Tuesday Travel Tips ... Long weekend is here ...

The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.

Bayarea is the best place in USA to be. Awesome weather combined by number of tourist places. What else you need in life. If some one says to me, what I can do on weekend ? There is nothing much to do here ... then here comes a small trip to add to your traveling list but do not give excuses for not exploring true beauty of nature in California.

Bayarea has so many place to visit - right from driving couple of miles to couple of hours of drive, which includes a Camping,Hiking trails, Sports activity,Water sports, Dense forest, True nature, Beaches and what not.

Aaj Ka Menu ...

Trip to Lassen National Park and Burney Falls.

2 day trip

Few week before, for a change ;) (other than Cricket) I had decided to go for a trip.

The trip was out of mind and really something different which I have never seen before. If you are fan of Camping,Hiking, Waterfall, Lakes, and Mountains then this is an ideal place to be.

I had thrilling experience and thought of sharing, moreover I did not plan this trip well in advance. Start planning now for coming Long Weekend.

Suhana Safar ...

Drive from Sunnyvale to Lassen National Park

Drive is of around 5 hrs from 237E-880N-680N-505N-5N-CA36/99 roughly around 300 miles. Drive is smooth, to avoid traffic start early as possible.

Important to note : Fill your gas tank roughly 50-60 miles before reaching Lassen National park, because from Lassen nearest gas station is about 40-50 miles. I ran out of gas and had to drop my friends in mid way and unload my car to have best mileage utilization. :) it helped me out to just reach the Gas station, but no regrets this was one of my best memorable drive in my lifetime. Thanks to Shell Gas Station :)

Locate : http://www.shell.us/home/content/usa/products_services /on_the_road/shell_station_locator/station_locator_index.html

Before entering Lassen there are couple of Cafe and Lodge. If you are hungry kindly have something here because inside the Park its difficult to get anything.

Lassen Mineral lodge : http://www.minerallodge.com/

The traveler sees what he sees. The tourist sees what he has come to see.

Lassen National Park

Once you reach Lassen National Park just visit Information centre and they will give you road map of the park and all required information about trails and things to do in the park. If you reach Park well in time, then you can stop at various marked attractions.

Attractions mainly consists of Sulphur gas outlet, Yes there is active volcano beneath the land, new and clam lakes, Mountains all around and Lot of hiking trails.

Do not miss Bumpass Hell (moderate trail, 3 miles round trip) which takes to Sulphur works

and Mirror lake where view in the evening is out of your mind.

For more info : http://www.nps.gov/lavo/

Burney Falls

This is place for waterfall lovers and hikers. Truly amazing no words to describe the beauty of the fall. Its so beautiful that even bad photographer can take some awesome pics.

The hike to waterfall is easy and comfortable. I would recommended to go for 3.5 miles round trip and explore the place.

http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=25166

There is small town between Lassen Park and Burney Falls which has restaurants and Gas stations, so fill your and car tank here.

Half time Pizza : http://www.getfave.com/locations/9583952-halftime-pizza

Place to Stay

There are lot of camping grounds in Lassen National park and few hotels near by. Usually these places gets filled up fast. So best place to stay is Redding which is around 50 miles from Lassen National Park and Burney Falls.

I would recommended to saty somewhere near by Lassen National Park because Burney is right next to the Park.

We got last minute reservation at 8 motel thanks to them for wonderful place near downtown and other attractions of Redding.

Redding

Redding has lot many hotels, which are quite cheap and affordable. In fact the we had wonderful tasty dinner at one of the famous Mexican restaurant.

Puerto Vallarta : http://menucentral.com/restaurant?restaurantUid=206

Another attraction in Redding is Sundial bridge, what a modern piece of architecture one can see here.

http://www.visitredding.org/sundial/sundial101.cfm

Dil Mange more ...

If you are crazy person like me and like to cover as many places during the trip here are few other places which you can cover during your trip. But need to time it properly and ready

Other places :

If you have enough time these are the other places to can cover within the trip.

1. Shasta Lake / Dam

2. Lava Beds

3. Crater Lake

This trip will be of three days.

Bhool na mat ...

1. Fill your gas before reaching Lassen

2. Distance between places seems to be less in the park and between Lasen and Burney but speed limit is 30-35 mph and roads are curve and valley on one side.

3. Book place to stay to avoid higher cost.

4. Keep lot of water and Food items.

5. I never trust GPS ;) So take print out maps and directions if required.

Keep Smiling Always

Have fun-full Long Weekend

Dharme

Life is full of choices ;)