the call of the redwoods
May 17, 2018 4:17 PM Subscribe
I'll be driving from Oakland to the Redwood National Park area next week for three days of exploring. Got any tips for me? Must-visit locations, spectacular views, exciting hikes, cute nearby towns? I'm also looking for a place to find lodging for a few nights that provides a sensible base for my daytime excursions.
Best answer: If you want a shorter walk through the giant trees that is really beautiful, we walked through Stout Memorial Grove in the Jedediah Smith area. You can walk through the trees and end up right on the river bank, where I waded into incredibly clear water with my clothes on, it was so beautiful. If you wear your swimsuit under your clothes, I think it would be a day of perfection.
posted by fairlynearlyready at 9:24 AM on May 18, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by fairlynearlyready at 9:24 AM on May 18, 2018 [1 favorite]
Have you read through any of the numerous threads asking about what to do & see on the Northern California coast? If not, I'd suggest starting there, and then let us know if there are any other specific questions you might have.
posted by Jaclyn at 11:24 AM on May 18, 2018
posted by Jaclyn at 11:24 AM on May 18, 2018
Best answer: I didn't find any of the surrounding towns "cute" unfortunately. Crescent City was a typical rural small town with Walmart and strip malls, Orick was more or less a small grocery market (though with a surprisingly good beer selection. Not great, just surprisingly good). I didn't stop in McKinleyville-Arcata.
If you're down with camping and can find a site to reserve, Prairie Creek is a nice campground and right off the Drury Parkway. Gold Bluffs is also quite nice, but very windy--it's on the ocean--and near Fern Canyon, so it requires a drive down Davison Road which is what unix referred to above. The road isn't that bad as far as forest roads go, you'll just have to go slower without high clearance. I drive an Outback and was bombing down it, but the parking lot at Fern Canyon was still mostly standard cars.
For hiking, I'm assuming you're willing and capable of moderately strenuous trails. If so, you should try the Tall Trees Trail, which takes you down to the tallest trees in the park complex. You'll need to get a permit at one of the ranger stations; they're limited each day. Stop at the Redwood Creek Overlook on the way if it's a clear day.
There are a bunch of great hikes around Prairie Creek too; basically just go to the vistors' center and ask them what you should do. When I was there, a couple of trails were closed for mountain lion activity, and there's lots of options, so Ask A Ranger is the thing to do.
Some other scenic things: first, drive Howland Hills Road. it's a gravel road in the north surrounded by redwoods, and it's just incredibly fun. Also, there are some great ocean views--I really enjoyed the Yurok Loop Trail, which was maybe a mile long and took you up some nice bluffs. And, a little north of there is a good beach pulloff and some nice walking out to a rocky point--I can't find a name on the map, sorry.
posted by Special Agent Dale Cooper at 9:22 AM on May 19, 2018 [1 favorite]
If you're down with camping and can find a site to reserve, Prairie Creek is a nice campground and right off the Drury Parkway. Gold Bluffs is also quite nice, but very windy--it's on the ocean--and near Fern Canyon, so it requires a drive down Davison Road which is what unix referred to above. The road isn't that bad as far as forest roads go, you'll just have to go slower without high clearance. I drive an Outback and was bombing down it, but the parking lot at Fern Canyon was still mostly standard cars.
For hiking, I'm assuming you're willing and capable of moderately strenuous trails. If so, you should try the Tall Trees Trail, which takes you down to the tallest trees in the park complex. You'll need to get a permit at one of the ranger stations; they're limited each day. Stop at the Redwood Creek Overlook on the way if it's a clear day.
There are a bunch of great hikes around Prairie Creek too; basically just go to the vistors' center and ask them what you should do. When I was there, a couple of trails were closed for mountain lion activity, and there's lots of options, so Ask A Ranger is the thing to do.
Some other scenic things: first, drive Howland Hills Road. it's a gravel road in the north surrounded by redwoods, and it's just incredibly fun. Also, there are some great ocean views--I really enjoyed the Yurok Loop Trail, which was maybe a mile long and took you up some nice bluffs. And, a little north of there is a good beach pulloff and some nice walking out to a rocky point--I can't find a name on the map, sorry.
posted by Special Agent Dale Cooper at 9:22 AM on May 19, 2018 [1 favorite]
Oh, I forgot to mention: I hated Fern Canyon. It was pretty, but was also the single most crowded place in the park, and all of those people were trashing it. Trash everywhere, dogs pooping in the stream and no one picking it up, etc. Still worth going, but maybe try going at an off time.
posted by Special Agent Dale Cooper at 12:19 PM on May 19, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by Special Agent Dale Cooper at 12:19 PM on May 19, 2018 [1 favorite]
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The Requa Inn might be a good place to stay. You’ll have to drive to get places but that’s true of any lodging up there.
Fern Canyon is cool but may be a challenge to get to if you don’t have an SUV.
posted by unix at 8:22 AM on May 18, 2018 [1 favorite]