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The article on this page discusses the fish and game resources of the following California counties: Del Norte Sonoma Humboldt Mendocino Solano Lake Mar in Napa where one may hark back to the wil derness and nature. Many people enjoy the conventional comforts and routine of the developed summer resort. Others prefer camp ing and roughing it, pioneer fashion, in the forest and valley, by lake or stream. Every taste may be gratified in the eight counties of the northern California coast. OWHER ® F in the United States is there a region more at tractive to the hunter, fisher man and general summer outer than thay comprised in the coast coun tes of California north of San Fran cisco—Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendo cino, Lake, Sonoma, Napa, Marin and Solano. Nowhere is there a finer sum mer clmate or more beautiful scenery. While other parts of the state have been traversed by gold seeker and Bettler, the region named has until now received relatively scant attention from any save the pioneer, with the result that it offers in many places a nearly virgin Sela to be holiday seeker and sportsman Few railroads thread it,and there are great expanses of mountain, valley and woodland where fish and game abound. Indeed, it is said at the office of the state fish and game commission that fish and game of nearly every kind are unusually plentiful this year in the counties hamed. Deer roam in great numbers. Beer, mountain Mons and wildcats are found in many sections, while tree squirrels are so plentiful that in one county—Mendocino—no closed season nor bag limit is provided for them. In some of the wilter spots beaver, lynx, marten and other animals are found. Valley quail are numerous and moun tain quail—scarce elsewhere in the state—may be heard Piping nearly every day, even close to the settle ment. The duck shooting of the So lano and Napa county marshes is fa mous. The rivers and streams teem with ‘splendid trout, steelhead and salmon, while salmon, striped bass, cod and other sea fish abound in the salt waters of the coast and bays. Access to the southern counties of this ‘coast region is easy by rail and wagon road. In Del Norte and Hum boldt counties there are as yet none but short local railroads, and their fastnesses must be reached by other vehicles. Generally speaking, the roads are good, some of them excellent in summer, and automobiles may go far and wide through all the eight counties. Yet there are paths that only a horse or pedestrian can travel and numberless deer trails lead through tracts that the foot of the white man has never trod. There are dense for ests, imposing mountain rafages, wind ing rivers, plunging mountain streams and beautiful lakes and waterfalls to Invite the lover of nature. ~“The call of the wild” is heard on every hand. ¥ Yet there are many towns and vil lages to furnish accommodations and supplies, and many attractive summer resorts located in this region so well suited for them. Mineral springs in great variety dot the whole area, many of them possessing rare medicinal prot ection. Solano and Napa counties may be reached by means of the Southern Pa cifi railway and its branch lines, or by steamboats from San Francisco, while other counties are served by the Northwestern Pacific system and by teamer lines to Point Arena, Fort Bragg, Eureka, Crescent City and other coast ports, thence by stage lines or private conveyances or horseback— or on foot—to the lovely fastnesses. Del Norte and Humboldt Counties With the possible exception of Trin ity and Mono counties, probably no county in the state is so little known generally as Del Norte, stuck away up in the far northwestern corner, next to the Oregon border. Here, indeed, is joy for the lover of the wild, for this remote county is scantily developed and in many parts little explored. It has no rail connection with the outside world, and is reached either by steamer to Crescent City or by vehicle over its good coast roads. It is a wild country, where one need not go far to find deer, bear and other game. Smith's river and other streams are stocked with fine trout, and there are attractive summer resorts at the town of Smith's River and nearby. Campers can find all the natural beauties and all the rough ex periences they desire in Del Norte county, with its rugged hills and thick forests. Humboldt county is the hunter's, fisherman's and camper's paradise. The lower waters of the fish laden Klamath river, the Mad, Eel, Bear, Matole and several other rivers, will furnish sport to the most exacting angler. The great belt of redwood, pine and other woods extends for miles, and is the habitat of bear, deer and other large game. The valleys are full of quail, doves and tree squirrels, and the many rushing streams provide numberless spots that are for outing camps. Save for the railroad south to the tenaccino county line, there are no railroads, but the other roads are good, and the mountain and valley trails are plenty. Towns and villages occur at intervals comfortable enough to furnish resting places for the tourist and base for supply for campers and hunters. Weymouth’'s, on the Eel river, is a noted summer resort, and there are at tractive resorts at the Eel river lodge, at Blacksburg, in the heart of the game country, at the Hotel Carlotta in Car lotta; at Dyerville Park, Dyerville; at Bluelake, Garberville, Fortuna and elsewhere. Indeed, the county is filled with re sorts, some on the railroad line from Eureka, some reached by stage from Sherwood and Long Valley in Mendo cino county, and others get at such coast points as Arcata, Ferndale, Cape