Shasta, California

I skirted San Francisco and decided to head right to the Redwoods from there, making time by driving the I-5. Overnighting off the highway, I then crossed the gorgeous wooded Klamath Mountains of the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, heading back west. I hadn’t gone very far however when I passed through the town of Shasta, now a national landmark, that served as a resupply point for northern outposts during the California Gold Rush of the mid-19th century. Located at the foot of the mountains, the town was the end of the line for wheeled carriages, subsequently developing into a hub of commerce. At one time, the town even boasted of the longest brick street front in California, home to merchants, services, saloons, and government. Many of the original brick building fronts still stand here, albeit supported, providing a real sense of the street scene from 150 years ago. It was an unexpected and interesting stop.