Until my recent trek to Mt. Shasta, I had never taken a vacation by myself. All my prior trips were either organized by my parents, planned with my partner in mind, or tailored around my kids. This trip, however, was different: I had the freedom to do exactly what I wanted, treat myself the way I deserved, and take breaks whenever I felt like it. And it felt absolutely amazing!

Arrival Day: Kicking Off My Adventure

Instead of having to endure a long nine-hour drive from Los Angeles, I opted to fly from Burbank to San Francisco (SFO), then from SFO to Redding, followed by a one-hour drive to Mt. Shasta. I didn’t regret my decision at all, as I was able to lounge around in the airports, rest on the planes, and enjoy the short drive to my destination. To top it off, the car rental place surprised me with an upgrade from a Toyota Camry to a Jeep Cherokee—something I used to dream of owning as a kid! Cruising in the Jeep along the scenic, winding road to my resort was such a thrill!

As I pulled up to Mt. Shasta Resort, the snow-capped Mt. Shasta loomed so close that it felt like I could almost reach out and touch it. Mt. Shasta Resort offers rustic chalets, some situated near the mountain and others by nearby Lake Siskiyou. My chalet was located by the lake, and I was pleased to find that it was as spacious as a two-bedroom apartment. After freshening up, I headed to the Highland House Restaurant located inside the Mt. Shasta Resort Clubhouse for dinner.

Day 1: A Day of Total Relaxation

After a long day of travel, I decided to sleep in until 9 AM—something I hadn’t done in ages. I enjoyed a leisurely morning and took my sweet time getting ready. As it got closer to lunchtime, I decided to pick up a Subway sandwich and have a picturesque picnic by Lake Siskiyou. After lunch, I strolled over to the Sacred Mountain Spa and indulged in a soothing hot towel pedicure. Post-pedicure, I drove back to the chalet for a nap, followed by a slow walk around the lake. The whole day was delightfully lazy and stress-free.

Day 2: McCloud Falls and Hot Stone Massage at the Spa

Having gotten some decent rest, I was now in the mood for adventure. I drove to McCloud Falls for a solo two-hour hike that I discovered on the AllTrails app, which allows you to choose from easy, moderate, or hard trails. Thanks to the AllTrails app, I felt completely confident I wouldn’t lose my way, as the app clearly shows the right path and makes it nearly impossible to get lost. The McCloud Falls and hike were spectacularly beautiful. The only downside to the hike was that my shoes started to fall apart during the hike, a lesson learned to check my gear well in advance next time.

After the hike, I grabbed a quick bite and then treated myself to a Hot Stone Massage at the Sacred Mountain Spa. The massage was so heavenly that it felt like I was floating in the air. The masseuse worked wonders, easing the tension in my neck and back with hot oils and revitalizing me with heated river rocks. After the massage, you guessed it—I headed back to my chalet for another nap.

I woke up from my nap feeling refreshed and quickly dashed to Sportsman’s Den before it closed, where I fortunately found a perfectly fitting pair of Adidas sneakers for my hike the next day. I capped off the night at Highland House with my favorite dinner of the trip: fettuccine tossed in a garlic, buttery white wine sauce with roasted tomatoes, spinach, and kalamata olives, paired with garlic butter baguette slices. Yum!

Day 3: Castle Crags and Faery Falls

My AllTrails app came in handy again as I discovered another moderate two-hour hike at Castle Crags, about 25 minutes away from Mt. Shasta Resort. The hike started off great but then quickly turned into a bug-swatting workout. Despite the constant barrage of insects, the hike's scenery made it worth the effort. I definitely learned my lesson: next time, I’ll come prepared with bug spray and maybe even a silly bug hat!

After the hike, I treated myself to an extremely delicious vegan Reuben bagel sandwich at Alua’s Thrive Bar and a flavorful vegan chili.

Feeling energized after lunch, I decided to visit Faery Falls, conveniently located near my chalet. The waterfall was incredibly peaceful and mesmerizing, and I just wanted to stay there forever. Revered by the local Native Americans for its abundance of natural energy and negative ions, Faery Falls left me feeling replenished. As I parted from the falls, I couldn't help but dream of having a waterfall in my future backyard😉

Departure Day: A Bittersweet Goodbye

I'm so glad I took this trip to Mt. Shasta—it gave me the recharge I needed and set me up for an exciting year as I launch my business. While leaving this place made me a little sad, I promised myself I'd return to explore the spots I missed.

CONCLUSION

Taking a vacation by yourself is an act of self-love. It's a time to treat yourself, challenge yourself, and reflect on your life. If you're not spending time nurturing yourself, how can you expect to live the rest of your life with happiness and fulfillment?

Happy ventures!