How long is the Redwood Coast: San Francisco to Crescent City route?

This route takes 8 days taking in 6 stops.

Where does this route start and end?

The route runs from San Francisco, California to Crescent City, California in California, United States.

When is the best time to travel this route?

The best time to travel this route is May to October.

How active is this route?

Activity level: Active. Moderately active — expect some walking and light physical activity.

What transport do I need for this route?

This route works best with a car.

What budget do I need for this route?

Mid-range spending — expect comfortable accommodation and a mix of dining options.

What type of accommodation suits this route?

Mixed accommodation works well along this route.

What is the pace of this trip?

Balanced — a good mix of sightseeing and downtime.

What type of trip is this?

This route is well-suited to: Scenic, Nature, Classic road trip, Coastal.

Redwood Coast: San Francisco to Crescent City

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The route · 6 stops

San Francisco

1 night

The gateway to the redwood coast. Spend a day on the city's classics before the drive north: the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf, and a ride on a historic cable car. Collect the hire car here and stock up, then leave via the Golden Gate Bridge for the Mendocino coast.The gateway to the redwood coast. Spend a day on the city's classics before the drive north: the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf, and a ride on a historic cable car. Collect the hire car here and stock up, then leave via the Golden Gate Bridge for the Mendocino coast.

Recommendations

3h 46m · 271 km drive to Mendocino

Mendocino

2 nights

A clifftop village wrapped by the wild Pacific, with New England style timber architecture and headlands trails right from town. Use two nights to walk the Mendocino Headlands, visit Russian Gulch and Van Damme state parks, and detour to Fort Bragg for the sea-glass shore at Glass Beach and the Skunk Train through redwood canyon.A clifftop village wrapped by the wild Pacific, with New England style timber architecture and headlands trails right from town. Use two nights to walk the Mendocino Headlands, visit Russian Gulch and Van Damme state parks, and detour to Fort Bragg for the sea-glass shore at Glass Beach and the Skunk Train through redwood canyon.

Recommendations

2h 2m · 147 km drive to Avenue of the Giants

Avenue of the Giants

1 night

The headline drive of the trip: a 31-mile scenic road through Humboldt Redwoods State Park, the largest old-growth redwood forest left on Earth. Walk Founders Grove and the Rockefeller Forest beneath 300-foot trees, then base in Weott or Myers Flat. Several free walk-through groves line the route.The headline drive of the trip: a 31-mile scenic road through Humboldt Redwoods State Park, the largest old-growth redwood forest left on Earth. Walk Founders Grove and the Rockefeller Forest beneath 300-foot trees, then base in Weott or Myers Flat. Several free walk-through groves line the route.

Recommendations

1h 3m · 75 km drive to Eureka

Eureka

1 night

Humboldt Bay's Victorian seaport and the largest town on the North Coast. Wander Old Town's restored 19th-century storefronts, photograph the ornate Carson Mansion, and walk the redwood canopy bridges at Sequoia Park Zoo. A good base for nearby Ferndale and Trinidad's sea-stack beaches.Humboldt Bay's Victorian seaport and the largest town on the North Coast. Wander Old Town's restored 19th-century storefronts, photograph the ornate Carson Mansion, and walk the redwood canopy bridges at Sequoia Park Zoo. A good base for nearby Ferndale and Trinidad's sea-stack beaches.

Recommendations

1h 9m · 83 km drive to Redwood National & State Parks

Redwood National & State Parks

2 nights

The protected heart of redwood country, spanning Prairie Creek, Del Norte Coast, and the national park. Drive the Newton B. Drury Parkway, watch Roosevelt elk at Elk Prairie, hike Fern Canyon's mossy walls, and reach Lady Bird Johnson Grove off Bald Hills Road. Two nights suits it well.The protected heart of redwood country, spanning Prairie Creek, Del Norte Coast, and the national park. Drive the Newton B. Drury Parkway, watch Roosevelt elk at Elk Prairie, hike Fern Canyon's mossy walls, and reach Lady Bird Johnson Grove off Bald Hills Road. Two nights suits it well.

Recommendations

50m · 60 km drive to Crescent City

Crescent City

1 night

The northernmost stop, close to the Oregon border. Just inland, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park holds Stout Grove, reached by the unpaved Howland Hill Road. In town, Battery Point Lighthouse sits on a tidal islet you can walk to at low tide. A quiet finish to the redwood run.The northernmost stop, close to the Oregon border. Just inland, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park holds Stout Grove, reached by the unpaved Howland Hill Road. In town, Battery Point Lighthouse sits on a tidal islet you can walk to at low tide. A quiet finish to the redwood run.

Recommendations

Redwood Coast: San Francisco to Crescent City