Northern California Recommendations

[huntineveryday]

We are in the process of planning a driving trip to Northern California in the first half of July. The kids want to see the coast and the Redwoods, so I-80 out to San Francisco, then up the coast to Redwood National Park is the plan. Still haven't settled on a route back yet, but deciding between circling back through Northern California or up into Southern Oregon. Less crowds on the way back is the plan either way.

Any recommendations on sites, restaurants, etc would be appreciated! We only eat at local joints on trips.

We are driving a minivan, tent camping some, hotel or airbnb here and there throughout the trip. Kids ages 9-13, willing to do some work hiking, but probably 2-3 hour hikes are thier threshold right now. My oldest is super excited to see Donner Pass, so historical or outdoor related are what we usually look for.

 

[NRA4LIFE]

Definitely Redwoods and the Mt Shasta area is cool too. There's a state park right on the coast near Redwoods, can't remember the name. If you camp there, DO NOT leave any coolers or food or beverages out. The racoons there are really crafty. They opened our cooler and gnawed through an entire 12 pack of Coke.

 

[jzeblaz]

Sounds like a fun plan. I'd try to travel a bit on the 395, as much as possible really. One of the more spectacular roads in the state and very little traffic. If you make it as far south as Mammoth, you'll have see a lot. Lake Tahoe is pretty much a must see, but will be very crowded in July, unfortunately. There's a LOT to see here.

 

[eshunt]

For Redwood National/State Park, check out area around Orick. There's a lot of elk that can be seen roadside in the area. (Bull in my avatar is from there). Praire Creek has some good short hikes, Fern Canyon on the coast is worth the trip and you will probably see elk in the sand dunes on the beach.

Patricks point near Trinidad is a good spot to camp if you can get a site. Several decent hikes along the coast near there.

 

[RockAndSage]

There is a lot of cool stuff to see, but be aware - that part of CA is as rugged, remote, and vast as parts of Montana's Rockies, including long, winding 2-lane roads. Very long drives between some places. Between SF and Humboldt, it's called the Lost Coast for a reason. Very few people, long distances between gas at times, and it's absolutely gorgeous.

Of the top of my head, three very cool spots are Fort Ross (former Russian settlement/fur trapping outpost), Ferndale (quaint, gorgeous little down with a very dense concentration of Victorian era mansions), and Fern Canyon in Redwoods State Park.

 

[RockAndSage]

Since you're coming on I-80, you might consider spending a day in the Reno area - there's an especially good side trip about an hour south of Reno at Virginia City, and Reno itself also has the National Automobile Museum and some other kid-friendly places.

West of Reno you'll probably want to schedule a stop up near Donner Summit as you head into CA, as there are some killer views. A little further west inside CA you get into Gold Country, down toward the foothills of the Sierras, and a nice little side trip there would be Nevada City. Both Nevada City and Virginia City are legit old west mining towns with a lot of their original architecture in place, that are fun and fascinating to visit. Virginia City especially, - it's where Mark Twain got his start as a writer, and there are a ton of old saloons and shops to visit. Definitely a unique place.

On the way through Sacramento there are a number of museums worth considering, if they're your thing. The California State Railroad Museum is particularly good.

 

[LeftyWilbury]

if you take the 1 north from SF in july you'll be stuck behind an even larger minivan or camper going slower than you want to go and you won't be able to pass. but you'll be able to enjoy the scenery, or at least your passengers will. things will "improve" once you hit the 101

that said, if you keep going up the coast, jedediah smith state park up by crescent city is pretty rad. and then you could head into oregon and do more driving to crater lake.

the coast of CA up there is a commitment, to cut from the 101 inland to the 5 will take hours. so really you're better off driving all the way up to oregon before you cut back east

 

[EastHumboldt]

I live very close to Lake Tahoe, but on the Nevada side . I thoroughly dislike driving on interstates unless I’m just trying to get somewhere I don’t care about seeing the country. Get off of I 80 onto Donner Pass Rd. Exit 184 and take Donner Pass Road, The Donner memorial museum is right off Donner Pass Road. Donner Pass Road is the scenic route up to Donner Pass. Then backtrack to Truckee, and take CA 89 South to Lake Tahoe. Although it’s completely on the other side of the lake, about an hour and a half away, The best eats I’ve had in Tahoe are a little local joint called Freshies. Try the fish tacos in Jamaican jerk. If you don’t wanna do that, Rosies in Tahoe city is pretty good. Then continue south around the lake and you can either go west on Highway 50 which is pretty nice and scenic, or West on Highway 88 which is even more scenic and not that heavily traveled. At Carson pass on Highway 88 there’s a really nice trail off to the south that’s a short easy hike to some beautiful lakes and some stunning mountain scenery.

When you get to jackson CA, Continue on 88 W. until you run into the highway 12 junction. Take Highway 12 W. to Napa and Sonoma. Check out the wine country. Vineyards in rolling Hills. Lots of good restaurants. From there. If you’re in a hurry you can take 101 north (basically, another interstate ) Or Highway 1 right on the coast, much more scenic.

That’s my 2 cents. I’m sure guys that live along the coast will have other recommendations.