Mendocino, Shelter Cove and others. The stage road from the present south ern terminus of the railroad at Shively to the Mendocino county line passes through one of the most picturesque tracts in the state, with charming spots every few miles where one may branch off into the forest primeval and enjoy the best of camping. Mendocino County Forests Beautiful Mendocino county is the center of the northern coast euting region. “Mother Nature,” we are told, “has prepared it for a great recreation park, setting within it every beguiling grace that can tempt the sons”’—and we may add the daughters— of men to come out of the towns and be children again, playing under the open sky.” Impressive mountain ranges, pic turesque crags, forests of, tall redwood and fir, gnarled oaks and graceful madrona, boulder strewn brooks and creeks tumbling down the mountain sides and along the wide valleys; cataracts and smooth rivers—they all contribute to the Mendocino scenery. The Northwestern Pacific railway runs daily trains from San Francisco into the middle of the county, the present northern termini being Long Valley, about 14 miles north of Willits, and Sherwood, about 100 miles north, on a spur track. Both of these stations put their passengers directly in a fish and game country, where steelhead, trout and salmon are plenty, where there are multitudes of deer, quail and doves. Sometimes the train slows down to avoid running over a buck or doe upon the track. Fish dart into dark holes as the swimmer takes his plunge into the inviting pools. Camping sites sur rounded by nature's loveliness are everywhere. North of Sherwood there are good roads, over which stages and automo biles carry passengers north, east and west, to various attractive retreats. The county is full of fine summer re sorts. Duncan Springs, near Hopland, with their soda and magnesia water; Vichy Springs, three miles from Ukiah station; Orr's Hot Springs, on the head waters of the Big river, 15 miles north of Ukiah, with their warm sulphur waters; Templeton Springs, Willits, the waters of which contain soda, magnesia and iron; Idle Glen, a cozy hunting and fishing spot near Booneville; Ornbaun Springs, at Ornbaun, 20 miles from Cloverdale; Monte Vista ranch, at Elk, in the middle of a redwood forest; Pot ter Valley resort, 16 miles from Ukiah, the Sierley ranch, 35 miles northeast of Ukiah; Hunters’ resort, Willits; Hearst hotel and Eel River inn, at Hearst; Rose's retreat, near Long Val ley and Sherwood; the Manchester ranch, near Willits, and Redwood Ter ae een ahh — of 7 allyi ng places where year may find rest, recreation, amusement and genuine pleasure. Deer and trout are reported as never more numerous in Mendocino county than they are this year. In Sonoma County Sonoma county is a veritable land of promise fulfilled to the vacationer. It abounds in mineral springs, delightful retreats in woods and mountains and by pretty rivers and streams. Like the more northern counties, it is noted for its fish and game, in large numbers and variety, although the more ferocious wild animals, such as bears, mountain lions and wild cats are fewer. The mere merition of the names of Guerne ville, Skaggs and Cazadero, cf. Agua Caliente, Mark West and Fort Ross, the geysers near Geyserville and the petrified forest near Healdsburg is enough to suggest a realm of natural attractions. Sonoma county is largely valley, but with rugged mountain ranges about it, in which there are shaded glades, ob scure retreats and paths trodden only by the hardiest pioneers and wild ani mals. The beautiful Russian river winds its way through the county, its shores lined with boathouses, bunga lows and summer hotels of various de grees. Boating may be had here in plenty, as well as fishing and swim ing. In addition to quail hol doves, plover, fall, curlew and snipe are among the feathered prey of the hunter. Trout and bass await the fish erman. Many railroad lines traverse Sonoma county, all but is northwestern and northeastern, quarters being readily ac cessible from San Francisco hay points. From the main line of the Northwest ern Pacific railway branches run east and west to Anndale, Shelmille, and Sonoma; to Sebastopol, Markham and Fort Ross. Famous Skaggs Springs, near Guer neville; Summer Home park, at Hilton; Boyes hot springs,’ one and a half hours’ ride from San Francisco; Agua Caliente sulphur springs, with a rail road station on the grounds; Eau de Vie springs, Healdsburg; Mark West Springs, near Fulton, and Fetters hot springs, Agua Caliente, are delightful places for summer recreation and pleasure. Napa and Solano Counties Napa county is a land of fruits and flowers, of wooded hills and fair val leys. Game abounds and the fishing is fined in many places. It is reached by boat from San Francisco or by rail over the lines of the Southern Pacific railway. * It contains many attractive summer resorts, chief among them be ing the famous Aetna Springs and Napa Soda Springs. Both of these places are annually thronged with pleasure and health seekers. Tempo rary summer homes are to be found at many of the Napa county ranches and small farms. The Napa river gives ample opportunity for boating. The famed Suisun marshes, teeming with ducks and other waterfowl, are in Solano county, reached by boat of the Southern Pacific railway. For miles these marshes are dotted with the shooting boxes of country clubs, and in the season the fusillades of the hunters are constant and productive of big game bags. The fishing there is excellent. Trout are found in the streams, and bass are plentiful. The climate is warm and pleasant, with cool nights... The Sacramento river offers every facility for