Summer Vacation Ideas in Northern California

It is an iconic multi-day music festival featuring famous headliners and eclectic festivities the first weekend in July. With onsite camping and a kid’s village, HSMF is a big, family-friendly party! highsierramusic.com

Chester is known for summer art shows. The Almanor Art Show is a two-day festival in late June in historic Chester, with vendors, live music, food booths, and artists selling their original wares and crafts.  Over the summer, there is a 4th of July Craft Fair in Chester Park and two Cooperative Arts and Crafts Markets. Check out the Lake Almanor Area Events Calendar to plan your trip. 

The Drunk Brush Wine Bar in downtown Quincy has music most weekends during the summer. The three art galleries in town also host art openings on the first Friday of each month. Check out the Plumas Arts Calendar to plan your visit. 

From bluegrass and cowboy to blues and folk, the Plumas Homegrown Americana Festival is a lot of music-packed Labor Day weekend. Square Dancing too! plumasamericana.com

The Lake Almanor Basin is known for 4th of July festivities. With fireworks over the lake, an arts and craft fair in the park, a large parade through historic downtown, and a Family Fun Run 5K race, there’s something for everyone!

A bustling, cowboy classic Independence Day with a pancake breakfast, parade, and rodeo in a tiny Sierra Nevada town. It’s like stepping back in time.

For over 50 years, this quaint community has been hosting two days of family fun over the 4th of July weekend with games, a Fireman’s pancake breakfast, music, and fireworks over a beautiful pond in a park-like setting.

Bring the whole family for a classic, rural County Fair. The Plumas-Sierra County Fair is known as the last, best little county fair and features a rodeo and Cattleman’s BBQ, stock car races, livestock shows, country music bands, carnival rides, and games.

The Silver Buckle Rodeo in Taylorsville has a pancake breakfast, parade, and classic rodeo events from team roping to bronc riding every 4th of July weekend. The second week in July is the Junior Rodeo, drawing kids and families from all over the West.

A unique Northern California dude ranch with daily trail rides available to both visitors and ranch guests. They also offer specialized kid-horse activities like grooming and arena lessons. greenhornranch.com

Graeagle Stables and Gold Lake Stables offer daily trail rides ranging from 1.5 hours to all-day trips in the high mountains June through September. They offer lessons for kids too! 

Support Plumas, Butte, and Lassen County growers every Thursday afternoon and evening from June through October at Chester Park farmers market near the beautiful Feather River.

This sweet Saturday morning market at the Blairsden Garden Center offers fresh coffee, crafts, produce, grass-fed meat, and flowers just a stone’s throw away from Graeagle and a short drive from Portola.

Located just outside of the hamlet of Beckwourth in Sierra Valley, Romano’s Market is known for gourmet offerings and high-quality goods sourced from Northern California and nearby Nevada farms.

With three local breweries in nearby proximity, take a brewery tour! The Brewing Lair is tucked in the woods with outdoorsy vibes, a disc golf course, and award-winning California-style ales. Down the road in Graeagle is the Ronin Fermentation Project, offering cutting-edge craft beers in a modern taproom with a patio. Then head east to the Chalet View Lodge for full-service dining and Eureka Peak Brewing Company for dinner and a flight of IPAs and pale ales.

Tucked away on the Lake Almanor Peninsula, Waganupa Brewing is a microbrewery offering various beers, sours, and ales. With minimal online presence, this hidden gem is a favorite of Lake Almanor locals.

Quintopia Brewing Co. is a fresh take on a mountain town brewery with a tap room and patio featuring easy-to-drink beers (much lower in alcohol), some hoppy seasonal ales, and flavorful pub food, including salads, wraps, and loaded fries. It’s the perfect stop after a day on Bucks Lake or after mountain biking.

The Timber House gets a new life as a brewery! This renovated travel lodge in Chester features California-style ales, in-house distilled spirits, and a full dining experience. Check out the menu and book a stay today!