On my 37th birthday my friend Chris—who is based in Minnesota—visited us in Siskiyou County. It was early November, and the weather was cold in the mornings and evenings, and warm during the day; perfect conditions for a mid-week birthday adventure.
We wanted to show Chris different parts of Siskiyou, so we decided to take a few scenic drives in the county. It gave us the opportunity to go on short walks, take lots of photos, and try different cafes and restaurants along the way.
Here’s where we decided to go:
Day 1: Thursday
We drove from our home in Yreka to Mt. Shasta and stopped at Mt. Shasta Pastry for fuel, which included coffee and chocolate croissants. From there we drove to Bunny Flat, parked the car and explored the area. The main road was already blocked off for the winter season, so we walked to Panther Meadows. It was a unique experience, and we didn’t have to worry about traffic!
After spending a few hours walking, talking, and taking photos of the frozen streams at Panther Meadows, we drove down the mountain to Lake Siskiyou. We took a short walk near the lake, admired the yellow, gold, and orange leaves, and listened to the birds chirp.
When we left the lake, Chris and I were hungry and we brainstormed dinner ideas on the drive home. We ended up eating in because my husband cooked a feast that included steaks from the Miner Street Meat Market. After dinner, we sipped on beer from Etna Brewery while Chris played us a few tunes on his guitar. It was the perfect way to end my birthday!
Day 2: Friday
My husband took Friday off work, and we decided to take Chris to one of our favorite places in Siskiyou—Kangaroo Lake. We hiked up Fen Trail, took a bunch of photos at the lookout point, and sat on rocks admiring the view.
After exploring Kangaroo, we were hungry (yet again), so we drove to Etna and had snacks and a beer at the Etna Brewing Co. The pub has outside seating, so we sat in the sun and watched a few clouds float through the blue sky. We had our fill of snacks and saved room for steak leftovers that were waiting for us at home.
My 37th birthday was wonderful! I loved driving around Siskiyou with my husband and Chris, spending time outside, and eating good food. The scenery was gorgeous, and we couldn’t have asked for better fall weather.
Chris summed up our trip perfectly. He recently told me, “I loved our time on the lake near Mount Shasta. It was gorgeous, and we had a rad time. The combination of big pines, a gorgeous lake, and the backdrop of the mountains was uplifting for me.”
PRO-TIPS
Driving Directions & Maps
Click here for more scenic drive ideas in Siskiyou (bonus – they’re all electric vehicle-friendly!)
Lodging
Pair your weekend driving adventures with a stay in Yreka (see this post for details). Alternatively, the Hi-Lo Motel & RV Park in Weed, CA or the Best Western Tree House in Mt. Shasta are great options.
Good eats in Mt. Shasta
Berryvale Grocery & Cafe is another excellent place to stop for food. You can stock up on picnic supplies or find good eats in their cafe. The cafe serves Northbound Coffee, which is roasted in Mt. Shasta.
Lilys is another delicious dining choice. I’m obsessed with their Triple Truffle Fries. The fries come coated in truffle oil and truffle salt, with truffle aioli on the side. Yum!
Good eats in Etna
In addition to the Etna Brewing Co. mentioned above, Denny Bar Co. and Dotty’s are sweet places to enjoy food and drinks in Etna. Five Mary’s Burgerhouse is also a great option for cocktails and farm-to-fork plates, located in Fort Jones about 10 minutes before you reach Etna.
