Im surprised that you didnt go to Point Lobos It is my favorite place to visit. Take your time. The restaurant and surrounding land have been in the family for over 50 years. Thats what it is all about! .or planning the ultimate West Coast Road Trip from San Diego to Seattle; Either way, once you get to Mendocino take Highway 1 to Leggett, from where the two routes (Highway 1 and Route 101N) merge to become a single highway, aka Redwood Highway, that leads all the way to Crescent City, only 26 miles south of the Oregon border. next booked in at Santa Cruz for a night (Mon)and next day booked in at Monterey(Tues). Although we stuck to the Redwood Highway during our return trip, you could get on Avenue of the Giants as well from the north entrance near Stafford. Thank you for supporting free content on this site! 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. The lighthouse harks from 1856 and is still functional! Hi Penny, I am travelling to the US for the first time and would like to get the link to the questionnaire as I am planning to rent a camper van and drive from San Francisco to LA for 5 days. . 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. Just past Hearst Castle is the Pieras Blancas Elephant seal rookery. It leads to the Golden Gate Bridge. Now that all the pesky logistics are out of the way, here are all the juicy details on pretty much everything you need to plan that airtight road trip through the Redwoods in Humboldt County. Subscribe to my blog to get super awesome pet-friendly travel updates, foodie finds and insider guides to San Francisco. Make sure you have a great camera with you, and that you have a fully charged battery and plenty of memory on the card. I didnt actually visit that many because I had limited time. Top Tips For Driving Highway 1: Ultimate California Road Trip, Lodging Options: Cambria to Carmel, California, Golf Meets Gourmet in Pebble Beach, California, Theres a lot of content on the web and that mea, Riboli family wines and Dakotas steakhouse in Dall, Last week I attended my second masterclass about t, Hows 2023 so far? You will be driving on the less knuckle-whiteninginsides of the curves and views are clearer toward the north. Its rightfully rated as one of the top road trips in the world. These cookies do not store any personal information. What would be the best place to pick up a rental car so that driving out of SF to highway 1 wouldn't be too stressful? Much of the Chilean Pacific coastline is very similar to scenery along the PCH-1. Travelling from Spain where I live now. Thank you for sharing. Much like the Road to Hana in Maui, Santa Fe to Taos , San Francisco to Mendocino, San Francisco to Carmel , San Francisco to Lake Tahoe or the Big Sur road trip along the coast, the journey is what matters and not the final destination. This looks like an amazing road trip to go on! Im not sure what guide you speak about though as I have several articles about traveling on Highway 1 from Cambria to Monterey, but they are not in a guide format. Plus, I am really fixated with lighthouses in California, their Fresnel lenses and history which sometimes is as tumultuous as the coast they guard. Definitely would not be a fun drive in the fog! Honestly, there is so much to see and do, especially if youre an outdoor enthusiast, I cant cover it all in one article. Moneypenny that is also one of my nicknames. 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. You can read my detailed Shelter Cove guide or find the highlights below: Get an early start to your day with a quick breakfast at Cafe Dolce (on Shelter Cove Road) and bid goodbye to Shelter Cove to get back on to the Redwood Highway, because there will be ton of things to do on this leg of your Northern California road trip. Here is the day's itinerary: MORNING-NOON IN MENDOCINO/FORT BRAGG The Monterey Bay area has a good selection of places to stay from bed and breakfasts to cottages and modern hotels. Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox. The road you think of as the Pacific Coast Highway is probably the section between San Luis Obispo and Monterey. Maybe thats a factor? I had a sun roof, not quite the same. Besides, Trinidad is a really tiny beach town, with few dining options and everything closing down pretty early in the evening. If youre going to have more than a week or two it may be worth it to you. drive for about 54 minutes 2:30 pm Healdsburg stay for about 1 hour and leave at 3:30 pm drive for about 1 hour 4:45 pm Willits stay overnight and leave the next day around 11:00 am day 1 driving 3 hours find more stops Day 2 11:00 am leave from Willits drive for about 53 minutes 11:53 am Drive-Thru Tree Park stay for about 1 hour Luckily I thought to check if they had a Facebook page. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. You can park at a turnout at either end to take photographs. There is a place just south of Nepenthe very rustic place to stay Lucia Lodge. This massive Redwoods road trip 7 day itinerary is just what you need to see the world famous California coastal Redwoods and beyond; so buckle up for the ride! - Adventures of a Carry-On, A Little Bit of Italy Along California's Highway 1 - Adventures of a Carry-On, Where Would You Go? Well stop for happy hour and watch the surfers ride the waves. Honestly, Id not have done it in my own car, a gently worn Nissan Sentra it just doesnt have the same turning radius or get up and go as the Kia. Highway 1 is a gorgeous drive along sprawling cities, charming coastal towns, beautiful beaches, majestic forests, and stunning landscapes. Steve, thank you very much! From Pismo Beach to San Luis Obispo, Highways 1 and 101 are the same. From Los Angeles take the 101 north all the way to the 156. 