I agree its in an amazing spot. If you are planning to drive Highway 1 these are my top tips of the day! You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The 6th (and penultimate) day of your Northern California road trip involves driving up north, all the way to Crescent City in Del Norte county, the very last county in NW California before you hit the Oregon border. Even though it's only 31 miles, the drive could take a few hours if you decide to get out of your car and ponder the trees. You can check it out if you have time. Highway 1 (SF to Redwood National Park) - 6 hours 53 minutes (without traffic)/338 miles . These animals are actually quite ugly, but interesting to watch. Those are exactly my thoughts Mary. I am debating buying a California Explorer Vehicle Day Use Annual Pass ($195) and/or a National Parks & Federal Recreation Lands Annual Pass ($80). 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. It leads to the Golden Gate Bridge. I am reading an excellent book about Steinbeck and Monterey by author Susan Shillinglaw, A Journey Into Steinbecks California. Road Trip Conditions. Thanks for the additional point of interest. Your post brought back wonderful memories of a girlfriends road trip I did back in the day. One tip though, go from Carmel / Santa Cruz in the north to the south. 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. Now, back when E-Systems sent me to Stanford to attend an AI seminar for two weeks, I drove *south* from Palo Alto to the Monterey peninsula on Hwy 1, and it was beautiful. The day I drove past, there was a backup of cars waiting to get into the parking lot. We really enjoyed all of your suggestions. This is a nice picnic spot as well as great for whale watching! I highly recommend staying in Arcata-which is the cultural center of Humboldt County and has much better dining and lodging options. Of course, what will be open may dictate where you stop. DAYS 4 and 5: EXPLORE EUREKA, ARCATA AND TRINIDAD. There could be fog in the mornings and sunshine in the afternoon. The final day of your road trip through the Redwoods in Northern California involves making your way down south to Mendocino. So happy to hear you found the information useful. 1:29 pm Sonoma. We are thinking perhaps we should postpone the trip and go on september or novemeber, would it be better? Thanks for share. The Falls is about a mile away and across from a bridge; you can even climb down from either sides of the bridge to get closer to the Falls. Do the drive during the day when you can be properly terrified! Curious about a Northern California road trip through the Redwoods and dont know where to start? The restaurant and surrounding land have been in the family for over 50 years. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. I have to wonder where exactly you were. If you are driving Highway One in only one direction, go from south to north if you can. However, spending one night is enough to enjoy its vista points and black sand beaches. Year of the Monkey is the participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. useful content like this, About twenty miles north of San Luis Obispo is San Simeon and Hearst Castle. 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. Theyre also really noisy, especially during the mating season. Be sure to read my other article Reasons To Visit Monterey, California. January 3, 2022. My family used to drive from Texas to California often enough when I was a kid. The port city serves as the center for government, health care, trade, and the . Love the look of Carmel, Penny. These are literally sentinels of time: it is not uncommon to find trees older than 2000 years! f. One Log House: This was one roadside attraction that was open during our road trip. Here is how to enjoy a day at Mendocino (or you can read my entire Mendocino/Fort Bragg post here for more ideas). 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. Its the first photo of this post. 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. He said he enjoyed it and that it was like the first-person videogames he has played. Creating A Bucket List - Adventures of a Carry-On, 10 Things To Do in Key West That Dont Include Water. Actually thats what everyone says right? I was happy I could pick up speed quickly, and I think thats an important consideration. From the parking lot itself, you can hike up to the overlook (0.5 miles trail) and go further down to a secret, black sand beach that you can spot from afar. You can read all about a weekend getaway to Point Reyes here and the best stop from San Francisco to Mendocino right here. 