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Major city · United States

Alturas

Spend 1–2 days in Alturas as a base for Modoc County sights; drive or bus to nearby attractions.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Alturas is a small town at the US 395/CA‑299 junction in northern California. It offers a handful of museums, wildlife refuge and forest access, plus easy road links to Lava Beds National Monument. With limited public transport, a car or rental is recommended.

basic guide: no trip line yet
More
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
USD
Best months
May–Oct (check)
avoid Dec–Feb (cold, snow may close roads)
Airports
RDD · RNO
Nights
1–2

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide for Alturas: no airport-to-bed path, walking clusters or day plans yet. Fares and schedules here are unverified. What this page does cover
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
  • North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
  • North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
  • North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
  • United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
  • United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
  • United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
  • United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.

Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide

Checking your follows…
What is in this basic guide8 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Alturas911 ▾
  • Police/Fire/Ambulance911

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Alturas, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Modoc County MuseumModoc National Wildlife RefugeModoc National Forest
Airports
RDD Redding Municipal Airport (≈145 km (90 mi) west via CA‑299, limited commercial service) · RNO Reno‑Tahoe International Airport (≈275 km (171 mi) south via US‑395, full service)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Avoid

    5°C (41°F)

  2. Feb

    Avoid

    7°C (45°F)

  3. Mar

    not flagged

    12°C (54°F)

  4. Apr

    not flagged

    18°C (64°F)

  5. May

    Best

    24°C (75°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    30°C (86°F)

  7. Jul

    Best

    34°C (93°F)

  8. Aug

    Best

    33°C (91°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    28°C (82°F)

  10. Oct

    Best

    20°C (68°F)

  11. Nov

    not flagged

    11°C (52°F)

  12. Dec

    Avoid

    6°C (43°F)

Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (34°C (93°F)), coolest Jan (−5°C (23°F) low), wettest Dec (8 rain days), driest Jun (2). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Alturas: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

5°C (41°F)

−5°C (23°F)

7 rd

Feb

7°C (45°F)

−3°C (27°F)

6 rd

Mar

12°C (54°F)

1°C (34°F)

5 rd

Apr

18°C (64°F)

5°C (41°F)

4 rd

May

24°C (75°F)

10°C (50°F)

3 rd

Jun

30°C (86°F)

14°C (57°F)

2 rd

Jul

34°C (93°F)

18°C (64°F)

2 rd

Aug

33°C (91°F)

17°C (63°F)

3 rd

Sep

28°C (82°F)

12°C (54°F)

4 rd

Oct

20°C (68°F)

5°C (41°F)

6 rd

Nov

11°C (52°F)

−1°C (30°F)

7 rd

Dec

6°C (43°F)

−5°C (23°F)

8 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

Private car is the most reliable way to reach attractions; US 395 runs north‑south, CA‑299 west to Redding. Sage Stage provides limited intercity bus service (Redding, Reno, Klamath Falls) on weekdays only.

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Lava Beds National Monument

go

Door to door: ≈1 h 30 min round trip

Drive west on US 395, about 63 mi (≈1 h 15 min)

Features lava tubes and historic sites; entry fee applies.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Trailside Inn

Central location, basic rooms

Niles Hotel

Historic building on S Main

Super 8 by Wyndham

Closest to Sage Stage bus stop

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
$50–70 (hostel/cheap motel, self‑catering)
Mid
$80–120 (mid‑range hotel, meals out)
High
$150+ (comfort hotel, car rental, activities)

Watch out

Safety

Alturas is generally safe; low crime but remote roads can be icy in winter—carry a spare tire and check weather before driving.
  • Bus schedules are sparse and run only on certain weekdays; call ahead to confirm times.
  • Winter road closures can affect US 395 north of town; check conditions before travel.

Emergency numbers

Police/Fire/Ambulance
911
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Alturas. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: May–Oct (check) · avoid Dec–Feb (cold, snow may close roads) · month by month →
  2. 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 1 day-trips, door to door
  6. 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
  2. Walking clusters with bag rules
  3. Day plans checked against opening hours
  4. Field-verified times and fares

Meanwhile

Back to United States

Sources

Ask about Alturas

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