Shasta Cascade

For travelers and outdoor enthusiasts looking to escape the crowds, there's no better area than the Shasta Cascade region of northern California. Located in the shadows of Mount Shasta and the Cascade Mountains, this eight-county area, which makes up one-fifth of the state of California, is much the way it was centuries ago, albeit with a few more towns and a few peaceful golf courses sprinkled into the mix.

There are six wild and scenic rivers flowing through the region, the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway and seven national forests and eight national and state parks.

This is a great area for those who like to combine golf with fly-fishing and want a casual atmosphere. Almost everywhere you look, you'll find clean rivers and streams, snowcapped mountains and wide-open spaces. Find a guide and take part in one of the most serene activities in the world.

For the most part, the golf is a bargain. The layouts range from nine-hole tracks to 18-hole designs that challenge the best players. For example, there's the Fall River Golf Course in Fall River. This northeast California championship golf course measures some 7,400 yards and features bentgrass greens, juniper forests, lakes along a rolling terrain, all for a very reasonable green fee.