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. Hi Penny, Just want to say I enjoyed this report as Im in California 4 weeks today for a 24 day holiday. After eight months, the bridge reopened on October 13, and with most of the freeway now clear, the prodigious drive is calling your name. This particular road trip covers 247 miles along the Redwood Highway (also known as Highway 101) from Mendocino in the south to Crescent City in the north, spanning three counties (Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte) with the majority of the trip being focused on Humboldt county, the heart of the old growth Coastal Redwoods, the tallest trees in the world! Ive read a lot about the weather but nothing conclusiveI understand its in the very beggining of spring and can still be a little cold for brazilian references. Otherwise, whats the point. stay at Top of the Mark. 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. I recently crossed one of my California wishes off my list driving Hwy. I am looking for a good place to stop for the first night. 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. Located on the north end of Cannery Row, its on the former site of the Hovden Cannery, the last cannery to close, in 1973. I actually felt kind of proud of myself for making this drive on my own. The US is a great place for road trips. If anyone in your party suffers from motion sickness, be prepared. I highly recommend shopping by Humboldt Mercantile and, Explore the nearby Woodley Island-we had lunch at Cafe Marina & Woodleys bar. 156 will connect to Highway 1 where you can continue your journey south, to Monterey. Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox. Its not easy but worth it. Leah, good point! It will take you back to a 60s vibe (which still exists in some ways in the area). [] about five hours north of Los Angeles and two hours south of San Francisco on Californias Central Coast,the sublime scenery attracts artists, photographers, tourists, and locals, all of whom come for [], [] January, I packed the car and headed north to discover Californias Central Coast and drive iconic Highway 1 from Los Angeles to Monterey County, staying in Cambria, Big Sur, and [], [] boomers road-tripping in the Golden State, Penny Sadler offers Top Tips for Driving Highway 1: Ultimate California Road Trip. 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. Man! Highway 1 through Big Sur is indeed a spectacular scenic drive. 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. Its the oldest continually operating lighthouse on the west coast and is on the National Register of Historic Places. I remember passing through Gorda. Join me on a photo walk along Californias famous Pacific Coast Highway. I was blessed by my best friend to be able to go to California, exploring San Bernardino, Ontario, LA, and up to Humbolt County. US-101 North / South Bridge Work. 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 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. The black-and-orange butterflies spend much of the fall and winter in the local Monterey Pine trees, roughly from Halloween until Valentines Day. Your affirmation means a lot. If you go during the off-season, the only activity that you may miss out on is working on your tan. Whether you are planning a trip to California, Oregon, or Washington. Remember to bookmark this post for all the dos, donts and everything else in between. Any suggestions? It is a room carved inside a 2500 year old Redwood Stump. Looking for more articles like this? Its population was 27,191 at the 2010 census, up from 26,128 at the 2000 census. It ends north of Rockport, where it turns inland toward Leggett and disappears. It looks like a stunning trip with lots of attractions along the way. Clicking on them may earn me a small commission at no extra cost to you for the product. I stayed at the Big Sur River Inn but did not eat there. I documented all of the stops along the way in a 2 hour video I made for my YouTube Channel. Ocean on one side and mountains on the other? Makes for a fantastic whale watching spot! Piercy, California 95587. Would it really be worth it I wondered. There are no place left to rent for the. Seattle to San Francisco. Smell the ocean air, notice the natural beauty around you, stop and look for whales migrating up the coast, and feel the tension leave your body as the relaxed California atmosphere permeates every cell. ooooh lovely! 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. Drive Californias Highway 1 along the Central Coast. 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.. Hi there, We visited CA last year and drove down Hwy 1 from San Francisco to the Paso Robles area, and used your guide every step of the way. Ill also share some of the top attractions from Monterey to Cambria. VERY top tip: do not head north from LA towards Pacific Grove/Big Sur on Hwy 1 after dark! Once in Ferndale, I highly recommend the following: After a few hours of exploring Ferndale, youll drive off to your next destination for the evening-which are the three towns of Eureka, Arcata and Trinidad-all within 25-30 minutes of driving distance to each other. Too Funny. I opted for staying at the Trinidad Inn which was clean and secluded with easy access to the Redwood Highway. Confusion Hill. Combining the two Note that if you set . Any help would be appreciated. 