Northern California Romance » State Parks

Woodson Bridge State Recreation

admin — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 18:04:49 +0000

Woodson Bridge State Recreation Area is a beautiful oak woodland park nestled along the Sacramento River between Chico and Red Bluff. Mount Shasta, Mount Lassen, and the Trinity Alps loom in the distance.

A boat launch ramp located across the road in the county park makes for easy access to the river for those who enjoy water sports. A broad sand and gravel beach provides the opportunity to enjoy the sun and enjoy the Sacramento River.

Another special feature of Woodson Bridge is the preserve. This dense native riparian forest is a winter home to the Bald Eagle and a summer nest site for the Yellow Billed Cuckoo. This jungle like grove displays some of the last remaining riparian habitat to be found in California.

Over a hundred plant species have been identified throughout the park; the most prominent is the large valley oak. The California black walnut, Oregon ash, black cottonwood, sycamore, and willow are also plentiful. Beneath the oaks and cottonwoods along the river is a profusion of elderberry, wild grape, and wildflowers in season.

Location-Directions

The park is on South Avenue just three miles west of Highway 99 at Vina, or six miles east of interstate 5 at Corning.

Latitude/Longitude: 39.9175 / -122.0903

Seasons/Climate/Recommended Clothing

Spring and Fall are favored seasons at Woodson Bridge, but summer camping can also be delightful here. Summer daytime temperatures generally vary from 85 to just over 100 degrees, but cool nights are the rule.

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Woodland Opera House

admin — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 18:04:18 +0000

Originally built in 1885 and rebuilt in 1896 after being destroyed by fire, the Woodland Opera House is still a stopping place for actors, musicians, and entertainers.

Over 300 touring companies had appeared on its stage by 1913, enriching the community with arts and entertainment, when, due to the growing popularity of motion pictures and an injury lawsuit, the Opera House was closed and boarded up. In 1971, the Yolo County Historical Society purchased the building.

The Woodland Opera House has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1971. It became a California Registered Historical Landmark (#851) in 1973 and was declared a California State Historic Park in 1976. The Opera House was donated to the State of California in 1980. Major restoration work began in 1981.

Location-Directions

Located at the corner of Main and Second Street in historic downtown Woodland, the Opera House is two walking blocks from eight restaurants and has plenty of safe, off-street parking.

From Sacramento take I-5 North to the Main Street exit. Turn left and continue one mile to downtown Woodland.
From the Bay Area, Dixon-Vacaville area, take I-80 East to Highway 113 North (Woodland Exit). Continue 9 miles to the Main Street Exit. Turn left and continue one mile to the downtown area.

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Weaverville Joss House

William B. Ide Adobe

admin — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 18:03:36 +0000

William B. Ide was named president of the short-lived California Bear Republic – which lasted for 22 days. The adobe memorial to him is located in a picnic area overlooking the Sacramento River. The park features the old adobe home, carriage shed, blacksmith shop and a small visitor center. Location-Directions

The park is south of Redding, two miles northeast of Red Bluff on Adobe Road.

Seasons/Climate/Recommended Clothing

Summer and spring are warm; fall and winter can be cool. Layered clothing is advised.

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Westport Union-Landing State Beach

admin — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 18:03:05 +0000

Westport Union-Landing State Beach covers over 3 miles of rugged and scenic coastline, with 46 campsites on the bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The magnificent vistas, sunsets and tree covered mountains in the background provide inspiring challenges to both amateur and professional photographers.

The park was named for two early day communities. Westport, a sawmill town, is still in existence and Union Landing now consists of only a few buildings. Both of these settlements were famous for supplying lumber and railroad ties, and Tan Oak bark to the schooners which anchored off shore. The schooners were loaded with forest products by means of intricate cable tramways and chutes from the bluffs.
Location/Directions

Located 19 miles north of Fort Bragg on Highway 1 and 2 miles north of Westport.

Seasons/Climate/Recommended clothing

The weather can be changeable; layered clothing is recommended.

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Weaverville Joss House

admin — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 18:02:32 +0000

The temple is the oldest continuously used Chinese temple in California. On display are art objects, pictures, mining tools, and weapons used in the 1854 Tong War. This Taoist temple is still a place of worship and a fascinating look into the role played by Chinese immigrants in early California history. The temple was built in 1874 as a replacement for another that had burned.

