14 Underrated Destinations In Northern California
Northern California is known for its iconic destinations like San Francisco and Yosemite. Still, the region is also home to some lesser-known destinations that offer serene escapes from the crowds. Whether visitors seek outdoor adventure, charming small towns, or peaceful retreats, these underrated spots blend natural beauty, relaxation, and tranquility perfectly. Explore the historic Gold Rush town of Weaverville in the Trinity Alps, enjoy the laid-back wine scene in the Russian River Valley, or find solace near the cascading waters of Burney Falls. From the quiet shores of South Lake Tahoe to the majestic sequoias in Calaveras Big Trees State Park, head to Northern California as the 2024 summer slowly welcomes fall for an unforgettable experience.
Oroville
Visitors looking for a quieter, more laid-back casino and resort experience than those in Las Vegas should look at The Feather Falls Casino + Lodge + Brewery in Oroville, California. This modern lodge has comfortable accommodations with luxury amenities like an indoor/outdoor pool, hot tub, spa services, and easy access to the casino, restaurants, and regular live entertainment. Steps away from the casino and lodge is the Feather Falls Brewing Company - Oroville’s only microbrewery - where visitors can enjoy one of their award-winning craft beers, like a pint of Soaring Eagle or Dancing Trees, after a fun day playing one of the 300 onsite slot machines.
Head outside into the fresh air with a visit to California’s second-largest reservoir, Lake Oroville, then head over to see the Oroville Dam—once called the ninth wonder of the world. Today, at 770 feet, the dam is the tallest in the United States, beating the Hoover Dam by 40 feet.
McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park
The McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park, located in Northern California's Shasta County, is renowned for its breathtaking scenery and offers a variety of outdoorsy pursuits. The jewel in this park is Burney Falls, a stunning 129-foot waterfall called one of the most beautiful in the world. The falls flow year-round, fed by underground springs. Visitors can view the falls from the overlook or hike on any of the scenic trails, including the 1.3-mile Burney Falls Loop Trail, which provides different perspectives of the falls and passes through lush forest. Part of the Pacific Crest Trail is also in the park, so if visitors have the legs for it, pick up the trail at one of the trailheads for a more challenging hike.
Stay overnight in the Burney Falls Cabins, 24 insulated cabins in McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park, which offer a peaceful night’s sleep near the falls. The cabins have bunks, a covered porch, a front door that locks, and room outside for a tent and campfire. Cabins have propane heat. Bathrooms and showers are nearby.
Calaveras Big Trees State Park
In the Sierra Nevada mountains, Calaveras Big Trees State Park is home to giant sequoias, offering a less crowded alternative to Yosemite. To see the majestic trees up close, the 1.5-mile North Grove Trail is a popular loop with markers identifying the most spectacular trees, such as the Three Graces of Greek mythology, The Pioneer Cabin Tree, The Abraham Lincoln tree, The Father of the Forest, and the Granite State Tree. In contrast, the South Grove Trail features fewer crowds, but visitors can see the largest redwoods in the park on this 3.5- to 5-mile trail, depending on the route, including the biggest tree in the park, the Agassiz Tree.
Visitors who don’t want to miss an opportunity to sleep under the sequoias can reserve a campsite in one of two campgrounds in the park. The campsites have a picnic table, fire ring, and bear lockers, as the park has a thriving population of wildlife living in the park, including black bears.
Chester
The small town of Chester is the perfect destination for adventure travelers who want to spend time in nature, unplug, and recharge. A quaint town near Lassen Volcanic National Park, Chester sits on the northern shore of Lake Almanor and is the perfect base for exploring the area's natural beauty. Lake Almanor has 53 miles of shoreline and is ideal for water sports like boating, fishing, swimming, and kayaking, with spectacular views of Lassen Peak. Stop at the Mount Lassen Club, a historic dive bar built in 1911, before spending the night at the Lake Almanor Lodge, a dog-friendly, rustic lodge with full kitchens, or its sister hotel, the Timber House.
After a day at the lake, spend the next day exploring Lassen Volcanic National Park, known for its geothermal features, including boiling springs, mud pots, and hissing steam vents. Make time for the easy hike to Bumpass Hell to see Big Boiler, the largest “fumarole” (a fumarole is a vent or opening in the Earth's surface) in the park, with a temperature of 322 degrees Fahrenheit, making it one of the hottest in the world.
South Lake Tahoe
South Lake Tahoe is a popular year-round destination in the Sierra Nevada mountains, offering stunning lake views, outdoor activities, and a lively entertainment scene. To take a break from the crowds, consider a getaway in a quieter area like Camp Richardson Resort, which provides a more relaxed atmosphere where visitors can enjoy the lake and surrounding mountains year-round. Choose from a room in the historic hotel, built in 1926, a cozy cabin, or the beachside inn, or pitch a tent and sleep under the stars.