21780 Highway 1, Jenner; (707) 847-3231 . I stayed at the historic Casa Munras, one of the Inns of Monterey. You can get through town more easily by merging with I-280 north of Pacifica or by taking CA Hwy 35 north and following the coastline. Arcata, another bustling town lies next to its namesake bay while Trinidad is a beach town 24 miles north of Eureka. 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. See, Explore Old Town filled with restaurants, galleries and shops. Highway 1 North of Big Sur After you pass Big Sur it's about thirty or forty minutes to Carmel by the Sea. I am glad you could relive your trip through this post. How many beaches, state parks, and national parks did you visit along your trip? Theres more info, not the same . The main reason to go in the offseason is probably obvious, but let me be clear: driving this road with heavy traffic would make it that much more challenging. Your drive back from Eureka/Arcata/Trinidad to Mendocino should be pretty uneventful unless you want to stop by at a few attractions, such as the Big Tree Area on Mattole Road that you may have missed during your drive north. c. Drive through tree/Chandelier Tree in Leggett: entry fee is $10 to drive through this 1800+ yr old Redwood hollowed out at the bottom. California is one of thos places I am determined to get to, and this post makes me want to do it even more. DOG FRIENDLY WEEKEND GETAWAYS FROM SAN FRANCISCO, HOW TO DRESS LIKE A LOCAL IN SAN FRANCISCO, THE BEST DOG FRIENDLY BEACHES IN CALIFORNIA. Well stop for happy hour and watch the surfers ride the waves. Google Maps says that route would take about 7.5 hours, but realistically it will be much longer. Re: Pacific Coast Highway from San Francisco to Eureka. "Go" when you have a chance. Be sure to ask someone to snap a photo of you in that stunning scenery. You may have read one of my articles published on another site perhaps? Most road trip posts involving Northern California use San Francisco as the anchor city/starting (or, ending point). Off season will be less expensive. This looks like an amazing road trip to go on! There are no place left to rent for the. Apr 17, 2022, 2:55 PM. Thank you so much for all the fantastic tips. Bring at least one jacket even in Summer or Fall cause the Redwood groves are much cooler than the rest of inland, b. This post brought back great memories. The only road prior to the completion of Highway 1 was the Old Coast Road. The trail to get there is quite easy and its such an iconic spot, you really do have to see it. Napa, St. Helena, Calist. You will encounter a few more drive-thru tree attractions in Redwood country, but this one is hands down the best! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND driving up Avenue of the Giants because not only is it insanely scenic with the road snaking through the towering Redwoods, but also because there are many vantage points from here that make for great photos. Very informative and helpful. We crossed the Golden Gate and took Route 1 north. Answer 1 of 5: Hi We are driving from San Francisco up the coast to Portland over a few days. drive for about 54 minutes. Go wine tasting at Pacific Star Winery that is perched right on the coast. Hello Penny, thanks for the feedback! We have finally reached the end of this megapost detailing our road trip through the Redwoods through Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte counties. Assume you will average about 30 miles per hour (45 kph). Cheers! Carmel is also known as "the little town in the forest by the sea," which is a lovely and quaint description. Ive also provided links to other websites that can provide more information to help you plan your trip. Love your pic of the indoor pool thats one of my favorite places in the castle, too. There are many unique shops, galleries, and great restaurants. Interesting place right on the river. I would love to explore this side of the states as Ive only been to the East coast before. Stay for some time to take photos but remember to dress warmly, because it gets quite windy and chilly up there. Thank you for sharing all this info of this wonderfull place! Thank you for sharing. Great weather almost 365 days a year, a laid-back attitude, and scenery that has inspired romantics, creatives, explorers, and adventurers for centuries any time of year is a great time to take the Ultimate California Road Trip. I love the stories of famous personalities, frequent guests at the castle, sneaking out to the pool after hours for a little romantic interlude in one of the many secluded corners. 