If You Have 3 Days

From Interstate 5 north of Redding, head northeast on highways 299 and 89 to McArthur–Burney Falls Memorial State Park. To appreciate the falls, take a short stroll to the overlook or hike down for a closer view. Continue north on Highway 89. Long before you arrive in the town of Mt. Shasta, you will spy the conical peak for which it is named. The central Mt. Shasta exit east leads out of town along Everitt Memorial Highway. Take this scenic drive, which climbs to almost 8,000 feet. The views of the mountain and the valley below are extraordinary. Stay overnight in town. On the second day, head south on Interstate 5 toward Lake Shasta, visible on both sides of the highway. Have a look at Lake Shasta Caverns and the Shasta Dam before heading west on Highway 299 to spend the night in Weaverville or south on Interstate 5 to overnight in Redding, where you can stroll across the translucent span of the Sundial Bridge at Turtle Bay Exploration Park. The next day visit Shasta State Historic Park and Weaverville Joss House, on Highway 299.