rowing, sailing, motor boating and other aquatic sports. Five miles east of the historic. ola y town of Vallejo are the noted Vallejo White Sulphur Springs, located in the Soscol foothills.. They are popular with health and holiday seekers at all times. The Montezuma hills and other foothills of the coast range lie back from the river lowlands and offer many snug camping grounds. Lake county, which adjoins Mendo cino and Sonoma counties on the east, has been aptly termed “the Switzerland of America.” Beautiful Clear lake oc cupies the center of the county and spreads its waters between lofty moun tain ranges, abounding with deer and other game. The lake and its tribu taries are filled with trout of the gami est kind, the anglers’ delight. The Southern Pacific company runs trains to the lower end of the lake, whance access may be had by boat to points all about it, points that are simply ideal for the camper and hunter. Many red sorts west of the lake are reached by stage lines running from points on the Northwestern Pacific road, such as Hop land, Pieta and Ukiah. The scenery in Lake county is su perb. Tall Mount Konocti towers above its sister peaks on the western side of Clearlake, leading grandeur to the views for many miles around. Lesser peaks appear at effective points,. Thick woods are pierced by swift streams, trout filled and bounding over the boul ders in their paths,. Startled deer leap across the mountain trails as the pe destrian strolls through the forests, and bear and other big game are to be found in the more remote recesses of the hills. Upland and shore birds in vite the hunter, and fish are in every stream and pool. Naturally Lake county is rich in at tractive summer hotels and other re sorts. Bartlett springs are among the most notable of the California spas, and are a few miles north of the lake. Highland springs, redolent with the pure air of mountain and pine forest; Harbin Wot sulphur springs; Seigler springs, In the pine covered highlands; Saratoga springs, north of the lake and two hours by stage from Ukiah; Castle hot springs, 3,000 feet above sea level, in a region abounding in canyons, val leys, bold crags and fair waterfalls; Adams springs, where one may bathe in a big pool of mineral water; Buck ingham park, Soda bay, Witter springs and Carlsbad are but a few of the ex cellent vacation centers of lovely Lake county, — bake ete in the state have’ a ending of mountain, valley and eee, ne ‘his wond county, and c= See upmaden wid or tk boas sia epee atmere condition of healthfulnesss found in this ae one are ‘Lake po ituated the lake itself, parties may camping fit out proceed to’ any one of the 'boomeed chaste points about the lake or in the” mean- Accessible Marin County. The gem of California’s coast ter ritory is Marin county, closest to San Francisco’ of’ the’ northern coast coun ties and possessing greater diversity of attractions than any of them. It is dotted with pretty towns, contains many broad acred ranches and despite its proximity to the great centers of population, it holds fish and game in great quantities in its streams and woods. Tall and stately Mount Tamalpais is one of the state's wonders. It over looks San Francisco bay, the ocean as far as the horizon and the land for league upon league. Reached by “the crookedest railroad in the world,” it has at its summit the artistic Tamal- Pais tavern, from the verandas of which the view is superb. On the same crooked, climbing road is Muirina, happily ensconced in the great red woods. From Sausali to the Northwestern Pacific's main line and branches lead through districts of marvelous at tractions. Besides the Mount Tamal pais road, there is a westerly branch that carries the tourists to Point Reyes station. Bodega bay and To males, where sea breezes stimulate and fish and game are plentiful. The same line continues north into Sonoma county. Another branch passes off to the east at Ignacio. Along the main line, which runs al most due north, are such delightful spots as Mill Valley, San Rafael and Novato, with numerous other points, more secluded, not far away, where all the charms of hill, dale and woods are to be found. Mineral springs, air redolent with the balsam of pine and redwood, admirable roads and plenty of places for rest and refreshment, make Marin courty a singularly attractive garden spot and refuge for the city wracked, tired and bored multitudes that seek rest, recuperation and change of scene. In its resources in fish and game, Marin county is unexcelled. The woods and hills, especially around Point Reyes, are filled with deer, quail, doves and other game. Ducks, plover, snipe, curlew and rail are found in quantities in the lowlands. Drake's bay and Bo dega bay offer exciting halibut fishing. Cod, striped bass and flounders are found all along the west and south shores and inlets. Trout are numer ous in the streams. So near are these excellent hunting and fishing resorts that the San Franciscan’ or Alameda county dweller may leave his city home in the early morning and re turn at night’ or the ‘next day ith a buck over his shoulder, a beg limit of game birds or a basket of fine fish, with the satisfaction of a jolly good time to his credit. With’ San Pablo bay to the east and San Francisco bay to the south, Marin county is a joy to the yachtsman. A breeze’is always to be upon, the ‘calms being few and usually of short duta’ The yacht may go for miles over broad and narrow waters, with sheltered coves
Newspaper Details
San Francisco call
San Francisco, California, US
Sun, Jun 18, 1911
Page 25
Full Page
Clipped by
Lindsay M.
USA 20 Jun 2026
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