Route 20 from Route 101 to Route 80 near Emigrant Gap. [CS&HC Sec. 253.2]
Route 20 from:
Somewhere near Noyo, where Route 20 begins, is the Jug Handle State Reserve. The reserve is famous for its one (or five in actuality) geological feature: High bluffs and the wave-cut terraces that contain them, a product of the forces that were building the Coast Range. The area offers self-guided nature trails and picnicking. It also contains the privately owned Jug Handle Farm and Nature Center. A small campground and overnight accomodations are also provided, and the park is wheelchair accessible. For more information, call (707) 964-4630.
Continuing east before Route 101 is the Jackson State Forest. The park is a scenic area for hiking and picnicking near Dunlap. It is also used for fire safety research.
Right in Willits is the Mendocino County Museum, which contain native, pioneer, art, and logging exhibits.
In Capella, where Route 20 restarts from Route 101, is Lake Mendocino. The area has more than 300 developed campsites, and one can boat, fish, waterski, or hike here. A few miles down is Blue Lakes, home to 40 developed campsites, boating, waterskiing, hiking, and fishing as well.
From Route 29 to Route 53, one will be passing on the north side of Clear Lake. Route 29 will take you to Lakeport, while Route 53 will take you to the city of Clearlake.
Between Route 5 at Williams and Route 45 at Colusa is the Colusa National Wildlife Refuge. This is home to thousands of birds which one can view through a self-guided tour.
Route 20 joins up with Route 49 at Grass Valley. In turn, Route 49 departs from Route 20 at the historic Nevada City. From its humble beginnings as a mining camp (named Deer Creek Dry Diggins, of all things), the town grew into a hub of cultural activity, where business, arts, sports and local entertainment now flourish, while preserving great examples of Victorian, Greek revival, and "California Gothic" architecture. The American Victorian Museum and the Miners' Foundry are located in the downtown area, along with the Nevada City Winery, which features a tasting room and a wine club. Some miles northeast of Nevada City is the Scotts Flat Reservoir. The area provides some 180 developed campsites as well as boating, waterskiing (is all this starting to sound repetative to you?), and fishing.
And finally, right north of Emigrant Camp is Lake Spaulding. Recreational services include twenty deveoped sites, boating, hiking, waterskiing, and fishing.
About five miles west of Willits are some truck scales.
The headquarters for Tahoe National Forest, which Route 20 pierces into, is located on Route 49 at Coyote Street in Nevada City. For forest information, call (916)265-4531.
Some six miles west of Emigrant Camp is a rest area.