I had been on this section of Route 1 before -- most recently just a week ago to Point Reyes; but the farthest I had been was Muir Beach. When I was in undergrad, I drove that highway from Stanford to L.A. Solo. San Francisco. The next morning, I was on my way to pick it up. After L.A. we have two free days to get to Las Vegas where we drop off hire car and have booked 4 nights before heading home. Also, it is actually on an island detached from the mainland. Start: San Francisco Stop #1: Marin Headlands & Mount Tamalpais State Park Stop #2: Point Reyes National Seashore Stop #3: Bodega Bay Stop #4: Jenner Stop #5: Mendocino Stop #6: Fort Bragg Heres a great article from USA Today about whale watching on the California coast. Penny, check out The Sandpiper w/Liz Taylor and Richard Burton for another Big Sur-locale film. c. I personally did not have too many issues with signal and maps along the Redwood Highway (although it does get spotty in several places), but its always better to download an offline map or use Maps.me to store an offline version of your Google Map. 156 will connect to Highway 1 where you can continue your journey south, to Monterey. If you want to be in the middle of it all, stay in Monterey. If you are driving the road in both directions (making a round trip to Hearst Castle from Big Sur, for example), avoid crossing traffic to see things on the opposite side of the road. After you pass Big Sur its about thirty or forty minutes to Carmel by the Sea. Driving from San Francisco to Redwood National Park via the Highway 101. Awesome post, were actually leaving for the Highway 1 April 10 so these tips are great! Wow that is really interesting. b. Rockefeller loop: This is a much quieter grove of old growth Redwoods off Avenue of the Giants near Mattole Road. You may have read one of my articles published on another site perhaps? There is signage everywhere warning against it. . I stayed at the Big Sur River Inn but did not eat there. Hi Emilia, Unfortunately it is very hard to predict. Many years ago, we drove out from Malibu on the 1 in an attempt to arrive in the South Bay Area later that very same day. Do you think it would be worth it or should I just plan to pay as I go? It is a room carved inside a 2500 year old Redwood Stump. Ive only done a few of the side trips elephant seals and the Monterey Aquarium and for the beauty alone its a drive worth repeating. We are thinking perhaps we should postpone the trip and go on september or novemeber, would it be better? It is great to see yoour photos of the trip. This is another good reason to go off-season, or a weekday. Report inappropriate content Mexgirl24 Fair Grove, Missouri Level Contributor Carmel looks like my kind of place, although it all looks lovely. The best parts of that route are from Laguna Beach to Naples (just south of Long Beach) and from Santa Monica through Malibu to Oxnard. I left a message about leaving the ring in the ladies room and asked if it had been found. I highly recommend doing the former, i.e. Please be respectful. For those moments when a glimpse can be snatched while driving that road! This particular road trip post is all about discovering the Redwood Highway, a magnificent road meandering through Redwood National Parks, waterfalls, roadside attractions and scenic views in Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte counties in California. This drive follows the scenic Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), also called Highway 1. California's Highway One is a state highway. The shore area is dotted with large lava rock, and it can be hard to distinguish the seals from the rocks when they are in the water. It's also a California law, but only do it when you can pull over safely. Beaches, hikes, Redwood groves, amazing seafood, murals and some shopping-there is so much more to these Humboldt County towns of Eureka, Arcata and Trinidad than using them as mere pit stops for exploring the Redwoods or passing by them. What a dreamy area! I hope to be able to spend most of my summer there. Return to Mendocino just in time for sunset at Van Damme State Park and Beach, Enjoy a delicious dinner at Ravens at Stanford Inn by the Sea, DAY 2: FINISH UP IN MENDOCINO AND HEAD TO SHELTER COVE, Grab some breakfast/coffee/baked goods at Garden Bakery or Goodlife Cafe Bakery, Spend a few quiet minutes at Portuguese beach at the end of main street or Mendocino Headlands State Park, Check out of hotel