Start planning for the next major solar eclipse now! And mark your calendars for October 14th– the date Northern Californians will get a good look at the solar eclipse. Certain areas of the country will be prime spots to view the eclipse. And the northeastern part of California is one of those areas! We’ve scoped out the best places to stay that are located in areas where you can get a great view of the sky.
This will be an annular solar eclipse. An annular solar eclipse is when the moon passes between the sun and Earth while it is at or near its farthest point from Earth. They happen every 1-2 years and it makes the moon look like it has a ring of fire around it. The eclipse will start at around 8 a.m. and last until around 10:45 a.m.
Whether you are a seasoned eclipse chaser or a curious adventurer, we have compiled a list of the five best places to view the solar eclipse in Northern California this year and included the places you’ll want to stay the night. So plan your trip now and don’t forget to pack your eclipse glasses!
This high desert is the ideal place from which to see the eclipse. Located in a desolate area of Northern California, we expect to see droves of people head this way a few days before the eclipse.
There are a couple of accommodations within Surprise Valley. First, there is the Surprise Valley Hotsprings.
This hotel and hot springs is smack-dab in the middle of the valley. A few miles away in the tiny town of Cedarville is the Surprise Valley Motel & RV Park, and about a 10-minute drive south of downtown Cedarville is Cockrell’s High Desert Lodge. If you want to rent a cabin with friends and family, there are a few options in this area. This ranch located in the Warner Mountains, just outside of Cedarville, is incredibly picturesque and a great place to not only watch the eclipse but vacation for a few days.
Located on the western side of the Warner Mountains, Tulelake is a quiet area with some camping options as well as a historic lodge. Tulelake is the name of a town and the neighboring wildlife refuge.
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On the northwest side of the wildlife refuge and the beautiful lake is the Winema Historic Lodge. With lodge rooms, bunk-style motel rooms, and an area for RVS, this hunting lodge has a lot of options for travelers.
Speaking of RVs, in the town of Tulelake there is an RV park called Tulelake-Butte Valley Fairgrounds RV Park. If you don't own an RV and would like to see if you're into the RV lifestyle, you can rent one on RV Share.
The sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so you may want to arrive at least a couple of days early to get a spot. Lava Beds National Monument also has one group camping site available for up to 40 people. And the Monument also allows backcountry camping.
This little town is not too far from where the corners of California, Oregon, and Nevada touch (just to give you an idea of how remote it is!). But Fort Bidwell will be an excellent place to view the eclipse.
Or, stay further away from the town in this adorable off-grid tiny house that sleeps up to four people. If you want more of a wilderness experience, drive up the nearby mountain to Larry Flat Campground. This primitive campground would be a good overnight option for campers who like bare-bones camping.
Or stay in this quaint tiny home in downtown Alturas, just a short walk to the banks of the Pit River. If you plan on driving your RV here, Sully’s RV Park is a short walk from Alturas Park, where you can sit and watch the eclipse.
Whether you plan to view the eclipse from the street, a local park, or one of the beautiful wildlife refuges or parks in Northern California, you won’t want to wait to plan to trip to remember.
Will you make it a point to travel somewhere this fall to see the annular eclipse?
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