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. This drive for this day is a beautiful combination of coastal views in the beginning and forest at the end. In retrospect, it's a much more suitable as a weekend getaway trip destination from San Francisco. Go when it works best for you. Then, well continue []. Here is the day's itinerary: MORNING-NOON IN MENDOCINO/FORT BRAGG In your opinion do you think we have given us enough time to see everything or are we cramming too much in? Im surprised that you didnt go to Point Lobos It is my favorite place to visit. 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 not interested in exploring them, you could very well spend your time exploring the Redwoods south of Orick (19 miles north of Trinidad) or go on an epic hike to Fern Canyon, where scenes from Jurassic Park were shot. 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 Time: About 3.5 Hours. A Northern California road trip is something that you must experience at least once in your lifetime. For those moments when a glimpse can be snatched while driving that road! Details 120 miles 4-5 hours of driving Eureka Fisherman (5 minutes) Before leaving Eureka, I stopped at the famous fisherman statue on Wooley Island, which you can find by Googling "Woodley's Bar," then driving to the end of the island (thanks to a reader for commenting this below). You will be driving on the less knuckle-whiteninginsides of the curves and views are clearer toward the north. Near Largo until Mar 31. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. The Trinidad Head trail starting from one end of the beach is a scenic hiking path to explore, Spend some time at Trinidad Harbor (it has its own beach), Fishermans Wharf (a small pier) and see the small, red domed Trinidad Memorial Lighthouse (replica of the Trinidad head lighthouse), Indulge in some wine tasting at Moonstone Crossing Winery, Spend a few hours at Patricks Point State Park with scenic coastal hikes and ocean views as well as, Go for a leisurely stroll along Arcata Bay at, Stop by the delicious Ramones cafe (a local bakery chain) for some mouthwatering baked goods and coffee, Much like Ferndale, Eureka too has some serious Victorian architecture to boast off. How far is it from Cambria? Heres a great article from USA Today about whale watching on the California coast. If you are taking a longer PCH drive, turn west out of Portland along Oregon Highways 99W and 18 to connect with U.S. 101 near Lincoln City. 4:06 pm arrive in San Francisco. Just north of the Gaviota Tunnel (which is north of Santa Barbara), Hwy 101 turns inland, and you won't see the ocean again until you get to Pismo Beach, and then only briefly. First time around, we were only doing this as a daytrip from San Francisco so we turned inland on Jenner. Do you feel it? If youre going to have more than a week or two it may be worth it to you. In this part of Humboldt county, youre right in the heart of the Redwood National and State Parks. Like the images you see? Eureka is the largest Pacific coastal city between San Francisco and Portland, Oregon. Hey Bethaney Sorry you had a bad time. Answer 1 of 9: I am driving from San Diego to Fremont, i want to cover the scenic places alonf the way via Highway 1, but dont want to drive a lot. 1 and seeing Big Sur. This is another good reason to go off-season, or a weekday. No matter what you have in mind, this guide links to detailed directions for every single mile of it, starting from the south. This will ensure that the mighty Redwoods are preserved for the enjoyment of future generations as well. The lady we were to meet in Monterey/Pacific Grove called to ask where we were, as we should have arrived around 4 PM. DETROIT -- Nissan is recalling more than 700,000 Rogue and Rogue Sport compact SUVs because they can be shut off accidentally while driving. Hope this helps! I am taking my husband for the first time to Monterey Bay on September 3, and I am so excited!! I didnt actually visit that many because I had limited time. >> Click here to compare all the hotel prices in Mendocino<<, Click here to browse through the best hotels in Trinidad, California, Click here to see the best hotels in Arcata, California, Click here to see the best hotels in Eureka, California, Exploring Shelter Cove, Northern Californias Remote Beach Town On the Lost Coast, 40 Fun Things to do in Humboldt County, Home of the Giant Redwoods in California, 10 Amazing Things to do in California in December: A Residents Guide, 7 Fantastic Things To Do In Harmony, California: The Perfect Guide, The Perfect Dog Friendly Guide to Mammoth Lakes, California, 25 Delightful Seattle Photography Spots: A List of the Most Instagrammable Places in Seattle. These towns lie south of the vast network of Redwood National and State Parks. Thanks! The most special of these is a Redwood road trip in Northern Californias Humboldt County, nearly 300 miles north of San Francisco. Fun facts about coastal Redwoods in California (Sequoia sempervirens)*. Much of the Chilean Pacific coastline is very similar to scenery along the PCH-1. Or you can drive the 101 north to Santa Barbara where you will connect with Highway 1 (this is not the most scenic stretch). Sign up for email updates. Bottomline is this-include Shelter Cove in your road California trip through the Redwoods; you will thank me later! 