Northern California is undoubtedly one of the best places to live in the world. There’s really no arguing with that. Whether or not you’ve lived here your entire life, there are some things you just have to do before you become an official Northern Californian. These experiences pretty much sum up the very best of what living in our region is like. Here are 11 things you should absolutely cross off your list sometime. How many have you accomplished already?
1. Photograph Mount Shasta from every angle humanly possible.
Shasta is one of Northern California's most beloved natural attractions. So naturally every Northern Californian probably has at least one photo of this majestic landmark on their camera or phone. Bonus points if you've actually climbed this beauty!
2. Drive through a tree.
They say "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade". The same could be said for redwood trees. When life hands you massive, enormous trees big enough to drive a car through the trunk...why not do it?
3. Shuck your own oysters.
That's just how we do it around here. You can always have someone shuck your oysters for you, but they taste better when you do it yourself.
4. Go back in time and explore Gold Country.
Visiting the place that started it all is a must for any Northern Californian. Visit an old mining town such as Coloma, Angels Camp, or Nevada City and take in the immense history that lurks there. Don't forget to try your hand at gold panning!
5. Hike across a volcano.
Northern California contains a plethora of weird and wacky landscapes. You haven't lived until you've trekked across one of our volcanic regions and taken in the scenery. Lassen Volcanic National Park is a good place to start with dozens of hiking trails that are perfect for viewing steaming vents, boiling mud pots, and much more.
6. Spend a weekend (or longer) in wine country.
This one is a no-brainer. Sometimes a vacation into Northern California's wine country is all you need to relax and rejuvenate your soul. Check out our
ultimate wine weekend itenerary for inspiration.
7. Pick out a favorite farmers market.
The farm-to-table philosophy has never been bigger or more easily accessible. Our region is home to dozens upon dozens of wonderful farmers market where you can get your hands on fresh, local produce. Food just tastes better when you've met the farmer who produced it! What's your favorite weekend market?
8. Take a walking tour of Old Sacramento.
Sacramento is obviously one of the most prominent cities in California. You know, since it's the state capital and all. It also happens to have a truly fascinating history that you can see for yourself with a walking tour of Old Sacramento. This is a truly unique way of connecting to our state's roots and everybody should do it.
9. Make the trek to Burney Falls.
Ask a Northern Californian what their favorite waterfall is and they'll likely say Burney Falls. Our region is home to hundreds of waterfalls, but Burney is one of the most enchanting. The sight of its endless cascades is sure to blow you away. There's a good reason thousands of tourists flock to this waterfall every year!
10. Explore the underground.
It seems that there are just as many exciting and thrilling adventures to be had underneath Northern California. Our region contains a countless number of underground caves that are worth checking out. This is a side of our state that a lot of people haven't seen before, but they should.
11. Plan a day trip to the coast.
Okay, so many of our coastal communities may cost you an arm and a leg to live there...but that doesn't mean you can't visit for the day. Houses in towns like Mendocino and Gualala cost a pretty penny for a reason—the areas are absolutely beautiful and are worth exploring. If you haven't explored our majestic coast, then you need to start pronto.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.