Somewhere over the Siskiyou Mountains, the city lets go of your shoulders. By late afternoon you're in a hot room in Ashland, and by bedtime the car is charging at Blossom while you light the wood stove. From San Francisco, United flies nonstop to Medford (MFR) about three times a day this fall, in about 1 hour 40 minutes. From Los Angeles, Alaska flies nonstop from LAX about twice a day, in about 2 hours 15. Check current schedules, and take a morning flight if you can: the afternoon is the best part of day one.
Pick up an EV
Enterprise, on the lower level across from baggage claim (8 am to 11:59 pm), lets you choose an electric car when you book, but no EV models were listed for Medford. So book an EV class, then confirm with the counter before you fly. At pickup, ask three things: whether a NACS adapter comes with the car (non-Teslas need one at Tesla Superchargers), what charge level they expect back, and, in winter, what they allow for chains or traction tires.
The first afternoon: Ashland
Ashland is about 20 minutes south of the airport on I-5.
Hot yoga. Ashland Hot Yoga, at 2455 Siskiyou Blvd, is where I usually go when I'm in Ashland: heated classes for every level in a 100-year-old building, booked through Mindbody. After a flight, a slower, restorative class is the kind choice. Check the schedule and book before you land.
Dinner. These are my picks:
Cocorico: modern Mediterranean, with a menu that changes daily. Reserve.
The Noble Fox: a restaurant and brewery down Oak Street at No. 101, with house beers, craft cocktails and whiskeys, and vegan and gluten-free options. Check hours.
Brickroom: cocktails on a deck over the Plaza, with live music on weekends.
Oregon has no sales tax, but Ashland adds 5% to restaurant meals. Before you leave, stock up at the Ashland Food Co-op for plant-based breakfasts and picnics. And choose your driver before you choose your cocktail: there's a mountain pass next.
Over the summit
From Ashland, I-5 climbs to Siskiyou Summit, 4,310 feet and the highest point on the interstate. Climbs cost charge, descents give some back, and every EV loses range below freezing, so leave town with a healthy battery. After the state line, California's agricultural inspection station near Hornbrook may ask about fruit, plants or firewood. Declare the co-op apples.
Want to add a class to your stay? See our guide to yoga studios and teachers near Etna, Mount Shasta and Ashland, including private sessions at Blossom.
Mount Shasta in alpenglow, seen from the north. Photo: Nandita Damaraju on Unsplash
Leave I-5 for Highway 3 through Yreka. The fast chargers sit right at the turn, on Fort Jones Road: the Tesla Supercharger at Raley's (12 stalls, 250 kW; non-Teslas need that adapter), Electrify America at Walmart (4 stalls, CCS and CHAdeMO, 350 kW) and one ChargePoint stall at Carl's Jr. (63 kW). They're the last fast chargers before Etna. PlugShare lists no public chargers in Fort Jones and only an RV park in Etna. That makes the charger at Blossom, included with every stay, a real advantage. Top up here only if you need to. From the turn, Highway 3 runs through Fort Jones to Etna: about 28 to 30 miles, about 35 minutes.
Three slow days at Blossom
The whole house is yours, with yoga mats and kettlebells in the second bedroom and coffee and tea included.
Day one: garden and town
Morning. Roll out a mat on the terraced gardens and stretch in the morning air, or ask the concierge about a private class with Kreate Yoga, who works with Blossom on wellness programming. Then walk into town (Main Street is less than five minutes away) for coffee at Wildwood Coffee and bread from Farmhouse Bakery, which bakes from scratch. Shop for the days ahead at Ray's, the town grocery store, open 7 am to 10 pm every day.
Afternoon. A hammock under the trees. Deer, birds and squirrels wander through. Nobody needs anything from you.
Day two: a lake
Morning. Drive about 13 miles, up Sawyers Bar Road and a forest road, to Taylor Lake at about 6,500 feet: 0.6 miles round trip, 50 feet of climbing, wheelchair accessible. Want more? Hogan Lake is 3 miles round trip from the same trailhead, with about 1,500 feet of gain. The season runs mid-June through October. Snow can arrive in late October and the road is snowbound in winter, so check conditions first. If snow wins, visit the cold creek pools about 11 minutes up the mountain instead.
Evening. Cook something plant-based in a kitchen set for a dinner party, then stay out in the walled garden for the stars.
Day three: Citrine and a slow dinner
Late morning. Book Citrine Lounge Spa on Collier Way in Etna: the Signature Facial runs an hour and Reiki an hour, with pedicures and detox treatments too. It's open Monday to Saturday, 9 am to 5 pm, so book online For bodywork, ask the concierge about Mari Kraus Massage and Wellness.
Evening. Arrange a private chef for an added fee, or cook again. Then the wood stove, the cloud couch, blackout curtains and a long night's sleep. This is how you return to your natural frequency.
Going home: charge in Medford
Etna to MFR is about 85 miles, about 1.5 hours, so leave extra time in winter. Before you return the car, charge at Electrify America at Fred Meyer, 2424 Crater Lake Hwy in Medford: six CCS chargers up to 350 kW plus one CHAdeMO, open 24/7.
Good to know
Book an EV class, then confirm it with the counter.
Siskiyou Summit can require chains or traction tires in winter. Check TripCheck and Caltrans QuickMap, or call Caltrans road info at 1-800-427-7623.
Citrine Lounge Spa is closed Sundays. Reserve Cocorico ahead.
There's no taxi or ride-share in Scott Valley, so plan a sober driver for every night out.
For more ideas once you're here, see three days in Scott Valley When you're ready, see open dates and prices for your stay at Blossom Sanctuary. Join the Sovereign Circle free through December 31, 2026 for the member rate and a gift with your first stay.
