay here and be put to sleep by the singing rail sounds of the trains as they roll by a block away. Just when you thought you’ve seen it all in town, walk into the 1894 Dunsmuir Hardware Store (5836 Dunsmuir Avenue, 530.235.4539), and you’ll find everything from A to Z, plus photos of Dunsmuir in the early 1900s lining the walls.
Shasta Lake City
Leaving Siskiyou County and headed south on I-5, pull into Shasta Lake City and visit the Wintu Cultural Museum (4755 Shasta Dam Blvd., 530.215.1840). A gift store and a panorama of the Wintu tribes, the original inhabitants, is a tribute to their culture here in the North State.
Photo credit: Wintu Cultural Museum.
Anderson
Further south on I-5 lies the city of Anderson and its 400-acre regional park. This year-round park borders the Sacramento River, where boaters find a shady restful place to holdup and enjoy the many activities in the park; tennis, soccer, bocci ball, playgrounds, meeting pavilions and concert venues. Located at 2800 Rupert Rd., for site reservations call: 530.378.6656.
Anderson River Park.
Cottonwood
After your time in the park, drive on down to Cottonwood and have lunch at the Shasta Livestock Auction Yard Cafe, 391 North Main St. Cottonwood, 530.347.0329. Needless to say you can get great steaks and all the trimmings, don’t pass up the homemade pies. If it’s auction day, wander into the sales area for something you likely never experience, the bidding of live cattle and horses.
Corning & Vina
Continuing down I-5 to Corning and Vina, stop in at The Olive Pit (2156 Solano St., 530.824.4667), every kind of olive product for your amazement, olive burgers; and if you ask they’ll make you an olive milkshake, yeow!
A few more miles and you’re in Vina, real tiny, look for the sign that says, New Clairvaux Monastery and Winery.
Trappist Monks have been toiling the soil and meditating since 1955 on this rich land formerly owned by the Leland Stanford Family. Wine purchase and tasting from numerous varietals. Be sure and visit their newly re-constructed 12th Century chapel shipped over from Spain.
Chico
Back to I-5 and on to Chico via Orland CA, make sure you stop in to a most unique art gallery, the Orland Art Center (732 4th St, 530.865.5920).
As you enter Chico, you have to stop for a quick walk through the Chico State Campus. Beautiful is the word. Going south out of Chico you’ll have fun finding the one-lane road, going by rice fields and a swan preserve. This shorter route leads to Nevada City and its main street chock-full of shops. One of the more unique shops is The Hat Store, 314 Broad St., 530.265.4070. Long and narrow, this shop has the chapeau you were looking for; other accessories like gloves, scarves, canes are on display.
Exhausted yet, out of gas and need a snack? Pull over and admire all the trinkets you’ve amassed over the weekend.
That’s it for now. Rest up, and next time I’ll be back with the 10 most taken-for-granted places in Redding for us to explore.
In the meantime, where are your favorite north state stops? What have I missed?
