Birthday road trip / need suggestions

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MarioDidIt

MarioDidIt

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This 4th of July, Ill be turning 26. Don't know how I made it past my quarter-life crisis... oh yea, I bought an FJ haha This amazing vehicle has gotten me to some amazing scenery in the Pacific Northwest. (Lived in OR when I bought my FJ) did plenty of exploring in OR, WA, and for my 25th birthday did a 550 mile expedition through British Columbia. This year, I want to do something similar but stick to California.

Canada Video:

Ill be starting off in Los Angeles on a Friday, and want to be back home the following Sunday. So that leaves me with about 8 days to see as much as possible. Ive always been more of an on-the-go camper, not spending more than a day in one location so Ill be planning this trip the same way.

Here is a rough draft of my plan. (keyword: rough) as I only have an idea of the areas i'd want to check out but not any actual destinations.

Friday: Leave after work, Camp in Alabama Hills
Saturday: Explore that Alabama Hills, Camp towards Mammoth
Sunday: Explore Mammoth, Camp towards Lake Tahoe
Monday: Explore Lake Tahoe, Camp towards Plumas Natl Forest
Tuesday: Explore Plumas Natl Forest, Camp towards Lassen
Wednesday: Explore Lassen, Camp towards Modoc
Thursday: Explore Modoc, Camp towards Redwoods
Friday: Explore Redwoods, Camp towards Mendocino
Saturday: Head for Santa Cruz/Pismo/Camp near beach
Sunday: Come home

This is going to be a lot of work for a high mileage FJ and although Ive done some wheeling in the past. I dont want to go on any trails that are too technical. I will most likely doing this whole trip alone, with my sisters dog. haha I have some mechanical experience, will carry tools, but rather not get too risky.

I am open to any and all suggestions for this trip. Google searches can become overwhelming (dont worry, ill still be looking online for ideas) but lets face it, the locals know best! I did something similar for my BC trip (ask on local forums for suggestions) and without the locals, I wouldnt have had such an amazing trip!

My main request for areas to see/camp at is being near water, a stream, a lake, pond, waterfall, but top one on the list, hot springs! Even if I cant camp nearby, one of the main things I want to do for this trip is visit natural hot springs!

Thank you in advance for anyone who cares to chime in! :grin
 
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Mike G

Mike G

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MarioDidIt said:
Anyone have experience with the Plumas/Lassen/Modoc areas?
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I was just up at Redding a couple of weeks ago and I was told by a local that Lassen's back roads may still be under snow until August.? It's hard to believe, but you may want to call before you go. Good luck and keep us posted.
MarioDidIt said:
Anyone have experience with the Plumas/Lassen/Modoc areas?
Click to expand...

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MarioDidIt

MarioDidIt

Rank III

Advocate II

816
California
kg6zjl said:
If you're looking for springs, the 395 corridor is the spot. One of my personal favorites is Buckeye, but Travertine is right off the highway and super easy to access. I've heard Mammoth has great springs as well.

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Definitely want to check out some hot springs... first I want to see if I can find any low key ones that require an adventure to get to (seclusion) then Ill go for the ones that everyone knows about haha
 
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