A weekend in Etna: two slow days in Scott Valley
Two days is enough to fall for Etna. Here's how we would spend a weekend, arriving Friday evening and heading home on Sunday afternoon.
Friday evening: arrive and exhale
Try to drive in before dark. The last miles into Etna run up the valley with the mountains ahead, and it's the best welcome there is. Call ahead for a wood-fired pizza from Denny Bar Co., pick it up on your way through town, then unpack and eat in. If the sky is clear, step outside before bed. The stars here are a good reason to stay up.
Saturday: one perfect day
Spend Saturday the way we would spend any perfect day here. Wake up slowly with Farmhouse Bakery bread and coffee by the stove, walk into town for breakfast at Wildwood Coffee, and wander Main Street. Treat yourself to a facial or a pedicure at Citrine Lounge Spa and a browse at Rustic Haul Boutique next door. Then tacos in the garden, a lazy afternoon in the hammock, the short loop at golden hour, and dinner at Denny Bar Co. The details are in One perfect day in Etna.
Prefer a burger and a back-roads drive? Swap the short loop for Island Road, Black Bridge and Eastside Road to Fort Jones, and have dinner at Five Marys Burgerhouse. Book ahead.
Sunday: up the mountain
Morning. Brunch at Denny Bar Co., served Sundays from 10, or a slow breakfast at the house.
Etna Summit and Taylor Lake. Drive about 10 miles up Sawyers Bar Road to Etna Summit, where the Pacific Crest Trail crosses at about 5,960 feet. On the way up, stop where Etna Creek runs beside the road past the Klamath National Forest sign. Just past the summit, a paved forest road leads 2.4 miles to Taylor Lake, a short, easy walk from the parking area. Bring a picnic and a warm layer, because there's no water or restroom at the top.
Afternoon. Come down for a beer on the heated patio at Etna Brewing Co., then one more hour in the hammock before you go.
Make it a long weekend
Add a Monday, take the back roads to Fort Jones, and have lunch at Five Marys Burgerhouse, which opens on Mondays. Or keep going with our three days in Scott Valley.
Good to know
Many Main Street spots close early in the week, so the weekend lines up well.
Snow can close the road to Etna Summit and Taylor Lake from late fall into spring. In winter, swap the mountain for the Valley Loop and a fire in the wood stove.
Book Citrine Lounge Spa and dinner tables ahead.
See open dates and prices for your weekend at Blossom Sanctuary.