Field Notes: Preparing for Your Trip to Siskiyou.
Over the years, friends and family from urban and rural areas have spent time with me in Siskiyou County, and before writing this post, I took a very informal poll of my friends and asked:
What would have been helpful to know about Siskiyou County before planning your trip?
Below are the tips that came from my conversations:
Lodging
Where you choose to stay will depend on your budget and needs. For example, my mom loves staying at hotels in Siskiyou with a breakfast option. I enjoyed my experience at The McCloud Mercantile Hotel. Whereas one of my girlfriends, who lives in San Francisco, adored her long weekend at the Mt. Shasta Resort. It’s next to Lake Siskiyou, and she enjoyed being near the water.
PRO-TIP: When you narrow down your lodging options, don’t be afraid to call the property. Local employees can help you determine if their establishment is a good fit for your needs, and offer tips for things to see and do in the area.
Internet Access
Siskiyou County is geographically diverse and large; to give you a sense of scale it’s roughly the size of Massachusetts and 60% of the land area is public forest land.
Depending on what area of the county you’re visiting—and what activities you do—the Internet could be slow, spotty, or nonexistent. And, I don’t think that’s a bad thing because it’s the perfect place to unplug from email, social media, and work projects.
PRO-TIP: Tell your work colleagues, friends, and family that you’ll have limited Internet access while in Siskiyou. Create an out of office notification for your inbox, too.
Cell phone reception
Cell phone reception is adequate along Highway 5 and in the central part of the county. However, in the far east and west parts of Siskiyou reception can be spotty.
PRO-TIP: Buy a paper map of the area. If you need a cell phone connection in the great outdoors, consider looking into satellite options.
Driving conditions
No matter what time of year you visit Siskiyou, stay abreast of driving conditions. In the winter, you’ll experience rain, snow, and wind in various parts of the county, so carry chains in your car. During the summer season, you might encounter smoke from wildfires, and just like winter, it’s essential to stay updated on road conditions.
PRO-TIP: The California Department of Transportation keeps their website updated with travel alerts. Before you embark on a road trip, check the site for updates.
Quirks of small-town life
Most small towns have unique quirks, and that’s what makes them fun. It also means business may or may not be open when you expect. For example, you won’t find much open after 9 pm in most towns in Siskiyou.
PRO-TIP: If a store, coffee shop, or restaurant is closed, use the opportunity to explore what’s nearby or ask a local for recommendations. I’ve done this in large cities like Paris, France and Portland, Oregon, and have been pleasantly surprised by the outcome.
Farm to Table
Siskiyou County is a rural region, so compared to large cities, there are aren’t as many dining choices. However, it is a rich agricultural area and you will find unique and delicious dining options in Siskiyou that source local food. For example, I love eating dinner at Denny Bar Co. in Etna. Also, Café Maddalena in Dunsmuir uses local ingredients, offers a seasonal menu, and daily specials. And don’t forget to check out California Heritage Farms! They have a U-pick berry patch with strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and flowers that’s open from June to October seven days a week.
If you’re in need of a snack or coffee or both, check out Zephyr Books & Coffee in Yreka. Zephyr serves Northbound Coffee—that’s roasted in Mt. Shasta—plus homemade scones, muffins, cinnamon rolls, cookies, and more.
PRO-TIP: Make reservations, and look for unique farm-to-table dining opportunities in Siskiyou. Also, use Google Maps to locate restaurants, ask locals for tips, and your hotel for restaurant recommendations.
And last but not least, take advantage of the resources on DiscoverSiskiyou.com. You’ll find a plethora of information about where to stay, what to do, see, eat, and more on the website and social media feeds.
Happy travel planning!