Enjoy all the resort offers, from kayak, stand-up paddleboard, bike rentals to a marina, access to several beaches, and The Grove Restaurant—casual indoor and outdoor dining with a spectacular view of Lake Tahoe. Pick up supplies at Richardson’s General Store and stop in for ice cream at the Camp Richardson Ice Cream Parlor.
Russian River Valley
Fifty-five miles north of San Francisco lies the Russian River Valley, renowned for its award-winning Pinot Noir. A more laid-back wine region than Napa, the Russian River Valley is celebrated for its wineries and vineyards and is perfect for wine tasting and river tours. Visitors to the area have numerous notable wineries to choose from, such as Rodney Strong Vineyards, Dutton Goldfield Winery, and Iron Horse Vineyards—home of the famous “Wedding Cuvée” bubbly. At the Rodney Strong Vineyard, enjoy intimate dinners with winemakers, educational workshops, and a summer concert series on Concert Green. Stop by to sample excellent wines and enjoy beautiful vineyard views.
After a day in Wine Country, spend a night or two at the Stavrand, a luxury retreat nestled in the Russian River Valley. A bed & breakfast boutique hotel and resort just 2.5 miles north of the Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve, guests can hike amongst 1,400 year-old-trees or book a self-guided SUP river trip on the slow-moving Russian River before heading back to the resort for a soak in the hot tub.
Weaverville
A historic Gold Rush town in the heart of the stunning Trinity Alps with charming inns close to scenic trails, rivers, and mountain landscapes, Weaverville has a rich history and plenty of small-town charm. Stroll through the historic downtown, which is centered on four blocks on Main Street and is on the National Register of Historic Places. With over 35 marked old buildings to explore, visitors will find well-preserved 19th-century buildings, antique shops, art galleries, and local cafés.
Visit the Weaverville Joss House, a Taoist temple built in 1874, which is now a state park - the Weaverville Joss House Historic Park - and is California's oldest continuously used Chinese temple. The park offers guided tours and exhibits about the Chinese immigrants who settled in the area during the Gold Rush. To learn more about the history of Trinity County, visit the nearby Jake Jackson Museum. Within walking distance of the park and museum is the historic 1861 Weaverville Hotel, where guests can enjoy old-world charm with modern comfort.
Shasta Lake
Less crowded than Lake Tahoe, Shasta Lake is a 30,000-acre crystal-blue reservoir, the largest in California. It is the ideal destination for boating, fishing, and houseboat rentals, where visitors can rent their own floating hotel on water and spend a few days indulging in water sports, like water skiing, jet skiing, parasailing, tubing, or simply floating away on an air mattress. Fish for crappie, catfish, or bass, watch for bald eagles and osprey overhead, all against the backdrop of Mt. Shasta’s snow-capped 14,180-foot peak.
Sites around the lake include the Shasta Dam, where free daily tours are offered of the 602-foot concrete dam—one of the largest dams in the United States. Lake Shasta Caverns is one of three known limestone caverns in the county, and it originated over 250 million years ago. Two-hour guided tours are available, and they include a catamaran ride across Lake Shasta, followed by a scenic bus trip up the mountains to the caverns. Notable features of the tour include the Cathedral Room, one of the largest chambers, the Crystal Room, whose walls sparkle with mineral deposits, and the Spiral Staircase, which provides a deeper descent into the caverns.
Plumas National Forest
Plumas National Forest is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. A large national forest with 1,146,000 acres of mountain lands with high-elevation lakes, deep river canyons, and miles of rural backroads and scenic trails for hiking and cycling. It’s the perfect spot for getting away from it all and enjoying time with family and friends. So consider going off the grid and glamp overnight at Wild Plumas—a 50-acre private glamping campground at the base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
Campsites include safari-style canvas tents, cozy beds, hot outdoor showers, propane firepits, and activities for the kids, like zip lines, treehouses, kayaks, and free loaner bikes. Swim in one of the onsite swimming holes in Wolf Creek, or spend a day with a book lounging on Sandbar Beach. Located within a half-hour drive of Wild Plumas is the Genesee Store, a farm-to-table eaterie with a used bookstore on the premises, the Quintopia Brewing Company, and the Drunk Brush Wine Bar, an upscale wine bar with live music.
Bodega Bay
If travelers are looking for a quiet coastal escape with stunning views, seafood, and outdoor activities, then head for the small picturesque fishing village of Bodega Bay. Bodega Bay is famous for its fresh seafood, so start the weekend off right with a visit to popular local restaurants like Spud Point Crab, where the crab comes straight from the boat to the table, or the Tides Wharf & Restaurant—made famous in the 1960s as the backdrop for scenes of Alfred Hitchcock’s classic film, “The Birds.”
