This will ensure that the mighty Redwoods are preserved for the enjoyment of future generations as well. Visit Website. Note: You can either pack a lunch enroute to Crescent City from Eureka/Arcata or break for lunch at Crescent City itself. "Go" when you have a chance. Ram's Gate Winery (5 mentions) This classic California road trip route follows the coastal contours, rising and falling, zig-zagging around coves and curving around hillsides slopes falling to the sea. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Driving the Highway 1 North of San Francisco - Jack and Jill Travel The August Complex fire is still very active and could impede your travel on 101. Jacuzzi Family Vineyards Sorry, we have never been here before. d. Black Sand Beach: This unmarked beach is just north of the Yurok loop trail (marked on the map at the very end of this post) and is visible from the highway. Show driving directions. If 1 day, I would suggest doing 101. You may skip to the juicy parts that interest you by using the table of contents above or skim through it (and bookmark for later, please). 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. 2023 California Through My Lens About Privacy Policy, After grabbing coffee at a local shop, I hit the road for a day of driving. Remember, it is Bodega, not Bodega Bay. A Northern California Road Trip Through the Redwoods: The Ultimate 7 day Itinerary, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA ROAD TRIP: DRIVING THE REDWOOD HIGHWAY, PLANNING A REDWOODS ROAD TRIP IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, 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. There are great hiking trails along the coast too. I highly suggest sticking close by to the Avenue of the Giants as you drive north because there is plenty to cover along this route. Traveling with a dog or cat? See Google Map below for all the places mentioned in this post. Redding from Crescent City - 299 or Grants Pass. Search for RV campgrounds. What better way to venture through the Golden State than by starting at the towering Golden Gate Bridge. Keep reading to learn all about the best routes, places to stop and things to see along the way. The iconic roadwaywhich extends for more than 650 miles from Dana Point north to Leggett offers endless vistas overlooking the Pacific, with plenty of redwood trees and wildlife sightings along the way. If youre flying into California to see the Redwoods, the best airports to do so will be San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Oakland International Airport (OAK). or Sydney, and get inspired for your dream trip around the world. The fastest way to get to Mendocino from San Francisco is via the inland Highway 101N (2.5-3 hrs). 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. Winding its way along nearly 650 miles (1,040 km) of California coastline, Highway 1 is one of the world's greatest road trips. Planning a West Coast Road Trip. This is the only national park in California without a highway or paved . Coastal Highway 1 - Google My Maps Get step-by-step walking or driving directions to Eureka, CA. 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. From Gualala to Leggett, you have about 102 more miles to go on Highway 1. Add stop Route settings Airlines. Featuring some of the best road trip attractions in Northern California, including Humboldt County, wine country, beaches, and redwoods, as well as Eugene, OR. Here are my recommendations for stops on the drive from San Francisco to Mendocino, be sure to leave yours in the comments below. It runs from Capistrano Beach in Orange County to Leggett in northern Mendocino (Dana Point), a total of about 650 miles. 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. Dogs are not allowed on the lighthouse island. Curious about a Northern California road trip through the Redwoods and dont know where to start? Alternatively, United Airlines flies from San Francisco to Eureka twice daily. The other specialty of this place is the series of suspension bridges that form a trail (called Skywalk trail) that leads you to a gondola taking you right up in the mountains through the Redwood forest. Humboldt Redwoods State Park (4 mentions). If you have to do this in one day, just stick to 101, which is a straight, 4-6 lane freeway most all the way. Drive along the Highway 1 Discovery Route in a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. Greyhound USA operates a bus from San Francisco Bus Station to Eureka Bus Stop 5 times a week. After an entire day of admiring the gigantic trees, it is now time for a late lunch plus some rest for those achy feet and for this you gotta make a detour to Ferndale, a charming town with many well preserved and colorful Victorian homes and stores. Here is the days itinerary: a. Mackerricher State Park: fantastic spot for grey whale migration in Spring. Pretty clueless and you all have been very helpful. CA-1 at times runs parallel to US-101. who wants the trip to end? by calculating the distance from San Francisco to Eureka (California). I stayed at the Hill House Inn, which is a lovely B&B right near downtown Mendocino. When are you doing this? This quick stop is an excellent way to get out and stretch your legs while taking a short quarter-mile walk to the beautiful inlet that is Tomales Bay. Battery Spencer is one of my favorite viewpoints for the Golden Gate Bridge. You can stop by Klamath River overlook for a picnic and enjoy your food with a stunning view! Driving from San Francisco to San Diego has two main options, the fast way on I-5 or the scenic route along the Pacific Coast Highway. day 2 driving 3.5 hours. Here's an example PCH itinerary: Day 1: Seattle WA, to Forks, WA. 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! 1 , which runs along the west coast of the United States, is called the Pacific Coast Highway and is rich in a variety of attractions. Arista Winery (2 mentions) Williamson Wines Avenue of the Giants (the original 101) parallels the current highway and most of the national and state parks are along this route, as well as the primary tourist attractions. Maps of the Pacific Coast Highway: Free Driving Maps of the PCH In the city, spend a few hours in the thought-provoking San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and have a creative snack at the museum's In Situ; their menu features popular items from around the world. open-ended. Don't pass where there are double yellow lines. Avoid traffic with optimized routes. Download the song "Cabrillo" (by my musician husband)-it was specifically written to chronicle the charming drive from San Francisco down to Half Moon Bay. July 20, 2021 by Kristy. It's less curvy and hilly than in other areas and from Bodega Bay to Gualala, it's about 48 miles. Spring and fall bring the clearest days. The Classic Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip | ROAD TRIP USA Scribe Winery (4 mentions) Eureka (California) to San Francisco drive, distance from San Francisco to Eureka (California), San Francisco to Eureka (California) flight plan. Bodega The Birds Filming Location (15 minutes). Road Trip From San Francisco To Redwood National Park Although this means veering way off the Redwood Highway, I highly recommend going off the beaten path to experience the beauty and solitude of this pint sized town with an overnight stay. 2. Pacific Highway No. I highly recommend shopping by Humboldt Mercantile and, Explore the nearby Woodley Island-we had lunch at Cafe Marina & Woodleys bar. It's okay, you can start planning your While it is technically possible to do what you're asking about in one day, it will not be leisurely or relaxing. Drive from Eureka to San Francisco - Fodor's Travel Talk Forums San Francisco to Eureka (California) drive - Trippy It ends north of Rockport, where it turns inland toward Leggett and disappears. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Longer routes along the Pacific Coast Highway or the Sierra Nevada and the Cascades are 900 and 820 miles long taking 17 to 18 hours. San Francisco to Mendocino: Pacific Coast Highway Roadtrip Guide The Charles M. Schulz Airport (STS) in Sonoma County (right below Mendocino county) is a smaller one with fewer flight options, but this is the nearest big-ish airport to Humboldt county. Are shops in old town Eureka open on Sundays? Although the Redwood Groves never get hot (these giant trees need colder, foggier weather to survive), it might not be too pleasant driving up the Redwood Highway in summer since it is not a coastal route. In this part of Humboldt county, youre right in the heart of the Redwood National and State Parks. Its places I still have to explore? Don't forget about exploring your own hometown with a staycation. If you want to have lunch, you can stop at Cafe Aquatica. October 22, 2017. Stops and things to do on Eureka to San Francisco drive or road trip 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. 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. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. In retrospect, it's a much more suitable as a weekend getaway trip destination from San Francisco. On Tripadvisor's Eureka travel forum, travellers are asking questions and offering advice on topics like "Whats there to see enroute to Eureka from SF..".