 

[kickemall]

If you’re coming north on 101 from SF when you get just north of Garberville take the Ave. of the Giants which you won't want to miss and is mostly part of Humboldt Redwoods state park. It Parallels 101 for 20 some miles then dumps back on 101. Lots of big redwoods as you drive through Humboldt Redwoods state park with numerous turnouts to stop and look around (Redwood National park is further north by Orick). Stop at Burlington visitor center between Myers Flat and Weott and they will get you lined out with maps and hikes. Bull Creek Rd. turns off the Ave. at the forks of the Eel River and much of it is also part of the park worth seeing. Since weed collapsed Garberville is dead so if you're going to stay somewhere somewhat close Fortuna is nice and safe. Take the first exit, Kenmar rd., and go left. There are three decent hotels and a nice RV park within a mile and Eel River Brewery is right next to the hotels. Across the street is the Riverwalk which is a walking path along the Eel river. Or you could camp at one of state park camps near the Burlington visitor center.
Redwood National park has a lot to look at and plenty of hikes and as was said above, impressive Roosevelt Elk. Once you're north of Mckinleyville you're on and off the ocean with cool beaches. Clam beach is the first one you'll see and is user friendly. Further north watch for elk at Big Lagoon and The Red School House RV park. Theres a Redwoods National Park visitors center right on the ocean just south of Orick and its a good place to check out. Also good netting for surf fish and pole fishing for perch. Take Prairie Crk. Parkway off 101 to get into main portion of the Redwood National Park.
If you continue north towards Oregon there's misc. beaches you'll see worth stopping at. One is right at the south end of Crescent City. Watch for elk as you're coming into CC especially at the Elk River Casino on the south end of town. If you're going into Oregon the Oregon coast is cool but if you're starting NE take 199 to Grants Pass and since you're not very far at that point I'd check out Crater Lake. Its not that far and pretty amazing.
You could also come back to Arcata, take 299 to Redding then on to Lassen National Park.
Good luck and enjoy as its beautiful country but get ready for fuel prices you're not used to. Feel free to pm me anytime as I lived in the area for a long time.

 

[Blackbird]

Fern canyon is a pretty awesome hike I would highly recommend it it’s in some state park up there I can’t remember which. Quick google search will talk you everything you need

 

[Oregon]

Highway 1 from Legget to Bodega Bay is absolutely beautiful.
It is also one of the windiest roads in America.
The scenery of ocean views is some of the prettiest around.
If you want a beautiful scenic ocean drive, Brookings to Gold Beach Or will check that box and not be as slow and winding.
With kids in tow, a visit to Glass Beach in Ft Bragg would be fun. It’s where the locals used to throw trash off the cliffs into the ocean and you find little nuggets of polished glass in the rocks.

 

[HingleMcCringleberry]

Mt Shasta/McCloud/weed is a cool area.

 

[Ucsdryder]

Mt Shasta/McCloud/weed is a cool area.View attachment 818817

Do they still have the sign? Weed left, college right? Always made me giggle.

 

[JDMBEND]

Crater Lake is not far from NorCal. Spectacular!

 

[JStol5]

Lmk if you want some hike/food references around San Francisco/Marin and I’ll PM you- I live there (temporarily). Happy to share.

 

[Coueskiller43]

The North coast is my favorite part of the state. If you are traveling up the 101 corridor turn off at Cloverdale and take highway 128 through Anderson Valley / Booneville to the coast and highway 1. There are redwoods along this drive out by the Navarro river. Absolutely beautiful drive. Head North once you hit the coast towards Mendocino. If you want to camp along the coast my favorite campground is Russian Gulch State park ( 1 mile North or the town of Mendocino). Follow 1 all the way back up to the Lost Coast where it turns inland to meet up with highway 101 in Leggett. Just north of Leggett is a great lunch/ burger spot called The Peg House. Got to stop there. Definitely drive the Avenue of the Giants. The Fern Canyon is cool as well. Keep an eye out up there and you will likely see Roosevelt elk.

 

[trip3k]

if you take the 1 north from SF in july you'll be stuck behind an even larger minivan or camper going slower than you want to go and you won't be able to pass

this is funny and 100% true

 

[Banded_spooney]

I think you should go up the coast to start and then cut up to grants pass from Eureka. Fish your way up into Oregon. Head to crater lake which was mentioned. Hike like crazy there. Drop down 97 to weed hit I5 to Mt Shasta. Take 89 to mccloud then to Bourney Falls. from there head through Lassen park down to 36 and 36 to 395. Take 395 back to 80.

 

[MarlinMark]

When in Grants Pass Oregon stay and take the Hellgate Excursion Boat ride on the Rogue River. Take the longest one available and enjoy. If you stick to the coast do the same thing on the other end of the Rogue at Gold Beach Oregon... the rides out of Gold Beach are longer and go through even bigger rapids. Stops for lunch, brunch or dinner depending on the excursion you book.... It's a blast. If you like boats, rivers, whitewater, and scenery then I truly suggest both.

Mark

 

[Holeintheheadgang]

Drove from Portland Oregon to Tijuana Mexico on the Coast Highway and returned on I-5 back to the Northwest.
Memorable trip to say the least and so many things see and do. Had young kids to, the amusement parks were a big hit.
Took every day a day at a time.