In a few weeks we will be driving from Ashland, Oregon down to San Francisco. On the way down we will drive through Redding etc., but on the way back up, we would like to see some redwoods and other beautiful scenery. The catch is that we limited time...probably two days (maybe three).

Does anyone have suggestions for the optimal driving route from San Francsico to Ashland to enjoy some beautiful scenery and also have time to get out of the car?

Also, any tips on places to stay or eat would be greatly appreciated.

Christine

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Hi Christine - a trip north via the redwoods is definitely do-able in a three days. We have done it several times, though not in the last few years, so I don't have specific restaurant/lodging information for you.

I recommend driving straight up Hwy 101 from San Francisco to the Calif. border, then cutting back over to Hwy. 5 to get you back up to Portland. Garberville has a variety of accomodations, and is centrally located for visiting the magnificent redwoods. The Benbow Inn is a venerable old style resort hotel - there are also others in the area that are simpler. If you want to be closer to the coast, with some magnificent beaches, you might also check out Fortuna and Ferndale; the latter has some wonderful B&Bs.

Gee - it's been a while since we've visited that area -- your post makes me want to plan a trip north!

Happy travelling.

Judy

I completely agree with Motherjudy. I've done exactly this drive twice before, and it is the way to go. The 101 goes right through the heart of the Northern California redwood forests, and you can take the scenic drive that is an alternate to the 101 for several miles and then reconnects to it. You cut over to the 5 shortly before the CA/OR border and can zoom up to Portland.

By all means drive up 101.I went to school up there,I think Arcata where the University is located has an interesting atmosphere.In the southern Part of the county there is the Avenue of the Giants which is right on the 101.

Redwood National Parkis north of there.You may want to stop in Trinidad a very nice small coastal town.
You could eat down by the water,I think there is/was only one restaurant.Then visit the park and head over to the 5 further north.

The Benbow Inn is a wonderful place, perfect for touring the redwoods. They close for the winter though, so I'm not sure whether they'll be open. Another great place to stay is the Gingerbread Mansion Inn in Ferndale. I'm not normally a fan of B&Bs, but if they still have the same chef they had a few years ago, the breakfasts are unbelievably good.

Or you could take Hwy. 1 from SF all the way to Crescent City, along the coastal route with panoramic views of the ocean.

That still will take you right through Humboldt Redwoods SP and Redwoods National Park, and Smith River Natl. Rec. Area.

At Crescent City, Hwy 199 will take you back inland a little north of Ashland.

In addition to the redwoods, there are lighthouses for pictures and quick break from behind the wheel.

Many turn outs along the hwy. you can hear and see sea lions below.

Take Hwy 101 up to Crescent City and then take Hwy 199 across to Grants Pass and then I5 south back to Ashland. Ashland is in southern Oregon near the California border. This can easily be done in 2 days stopping as suggested around Garberville or Eureka. Eureka is the biggest city in the Redwoods.

If you want to take longer, then you can also drive up Hwy 1. Hwy 1 goes up the coast between SF and Leggett before joining up with Hwy 101. Hwy 1 is gorgeous but very slow. You might want to only do a section such as SF to Jenner and then back to Hwy 101 at Healdsburg or go north on Hwy 101 to Cloverdale, Hwy 128 to coast and then up Hwy 1 through Mendocino and Fort Bragg before joining back to 101. Personally, I would save Hwy 1 for another time because it is so slow and you'll see some coast on Hwy 101 north of Eureka.

Another option not mentioned so far is to also drive through Napa or Sonoma. Either one of the valleys can be done as an alternative going north instead of 101. They also both join back into 101 north of Santa Rosa. This would take more time so you'd want to plan according.

Eureka is a big town but lacks most of the charm of Arcata,Trinidad or Ferndale.RR

Thanks for all of the good suggestions. I think 101 is probably what we will do (rather than Highway 1). After all, we don't want to be in the car the whole time, no matter how nice the scenery is.

Here is a potential driving schedule:

Day 1 - Palo Alto to Leggett or Garberville
Day 2 - Leggett/Garberville to Crescent City with a stop for lunch in Trinidad (Thanks Robert)
Day 3 - Crescent City to Portland

Does that seem do-able?

Christine

I think that's a good schedule. You want to have plenty of time on day two to enjoy the redwoods. Be sure to exit from Highway 101 to the Avenue of the Giants just north of Garberville, which runs parallel to the main highway but right through the redwood groves for 20 miles or so. It's a wonderful drive, with lots of stops where you can take short walks through the groves.

I forgot the name of the Trinidad restaurant but I looked it up Seascape Rr

You might consider a stop at Fetzer Winery -Ukiah. Organic gardens, lovely setting.

If you are in Garberville for dinner, make sure to visit Cecil's in the "downtown" area. Excellent cajun cooking, you'll ask yourself if you are in New Orleans or actually in Northern CA! The chef came from New Oreleans to Garberville, following his lady love, and decided to open a restaurant. The romance died and the lady left, but the restaurant is a local favorite!