This holiday season, you are probably wondering where the best towns for Christmas are?
In California, McCloud is the answer. It is a small town in Siskiyou County, located south of Mount Shasta, by highway 89, not far from Interstate 5.
Any time of the year, this town is the perfect choice for a weekend trip because it is surrounded by pines, rivers, and waterfalls. But in the winter, and especially during December, its beauty expands with the winter vibes, and it also turns into a Victorian Christmas town out of a Christmas card!
In December 2019, I spent a full day in McCloud by myself. I engaged with the town’s organizers and experienced the Christmas fantasy they had created. I drank hot chocolate, watched “The Midnight Express,” listened to Carolers, spoke with Santa, laughed with the Grinch, and walked around this picturesque town filled with joy and merry.
It usually snows in December, adding even more charm to the picture. There are restaurants, Christmas shops, places to stay, enough parking, and more. If you drive north, make sure to have appropriate tires or tire chains for your safety. Highway authorities usually require chains a little north of Redding. McCloud is located approximately one hour and fifteen minutes from Redding, at least that is how long it took me to get there.
This year, the Chamber of Commerce and the local residents celebrate Christmas as they have done it every year, despite the pandemic. They are committed to continuing the tradition as safely as possible. As with everything else, if you decide to go, please make sure to wear a mask and maintain social distancing. But most of all, enjoy the joy and magic of McCloud!
-Lupita Franco Peimbert.
Lupitanews.com 