In an effort to preserve this important part of California’s Chinese tradition, the temple became a part of the California State Park System in 1956. Many of the historical objects have been restored and the structure itself stabilized. In addition to the temple equipment, park visitors will see Chinese art objects, pictures, mining tools, and wrought iron weapons used in the 1854 Tong War.

Location-Directions

The Temple is located in the heart of Weaverville, a small community near the Trinity Alps on Highway 299 about fifty miles west of Redding and about 105 miles east of Eureka. Weaver Creek runs nearby and locust trees complete the rural setting.

Weaverville Latitude/Longitude: 40.7311 / -122.9408

Seasons/Climate/Recommended Clothing

Climate in the Shasta-Cascade Region varies greatly with elevation. Higher elevations tend to have much cooler temperatures and higher precipitation. Summer weather is usually hot and dry with lower elevation temperatures ranging from 85° – 100°+F and lows from 60° – 70°. Fall days are usually mild and warm, with cool nights. Winter is when most of the precipitation falls, averaging over 55 inches per year, much of it in the form of snow in the high elevations. Highs range from 40° – 60° and lows from 30° – 40° in the lower elevations. Spring weather is variable with many pleasant days

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Woodland Opera House

Washoe Meadows State Park

admin — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 18:02:03 +0000

Washoe Meadows State Park consists of meadows and woodlands in the valley at the base of the escarpment leading to Echo Summit. The park was named for the Native Americans who inhabited the area for thousands of years.

The park lands have not been developed.

Seasons/Climate/Recommended clothing

Summer temperatures range from about 75 degrees during the day to the low 40s at night, and winter temperatures average from a high of 40 to a low of 20 degrees

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Ward Creek

admin — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 18:01:31 +0000

The purpose of the Ward Creek property, in Placer County, is to preserve and protect an area of undeveloped upland forest and meadowland south of Ward Creek, located on the west side of the Lake Tahoe Basin. The property includes frontage on Ward Creek and provides regional open space which offers connections to other public forest and recreation lands.

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Van Damme State Park

admin — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 18:00:50 +0000

Van Damme State Park consists of beach and upland on the Mendocino Coast. Of all park system units along the Mendocino coast, Van Damme is perhaps the richest in terms of historical resources connected with the redwood lumber industry. Its story is a prime example of the struggles and eventual failures of a small, independent lumber operation.
Location/Directions

The park is located three miles south of the town of Mendocino on Highway 1. The highway runs through the park separating the campground and the Fern Canyon trail head to the east and the beach and parking lot to the west.

Seasons/Climate/Recommended clothing

The weather can be changeable; layered clothing is recommended.

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Trinidad

admin — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 18:00:05 +0000

It is a short hike through the woods, across open bluffs, and past seasonal wildflowers down to the beach. Low tide is the best time to visit.

On the high bluffs above the beach there is an open meadow with scattered stands of alders.

Visitor facilities include restrooms, parking, and a small picnic area with, tables and stoves.
Location/ Directions

19 miles north of Eureka, CA just off Highway 101. Tucked in a secluded cove near the town of Trinidad, this small sandy beach is a pleasant retreat from the traffic of the nearby highway.

Latitude/Longitude: 41.0594 / -124.1420

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Tolowa Dunes

admin — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 17:59:22 +0000

This park takes in some of the finest wetlands habitat on California’s northern coast. An ancient sand dune complex that has evolved into several distinct ecological communities, Tolowa Dunes encompasses ocean beach, river, open and vegetated sand dunes, wooded ridges, and wetlands. A diverse assortment of birds, animals and plant life thrive here, and the area serves as an important stopover on the Pacific flyway for thousands of migrating ducks, geese and swans. The Smith River is a good place for salmon and steelhead fishing, and cutthroat trout can be taken at Lake Earl. The basic amenities are provided for campers at two primitive campgrounds, including a ride-in horse camp and six walk-in sites.

Location/ Directions

2 miles north of Crescent City.

From Crescent City CA take Northcrest Dr. north off of HWY. 101. Access roads are Old Mill Rd. off Northcrest Dr. and further along Northcrest Dr. (which becomes Lake Earl Dr.) turn left on Lower Lake Rd. to Kellogg or Pala Roads.

Lake Earl, CA Latitude/Longitude: 41.8258 / -124.1875

Seasons/Climate/Recommended clothing

Summer days range from the 60’s to 70’s (degrees fahrenheit). Nights are in the 40’s.

Winter days range from the 40’s to 60s (degrees fahrenheig). Nights are in the 30’s.

Rainfall average is about 60″ to 80″ per year, falling mostly between November and May

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