Things to do in Northern California?

[Sigarms]

Yeah. California is as big as Atlanta to Boston.

I realize that’s the issue being here for only 6 days now wanting to explore.

We’ve already put 1,000 miles on the vehicle and have only stayed in two “hotels” the entire time at this point.

Having spent 20 years in NC and being somewhat of a redneck, I think Calaveras county is where I’d reside (I’m getting to old to follow some advice the locals gave me if we were ever to seriously give thought of to relocating here. Being 2nd generation from coal mining immigrants, I find the mining history more than interesting and what the people had to endure.

I deleted a portion about a man apparently people don’t like here because my wife and I had no clue who he was (kept seeing his name around on signs not in a good way), and let’s just say after I looked him up, I deleted it lol

Our guide in Yosemite pointed out it would be a good day at the park for pics because of the clouds. We’ve found that to be true here.

Just don’t know how to take care of the windshield glare when you can’t pull over and taking pics from the front windshield.

Couple non scenic, as I always like to take reminders of the local towns I find interesting.

Read up on the Chalmers mansion aa the house intrigued me, and debating about taking a trip out to Donner’s pass next week just due to the history. Not sure if we could do Tahoe and that area next week though.

The added reality is as strange as it sounds, I can find the same “peace” being alone on my own land in NC and be happy where I’m at (although nowhere as majestic looking).

Got to remember, I use to bounce around like a tumbleweed in my younger years never having settled down until I met my wife lol.

 

[ericm979]

Looks like you've had really clear skies (for summer) so far. The air is much clearer in winter and that's really the time to go to Yosemite valley.

The water off the whole west coast is cold. There is usually an upwelling current which brings up cold water. Since the prevailing winds are from the west to east, the land along the coast is kept cool by the cool air coming in off the ocean. How far the effect extends depends on the local geography but in most places it's hemmed in by the coastal mountains.

 

[Sigarms]

On early morning walks with my wife, very cool early in the morning (almost needing a light jacket or fleece) and starts getting warm by 0800.

Reality hit, as the house below was up for sale we walked by, only $730,000

 

[California]

If you're interested in mining, read about the Comstock Lode that made Nevada rich. Virginia City remains there as a tourist attraction, it still has the opera house etc, and mining museums. And the Sutro Tunnel therer was a genius high-stakes gamble. It was built from the canyon below to intersect all the shafts, to drain the water, provide cool air, and replace hoisting the ore. Virginia City isn' too far from Angels Camp, it's up behind Carson City in Nevada.

 

[ultrarunner]

California the Golden State and Nevada the Silver State…

Keeping on a tractor theme there is also the overlooked California Agriculture Museum with over 100 tractors not from Sacramento on the way to the Bay Area…

This is a great museum of 45,000 square feet of interest to anyone wanting to know about AG and Tractors...

***Highly recommend if desire and time permits...***

California Agriculture Museum & Event Center - Woodland, CA

The California Agriculture Museum & Event Center is home to the nation's most unique collection of tractors and artifacts. Interactive exhibits tell the history of farm to fork, dating back to the Gold Rush era. The Museum, Banquet Hall, or Courtyard are available for special events.

www.californiaagmuseum.org

and Old Sacramento with train musuem…

California State Railroad Museum - Old Sacramento Waterfront

The California State Railroad Museum, a Smithsonian Affiliate, offers a sight of rail history with over 2.5 acres of ...

www.oldsacramento.com

On a side note driving through the Delta on Levy roads with fertile farm Land at lower elevation is something I only experienced in California and free vehicle free river crossing by ferry boat…

Delta Ferries | Caltrans

Caltrans operates two ferries in the Sacramento Delta Region, The Real McCoy II and the J-Mack. Both ferries operate 24/7 and are free of charge.

dot.ca.gov

 

[ultrarunner]

Enjoy following along and it’s one of those things that if you don’t seize the moment time passes you by…

Building shared memories exploring the vastness of the United States as a family…

Great parents is all I have to say…

 

[Sigarms]

If you're interested in mining, read about the Comstock Lode that made Nevada rich. Virginia City remains there as a tourist attraction, it still has the opera house etc, and mining museums. And the Sutro Tunnel therer was a genius high-stakes gamble. It was built from the canyon below to intersect all the shafts, to drain the water, provide cool air, and replace hoisting the ore. Virginia City isn' too far from Angels Camp, it's up behind Carson City in Nevada.

Coming back Monday night to Calaveras county. May plan for Carson city instead of Tahoe, need to talk to the better half.

Staying in Sacramento next thurs night so we’re close to the airport for Friday early morning flight.

How long of a drive from Carson City or Tahoe to Sacramento? Might be able to squeeze 2 separate trips in from Angles Camp as I think trying to see both Tahoe and Carson city is pushing it in one day (if not impossible).

Next Tues we have planned to finish a hike we didn’t get to at Calaveras big tree state park last week, and that’s not far from us (something the boy wants to do so that’s happening).

Thinking doing Carson city first on weds, then Tahoe on Thursday and then just drive to Sacramento Thursday night from Tahoe?

 

[ultrarunner]

Carson city is very close drive time...

The oldest settlement in Nevada is Genoa and the Fort still there... along with the oldest Bar should you want to wet your whistle...

Genoa Bar & Saloon | Oldest Bar in Nevada

Nestled against the toe of the Sierra Nevada in Nevada’s first permanent settlement, 1851-built Genoa Bar and Saloon is the oldest bar in Nevada. Explore this self-described thirst parlor and drink in some Genoa Bar history from locals and longtime visitors alike.

travelnevada.com

There is a mine exhibit at the small Carson City museum...

Tahoe and Carson city are next door neighbors... no reason not to see both.

I like to leave Tahoe via Kingsbury Grade to the Carson Valley floor then head to Carson City passing by Genoa... places to eat along the way... Scenery goes from Alpine at Tahoe to Desert in Nevada...

Mormon Station State Historic Park | State Parks

Mormon Station is the site of Nevada’s first permanent, non-native settlement. A replica of the original trading post, built in 1851, houses a museum with pioneer-era artifacts. Large, lush lawns and mature trees make the park a lovely location to picnic.

parks.nv.gov

 

[ultrarunner]

Coming back Monday night to Calaveras county. May plan for Carson city instead of Tahoe, need to talk to the better half.

Staying in Sacramento next thurs night so we’re close to the airport for Friday early morning flight.

How long of a drive from Carson City or Tahoe to Sacramento? Might be able to squeeze 2 separate trips in from Angles Camp as I think trying to see both Tahoe and Carson city is pushing it in one day (if not impossible).

Next Tues we have planned to finish a hike we didn’t get to at Calaveras big tree state park last week, and that’s not far from us (something the boy wants to do so that’s happening).

Thinking doing Carson city first on weds, then Tahoe on Thursday and then just drive to Sacramento Thursday night from Tahoe?

Tahoe/Bay Area not far if traffic light...

I had business in Tahoe and drove up and back same day via Highway 50 and enjoyed lunch at Tahoe...

 

[ericm979]

How long of a drive from Carson City or Tahoe to Sacramento?

It depends on when you're doing it. In the summer both 80 and 50 west from Tahoe get crowded and slow on Sunday afternoons.

I find the google maps time estimator to be useful, especially the feature where you can set the arrival or departure time and it will take typical traffic for that time into account.