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