The past few weeks we’ve been living in Shingletown. It is a small mountain town about 30 minutes outside of Redding, California. I have been trying to avoid snow by any means, but it’s been snowing the past few days up at our house here. I had forgotten how beautiful the snow is. It isn’t so bad here either. We aren’t up high enough in elevation for the snow to hang around very long. It snows and then melts again within a day or two, sometimes within a few hours. So far life in Shingletown is really laid back. It’s a bit remote out here, but we have been driving into town often to see friends and get to the gym.
The drive into town is also just jaw dropping views one after another. You are surrounded by mountains almost all the way around it feels. Here are some of the shots I’ve got the other day headed into Redding:
We’ve got about two months left here. My goal is to see/do as much as I can until we have to pack up and move to the next spot. While Shingletown itself is small, there are tons of things to do up in this area. I’ll keep updating this post to share the cool places we’ve been seeing. The weather has been tough since we’ve gotten here. California has been seeing a lot of rain lately, which is good for the state! It desperately needed the water and snow pack to help the drought here. However, it has made us not as keen to get outside and explore much.
Our Airbnb is a hidden gem.
Being inside the past couple weeks hasn’t been terrible. The area we are in is peaceful and quiet. There is an acre of property with a fully fenced yard so we can let the dogs out to roam the yard, which they LOVE (and I love not having to walk them out in the rain & snow!). There is a full kitchen, and a small grocery store just up the road for essentials if we need. (Although we have been going down the hill for groceries more often because of the price differences.) We’ve been relying on the wood stove to heat the house since its still pretty cold out up here. I love the way it makes the house and yard outside smell when you pull up.
Out here, we are surrounded by thick forest so no matter which window you peak out it is beautiful and scenic. Bryce, Valerie & I have been just walking the mile-ish up the road and back to get some exercise in when we aren’t going into town to get to the gym. It really feels a little magical living out here. I have liked the feeling of home life we’ve had here. I am excited for the weather to clear up through so we can enjoy getting outdoors more.
Daily life in Shingletown (All the great places we found in town!)
Food & Fun:
(Pictures of Higher Ground Menu)
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Higher Ground Coffee Shop
So far, our favorite spot in town most definitely. They have pretty good coffee, and awesome people working there. They are so warm and friendly it was easy to feel at home right away. It has been fun to meet and chat with all the local regulars that come in and I could easily see myself fitting in with the life in Shingletown. There is a full breakfast and lunch menu offering with a weekly soup. There are tons of options on the menu & most of their baked goods are made in house also! I’ve eaten there a few times now and I’ve not been disappointed yet.
(Picture of Pioneer hillside pizza menu & Val inside)
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Pioneer Hillside Pizza
I’d say the local pizza place is our other potential favorite spot. Although we normally avoid pizza and choose healthier alternatives, we’ve eaten here at least once a week since we got here. The pizza here is really good, I can’t exactly put my finger on what exactly it is about it though. The pizza place is cash only which is kinda cool, but also kinda inconvenient.
The Shingletown life essentials:
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Shingletown Library
The library is small, but still has quite a book selection to check out as well as to purchase. There are fax & printing services available & computers that are free to use. They also have audiobooks and movies you can rent. It has been our other hotspot for free wifi. The internet connection is the toughest part about life in Shingletown. Bryce needs to have a solid connection for work. That means while we are here, he’s got to find a couple places that he can work from everyday. Having the library as another resource for a good read AND free wifi is great!
(picture of Zita)
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Shingletown Animal Clinic
Having to make a trip to the vet is never exactly fun, but sometimes things happen. We recently had to go in to the vet for our older dog Zita. We got an appointment within 24 hours of calling and went in the next afternoon. I really appreciated the attention & care we got from the vet Dr.Lydon. We got a simple (hopeful) solution to the issue we came in with AND a suggestion to help with her tremor that she’s had for awhile. AND the visit didn’t cost an arm and a leg! It’s nice to know that we’ve got a reliable source for veterinary care while we are here. -
Reeds
Reeds Grill/Market is exactly that. It is the local grocery store, but also has a great deli that offers soups, salads, sandwiches and sides. It is great to have a source for groceries close by since Redding is about 35 minutes away. Things do cost a little more than some grocery stores down the hill though, so we have tried to do the bulk of our grocery shopping when we go into town.
If I had the chance to visit again, I would definitely come back.
It has been SO good to be able to reconnect with our friends here. I know we’ve been missing the community we had when we lived in Oregon. The only downside is having a long commute into the city and the trek back up to the house is a little rough on a vehicle. We’ve seen multiple cars overheated and broken down on the side of the road so we are being extra cautious with taking care of the van while we are living here. But overall, Bryce & I love the feel of life in Shingletown. It has a small, but great community and really does feel like a hidden gem of a place.