After lunch, drive to the top of Bodega Head bluffs for spectacular views, then enjoy an easy hike on the Bodega Head Trail, watching for gray and humpback whales and sometimes orcas at the Horseshoe Cove Overlook. Get out on the water by renting a kayak at Bodega Bay Kayak or a surfboard at Bodega Bay Surf Shack. Stay overnight at the Bodega Harbor Inn, a dog- and budget-friendly inn near the harbor.
McCloud Falls
McCloud Falls is near Mount Shasta, with cozy lodges and easy access to the stunning McCloud Falls, hiking trails, and the Sacramento River. McCloud Falls is a series of three beautiful waterfalls popular for hiking, picnicking, and enjoying three picturesque waterfalls, each offering unique views and photo opportunities. The lower falls feature a wide, cascading drop, while the middle falls create a scenic plunge pool. The upper falls are known for their dramatic drop and surrounding rock formations.
The 4-mile round trip McCloud River Trail passes by the waterfalls as it makes its way through a canyon of basalt lava rock. The trails that lead to each of the falls are well-maintained, with scenic viewpoints and opportunities for photography and nature observation along the path. Stay at the cozy McCloud River Bed & Breakfast, where guests wake up to freshly brewed coffee and a 2-3 course homemade breakfast, making it an ideal spot for visitors seeking a peaceful retreat.
Trinity Alps Wilderness
The Trinity Alps Wilderness is a remote and beautiful destination known for its rugged mountains, ideal for hiking and backpacking in a remote and stunning mountain range. The area contains 550 miles of maintained trails. Numerous loop hikes are available, requiring three to five days to complete. While many mapped trails are available online, the Canyon Creek Lakes Trail is a good 18.5-mile round-trip with a 3,051-foot elevation gain. The hike is an excellent 2 to 3-day adventure, depending on how much time visitors want to spend exploring the Trinity Alps.
Start at the Canyon Creek Trailhead and follow the well-marked trail, which is a gradual uphill hike. There are numerous backcountry camping options along the which makes it easy for hikers to pace themselves. The trail follows the creek for most of the way up, so many hikers opt to camp at the creek and day hike up to the lakes. Regardless of which trail visitors choose, the panoramic views of the Trinity Alps and the surrounding wilderness make this underrated destination a memorable trip.
Gold Country
California's Gold Country, also known as the Mother Lode, is a historic region rich in Gold Rush history and natural beauty. Explore small towns like Grass Valley, home of the Empire Mine State Historic Park—the site of one of the state's deepest, oldest, and richest gold mines. For more than 100 years, the Empire Mine extracted 5.8 million ounces of gold before it closed in 1956. Visit the park to see the mine’s buildings and the entrance to 367 miles of abandoned and flooded mine shafts.
Stay at the dog-friendly art hotel Grass Valley Courtyard Suites, one block from historic downtown Grass Valley. Explore downtown Grass Valley’s tasting room, representing local wineries and breweries, including Lucchesi Vineyards & Winery, New West Wine Co., Cork 49, and the Grass Valley Brewing Company.
Murphys
Murphys is a small town in the Sierra foothills, surrounded by wineries, caverns, and Calaveras Big Trees State Park. Stay at The Murphys Historic Hotel, which has been in operation since 1856 and is the perfect spot for exploring historic downtown Murphys, Yosemite National Park, and Moaning and Mercer Caverns, where skeletal remains of the Mi-Wuk tribe of Native Americans who lived in the area 2000 years previous were discovered. Moaning Caverns, first found in the 1840s and 1850s, is now the Moaning Caverns Adventure Park, where visitors can enjoy 45-minute cave tours like the Spiral Tour, a descent into the largest single cave chamber in California via a ten-story spiral staircase.
Nearby wineries include the unique and quirky Twisted Oak Winery, whose tasting room is family-friendly, dog-friendly, dragon-friendly, and wine-lover-friendly. Nearby Ironstone Vineyards and Ironstone Amphitheatre is a winery and top music venue in Calaveras County.
From historic Gold Rush towns like Weaverville to the tranquil shores of Lake Almanor near Chester, these underrated spots provide a blend of natural beauty and relaxation. Explore the serene trails and majestic waterfalls of Burney Falls, enjoy the laid-back wine scene in the Russian River Valley, or find peace among the towering sequoias in Calaveras Big Trees State Park. Whether visitors seek outdoor adventures, charming small towns, or peaceful retreats, Northern California's lesser-known destinations offer unforgettable experiences away from the crowds.
