Half way between Portland & Bay Area

[YoTerryh]

Not that far off I5 but it feels like a long way off the beaten track, Whiskeytown NRA is a cool and interesting place to visit. Just a few miles west of Redding, CA, Whiskeytown has more developed campgrounds around the lake, but I like the more remote Peltier Bridge campground.

[bobthecow]

Second vote for Jedediah Smith. It backs up to a really cool old growth redwood grove (Stout Grove) and if you stay at the campground and hike across the stream you can skip the impossible parking at the grove

[Thorne]

I drive this route a lot and it is a bazillion times better than the I-5 route! Hwy 26 lets you avoid most Portland / Salem / Eugene traffic plus takes you over the shoulder of Mt. Hood. Lots to see and many places to camp around Bend and La Pine. Then south on 97 through Klamath Falls and down to Weed on I-5.

Check the total time via google maps as it is usually only a bit longer than the freeway route.

[moorefc]

Lots of options, check out around shasta lake for campground or free camping...

[candieor]

Jacksonville, OR. Camping is available in the Applegate Valley.

[MerlinG]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Still not decided on what way I'll go, but it's going to be an educated decision now.