Yaks on the 5 Blog

If you are driving I-5 through Northern California, the stretch between Redding and the Oregon border is one of the most beautiful sections of highway in the state. It is also one of the most barren when it comes to decent food options. Most drivers punch through on fast food out of necessity, not choice.

Dunsmuir CA is the exception. This small town just south of Mount Shasta has genuine character, great scenery along the Sacramento River, and Yaks on the 5, which is worth a deliberate detour.

Why Dunsmuir CA Is a Road Trip Gem

Dunsmuir CA sits at about 2,300 feet elevation in the Cascade foothills. The Sacramento River runs cold and clear right through town, making it a known spot for trout fishing. The downtown area has a handful of local businesses, historic architecture, and a small-town energy that feels like a genuine pause from highway driving.

For I-5 road trippers, Dunsmuir CA is the kind of stop you tell people about. It does not feel like a tourist trap or a chain exit. It feels like you found something.

Yaks on the 5: The Best Food Stop in the Mount Shasta Area

Yaks on the 5 in Dunsmuir CA is one of the standout restaurants in the Mount Shasta corridor. If you are traveling north toward Oregon or south toward Redding and Sacramento, a stop at Yaks gives you real food in a comfortable setting before you get back on the road.

The restaurant is easy to find from I-5, and the extra few minutes off the highway are worth it. Locals eat here regularly, which is the best signal of quality you can get in a small town like Dunsmuir CA.

Other Things to Do in Dunsmuir CA on a Road Trip

If you have a little extra time in Dunsmuir CA:

• Walk along the Sacramento River headwaters near Mossbrae Falls
• Check out Castle Crags State Park a few miles south
• Browse the small shops along Dunsmuir Avenue
• Drive up toward Mount Shasta for views of the volcano

Dunsmuir CA makes for one of the best planned stops on a full I-5 run through Northern California. Do not skip it.