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. From the bustling beaches of Southern California to the wild,. It is great to see yoour photos of the trip. Hi Brenda, First of all, thank so much for the message. We just did the coast road trip at Christmas time, It was an amazing trip.we were heading to San Diego. In the city of San Francisco, Hwy 1 is a street: 19th Avenue. The falls used to drop into the ocean but due to a landslide several years ago now drop on the sandy cove. Off season will be less expensive. Ive done a little research and people say its the best time to visit I think we will stick to September! Lol* I have some of the same pictures. Highway One begins in the town of Capistrano Beach in Orange County. This includes places to stay, towns to see, secret beaches to explore, waterfalls to chase, kitschy roadside attractions, serene Redwood groves and outdoor adventures that will help you enjoy your Redwoods road trip to the max! Its sights include Hearst Castle, the Big Sur coast, Carmel, Monterey, and Santa Cruz. We drove from LA up to Carmel-by-the-Sea and then back down the same way we came. We left LA around sunset. Its beautiful no matter when! Speeds and hazards to spectators, participants, and property do not exceed those found in normal, legal highway driving. Drive Highway 1 north of Fort Bragg until the road turns inland to connect with U.S. 101 after about an hour of driving. We crossed the Golden Gate and took Route 1 north. Ive only been as far north as Rivers End at Jenner Beach. Dress in layers if visiting in Spring because it does get cold, chilly and foggy. Its places I still have to explore? Hope this helps! Hello Penny, thanks for the feedback! You can drive from the north to the south (Monterey to San Luis Obispo), or south to the north. 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. 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. The next morning, I was on my way to pick it up. Save them for the return trip instead. So glad you enjoyed it and it brought back good memories. You can still surf, hike, go whale-watching, and enjoy everything else that makes California so popular. Very informative and helpful. This way, the passenger is overlooking the ocean without another lane in the way (and all those cars in high season) and the driver has a better view too. We are traveling this fall from Santa Barbara down to Newport Beach and would like to use your guide again. Once you are back on the Redwood Highway (101N) near Garberville, you have two choices driving north. I have to wonder where exactly you were. This Northern California road trip detour is all about an overnight stay at Shelter Cove to experience some fantastic black sand beaches, spectacular views of the rugged coastline with a craft beer in hand and basking in the natural beauty of Californias remote beach town. Creating A Bucket List - Adventures of a Carry-On, 10 Things To Do in Key West That Dont Include Water. 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! If you wish, continue driving down the road to view the stunning Tomales Point Trailhead. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It remains an unpaved road and is not suitable for standard passenger automobiles. I had booked Fort Bragg but I read that it is a bit run down. He said he enjoyed it and that it was like the first-person videogames he has played. Bungalow at Casa Munras, Monterey, California. In your opinion do you think we have given us enough time to see everything or are we cramming too much in? b. Rockefeller loop: This is a much quieter grove of old growth Redwoods off Avenue of the Giants near Mattole Road. Why you should take this trip: Starting in the lively urban environs of San Francisco, this route takes you to some of the most beloved weekend coastal hangouts on the border between northern and Central California. I stayed at the Big Sur River Inn but did not eat there. Thanks for the great tips & article. The more scenic route (that takes invariably longer) is the Pacific Coast Highway (aka Route 1/Highway 1/Shoreline Highway) filled with amazing stops and detours detailed in this post. From Mendocino, you will be driving up Highway 1 to Leggett, where it meets Highway 101 and continues as the Redwood Highway. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: If you are on a shorter Pacific Coast Highway road trip, continue south along I-5 to Grant's Pass, then turn southwest to Crescent City (#11). 24 miles of undeveloped shoreline that is only accessible via some serious hiking. drive for about 54 minutes. Sign up for email updates. Show driving directions. I highly recommend staying in Arcata-which is the cultural center of Humboldt County and has much better dining and lodging options. Highway 1 (SF to Redwood National Park) - 6 hours 53 minutes (without traffic)/338 miles . Cathy I envy you living there. Awesome post, were actually leaving for the Highway 1 April 10 so these tips are great! Residents of Pacific Grove help the butterflys habitat by planting purple and yellow flowers, such as lantana, yellow aster, Pride of Madera, and Mexican Sage, in what is called Butterfly Gardens. This will ensure that the mighty Redwoods are preserved for the enjoyment of future generations as well. These animals are actually quite ugly, but interesting to watch. "Go" when you have a chance. If you are driving from San Francisco or the San Jose area, take the 101 south to Highway 156 through Castroville. