Northern California
Northern California Coast Road Trip: Mendocino, Humboldt, and the Redwoods
A 6-day Northern California coast road trip from San Francisco to Mendocino, the Avenue of the Giants, Humboldt, and Redwood National Park, with stays.
By Alex Khachigian · Updated September 2026 · 4 min read
This 6-day trip follows Highway 1 north from San Francisco to Mendocino, then US-101 to the redwoods.
It covers the Sonoma and Mendocino coast, the Avenue of the Giants, Ferndale, Eureka, Trinidad and the parks near Orick.
In This Guide
Planning Your North Coast Trip
September and October have the clearest days. Summer is foggy, and winter brings rain and slide closures.
Highway 1 north of Jenner is slow. Check Caltrans QuickMap.
Day 1: San Francisco to Mendocino via Highway 1
About 5 hours without stops.
- Sleep: Stanford Inn by the Sea, Heritage House Resort in Little River, MacCallum House, or the Mendocino Hotel
Bodega Bay and Jenner
Pass Bodega Bay to Jenner and Goat Rock State Beach at the Russian River mouth.
River’s End has oceanfront cottages and a dinner-only restaurant; book ahead.
Fort Ross
Fort Ross is an 1800s Russian fort with bluff picnic spots.
Reef Campground has 20 first-come sites. Timber Cove and The Sea Ranch are just north.
Point Arena
Climb the lighthouse. Mendocino is an hour farther.
The Faster Route via Highway 128
US-101 and Highway 128 take 3.5 hours, via Philo, Boonville and Navarro River Redwoods State Park.
For treehouse stays, see the California treehouses and glamping guide.
Day 2: Mendocino and Fort Bragg
See the weekend in Mendocino guide for a longer stay.
- Eat: Luna Trattoria in Mendocino for Northern Italian pasta (seatings at 5 and 7, closed Mondays)
- Also: kayak or outrigger paddle on the Big River
Mendocino Headlands
Headlands trails from the village pass sea caves and arches; allow 1 to 2 hours.
Russian Gulch and Van Damme
Russian Gulch State Park has a sea cave viewpoint and a Falls Loop. Day use was $8 per vehicle when I posted about it.
Van Damme State Park has a flat Fern Canyon Trail.
Fort Bragg and the Skunk Train
Fort Bragg, 15 minutes north past Point Cabrillo Light Station, has the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens and Glass Beach (leave the glass).
Skunk Train prices: train about $50 to $70 per person, Pudding Creek rail bikes about $302 for two (1.5 hours), Noyo rail bikes about $564 for two (25 miles round trip).
Day 3: Avenue of the Giants
Leggett, where Highway 1 meets US-101, is 1.5 hours north.
- Sleep: Victorian Inn in Ferndale or Gingerbread Mansion Inn
Leggett to Humboldt Redwoods
See the Chandelier Drive-Thru Tree in Leggett. The Avenue of the Giants (Highway 254) runs 31 miles through Humboldt Redwoods State Park.
Founders Grove and Rockefeller Loop
Founders Grove and the Rockefeller Loop are short, flat old-growth walks.
Endor in Star Wars was filmed in nearby Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park.
Ferndale
Ferndale is a Victorian dairy town from the 1850s with about 1,500 residents.
Day 4: Eureka, Arcata, and Trinidad
No drive today exceeds 30 minutes.
- Sleep: Carter House Inns in Eureka, or Trinidad Inn
Eureka and Arcata
Walk Old Town Eureka past the Carson Mansion. Eat family-style at the Samoa Cookhouse, then visit Arcata’s plaza.
Trinidad
From Trinidad State Beach, walk to the pier or up the Trinidad Head Trail.
Sue-meg State Park (formerly Patrick’s Point) has tide pools. The Lost Whale Inn has a private trail to Abalone Cove.
Day 5: Redwood National and State Parks
Stop at the Kuchel Visitor Center in Orick for road and permit info.
Lady Bird Johnson Grove and Prairie Creek
Walk the Lady Bird Johnson Grove loop and drive the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway past Elk Prairie. Big Tree Wayside and the Prairie Creek trails are easy.
Fern Canyon and Gold Bluffs Beach
Fern Canyon’s 50-foot fern walls are reached via unpaved Davison Road; no trailers.
Tall Trees Grove also needs a permit.
Day 6: Crescent City and the Drive Home
Stop at the Klamath River Overlook and the Crescent Beach Overlook on the way to Crescent City.
Walk Stout Grove in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, near the Grove of Titans.
San Francisco is 6 to 7 hours south on US-101. For another trip, see the Lost Coast Trail.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need for a Northern California coast road trip?
Plan on 5 to 7 days from San Francisco to the redwoods and back.
Do you need a permit for Fern Canyon?
Yes, a summer parking permit is required. Check NPS.gov for dates.
Is Highway 1 or US-101 better for driving to Mendocino?
Highway 1 is scenic but takes 5 hours. US-101 and Highway 128 take 3.5.
When is the best time to visit the redwoods?
Year-round. Summer and fall are drier; winter and spring are greener and quieter.
Can you fly to Mendocino?
No. Fly to Santa Rosa, 2 hours away, or Humboldt County Airport (ACV) for the redwoods.
Destination guide
My Mendocino County hotel, Airbnb and tour picks
