Destination McCloud California

Some of the most interesting and fun places to visit are locations that you would drive past without stopping if you didn't know something special was there. McCloud, California is one of those little known great destinations. It's just a little off the beaten path but that keeps it special and preserves it for those who love to visit such locations.

The large building in the photograph here houses a restaurant and a variety of shops and some wonderful theme oriented rooms to stay in while enjoying the area.

In this article I will give you some of the reason that McCloud and the surrounding area is special. Unless otherwise indicated, all photos are mine.

McCloud is located on Highway 89 about 12 miles east of the town of Mount Shasta, in northern California. It’s easily accessed from Interstate 5 which is a major north-south freeway on the West Coast. Interstate 5 runs by Mount Shasta City which is a beautiful town nestled at the base of majestic Mount Shasta. Mount Shasta City is a great destination in its own right with good restaurants and artsy stores but let’s look a few miles to the east at McCloud. Here’s a link to >Google maps

McCloud is a small town nestled in the woods with a beautiful view of nearby Mount Shasta. It has a rich history as a lumber and railroad town. The lumber mill is gone today but the legacy lives on in the buildings and people. When you visit, be sure to drive around town and take in the interesting and historic buildings that add character to the town. You might like to plan a visit around one of the many annual events such as the Dog and Pony Show Parade, Lumberjack Fiesta, McCloud Mushroom Festival, or Heritage Days. See more on the Chamber of Commerce link below.

Within a short distance from McCloud there are wonderful recreational opportunities including fishing, hunting, hiking, golfing, camping and skiing. All of these opportunities are situated in aesthetic locations that attract artists and photographers. You will find many more local attractions, accommodations and opportunities in the Chamber link below.

I want to feature some of my favorite local attractions in this article but there are many more events and attractions you can learn about in the this link to the McCloud Chamber of Commerce.

With spectacular views of Mount Shasta, the beautiful McCloud River and nearby lakes and meadows, it’s little wonder that McCloud is a favorite destination for artists. The Brown Dog Gallery in downtown McCloud is owned by Claudia Ellis and her husband. Claudia is a well known artist and the Brown Dog features her art as well as works by many local artists and photographers. The gallery also has a wide variety of gift items. The gallery sponsors frequent art retreats and workshops that attract artists and aspiring artists from afar. You can check out the Brown Dog Gallery here.

Totally renovated in 1995, this beautiful building is now a seasonal 15 room Bed and Breakfast Inn. What a beautiful building in a beautiful location. You can learn more at its website here.

This fascinating and historic building once housed the "company store" back in the days when McCloud was a lumber town. The building preserves the local history and houses several fun shops and a restaurant but you must see the beautifully restored, theme based rooms for rent. Get a glimpse of what's available on their website here.

That's Mount Shasta in the background.

The McCloud River is found a few miles east of the town of McCloud and it's a beauty. The river offers opportunities for camping, fishing, hiking, sightseeing and swimming. The tree-lined river cuts through rugged lava flows that have created three beautiful waterfalls within a short distance. Don't miss this beautiful river when you visit McCloud.

This is a view of the Lower Falls on the McCloud

While visiting the Middle Falls on the McCloud, I saw a father and his two sons jump from the cliff into the pool below the falls. They jumped separately but I put them together into one image so you can appreciate the scale of the jump. I must confess I have long outgrown the urge to jump off cliffs.

This is a view of Mount Shasta from just south of McCloud. It's on the road to the McCloud reservoir if you're going boating or fishing. You can purchase images like this in the Brown Dog Gallery.

I have a fine art photography website where you can view my diverse photographic interests. I have a gallery dedicated to vintage vehicles and buildings, galleries for landscapes, waterfalls, birds, wildlife, painterly photography and a variety of other specialized subjects. Mount Shasta and various northern California scenes are prominent in many of my galleries. Most of the galleries have background music if you play them as a slideshow. This allows you to kick back and listen to the music as the images flow by. Whether you are looking for some interesting images or looking to purchase some photographic art, I think you will enjoy your visit to Chuck Nelson Photography.

I have applied many of my photographs and digital art to a wide variety of products such as mugs, mouse pads, T-shirts, cards, etc. If you are looking for a one-stop location for unique gifts, be sure to visit my Zazzle website.