Major city · United States
Yreka
One night on I-5, not a destination: stop for Old Town, a museum and a bed, then drive on. Skip it if you have no car.
Yreka is a small Siskiyou County town of about 7,800 people on Interstate 5, between Redding and Medford. Its value to a traveller is practical: cheap motels, a walkable Old Town of stone buildings on Miner Street, two small museums, and Mount Shasta on the skyline. There is no rail or air service, so a car is required. Most visitors pass through in an afternoon or sleep one night before or after Siskiyou Summit.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot, wildfire smoke), Dec–Mar (snow and Siskiyou Summit closures)
- Airports
- MFR · RDD
- Nights
- 1
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.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Yreka911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Yreka Police Department (non-emergency)530-841-2300
- Caltrans road conditions (recorded)800-427-7623
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 Yreka, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyYreka is a small, low-crime town and daytime walking is fine.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 530-841-2300 Yreka Police Department (non-emergency) · 800-427-7623 Caltrans road conditions (recorded)
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMFR Rogue Valley International–Medford (Oregon) (About 1 h 15 min north on I-5; the nearest airport with wider service).
- Getting aroundWalk or drive.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee to go$3–5
- Sit-down mealSit-down Mexican plate$15–25
- Street or quick mealDiner breakfast$12–18
- BeerDraught beer in a bar$6–9
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–25
- Budget bedFamily suite (up to 4), a night, per roomUS$130
- Mid-range bedMotel double room (2 beds), a night, per roomUS$110
- High-end bedMotel double room (2 beds), a night, per roomUS$180
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$120 · High US$220
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
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.
- Airports
- MFR Rogue Valley International–Medford (Oregon) (About 1 h 15 min north on I-5; the nearest airport with wider service) · RDD Redding Regional (About 1 h 45 min south on I-5; small, limited flights)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Feb
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Mar
Avoid
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Apr
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
May
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jun
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Oct
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Nov
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Dec
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Best: May–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Dec (−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C) low), wettest Jan (11 rain days), driest Jul (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Yreka: 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
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
11 rd
Feb
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
10 rd
Mar
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
11 rd
Apr
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
8 rd
May
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
6 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
4 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
2 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
2 rd
Sep
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
3 rd
Oct
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
6 rd
Nov
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
10 rd
Dec
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
11 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
Walk or drive. Old Town is compact and flat, and most motels are 5–20 minutes on foot from Miner Street. There is no useful local bus for visitors and taxi service comes and goes, so plan on your own car. Three I-5 exits serve the town: 773 (fast food, fuel, motels), 775 (Old Town, more fuel, a 24 h diner) and 776 (a sit-down Mexican restaurant and usually the cheapest fuel).
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 30 min
I-5 south, about 20 min
Short stop for views back to Mount Shasta; not a day in itself.
Mount Shasta
goDoor to door: About 1 h
I-5 south to the Mount Shasta City exit, about 45 min
Base for the mountain, trails and the town; a full day or an overnight.
Door to door: About 1 h
I-5 south, about 50 min
Small railroad town with river access; pair it with Mount Shasta.
McCloud
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
Highway 89 south from Mount Shasta, about 1 h
Worth it for the falls and old mill town; check seasonal road and snow conditions.
Etna
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Highway 3 west over Forest Mountain, about 45 min
Quiet Scott Valley town; a scenic drive more than a sight.
Callahan
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 45 min
Highway 3 west and south, about 1 h 30 min
Mountain roads; check conditions and fuel before leaving.
Cecilville
skipDoor to door: 2 h+
Forest roads south-west via Callahan, 2 h+
Remote and slow; only with a full day and a reliable car.
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.
Old Town / Miner Street
Walk to restaurants and the stone buildings; the Best Western Miner's Inn is here.
South Main Street, exit 773
Motel strip with fast food and fuel; best if you are back on I-5 at dawn.
Moonlit Oaks Avenue, exit 773
Quieter chain motels a short drive from the centre.
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
- Budget
- $70–110 excl. bed
- Mid
- $110–180 excl. bed
- High
- $180+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel double room (2 beds)1 × 1 night × US$110 | US$110 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$120 | US$240 |
| Fuel, 100 km of driving1 × US$12 · check | US$12 |
| Museum entry2 × US$5 · check | US$10 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$40 |
| Trip total≈ US$221 per person per day, bed included | US$442 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee to go | $3–5 |
| Diner breakfast | $12–18 |
| Sit-down Mexican plate | $15–25 |
| Draught beer in a bar | $6–9 |
| Motel room, mid-weekHigher during storms, conventions and the August fair. | $75–140 |
| Gallon of fuelcheck | $4.50–5.50 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $10–25 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Siskiyou Summit north of town closes in winter storms; when it does, I-5 traffic stops at Yreka and motels fill within hours. Exit and take a room early.
- Conventions and the August fair also fill the motels: book ahead in those weeks.
- Summer brings heat and wildfire smoke; check air quality before a long outdoor day.
- Fuel up before heading north or east: services thin out fast outside town.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Yreka Police Department (non-emergency)
- 530-841-2300
- Caltrans road conditions (recorded)
- 800-427-7623
Pocket card
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YrekaYreka
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Yreka Police Department (non-emergency)530-841-2300
- Caltrans road conditions (recorded)800-427-7623
Embassy
No consulates in Yreka. The nearest are in San Francisco; your country's embassy is in Washington, DC.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Motel room, one night: $75–140, more when I-5 closes at the summit (check)
- Fuel, Yreka to Mount Shasta City and back: about $8–12 (check)
- Museum entry: about $5 (check)
Say or show
- Where is the interstate? — Where is the interstate?
- Is the pass open? — Is the pass open?
- A room for one night, please — A room for one night, please
- How much is it with tax? — How much is it with tax?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Where is the nearest gas station? — Where is the nearest gas station?
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% for taxis.
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 Yreka. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (hot, wildfire smoke), Dec–Mar (snow and Siskiyou Summit closures) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 7 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for MFR and RDD: last sensible arrival times, I-5 drive times, motel fallback in Yreka.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Miner Street, the museum block, Greenhorn Park, the South Main motel strip.
- Place pages with verified hours (Siskiyou County Museum, Greenhorn Park, fairgrounds) and eat pages with last orders.
- Winter storm and wildfire-smoke fixtures so the summit-closure and smoke days can go green.
Sources
- officialCity of Yreka
- officialCaltrans road conditions
- secondaryWikivoyage: Yreka, revision 5028400 (CC BY-SA 4.0)