Headed up the 5 thru NorCal

Passing thru next weekend and want to take a side trip.

Right now I'm looking at hopping off the 5 in Redding and heading west on the 299 to the 96 and taking the 96 back to the 5 to continue north. Frankly I chose this route looking at Google maps. I saw the 3 as an option but this route was longer in National Forest areas and follows the Klamath River. Thought it might be more scenic

Looking for recommendations on a campground or place to camp along the way. have a cap/ platform so I don't need much area. I can make it on one tank of gas by filling up in Redding but if there is a station with not too expensive gas along the way that could be nice.

Short side trips with something to see? I go offroad to see lakes, meadows, ghost towns, mines, or scenic areas. Not into rock crawling for the sake of rock crawling and I'm in a stock vehicle.

ETA:
Changed east to west. This route is west of the 5.

 

I'm no help but I thought this was appropriate
https://www.kcet.org/shows/lost-la/...rnians-love-saying-the-before-freeway-numbers

 

Not east but I heard its worth the trip.

Lost Coast
USAL Beach (camp there)

I believe you take THE 1.

 

If you go west on 299, Shasta-Trinity National Forrest is beautiful. Just about anything between I-5 and 101, north of Williams is gonna have great scenic areas. Good luck and safe travels.

 

hwy 3 is a pretty drive though it gets into some higher elevations and gets closed in winter occasionally. Etna and Fort Jones are two quaint small towns on hwy 3 and scenic most of the way. If there's not to much snow kangaroo lake is gorgeous. I live just outside Yreka on 2 1/2 acres your welcome to stay in the backyard. Another pretty drive is to take sawyers bar rd west of Etna to etna summit, if you keep going it drops down to the north fork of the salmon river, keep in mind this is very remote and your surrounded in wilderness.

 

I visit yreka and hayfork twice a year. I love it up north!