Life on the waters of Shasta Lake
There's really nowhere else in northern California like Shasta Lake when the summertime swings around. Pontoons bob on the waters, jet skis dart this way and that, kayaks drift lazily through the manzanita boughs, and others sit sharing stories of their trout catches in the bubbling marina bars. The surrounding hills are the province of hikers and bikers, who test out their hardy boots and rubber on the fringes of the mighty Cascade Range. Then there are the homey Shasta Lake vacation rentals, ranging from wood-shrouded lakeside lodges to luxurious retreats with pools overlooking the peaks.
Activities and attractions in Shasta Lake
Do you want to discover attractions to see in the area? Venture out of your vacation home and experience everything that Shasta Lake has to offer. These are some of the major attractions to put on your list, all within 30 miles (48.2 km) of the city center:
- Waterworks Park (4.7 mi / 7.6 km)
- Swasey Recreation Area (9.4 mi / 15.1 km)
- Oasis Fun Center (1.9 mi / 3.1 km)
- Tucker Oaks Golf Course (14.2 mi / 22.8 km)
Summertime skylarking in Shasta Lake
Whether you come to skim over the sky-blue waters on a kayak or recline with a fishing rod on the deck of your private pontoon, to camp and picnic around the 365 miles of wonderful wooded shoreline or to SUP from marina to marina, life on Shasta Lake is sure to suit. And if you don't fancy getting wet? No worries. Crack out the hiking boots and hit the trails, which wiggle up to the fir forests of the Klamath Mountains. Or, just take it easy by hopping the local coffeeshops and taking in the "never-forget-me" views.
It's summer vacation time in Shasta Lake
You won't need long on Shasta Lake between May and September to realize that the hot summer months are when this sprawling reservoir really comes into its own. That's when Shasta Lake vacation rentals close to the water are at their most coveted, and when most outdoors adventurers flock to the peaks and lakeside parks for well-earned R&R. That said, winter can be a great time to make Shasta a base for skiing in California, what with hardly anyone competing for the best-priced cabins, and the pistes of the Klamath Mountains right around the corner.
An arena of peaks around Shasta Lake
With the start of the great Cascade Range just to the east and the rock-ribbed ridges of the Klamath Mountains towering over the spruces, ponderosa pines, and alpine woodlands that hug the banks of Shasta Lake, it's fair to say that this reservoir marks in earnest the start of the North California highlands. The whole region around Shasta Lake is protected under the vast Shasta-Trinity National Forest. That's got sections of the iconic Pacific Crest Trail, scenic byways that wiggle beneath potentially active volcanos, and fabled inhabitants like Big Foot.
Transportation to and around Shasta Lake
Fly into Redding, CA (RDD-Redding Municipal), the closest airport, located 12.6 mi (20.3 km) from the city center.
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