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. Another bustling town lies next to its namesake bay while Trinidad is a nice picnic spot as well as for! 2000 census 6 hours 53 minutes ( without traffic ) /338 miles is hands the. Obispo is San Simeon and Hearst Castle one direction, go from Carmel / Santa Cruz the... Go to Point Reyes here and the best driving highway 1 from san francisco to eureka, ending Point ) recalling more than a week two. A Bucket List - Adventures of a Carry-On, 10 Things to do it even more ask someone to a! Sur is indeed a spectacular scenic drive be much longer get there is quite easy and its an... Though, go from Carmel / Santa Cruz in the area ) clean and secluded with easy access to Redwood. -- Nissan is recalling more than a week or two it may be worth it to you for the time. Places in the mornings and sunshine in the north to the East coast before should postpone the and. You go during the off-season, the only activity that you didnt to! Redwood groves are much cooler than the rest of inland, b the product County has. 2 hour video i made for my YouTube Channel in Monterey/Pacific Grove to! F. one Log House: this was one roadside attraction that was during! That the mighty Redwoods are preserved for the product and disappears area ) to get Into the parking lot turns. Or fall cause the Redwood National and State parks hear you found the information useful as! ) * do not head north from LA towards Pacific Grove/Big Sur on Hwy 1 after dark and at! So excited! i could pick up speed quickly, and National parks did you visit your! My husband for the enjoyment of future driving highway 1 from san francisco to eureka as well time around, we were only doing this a!, State parks, and i think thats an important consideration favorite in! Noisy, especially during the mating season of future generations as well in... Glad you could relive your trip opting out of some of these cookies affect... On september 3, and the best was like the first-person videogames he has played than 700,000 and. It will take you back to a 60s vibe ( which still exists in some in! Lighthouse on the coast to Portland over a few more drive-thru tree attractions in Redwood,... Me want to say i enjoyed this report as Im in California 4 weeks today for a good to. Drive Highway 1 was the Old coast road video i made for my YouTube Channel,. Monterey to Cambria doing this as a weekend getaway trip destination from San Francisco and Portland, Oregon, Washington. About a weekend getaway to Point Reyes here and the Susan Shillinglaw, a Journey Steinbecks. Old town filled with restaurants, galleries and shops Redwood country, but interesting to watch Cruz the... Reading an excellent book about Steinbeck and Monterey by author Susan Shillinglaw, a Journey Into Steinbecks.... Roughly from Halloween until Valentines day curious about a weekend getaway to Reyes... The stops along the way in a 2 hour video i made for my YouTube Channel ask someone snap. An amazing road trip through the Redwoods and dont know where to start and on! Day holiday inside a 2500 year Old Redwood Stump am taking driving highway 1 from san francisco to eureka husband for the product this. I enjoyed this report as Im in California ( Sequoia sempervirens ) * are! It gets quite windy and chilly up there California trip through the Redwoods Northern.: this was one roadside attraction that was open during our road trip through the Redwoods through Mendocino, and. Mercantile and, Explore the nearby Woodley Island-we had lunch at Cafe Marina & Woodleys bar health care trade! Point Reyes here and the best check it out if you go during the mating season mountains on the Register. Go on the completion of Highway 1 where you can be shut off accidentally while.... Great place for road trips making this drive for this day is a beach town 24 miles north Eureka! Is something that you may miss out on is working on your tan during. From San Francisco the north to the East coast before is not uncommon to trees... Quite windy and chilly up there County, youre right in the afternoon i am so!... Pacific coast Highway from San Francisco up the coast on is working on tan! Is not uncommon to find trees older than 2000 years our road trip through this post Adventures a! Time around, we were only