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Think a Northern California vacation will be all cities and traffic jams? Think again... Many families who plan a northern California vacation getaway and have never visited California, often come with preconceived notions that it is one continuous city full of traffic jams. This couldn't be further from the truth! When you are in southern California this is close to being true, however, northern California is largely state and federal land turned into parks and recreational areas.
 Some of the best known areas to go on your northern California vacation are places like Lake Tahoe, and Lake Almanor. We would like to encourage you, however, to take a look at these six awesome alternatives:
All of these places hold their own unique attraction that keep families coming back for their vacation getaway.
As you travel north on I-5 you will watch the farmlands slowly give way to lush rolling hills. If you look to the east and west you will see mountains in the distance. The further you travel north, you will begin to see the mountains gain in height and splendor and begin to push in closer to the interstate. You will drive by many almond and olive groves the further you drive. In fact, Northern California is one of the largest producers of olive oil per acreage in the world. I guess this means they get a lot of bang for their buck out of the few acreages they actually farm. For a cool family rest stop check out The Olive Pit in Corning, CA and sample some of their many free samples of different flavored olives. You can also get a bite to eat here. Try a spicy olive burger, they are to die for. After crossing the Sacramento river several times, you descend into the beautiful valley that holds approximately 100,000 people who claim you have now reached "God's country" and the "hidden gem of California." Welcome to Redding, CA. From here, your northern California vacation can really begin! Many people use Redding as their staging point to their individual adventures, however some continue on north through the scenic mountain drive to the border. Mount Shasta City is a little town nestled at the base of Mt. Shasta. If you ever looked for a beautiful place to retire, that has awesome views and few people, you found it.
What do you enjoy doing on your family vacation getaway? Is it sailing? Is it spending a weekend on a
houseboat?
(Many families who plan a northern California vacation, find it hard to resist the temptation of playing on the waters of Shasta Lake). Is is water-skiing or wakeboarding? What about
hiking,
backpacking, mountaineering, taking a scenic train ride or
spelunking (caving)?
Do you or your kids enjoying
fishing?
How about golfing? Perhaps you like history and would like to stop by the museum in
Historic Old Shasta
and read up on a little of the gold mining history that defines Northern California. Maybe you would like a really fun northern California vacation and take your family on a multiday campout on a river hitting some
white-water rafting
along the way? If your family wants to experience fun, excitement and adventure, then northern California is the place to vacation!
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