| Driving the northern California coastal road from | | | | "tunnel" in the base of this giant redwood...while |
| the Oregon border southwards to San Francisco | | | | the tree towers above you, oblivious to the |
| makes for a majestically scenic summer road trip. | | | | tourists gawking below!At Leggett, US Highway |
| If you love stunning beauty, the California coast | | | | 101 continues inland towards California's Napa |
| route will give you the best of TWO worlds...both | | | | Valley Wine Country. To enjoy a coastal drive, |
| panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean AND | | | | you should catch California Highway 1 at this point, |
| intimate, cathedral-like groves of skyscraper-high | | | | and take a short jaunt west to the Pacific Ocean. |
| California redwoods.You'll start your California | | | | As you head southwards towards San Francisco, |
| coast roadtrip in northern California's Redwoods | | | | you'll drive for miles and miles on a 2-lane, |
| National Park. Redwoods National Park guards | | | | bluff-hugging road with terrific views of the rocky |
| some of California's last remaining "old growth" | | | | shoreline below.You might wish to stop at the |
| redwood trees, while at the same time providing | | | | quaint little village of Mendocino. There, you'll find |
| the public with opportunities to view and enjoy | | | | an artist's colony, many bed and breakfast inns |
| them. At Redwoods National Park, you may | | | | just oozing with charm, and the opportunity for |
| enjoy the informational exhibits in one of 5 | | | | touring and sports.Further south still, you'll come to |
| visitors centers; "rough it" with some tent | | | | Bodega Bay. Not only is Bodega Bay blessed with |
| camping...or take it easy in your RV; be inspired | | | | natural beauty, but you'll also enjoy touring "The |
| by a naturalist's talk at a campfire program or join | | | | Birds" filming sites. The Alfred Hitchcock nail-biter |
| a ranger-led nature walk; or simply enjoy | | | | was filmed both at Bodega Bay and its inland |
| picnicking under the redwoods or by the | | | | sister town, Bodega, California. You'll see "The |
| beach.Heading southwards along US Highway 101, | | | | Birds" filming locations in both of these little |
| you'll drive for awhile along the coast until you | | | | hamlets.Most of the northern California coastline is |
| pass the | | | | rocky. When you head south into the Point Reyes |
| beachside city of Eureka, CA, where the route | | | | National Seashore, you'll find a large and sandy |
| heads inland. If you stop in the small town of | | | | beach awaiting you. Time to enjoy a swim!As you |
| Scotia, California, you'll be able to take a tour at | | | | make your final approach into San Francisco, |
| the Pacific Lumber Company's sawmill. There, | | | | California Highway 1 merges back into US 101 |
| you'll see "whole logs" turned rapidly into finished | | | | again. You'll pass the scenic little town of Sausalito, |
| wood products...guided by a computerized system | | | | California, where you may view the Muir Woods |
| which "makes the most" from each log.Continuing | | | | National Monument (for another glimpse of |
| southwards along US 101, you'll soon reach "The | | | | fabulous redwoods) or the San Francisco Bay |
| Avenue of the Giants" scenic drive (about 30 | | | | Model visitor's center (where you'll learn about the |
| miles south of Eureka.) This road offers you miles | | | | tides of the bay, and how they affect humans, |
| of stunning views of the California redwoods. At | | | | plants and animals.)You're on San Francisco's |
| points, these gentle giants enshroud the road so | | | | doorstep now! You'll know you've arrived when |
| that light never touches the pavement!In the | | | | you see that graceful and majestic marvel of |
| midst of the Avenue of the Giants, you'll want to | | | | engineering looming before you...the Golden Gate |
| make a stop at the Humboldt Redwoods State | | | | Bridge. It's simply thrilling to cross the Golden Gate |
| Park. There, you may set up camp for the | | | | and see an expansive vista of the Pacific Ocean, |
| night...in a spot where every breath brings you the | | | | San Francisco Bay and the city itself all spread |
| aroma of the redwoods' fresh scent! You'll find | | | | before you simultaneously!You northern California |
| miles of hiking trails through the trees, spots for | | | | coastal road trip is now completed. As you sadly |
| fishing...and you can even get a little swimming | | | | leave it behind, you also begin to cheer. It's time |
| done in the Eel River. Or, if you only have time | | | | to view all the exciting attractions that San |
| for a quick stay at Humboldt Redwoods State | | | | Francisco has to offer!Vicki Funes, this article's |
| Park, you can take a quick view of the Visitors | | | | author, is both a native Californian and an |
| Center's engaging exhibits, or stroll along a short | | | | inveterate traveler. You'll find more information |
| path through a gorgeous old grove.Heading south | | | | about the northern California Coastal route on the |
| along the Avenue of the Giants, you'll come to an | | | | "California Coast Road Trip" page of her website, |
| interesting site that just screams "tourist | | | | which is called "Family Vacation Getaways at Los |
| kitsch"...and that's the One-Log House. Can you | | | | Angeles Theme Parks." For your convenience, |
| believe that these giant redwoods are large | | | | you may reach that page by using the following |
| anough to carve out an RV-sized home on their | | | | link: While you're visiting this website, take some |
| insides? They are!Still southwards, you'll reach | | | | time to look around---you'll find loads of photos, |
| Leggett, California...where you'll find the Chandler | | | | and hundreds of ideas for planning a fun-filled road |
| Drive-through Tree. You may drive through a | | | | trip to California within its pages! |