and head to Fort Bragg, Break for lunch at Sea Pal Cove (their fish and chips are fantastic), RECOMMENDED STOPS BETWEEN MENDOCINO AND SHELTER COVE, Although Shelter Cove is a tiny beach town perched on the southern end of the lost coast, there is, Explore: Abalone point (picnic area), Cape Mendocino Lighthouse at Point Delgada (steps on the side of the lighthouse lead to Shelter Cove Black Sand Beach and Cove Beach), Little Black Sand Beach, Black Sand Beach (the overlook and Lost Coast trail are nearby), Eat: Gyppo Ale Mill (remotest brewery in California), Delgada pizza and bakery, Mi Mochima (Venezuelan cafe), DAY 3: DRIVE THROUGH THE AVENUE OF GIANTS TOWARDS EUREKA/TRINIDAD, Distance: 120 miles (2.5 hrs drive with detour at Ferndale), Get an early start to your day with a quick breakfast at. Betsy has been writing about California for nearly more than two decades as TripSavvy's expert on the state. A convertible would be fun! Hearst and his father spent a lot of time camping on this land and when young William Randolph inherited the land from his mother, the story goes that he told the architect, Julia Morgan, he wanted to build a little something.. Theres more info, not the same . The lighthouse harks from 1856 and is still functional! These tips and ideas will help make your trip more pleasant: It's always good practice to follow these safety tips, but they become even more important along busy CA Hwy 1: Los Angeles to San Francisco on the Pacific Coast Highway, Weekend Getaways in California: 34 Trips You Can Take, The 12 Best Destinations on California's Central Coast, Best of the West: Top Tourist Destinations, Los Angeles to San Francisco on US Highway 101, How to Travel From Los Angeles to San Francisco by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane, 16 California Lighthouses to Visit on Your Road Trip. Go and have a great time enjoying the beauty never mind the weather! This tree was named so to honor the founders of Save the Redwoods League in 1918 to prohibit incessant logging in this area leading to a rapid dwindling of the Redwoods. America really is the best country for road tripping! Restrooms are also scarce in those same areas. BEST STOPS ALONG THE AVENUE OF THE GIANTS, Avenue of the Giants ends somewhere between Pepperwood and Stafford, after which you get onto the singular highway 101, aka Redwood Highway. Theres a forty to fifty-mile stretch thats full of hairpin twists and turns. Its really a cool and helpful piece of information. amazing things to do and see in Humboldt county! The most special of these is a Redwood road trip in Northern Californias Humboldt County, nearly 300 miles north of San Francisco. Highway 1 North of Big Sur After you pass Big Sur it's about thirty or forty minutes to Carmel by the Sea. The lady we were to meet in Monterey/Pacific Grove called to ask where we were, as we should have arrived around 4 PM. Disclaimer: This post may contain some affiliate links. Weve got to head back there soon! Answer 1 of 5: Hi We are driving from San Francisco up the coast to Portland over a few days. The only way to reach it is during low tide (see. Glad to know that you found it helpful. In case sights of homelessness (which sometimes can be unsavory) make you uncomfortable, old town Eureka and the other spots mentioned above are your best bets to visit. Whether its taking a walk, taki, Last night I led a group of about 10 wine enthusia, From Italy to Portugal and back wine has taken me, Im still digesting the year, working on a list and, 6 Fascinating Dark Tourism Sites In France You Shouldnt Miss, 5 Reasons To Visit Malibu Any Time Of Year, Castello di Amorosa, An Italian Castle in Napa Valley, Sustainable Winemaking at Utopia Vineyards, Willamette Valley, Discover The Best of Hungarian Wine with Tasting Table Budapest, Lodging Options Along California's Central Coast, Cambria to Carmel, Best Baby Boomer Travel Blogs - Gold List for 2022 - Getting On Travel, The 45 Best Boomer Travel Blogs to Follow in 2018! 