There's a Snowy Mountain at the Edge of California 🏔️: A Travel Guide

For Thanksgiving, I flew from LA to Sacramento, then drove about three hours to the lovely town of Mt. Shasta. We spent three and a half days there, and it felt just right — not too rushed, not too short. Here are some personal tips from the trip: 1️⃣ Check for local events during the holidays. We stumbled upon a charming Thanksgiving parade — small carriages, local stalls, and a warm, festive atmosphere that felt like a slice of Europe. At night, we drove near the local airport away from light pollution and were greeted by a sky full of stars. ✨ 2️⃣ Hiking Heart Lake? Bring trekking poles. The final stretch was icy and slippery — my friend and I took a few tumbles and eventually decided not to push for the summit. It felt a bit risky without proper gear. We ended up using sticks we found to help us down. The trail is longer than it looks, so pack water and take your time. 3️⃣ Consider renting a pickup truck. We got a large pickup, and it handled the roads beautifully — great visibility, smooth drive, and plenty of space. We even climbed into the bed to watch the sunset! 🛻 A few people seemed surprised to see women driving a truck, but hey — why not? Highly recommend trying it. 4️⃣ There are many sunset viewpoints. Beyond the popular Lower/Upper Viewpoints, check out the nearby town of Weed — that’s where I took the photo in the first slide. There’s a funny "Welcome to Weed" sign that makes for a fun photo op. Stay a while at sunset, and you might witness the mountain turn gold — and catch those beautiful lenticular clouds drifting apart. 🌄 5️⃣ Try a Sound Bath session. Mt. Shasta has several studios offering sound healing. We chose one with beautifully arranged singing bowls. The owner taught us how to play them — each bowl has its own unique vibration. A session costs $22, and we left feeling deeply relaxed and slept wonderfully that night. 🧘‍♀️🔮 6️⃣ Look for a crystal that calls to you. I’m not really into crystals, but it felt wrong to leave without one. After visiting several shops, I finally found a unique smoky quartz with stepped formations in a small store — it now sits at home as a beautiful keepsake. My friend also found a stone that resonated with her. 💎 7️⃣ Don’t miss Yaks Burgers. The owner grew up in Taiwan and brings creative flair to the menu. We tried the cilantro burger, peanut butter burger, and garlic fries — all delicious and full of personality. 🍔🍟 Hope these tips help you plan your own trip to Mt. Shasta. Enjoy the mountain magic! #MountShasta #CaliforniaTravel #SnowyMountains #RoadTrip #HikingTips #SunsetViews #SoundHealing #CrystalHunting #LocalEats #WinterGetaway #TravelDiaries