McCloud River

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.

Great burgers, a rotating tap list, and a covered patio built for long afternoons. Perfect mix of locals and visitors.

Start at Castle Lake — glacial water, granite walls, one of the best swimming spots in the area. The trail above leads to Heart Lake, where Mount Shasta fills the entire horizon.