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