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); @2023 - Adventures of a Carry-On. 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! stay at Top of the Mark. We decided by committee, and surrendered by heading inland at San Luis Obispo, with cuts back to 101 then up I-5 the rest of the way north. Otherwise, whats the point. Im from Brazil and planning driving from San Francisco down to LA next year with my boyfriend, but we can only go by the end of March. 3. These are literally sentinels of time: it is not uncommon to find trees older than 2000 years! Of course, there is also much more. 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. Food was OK but the view of the marina was fantastic. You can stop by Klamath River overlook for a picnic and enjoy your food with a stunning view! I stayed at the historic Casa Munras, one of the Inns of Monterey. Thanks! Be smart and admire safely from afar. (Now if only at our [], [] cost you a fortune, either. However, by 11:12 p.m., the CHP said they were preparing to close the Grapevine again as the snow was starting to stick to the road, causing dangerous driving conditions. Id love to see it in person! Chef Giovanni will woo you with his passion for preparing and serving []. Total driving distance = 408 miles California's Central Coast You could live in San Francisco and still miss out on the highlights, but the Pacific Coast Highway south from here includes the best of the best. In the city of San Francisco, Hwy 1 is a street: 19th Avenue. Carmel was voted #2 Best Small City in the USA by Conde Nast Traveler last year. 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. 1. I am taking my husband for the first time to Monterey Bay on September 3, and I am so excited!! Hey Bethaney Sorry you had a bad time. You can watch it below if you want to see how we explored Pacific Coast Highway. We went to Monterrey on our trip from Seattle to Vegas and I have to say I didnt enjoy it. 1:29 pm Sonoma. Ive driven Californias scenic central coast and the gorgeous Hudson River [], [] meal at the Harmony Cafe is a must when traveling Highway 1 in San Luis Obispo County. Carmel is also known as "the little town in the forest by the sea," which is a lovely and quaint description. That was epic. stay for about 1.5 hours. Download Pacific Coast Highway 1 Guide and enjoy it on your iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. 3 hours 20 minutes (150 miles) Difficulty level: Easy. Thanks for being a loyal fan and reader. San Francisco Tourism San Francisco Hotels San Francisco Bed and Breakfast San Francisco Packages Flights to San Francisco San Francisco Restaurants Thanks! THanks for the trek down memory lane. Its not easy but worth it. 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. In this post, I am going to provide a detailed, step-by step 7 day road trip itinerary of the best things to while exploring the Redwoods in Humboldt county. Just be sure to dress appropriately and layer. Golden Gate Bridge, Marin, Sonoma, and Mendocino. Google Maps doesn't show this route so directions will help Thanks California's Highway One is a state highway. HOW MANY DAYS WILL IT TAKE FOR THIS NORTHERN CALIFORNIA ROAD TRIP? North of Oxnard, CA Hwy 1 merges with US Hwy 101. As you drive from San Francisco to Mendocino via Highway 1, you'll find a stunning shoreline and a collection of beautiful beaches. I had booked Fort Bragg but I read that it is a bit run down. Its really a cool and helpful piece of information. Plus, you have a slice of Lost Coast history in the form of a lighthouse guarding the shores. However, spending one night is enough to enjoy its vista points and black sand beaches. The beach there is known as one of the best places on the Monterey Peninsula to watch the sunset. You will definitely need two full days to explore everything in these towns and the natural beauty surrounding them (think beaches, Redwood Parks and hikes) in this 7 day itinerary of your road trip in Northern California. On the return trip, you can take the faster route, Highway 101, and pass through Sonoma County, one of the best wine regions in the United States. Its population was 27,191 at the 2010 census, up from 26,128 at the 2000 census. 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. 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! Clicking on them may earn me a small commission at no extra cost to you for the product. Wear sturdy hiking boots/shoes if youre a hiking enthusiast and definitely carry waterproof boots if youre planning to hike in Spring to see waterfalls. Further off west is the Big trees Area with some of the tallest trees in the world, but that is quite a detour (plus you can always cover it on your return trip south). Given the many attractions along this route (Point Reyes and the crazy beautiful Sonoma Coast, a perfect romantic getaway in Bay Area), you will need to tack on at least 2-3 additional days to your itinerary. You might say the lighthouse provided the lumens I needed to know the best way to make contact with them, thereby reuniting me with my ring. Save. Awesome post, Penny. and leave at 2:59 pm.