Some of the best lunches begin with a drive: two-lane Highway 3, the valley gold in the rearview, a mountain filling the windshield. Yesterday we went place by place through Scott Valley. Today we widen the circle to about an hour from the house (Mount Shasta and Ashland run a little past), with the places we could confirm and the questions worth asking.
Close to home: Etna and Fort Jones
In Etna, a walk from the house, Denny Bar Co. offered a veggie burger, wok noodles and vegan cheese for its wood-fired pizza on its summer menus; a new fall menu arrived in October, so ask what's on it now. Farmhouse Bakery bakes its breads from scratch; ask which are dairy and egg free. At the Patitos taco truck, ask about lard. Fifteen minutes north in Fort Jones, call Five Marys Burgerhouse ahead to ask what the kitchen can make plant-based, and ask Trading Post Cafe & Mercantile about plant milk for your espresso.
Mount Shasta: Berryvale Grocery
Mount Shasta is about an hour and a quarter from the house. Go for Berryvale Grocery, the town's natural foods grocery at 305 S Mt Shasta Blvd, built around organic products and what it calls "food with integrity." Its café makes lunch easy, and the aisles are the place to look for what a small-town grocery may not carry: tofu, tahini, your favorite plant milk. Check café hours before you go, or call (530) 926-1576.
For a whole plant-based day on the mountain, see plant-based in Mount Shasta. Until then, our five days in Scott Valley and Mount Shasta has more of the mountain.
Ashland, a little past an hour
Take Highway 3 through Fort Jones and on through Yreka, then I-5 north over Siskiyou Summit (4,310 feet, the highest point on I-5): about 68 miles and 1 hour 15 to 20 minutes. My Ashland short list starts with Cocorico and The Noble Fox. Our full Ashland guide lands Sunday, Oct 25.
Cocorico Modern Mediterranean, with a menu that changes daily. Reserve, and say you're plant-based when you book.
The Noble Fox A restaurant and brewery at 101 Oak St with house beers, craft cocktails, and vegan and gluten-free options. It opened in 2024 serving 11 am to 11 pm daily; check hours before you go.
Ashland Food Co-op The deli and picnic supplies make lunch simple. Carry it to Lithia Park, 93 acres of creek trails, a Japanese Garden and duck ponds, where fall color often arrives in late October.
Dobra Tea Teas from around the world and vegan snacks. Yes, it's a long drive for tea. We support it.
Thai Pepper and Taj Indian Cuisine Thai and Indian kitchens are natural allies. Ask about fish sauce at one, ghee and cream at the other, and call ahead for hours.
Rogue Valley Growers & Crafters Market Tuesdays, 8:30 am to 1:30 pm. Last year it ran to Nov 25, so check this year's dates.
A note on the splurge. MÄS, Ashland's celebrated tasting menu, can't accommodate vegan or vegetarian diets, so save it for a night off the plan.
Good to know
Ashland adds 5% to prepared food, so restaurant bills run a little higher. Oregon has no sales tax otherwise.
Heading home on I-5, the California border protection station at Hornbrook asks about fruit, plants and firewood. Declare the kale.
In winter, chains or traction tires may be required on Siskiyou Summit. Check TripCheck and Caltrans QuickMap before you go.
If you're drinking at The Noble Fox, plan a sober driver: there's no taxi or ride-share in Scott Valley.
EV charging is included at the house, and Mount Shasta has public fast chargers for the road.
Then drive home in the last light to a garden gone quiet. 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.
