Shasta Dam affords a 602-foot-high view of the Sacramento Valley on one side, great lake fishing and boating on the other. For dam tours go to usbr.gov. End your river trip at Redding.

Shasta Dam affords a 602-foot-high view of the Sacramento Valley on one side, great lake fishing and boating on the other. For dam tours go to usbr.gov. End your river trip at Redding.

Shasta Dam affords a 602-foot-high view of the Sacramento Valley on one side, great lake fishing and boating on the other. For dam tours go to usbr.gov. End your river trip at Redding.

Shasta Dam affords a 602-foot-high view of the Sacramento Valley on one side, great lake fishing and boating on the other. For dam tours go to usbr.gov. End your river trip at Redding.

An aerial shot of Emerald Bay in Lake Tahoe, California.© Harry Lu / 500px/Getty Images Traffic is backed up of vacationers heading to a weekend getaway in the mountains.© K-FK/Shutterstock ...

These 13 towns offer budget-friendly living and plenty of California sunshine! Nestled in the northern Sacramento Valley, Chico offers affordable living with small-town charm. The historic downtown ...