Redwoods planning help

wsp_scott

wsp_scott

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I am in the process of planning a summer 2024 (early July) road trip to see the Redwoods with the family (me, wife and three kids 11, 13, 15). The basic plan is fly into San Francisco and head north while taking our time. My wife isn't much of a camper, so we will be staying in hotels or AirBnBs.

I'm thinking of a couple nights in multiple locations to enjoy the coast and State Parks (beaches, tidepools, wildlife, forests, ...). Potential stopping points are Point Reyes, Bodega Bay, Mendocino, Shelter Cove, and Orick. The original thought was to go up the coast and then back down over about 12 - 14 days, but now my wife says she would like to check out Lassen NP (we spent a day there in 2006). So maybe 8 - 10 days up the coast and 4ish through Lassen and then to SFO.

Is there anything we should absolutely not miss between SFO and Redwoods NP? What about Lassen?
 
Maybe Point Cabrillo, (Lighthouse & short scenic walk) ?

Just a heads up- should you make a brief stop at the Golden Gate Bridge on your way in or out of SFO, make sure you & your wife take turns with the kids to the bridge viewpoints. Those parking spots are known for being smash & grab.
 
I like the idea of adding in Lassen Volcanic NP.

I thought it felt like a mini version of Yellowstone. . . and you know how much I like Yellowstone. :)
No geysers or bison of course.

The hike up Lassen Peak was a nice day hike and provided some good views.

If you are driving up to the Redwoods you might as well keep going up to Crater Lake too!
 
There is nothing in Orick.... wife was there on a fire, no lodging, not many places to eat. She had to stay in Arcata
 
We saw Crater Lake the same trip we saw Lassen. I'll have to map that out to see if it makes sense.

@Titans I had planned on stopping to see the bridge, good to know about potential issues. And Point Cabrillo was a potential stop, so thanks for the recommendation.
 
I just spent a few days around Bodega Bay during the Thanksgiving holiday, and then drove north to Point Arena before heading back inland. Nice area if a bit busy closer to Bodega Bay. There are some nice shorter hikes and walks in Sonoma Coast SP; the Vista Trail just north of Russian Gulch has great views over the ocean and coastline to the south. If you like history, Fort Ross was an interesting stop as well.

Farther north I'd also recommend driving the Mattole Road out to Mattole Beach and then north to reconnect to US-101 south of Eureka. The first part of this road goes through Humboldt Redwoods SP, which seemed less busy than the main park, The drive through the hills to the coast here is also very nice.

I went to Lassen a few years ago and thought both the summit climb and the short hike to Bumpass Hell to be fun. Just note a lot of that area was burned up in a fire in 2021.
 
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