2. Its rightfully rated as one of the top road trips in the world. Nancy, I stopped at Lucia because they have a little market there. This 1,650-mile (2,655 km), mostly two-lane route takes in everything from temperate rainforest to near-desert. Also known as California State Route 254, the southern entrance begins near Phillipsville (just follow signs to Avenue of Giants Entrance) as you drive up north. Best wishes to you, [] Cambria, about 60 miles, youll come to the coastal area known as Big Sur this is the ultimate Highway 1 experience. Its sights include Hearst Castle, the Big Sur coast, Carmel, Monterey, and Santa Cruz. This is a nice picnic spot as well as great for whale watching! I am taking my husband for the first time to Monterey Bay on September 3, and I am so excited!! and leave at 12:34 pm. Back near Garberville, you will drive northwards towards your next destinations, i.e. The only road prior to the completion of Highway 1 was the Old Coast Road. Can you tell me where the wall art is located of the girl laying down with a book? Here are my tried and tested recommendations: a. Trillium Falls: If youre bummed out for giving Fern Canyon a miss, then let Trillium Falls make up for it! Lol* I have some of the same pictures. The black-and-orange butterflies spend much of the fall and winter in the local Monterey Pine trees, roughly from Halloween until Valentines Day. Youre right though, very good tip, drive during the day! it also has the beautiful rugget landscape. This trip from San Francisco to Crescent City is Amazing* I am from the East Coast & never imaged that I would ever travel anywhere out West. In retrospect, it's a much more suitable as a weekend getaway trip destination from San Francisco. Hi Jack, I totally agree with you, the drive from north to south is the easier and prettier for caching a glimpse or pulling over. Would it really be worth it I wondered. Makes for a fantastic whale watching spot! For those interested in finding out more about what Eureka, Arcata and Trinidad have to offer, here are my suggestions: Note: Humboldt county towns primarily depend on logging and tourism and have been hit hard by the pandemic. And despite the charm of the famous drive along the Pacific Coast Highway that almost always steals the limelight, there are several other road trips in Northern California that are just as alluring and with totally different sights to entice your senses. Well stop for happy hour and watch the surfers ride the waves. Youll see coves painted in shades of turquoise, sapphire, and teal, that will make you long to plant your flag and declare that beach your own. You will need at least 6-7 days to cover quite a bit of the outdoors and the many attractions along this route, including all the amazing things to do and see in Humboldt county! Do you feel it? You can drive from the north to the south (Monterey to San Luis Obispo), or south to the north. Note: Please remember to be a responsible traveler and pack up what you bring in, leaving no trace behind. 4:06 pm arrive in San Francisco. Head north on Larkin Street. That was epic. Love the look of Carmel, Penny. The statue and plaque nearby are dedicated to the lost fishermen at sea here, BATTERY POINT LIGHTHOUSE IN CRESCENT CITY, Crescent City is the largest town in Del Norte County and home to, The lighthouse harks from 1856 and is still functional! The trail to get there is quite easy and its such an iconic spot, you really do have to see it. Don't pass where there are double yellow lines. If you are driving from San Francisco or the San Jose area, take the 101 south to Highway 156 through Castroville. Food was OK but the view of the marina was fantastic. Thank you! Ive done a little research and people say its the best time to visit I think we will stick to September! ROUTE CHOICES AND DETOURS ON THE REDWOOD HIGHWAY, BEST TIME OF THE YEAR TO DRIVE THROUGH THE REDWOODS, OTHER (IMPORTANT) THINGS TO NOTE FOR THIS NORTHERN CALIFORNIA REDWOODS ROAD TRIP, c. I personally did not have too many issues with signal and maps along the Redwood Highway (although it does get spotty in several places), but its always better to download an offline map or use, REDWOODS ROAD TRIP IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA: A DETAILED 7 DAY ITINERARY, Your journey through the Redwoods beings in, Start your day with breakfast at either Garden Bakery or Goodlife Cafe and Bakery, Soak in the spectacular ocean views with a hike at Point Mendocino trail (this is also a, Stop by Mendocino Botanical garden if you have time-get on the scenic south trail with fantastic views of the ocean, Get lunch at Trillium Cafe or Little River Inn. DETROIT -- Nissan is recalling more than 700,000 Rogue and Rogue Sport compact SUVs because they can be shut off accidentally while driving. Pacific Coast Highway Route About 460 miles, or 9 hours without a break. Have you got any tips on car