The small town of Corning is also known as “Olive City” due to its many highly acclaimed olive oil producers, olive harvesters, packagers and great gift shops that host tasting bars full of olives, olives and more olives. Olive oil connoisseurs will be delighted by the variety and innovations of the many companies, some award-winning for their personal styles. With hundreds of f … [Read more...]
#21 – Black Butte Lake
Picture this: enjoying a perfect day of fishing a warm-water lake for crappie, catfish and large and smallmouth bass with magnificent black volcanic buttes on all sides. Not into fishing? How about wake boarding, sailing or windsurfing? If you prefer on-shore activities, try the 13 miles of hiking, biking or running trails. In spring, fiddlenecks, California poppies, baby blue … [Read more...]
#22 – Red Bluff Round-Up & Museum
In 1918 Tehama County cattle ranchers and their hands started gathering together after rounding up their herds, and held a picnic and informal rodeo. These “round-ups” started drawing crowds who wanted to watch cowhands try their luck at riding. From these humble beginnings, today’s Red Bluff Round-Up is a weeklong, community-wide event with bowling tournaments, foot races, a pa … [Read more...]
#23 – Tehama District Fairgrounds
For a good time, grab your cowboy hat and head down to the Tehama District Fairgrounds. The first annual Tehama County Fair was held October 3 through 8, 1921 to boost agricultural interests in the area. Today the fairgrounds continue the tradition with a year-round schedule of events like the Annual Fair, PCRA (Pro Circuit Rodeo Association) Round-Up Rodeo, Red Bluff Bull and … [Read more...]
#24 – Abbey of New Clairvaux
Named in honor of Clairvaux, a Cistercian monastery in eastern France founded by St. Bernard in the early 12 century, New Clairvaux is an extraordinary abbey located in Vina, California, about halfway between Red Bluff and Chico. Its full name is the Abbey of Our Lady of New Clairvaux, and its monks will tell you that it is the spirit of prayer there that is the most noteworthy … [Read more...]
#25 – Woodson Bridge State Recreation Area
Observing diverse wildlife and getting out into the wilderness is what Woodson Bridge State Recreation Area is all about. This woodland area, located 6 miles east of I-5 and 3 miles west of Hwy 99 at Corning, is the perfect place to clear your mind and experience the serenity of nature. You can launch a boat or relax on the sandy beach as the majestic peaks of Mt. Shasta, Mt. … [Read more...]
#26 – Gaumer’s Jewelry, Museum & Lapidary
Lap·i·dar·y — a person who cuts, polishes, or engraves gems. The Gaumer family’s history with gems and minerals goes back four generations to John O. Gaumer, who was a gold miner in Northern California for 25 years. Today, the family passion for rocks is still palpable in this one-of-a-kind “rock shop,” jewelry store and Mineral and Mining Museum. Come peruse the fine gold an … [Read more...]
#27 – Tehama County Museum
Preserving the unique history of Tehama County, the museum is housed in a building with its own extensive story. Built in 1859, it was a school for 21 years, a Masonic Hall for 116, and is now home to an array of exhibits highlighting the county’s colorful past. Everything from mastodon tusks to period clothing, furnishings and photographs is on display. Models of campsites w … [Read more...]
#28 – William B. Ide Adobe State Historic Park
If you’ve ever heard California called the “Bear Republic,” that’s largely due to William B. Ide, who, as a pioneer, was a primary figure in the “Bear Flag Revolution” of 1846, proclaiming California independent from Mexico. The “republic” lasted only 25 days, until the U.S. Army defeated Mexican forces in Monterey and claimed California as its own. Although it was short-lived, … [Read more...]
#29- Brokeoff Mountain
At 9,235 ft. in elevation, Brokeoff Mountain is the highest point in Tehama County. Volcanic and glacial action have left the mountain with a sheer north face that looks as if someone had broken off half the mountain, hence its name. Brokeoff Mountain is actually the largest of several remnants of a much larger volcano called Mount Tehama, which scientists say was about 11,000 … [Read more...]
#30 – Ishi Wilderness
Rugged country awaits visitors to the Ishi Wilderness. Unlike many wilderness areas in Northern California, the low-elevation Ishi Wilderness in the Lassen National Forest rarely sees snow, making it a perfect destination for winter camping, hiking and fishing. Its dramatic landscape is crisscrossed with deep canyons, dotted with caves, marked by lava pillars and branded by … [Read more...]