3 to 4 Perfect Days in Lassen-Shasta
Mount Lassen National Park, located in northeastern California, is home to steaming fumaroles, meadows freckled with wildflowers, clear mountain lakes, and numerous volcanoes. The park’s dominant feature is Lassen Peak, the largest plug dome volcano in the world and the southernmost volcano in the Cascade Range. The area surrounding Lassen Peak is still active with boiling mud pots, fumaroles, and hot springs.
Due to the design of the trip, it is intended to be taken between late spring and early fall. The best time to go would be between July and October because some of the destinations could still be closed even in early summer. For example, historically Bumpass Hell in Lassen Volcanic is still close as late as June. In some years, it could close all the way to July or even August. (See Bumpass Hell - NPS link on Day 2 itinerary)
The beginning and ending of the trip are assumed to be San Francisco Bay Area. If you have different starting and/or ending points, please adjust accordingly. I also provide a pre-trip option of spending one day in Butte County on the way to Lassen-Shasta area. If you decide to skip this option, go directly from San Francisco to the first stop on Day 2.
Day 1: Butte County pre-trip
A pre-trip to Butte County offers a chance to visit one of the underrated gems in California tourism. This pre-trip also provides extra time for you to visit Lassen Volcanic on Day 2 as it shaves about 3 hours of extra travel time.
Route: San Francisco - Lake Oroville Visitor Center - Orient & Flume Art Glass Co in Chico - New Clairvoux Vineyard & Abbey in Vina - Red Bluff
Approximate distance: 231 miles
Estimated travel time: 4 hours 20 minutes
Suggested food option: Sierra Nevada Brewing in Chico for lunch.
Map: San Francisco to Red Bluff
More information about the stops:
Lake Oroville Visitor Center, Orient & Flume Art Glass Co., New Clairvaux Vineyard, New Clairvaux Abbey, Sierra Nevada Taproom Chico
Day 2: Lassen Volcanic
If you decide to skip the Butte County pre-trip, then you would start your day from San Francisco Bay Area and leave a bit early to accommodate the extra travel time.
If you take the Butte County pre-trip, then you also have the option to add Subway Cave Lava Tube before returning to Redding. Including this destination in your trip would add approximately 30 minutes of travel time and about 30 miles of travel distance. You also may need to allocate 1 hour of sightseeing time. The tube access does not require a lot of walking (0.7 miles) and the tube itself is 1/3 of a mile long. If you visit the lava tube, please remember that the inside is pitch dark, so you need to bring your own lighting. If you are running out of time on this day, you could also consider adding the lava tube to the end of Day 3 itinerary instead.
Route: Red Bluff (or San Francisco) - Sulphur Works - Bumpass Hell (1.5 hours walks) - Manzanita Lake's Lassen Peak Vista Point - [Subway Cave Lava Tube] - Redding
Approximate distance: 125 miles from Red Bluff or 310 miles from San Francisco. Add 30 miles to each if you include a stop at Subway Cave Lava Tube.
Estimated travel time: 2 hours 30 minutes from Red Bluff or 5 hours 30 minutes from San Francisco. Add 30 minutes to each if you include a stop at Subway Cave Lava Tube.
Suggested food option: grab food to go in Red Bluff for a picnic lunch.
Map: This map includes a portion that is closed usually between late fall to mid spring, and it may not show if you click on the link during this time.
More information about the stops:
Sulphur Works, Bumpass Hell, Bumpass Hell - NPS, Manzanita Lake, Subway Cave Trail
Day 3: From Peak to Cave, via Waterfalls
Lassen-Shasta area is blessed with many awesome waterfalls and peaks. What better way to enjoy the area than to take our fill of the best of its offerings by visiting their iconic waterfalls and peaks? Also, you could traverse the destinations in the order presented, or you could also visit those in reverse order. It should have no impact as you would be in McCloud most likely during typical lunch time.
If have not done a visit to Subway Cave Lava Tube the day before and would like to visit, you have another opportunity to do it today after McArthur Burney Falls (or before the falls if you do it in reverse order).
Another iconic spot in Redding that you should check out is the Sundial Bridge. It is technically a part of the Turtle Bay exploration park, which may be your destination on Day 4. However, should you choose not to visit Turtle Bay in lieu of Lake Shasta Cavern, then I recommend visiting the Sundial Bridge before dinner or right after. For dinner options, if you do visit the Sundial Bridge, perhaps Branch House or Mosaic would be good choices. They are nearby, and most probably have a good view too. Of these 2, Branch House is the more laid back, whereas Mosaic probably offers the more elevated dining experience.
Route: Redding - Castle Crag State Park - Mc Cloud's Lower, Middle and Upper Falls - McArthur Burney Falls - [Subway Cave Lava Tube] - Redding
Approximate distance: 181 miles. Add 25 miles if you include Subway Cave Lava Tube.
Estimated travel time: 3 hours 30 minutes. Add 25 minutes if you include Subway Cave Lava Tube.
Suggested food option: Floyd's Frosty Elk Burger in McCloud. If you visit Sundial Bridge, perhaps check out any one of these two restaurants, Branch House or Mosaic.
Map: Redding Waterfalls Loop without Lava Tube, Redding Waterfalls Loop with Lava Tube
More information about the stops:
Castle Crags State Park, McCloud Lower Falls, McClout Middle Falls, McCloud Upper Falls, McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park, Sundial Bridge, Floyd's Frosty, Branch House, Mosaic
Day 4: Spelunking or Exploring
It really is a matter or preference whether you want to go to the Cavern to see the beauty of nature as it is, or to the Turtle Bay exploration park to see the beauty of nature described, showcased and highlighted for you. Technically, if you don't mind having a bit more packed day, you could visit both. If you chose only Lake Shasta Cavern, I'd recommend that you visit the Sundial Bridge at the end of Day 3, perhaps before or after dinner. It is a part of Turtle Bay exploration park, and it is free and open to public.
Route: Redding - Lake Shasta Caverns or Turtle Bay Exploration Park - Redding - San Francisco
Approximate distance: 257 miles for Lake Shasta Caverns or 219 miles for Turtle Bay
Estimated travel time: 4 hours 15 minutes for Lake Shasta Caverns or 3 hours 30 minutes for Turtle Bay
Suggested lunch option: Any restaurant in downtown Redding.
More information about the stops:
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