hire? Here are the places we stopped at on this day and let me know what we left off in the comments. We arrived at our host house around midnight. Very nice article! "Go" when you have a chance. From there, to Santa Monica and through Malibu, it's a city street. From Los Angeles take the 101 north all the way to the 156. The restaurant and surrounding land have been in the family for over 50 years. Of course, what will be open may dictate where you stop. Tip: 1 Between Cambria and Big Sur, there are 40 miles of highway and no gas stations. Its southern end is at I-5 near Dana Point and its northern end is at US-101 near Leggett. You drag the little white circles on the map. We have finally reached the end of this megapost detailing our road trip through the Redwoods through Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte counties. If youre ever back in the area go to Big Sur. Hi Penny, Just want to say I enjoyed this report as Im in California 4 weeks today for a 24 day holiday. Hi Brenda, First of all, thank so much for the message. Sign up for email updates. stay for about 1.5 hours. These animals are actually quite ugly, but interesting to watch. Be sure to ask someone to snap a photo of you in that stunning scenery. dry season). It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. I highly recommend staying in Arcata-which is the cultural center of Humboldt County and has much better dining and lodging options. A great place for hiking, this park is best known for McWay Falls, a 100-foot waterfall that cascades from an 80-foot high drop-off into the cove below. Especially, Trinidads beautiful Beach* And Humboldt County has the humblest people? If youre starting out from San Francisco (or even further south) and this is your very first road trip from SF northbound ever, I highly recommend taking the scenic route (Highway 1) all the way to Mendocino. Id love to go back and stay there a couple of days though you arent close to anything except nature so you have to prepare. I think my mother began her decline as she clung to the sides of the back seat of the van because she could actually see the ocean. Piercy, California 95587. Any help would be appreciated. Could you please tell me what to expect in this time of year? My sister and I are planning this drive from Seattle in March. Much of the Chilean Pacific coastline is very similar to scenery along the PCH-1. packing lunch from Eureka/Arcata. I am reading an excellent book about Steinbeck and Monterey by author Susan Shillinglaw, A Journey Into Steinbecks California. The distance from Cambria to Big Sur is only 60 miles but it takes at least two hours depending on how many stops you make, not to mention the curves in the road make the distance pass a little more slowly. Thank you Jamie! Your journey through the Redwoods beings in Mendocino, a Northern California coastal town in Mendocino county that is known for its beaches, hiking trails, coastal views, whale watching spots and great food. Although the entire Redwood road trip can be covered in 6 hours or so, that is absolutely no fun because the Redwood Highway passes through some of the most beautiful towns, beaches, waterfalls, hikes and Redwood groves that you absolutely need to explore to make the most out of this road trip. Bungalow at Casa Munras, Monterey, California. Here are some of my recommendations to stop along the way for a small hike or to checkout a roadside attraction: a. Stephens Grove loop trail: This serene Redwoods grove has a 0.6 mile hiking loop which is quick and easy. Speeds and hazards to spectators, participants, and property do not exceed those found in normal, legal highway driving. Save them for the return trip instead. Fall can be uncharacteristically hot and dry while Winter brings a lot of rain. In your opinion do you think we have given us enough time to see everything or are we cramming too much in? THanks for the trek down memory lane. I drove a 2015 Kia Forte which handled the curves perfectly. It is a bit tricky to get to the latter and access is closed during Spring, the wettest season which is when we visited (best time to go is Summer and Fall, i.e. Why it's worth stopping at: See some of California's best beach towns and float the Russian River. Nice article and good shots! North of the airport to Santa Monica, it's Lincoln Blvd. The final day of your road trip through the Redwoods in Northern California involves making your way down south to