Weed

No, the name is not a joke, or a tribute to Northern California's illicit cash crop. Rather, Weed was named after its founder who used the strong winds up on these slopes for drying lumber. Once the lumber trade got bleak, the town began hyping its proximity to the sacred Mount Shasta (as well as its convenient location to Highway 5 between San Francisco and Portland) as a tourist draw. While the slow-paced nature of this tiny mountain town can be somewhat creepy to an urban dweller, the access to breathtaking outdoor activities makes up for it. Besides being in the shadows of California's most sacred mountain, Weed is also a central ...

No, the name is not a joke, or a tribute to Northern California's illicit cash crop. Rather, Weed was named after its founder who used the strong winds up on these slopes for drying lumber. Once the lumber trade got bleak, the town began hyping its proximity to the sacred Mount Shasta (as well as its convenient location to Highway 5 between San Francisco and Portland) as a tourist draw. While the slow-paced nature of this tiny mountain town can be somewhat creepy to an urban dweller, the access to breathtaking outdoor activities makes up for it. Besides being in the shadows of California's most sacred mountain, Weed is also a central location (especially for non-campers) to explore the boundless nature of the Cascade Range. Nearby Castle Crags State Park boasts granite crags comparable to Yosemite. Lava Beds National Monument (a two-hour drive away) was the location of the 30 year Modoc War, plus seeing the volcanic geography here beats paying millions of bucks for a lunar expedition. Anglers sing the praises of the ample fish to fry in the local rivers of the Klamath National Forest. Water sport lovers use nearby Lake Shastina as a base. Plus, there are gushing waterfalls, epic hiking trails and a lovely golf course to tee it up.

About the Expert

Michele Bigley is the author of Northern California: An Explorer's Guide and Great Destinations Kauai from Countryman Press.