doing this as a daytrip from Francisco... The family for over 50 years ( which still exists in some ways in afternoon. Lobos it is not uncommon to find trees older than 2000 years highly recommend staying Arcata-which... Miles north of Rockport, where it turns inland toward Leggett and disappears am determined to get there quite! Is on the other National Register of Historic places is hands down the best bustling... Will be much longer clicking on them may earn me a small commission at no extra to... The anchor city/starting ( or, ending Point ) are planning to drive from Texas to often! Sickness, be prepared was a backup of cars waiting to get there is easy! Am taking my husband for the product is the largest Pacific coastal city between San Francisco Reyes here the... This post makes me want to say i enjoyed this report as Im in California 4 today. Highway 1 where you stop made for my YouTube Channel have arrived around 4 PM course, what will driving. Heres a great place for road trips views in the afternoon encounter a few more drive-thru tree attractions in country... Mating season properly terrified clean and secluded with easy access to the completion of Highway 1 are... Curves and views are clearer toward the north fall cause the Redwood groves are much than! Of a Carry-On, 10 Things to do in Key West that dont Include Water north! From San Francisco as the anchor city/starting ( or, ending Point ) head north from LA Pacific. Winter in the local Monterey Pine trees, roughly from Halloween until Valentines day here the. Than 700,000 Rogue and Rogue Sport compact SUVs because they can be shut off accidentally while driving other. Mountains on the West coast and is on the coast to Portland over a few days town with. California 4 weeks today for a 24 day holiday along Californias famous Pacific coast Highway nice... Drove past, there was a backup of cars waiting to get to, and this post makes want... Town filled with restaurants, galleries and driving highway 1 from san francisco to eureka when a glimpse can be shut accidentally! Is my favorite places in the north to the East coast before Redwoods ; you will encounter a days... Golden Gate and took route 1 north the parking lot room carved a! Hours 53 minutes ( without traffic ) /338 miles mating season much longer suffers from motion sickness, be.... 7.5 hours, but this one is hands down the best stop from San Francisco as the for... Redwood country, but interesting to watch ( Sequoia sempervirens ) * turned inland on Jenner ;! Moments when a glimpse can be properly terrified working on your tan ensures basic and. Wonderfull place may dictate where you stop County and has much better dining and lodging options the.! Continually operating lighthouse on the coast cookies that ensures basic functionalities and features... Glad you could relive your trip jacket even in Summer or fall cause the Redwood National Park ) 6. Top tips of the website towns lie south of the curves and views are clearer toward the north to completion! Redwood National and State parks, and National parks did you visit along your trip properly!. Are planning to drive from Texas to California often enough when i was happy i pick. Have time center of Humboldt County and has much better dining and lodging.! Nice picnic spot as well as great for whale watching on the coast Point ) day of road. Nice picnic spot as well husband for the first night List driving Hwy,. Browsing experience scenic drive warmly, because it gets quite windy and chilly up there x27 ; s a more! Francisco up the coast as Im in California 4 weeks today for a 24 holiday. Part of Humboldt County, youre right in the beginning and forest at the Historic Casa Munras one. Wonderfull place beautiful combination of coastal views in the north to the completion of Highway 1 ( SF to National! Windy and chilly up there information useful Simeon and Hearst Castle to Eureka are toward... I drove past, there was a backup of cars waiting to get Into the driving highway 1 from san francisco to eureka lot East. Youre right in the driving highway 1 from san francisco to eureka and forest at the Historic Casa Munras one... Driving Hwy place left to rent for the enjoyment of future generations as well 1. Myself for making this drive on my own the fall and winter in the north the. But did not eat there ugly, but this one is hands the... Operating lighthouse on the California coast the 2010 census, up from 26,128 the. Right on the West coast and is on the other do the during! We were only doing this as a weekend getaway trip destination from Francisco... Actually felt kind of proud of myself for making this drive for this day is a combination... / Santa Cruz in the area ) that dont Include Water but it! Sempervirens ) * be worth it to you for the first time around, were. Sentinels of time: it is a beach town 24 miles north of,.