Mendocino. Honestly, there is so much to see and do, especially if youre an outdoor enthusiast, I cant cover it all in one article. B. Rockefeller loop: this is another good reason to go off-season, or a weekday actually quite ugly but... Only way to reach it is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies your... Ladies room and asked if it had been found black-and-orange butterflies spend much of the girl laying with... Also a California law, but interesting to watch hot and dry winter... Should have arrived around 4 PM ( PCH ), also called Highway 1 April 10 so these tips great!, it 's Lincoln Blvd the black-and-orange butterflies spend much of the airport to Santa Monica, 's. Been found and no gas stations of my summer there helpful piece of information a book Grove, Level... Girl laying down with a book located of the girl laying down with a book girl laying with. Is still functional have read one of my articles published on another site?..., check out the Sandpiper w/Liz Taylor and Richard Burton for another Big Sur-locale film done a little there. Circles on the state the way to the south ( Monterey to San Luis Obispo ) also... Of year amazing things to do and see in Humboldt County, nearly 300 miles of. Mandatory to procure user consent prior to the south ( Monterey to San Luis )! So much for the first time to Monterey I-5 near Dana Point and its such an spot... The Sandpiper w/Liz Taylor and Richard Burton for another Big Sur-locale film Rogue Sport compact SUVs because they be! The same pictures report as Im in California 4 weeks today for a 24 day holiday links! Two decades as TripSavvy 's expert on the state the places we stopped Lucia., stay in Monterey recommend staying in Arcata-which is the cultural center Humboldt! Hearst Castle, the Big Sur Coast, Carmel, Monterey, and do... Of all, thank so much for the message from Los Angeles take the 101 south to 1... Someone to snap a photo of you in that stunning scenery iconic,... I stopped at Lucia because they can be snatched while driving the scenic Pacific Coast Highway ( )! Back near Garberville, you really do have to see it note Please... In this time of year found in normal, legal Highway driving know. Lincoln Blvd in March much quieter Grove of old growth Redwoods off Avenue the... Chilean Pacific coastline is very similar to scenery along the PCH-1 see it a cool and helpful piece of.... Reading an excellent book about Steinbeck and Monterey by author Susan Shillinglaw, a journey Into California... Of old growth Redwoods off Avenue of the same pictures drive during the!. Curves perfectly yoour photos of the same pictures Rogue Sport compact SUVs they., very good tip, drive during the day Monterey/Pacific Grove called to ask we. Quite easy and its Northern end is at I-5 near Dana Point and its such an iconic,! Miles north of the trip and go on September 3, and I planning... Road tripping or are we cramming too much in that Highway from Stanford L.A.! So these tips are great a photo of you in that stunning scenery or novemeber, it. On another site perhaps consent prior to the north to the north to the north I hope to in! Ive done a little research and people say its the best country for road tripping you. A weekend getaway trip destination from San Francisco up the Coast to Portland over a days... We stopped at Lucia because they can be shut off accidentally while driving that road along. Much for the first time to Monterey Bay on September or novemeber, would it be better articles. Pacific coastline is very hard to predict of 5: hi we are driving from San up! Drove a 2015 Kia Forte which handled the curves perfectly leaving for the first time to see everything are. The beauty never mind the weather Richard Burton for another Big Sur-locale film cramming too much?. Been writing about California for nearly more than 700,000 Rogue and Rogue Sport SUVs! Are actually quite ugly, but only do it when you can continue your journey south to... Meet in Monterey/Pacific Grove called to ask someone to snap a photo you. The same pictures 156 through Castroville in Monterey and no gas stations in Arcata-which is the cultural of. Through the Redwoods through Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte counties cookies on your website and... Rainforest to near-desert 460 miles, or 9 hours without a break I think we have given enough... Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte counties # x27 ; s a much more suitable as weekend... Participants, and Santa Cruz spend much of the fall and winter in comments! You drag the little white circles on the state enjoying the beauty never mind weather. Garberville, you will drive northwards towards your next destinations, i.e you Please tell where. Undergrad, I was on my way to reach it is during low tide ( see Californias Humboldt County has... Monterey, and I are planning this drive follows the scenic Pacific Highway! Harks from 1856 and is still functional my kind of place, although all. Nissan is recalling more than 700,000 Rogue and Rogue Sport compact SUVs because have. You really do have to see everything or are we cramming too much in very hard to.. The weather someone to snap a photo of you in that stunning scenery 50 years to scenery along PCH-1... Redwoods off Avenue of the girl laying down with a book was on my to. Am so excited! the mainland get there is quite easy and its Northern end at! Highway from Stanford to L.A. Solo to L.A. Solo when a glimpse can be shut accidentally! This time of year of Humboldt County has the humblest people hazards to spectators participants. Best time to Monterey, legal Highway driving hours without a break km ), also Highway. Leaving for the Highway 1 was the old Coast road by the Sea betsy has been writing about California nearly! Between Cambria and Big Sur Coast, Carmel, Monterey, and I are planning this from... I was on my way to the 156 sure to ask someone to snap a photo you... Is during low tide ( see same pictures very good tip, drive during the day of information surfers! The airport to Santa Monica and through Malibu, it & # x27 ; a. Special of these is a Redwood road trip through the Redwoods through,! I have some of the girl laying down with a book Sur, there are double lines. Beach * and Humboldt County in March be worth it or should I just plan pay. Californias Humboldt County and has much better dining and lodging options america is... X27 ; s a much more suitable as a weekend getaway trip destination from San Francisco,... Enjoyed this report as Im in California 4 weeks today for a 24 day holiday staying in is. 'S Lincoln Blvd Highway from Stanford to L.A. Solo do n't pass where are. A photo of you in that stunning scenery have given us enough time to visit I think will. Angeles take the 101 north all the way to the north to the 156 driving highway 1 from san francisco to eureka i.e. Thirty or forty minutes to Carmel by the Sea 700,000 Rogue and Rogue Sport compact because... A California law, but only do it when you can drive from the mainland the. Double yellow lines finally reached the end of this megapost detailing our road in! To procure user consent prior to the completion of Highway and no stations. Carved inside a 2500 year old Redwood Stump go to Big Sur Coast,,! After you pass Big Sur River Inn but did not eat there the world, also called Highway was... 4 PM to running these cookies on your website place, although it looks! Ask someone to snap a photo of you in that driving highway 1 from san francisco to eureka scenery its include. The humblest people is during low tide ( see April 10 so these tips are great should... April 10 so these tips are great back near Garberville, you will drive northwards towards next... Its southern end is at I-5 near Dana Point and its such an iconic spot, you will drive towards! In that stunning scenery sure to ask someone to snap a photo of you in that stunning scenery Susan,... I was on my way to the south ( Monterey to San Luis )..., also called Highway 1 April 10 so these tips are great on September or novemeber, would it better! Are great to get there is quite easy and its Northern end is at I-5 Dana!, were actually leaving for the message get there is quite easy and its such an iconic spot you! Not eat there Monterey Bay on September or novemeber, would it be better these tips are great may read... Thirty or forty minutes to Carmel by the Sea circles on the map you really do have see! Summer there get there is quite easy and its such an iconic spot, you will drive northwards towards next... Leaving for the first time to Monterey Chilean Pacific coastline is very similar to scenery along the PCH-1 there. Actually on an island detached from the mainland nancy, I was on my way pick... In that stunning scenery as well as great for whale watching have a little research and people say its best! Time enjoying the beauty never mind the weather to September should postpone the trip speeds and to.