We presently call Northern California home, or more affectionately NorCal. It is the northern portion of the state and includes the San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento, two metropolitan areas. In far northern California lies the Shasta Cascade region, a wonderland of outdoor recreation – surely providing staycation opportunities for all interests.
The Shasta Cascade region, covering 25% of California, offers everything from glistening lakes and world-class rivers to scenic drives and backcountry roads. It is the perfect escape from the fast pace of city life providing something for everyone to discover and enjoy whether it be great recreation, adventure or pure relaxation. 
Snow-capped mountains, pristine lakes, prairie swaths of forest, volcanic landscapes; the Shasta Cascade region provides scenic vistas within just a few hours drive – ensuring the journey is half the adventure. Choose from a number of great opportunities in this diverse region to create a staycation of your choice 0r follow the suggested itinerary of the Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association.
Check out some of the fun NorCal excursions you can enjoy:
Discover the culture of the Coastal Native Americans, explore the Redwoods, and Pacific ocean beaches at Patrick’s Point State Park near Trinidad.
Lassen Volcanic National Park will amaze you with the variety of remarkable hydrothermal features.
With 27 miles of hiking trails, Castle Crags State Park will keep you busy all weekend.
Though the historic sailing ships, Lady Washington & Hawaiian Chieftain, call Gray’s Harbor home, they are often docked in San Francisco.
At Lucero Olive Oil, you can get a peak behind the scenes at one of the state’s most lucrative agricultural resources.
We never leave the bay area without visiting San Francisco Chinatown, one of our favorite places to do a little shopping and enjoy a delicious meal.
We enjoy the tour at Shasta Dam so much, we’ve done it three times! As one of the largest concrete dams in the world, it is a must see!
For more NorCal field trips, check out my post 10 Free California Field Trips.
Other fun activities you may enjoy throughout the summer
no matter where you live include:
- Go to a movie. Invite the neighbors for a block party, projecting the movie onto a rented screen or sheet hung between trees.
- Go antique shopping. Seek out unique, locally owned antique and second-hand stores. You never know what treasures you might discover.
- Charter a boat & go fishing. Go fishing with a guided fishing charter.
- Volunteer. Volunteer as a family at a local homeless shelter or work with the park service to improve trails.
- See a ball game. The country is dotted with major and minor league baseball teams; get some sun, have a hotdog, and relax.
- Host a potluck or barbecue. Have the extended family over for a reunion or host a block party. Ask everyone to bring something and share.
For more staycation ideas, visit the iHomeschool Network’s Summer Staycation Link-up.
