Castle Crags State Park

Tucked inside Native Grounds Nursery, it genuinely feels like you've escaped somewhere else: pond, shade, birds, ten yards from the boulevard. Neapolitan-style wood-fired pizzas and fresh salads complement a rotating selection of local craft beers on tap. Arrive early, they sell out.

Glide through snowy forest on groomed cross-country ski trails — plus a dedicated snowshoe trail, rentals, and a warm lodge for thawing. A peaceful, family-friendly winter day on the flanks of Mount Shasta.

A working Soto Zen Buddhist monastery tucked into the pines above town. The grounds are open to visitors — nothing else like it in the area.