This Underrated Quirky Mountain Town in California Deserves a Visit
Hit up these local favorites.
Pusher
Sunset’s Insider Guide series highlights seasonal diversions and secret travel tips from local experts. Follow along as we learn where to eat, drink, stay, and shop.
Ashalyn. Photo: Courtesy of Shasta Vortex Adventures
Meet the Insider: Ashalyn, owner and guide at Shasta Vortex Adventures
Location: Mount Shasta, California
Hikers, road trippers, and spiritual seekers have long been drawn to Mount Shasta, and for good reason. Ashalyn, founder and guide at Shasta Vortex Adventures, has spent years leading visitors through this mystical mountain town’s most meaningful sites while sharing insight into the area’s unique energy and history. Her picks blend the practical with the personal, covering where to get outside, refuel, and settle in, all with a focus on experiencing this quirky corner of California in a more intentional way.
DO
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Take a Guided Tour of Mt. Shasta’s Sacred Sites. A guided experience along Everitt Memorial Highway invites travelers into Mt. Shasta’s most sacred landscapes, from McBride Springs to Bunny Flat, Panther Meadows, and beyond.
Through year-round Sacred Site Tours and Guided Vision Quests, experienced, permitted guides offer profound insight into the mountain’s spiritual energy while providing access to lesser-known sites.
Check out Mount Shasta Resort for golfing, good food, and lodging. Lake Siskiyou is an amazing place for boating, fishing, swimming, camping, wind surfing, cabin rentals, food booths, paddle boat rentals and more.
STAY
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Nestled at the base of Mt. Shasta, Basecamp Lodge Mt. Shasta features cozy chalet-style cabins with easy access to popular trailheads like Bunny Flat and Panther Meadows. It’s an ideal home base for travelers looking to pair alpine adventure with a deeper connection to the mountain’s rich spiritual energy. McCloud Mercantile is a beautiful option as well. For a proper charge-up before a day on the trails, visit Summit Lofts’ Theory Coffee.
EAT
Seven Suns Coffee & Café offers a relaxed, grounding space to pause and recharge, with a welcoming atmosphere that reflects Mt. Shasta’s mindful spirit. Visitors can grab a quick coffee or pastry on the go, or linger over a meal with favorites like breakfast burritos, house-made granola, and more. And for locally produced craft brews and casual bites, visit Pipeline Craft Taps and Kitchen.
