The Insurance Doctor

Category: California

  • 5 Reasons to Visit Northern California

    5 Reasons to Visit Northern California

    Since we are in the middle of the summer and a pandemic, it is not feasible for most people to travel overseas.  There has never been a better time to explore within the USA.  I recommend considering Northern California:

    1. Mount Shasta:  Beautiful mountain located between Redding and the Oregon border 3600 feet above sea level with hiking, museums, art galleries, and good cuisine.
    2. Sundial bridge: Built by Santiago Calatrava in 2004 this is the only sundial bridge in the USA.  It’s located in the turtle bay exploration park with a glass bottom, great trails, and a museum.  It’s a great stop if driving up to Vancouver and it’s also dog friendly.
    3. Pluto caves: These caves are not marked nor will you find them in any travel guide.  We were tipped off by a local and had an outstanding hike inside of them.
    4. Whiskeytown lake: It’s a reservoir in Shasta county and a big favorite of the locals.  Kayaking and all motorized boating are permitted.  Various levels of restaurants are available in the vicinity.
    5. In and Out Burger: My favorite burger chain.  Family-owned restaurants who unfortunately have stated they will not expand to the east coast.
  • 5 reasons to visit northern California

    5 reasons to visit northern California

    California vacation destinationsRecently I had the pleasure of visiting friends in the far-north reaches of California. While the southern portion of the state is well known for its beaches and metropolitan attractions, northern California holds some notable destinations for travelers who venture north. Here are five attractions I had the pleasure of visiting recently.

    1. Mount Shasta: A beautiful mountain town nestled between Redding and the Oregon border in the southern Cascade range. The town is situated at an elevation of 3,600 feet above sea level under the shadow of Mount Shasta with hiking, museums, art galleries and good cuisine.

    2. Sundial bridge: Designed by famed Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava and constructed in 2004, this is the only functioning sundial bridge within the United States. It’s located in the Turtle Bay Exploration Park. Spanning the Sacramento River the bridge sports a glass walkway where you can see salmon in the river beneath you. Also a great variety of walking trails and a museum. It’s a great stop if driving up to Vancouver and it’s also dog-friendly.

    3. Pluto’s caves: Discovered in 1863 by a rancher looking for stray cattle these caves are not marked nor will you find them in any travel guide. We were tipped off by a local and had an outstanding hike inside of them. Bring sturdy hiking boots, water and a spirit of adventure.

    4. Whiskeytown Lake: Stunning views and turquoise colored waters attract thousands of visitors to this lake. It’s a reservoir located west of Redding in Shasta County and is a favorite for locals. Kayaking and all motorized boating are permitted. Various levels of restaurants are available in the vicinity.

    5. In and Out Burger: My favorite burger chain. Family owned restaurants who unfortunately have stated they will not expand to the east coast. Going west? Better grab one of these fantastic burgers and a tee shirt to make your east coast friends jealous.

    Make this summer a productive one and contact Robert here today for a free financial review.

  • 6 Interesting Reasons to Visit Shasta Dam

    6 Interesting Reasons to Visit Shasta Dam

    There are many interesting places to visit in the USA. Nestled in the northern Cascade mountain range sits one of the largest engineering feats of the last century: Shasta Dam.  Located in northern California, the Shasta Dam tour should be added to your travel list for the following reasons:

    1. Built in 1945, The Shasta Dam is the tallest center overflow dam in the world.

    5 General Electric turbines in the dam’s power plant are capable of producing up to 710 megawatts

    2. Part of its construction involved building the world’s largest conveyor belts (9.6 miles long) that transported gravel from what is now known as the Turtle Bay Exploration Park in Redding to the dam construction site. Turtle Bay features the world famous Sundial Bridge (also a must visit).

    3. Located at the north end of the Sacramento Valley, the Shasta Dam created Shasta lake for long-term water storage, flood control, and hydroelectricity.

    4. 80% of all the rain in California falls in the northern region. The Dam supplies water all the way down to the central region which has the majority of California’s agriculture.

    5. The grounds include a well-manicured open grass park area with picnic tables and it’s conducive to Frisbee games and fun for the family.

    6. The comprehensive hour tour takes you under and through the dam in addition to the inside where the turbines are located. Ask for Antoinette who will also give you a history lesson as World War 1 and the Pearl Harbor invasion delayed construction for years.