Gold Country - California - page 835

La Cocina de Oro Taqueria MEXICAN
( 530-289-9584; 322 Main St; tacos from $3.75, burritos $10; 11am-9:30pm Apr-Dec; )
Chef-owner Feather Ortiz uses herbs and peppers from her garden and sources everything
else from local growers to make the freshest food around. The burritos are the size of chi-
huahuas. No credit cards.

Sierra City & the Lakes Basin

Sierra City is the primary supply station for people headed to the Sierra Buttes , a rugged,
rocky shock of mountains that are probably the closest thing to the Alps you'll find in
California without foisting a backpack. It's also the last supply point for people headed in-
to the fishing paradise of the Lakes Basin. There's information about lodging and area
activities at www.sierracity.com .

Sights & Activities

There's a vast network of trails, including access to the famed Pacific Crest Trail . The Si-
erra Country Store ( 530-862-1560; 213 Main St/Hwy 49; 8am-8pm summer, 10am-6pm
winter; ) is about the only consistently open place in town, and it welcomes Pacific Crest
Trail refugees with its laundromat and deli.
To reach the Buttes, and many lakes and streams nearby, take Gold Lake Hwy north
from Hwy 49 at Bassetts, 9 miles northeast of Sierra City. An excellent hiking trail leads
1.1 miles to Haskell Peak (8107ft), where you can see from the Sierra Buttes right to Mt
Shasta and beyond. To reach the trailhead, turn right from Gold Lake Hwy at Haskell Peak
Rd (Forest Rd 9) and follow it for 8.5 miles to the marked parking lot.

Sleeping & Eating

There's just one main drag in town, and that's the Golden Chain Highway (Hwy 49). All
commerce happens here. The hotels often have the best restaurants - when they're open.
Winter time is quiet.

USFS Campgrounds CAMPING
( 530-993-1410; tent sites $24)