Seven Perfect Days in Northern California: A Guided Driving Tour

If you have 5 days for your Northern California road trip then modify this Stop 7: Experience The Pacific Coast At The Northwest Corner Of.
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Northern California Self-Drive

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San Luis Obispo to Ragged Point

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National Parks in California Tennessee Valley, Marin County. Los Padres National Forest. Destination Expert for Auburn, Finger Lakes. Destination Expert for Yosemite National Park. Outdoor Happy Hour Bistro Boudin does one of the best. Opened in , this 1. Take the safe bike only path over the bridge and make your way down to the cute harbour town of Sausilito on the other side of the bay. Finish the day watching the last rays of the sunset light up the city skyline across the water, one of the best views in town, before catching the last ferry back.

Stop off on the way at Big Basin Redwoods State Park , to gawp upwards at some of the oldest and largest trees on Earth. Leave Santa Cruz and drive miles south to Monterey, one of the best places in the world to see whales year round. Afterwards, hit the Pacific Coast Highway heading south: This contemporary design hotel, perched on the edge of a cliff, oozes style: Their award-winning Sierra Mar restaurant has some of the best views, and food, on the coast.

Spend the morning relaxing at the hotel: Then drive minutes south to Julie Pfeiffer Burns State Park , where the stunning McWay Waterfall drops feet from the cliff top directly to the sandy cove below. Stop at the Big Sur Deli on the way back to grab a picnic and a bottle of wine, then head up to Pfeiffer Beach, a few miles north of the hotel. This is the biggest driving day, five hours all the way from the ocean to the mountains of Yosemite National Park. Check in to thehistoric Majestic Yosemite Hotel , with stunning views across to Yosemite Falls, and spend the afternoon exploring the sheer cliffs, sunlit meadows and thundering cascades of the valley.

Go to Glacier Point, at the end of the day, for the best sunset and stick around after dark: Watch the sunrise from Tunnel View, one of the best views in the park. For a more secluded show hike the short trail just over the road that leads steeply uphill, for about minutes. The view at the top is just as good and half as busy. I recommend the Mariposa Grove of giant Sequoias, a different species than the coastal redwoods but just as impressive, and Tuolumne Meadows in the quieter, far north of the park.

Hotels travelers are raving about...

The overwhelming majority of tourists in Yosemite never stray more than a mile from their car: This is your chance to hit the back country. The summit is a precarious knife-edge ridge, with a 6,foot drop to the valley below, but the degree views on top are worth the effort. On a clear day you can see all the way from Nebraska to Hawaii. Glass Beach was originally a dump site for local residents between and The sea-glass is a result of the wave action on broken glass bottles.

The beach is located at MacKerricher State Park. They are both really pleasant towns to spend time relaxing in. If you like the idea of camping but not willing to completely forgo comfort you should try glamping! If you haven't head of glamping it is basically a glamorous version of camping. The tents are safari style and usually made of canvas with all modern furnishings You can click on the images below to learn more about staying there.

Make your way up the coast along the Pacific Coast Highway, passing through forgotten coastal towns and stopping at vista points to get photos of the dramatic coastline below. When you reach Leggett, get back on the and head north until you reach the southern entrance of the Avenue of The Giants drive SR You will find plenty of roadside attractions that are worth stopping at such as the One Log Tree House a house created from a single hollowed out log , Shine Drive-Thru Tree and many gift store filled with treasure made from coastal redwoods.

There are many Redwood groves you can stop by and go for short or long hikes depending on your fitness level or how much time you have in your schedule. The Eel River snakes its way alongside the highway and is great for fishing or cooling off if you happen to be visiting in the summer months.

Yosemite National Park Vacation Travel Guide

If there is anywhere you want to camp it is here under the majestic Redwood Tree's!! It is a truly wonderful and unique experience and you can't come here and not stay at least one night in the area. Leaving Avenue of the Giants behind make your way north on HIghway through the small towns of Rio Dell and Fortuna until you reach SR where you will take a left turn.

Ferndale , named one of America's prettiest towns is a small town which contains dozens of well-preserved Victorian homes and storefronts.

Help please self drive tour around Northern California - California Forum - TripAdvisor

Visiting Ferndale is like taking a step back in time with many of the buildings dating back from the 's. The beautiful homes are also known as 'Butterfat Palaces' due to the wealth that was generated by the dairy industry that led to their construction. Take a stroll down Main Street and admire the buildings in all their gingerbread finery, visit the local galleries and craft stores or get naughty at the artisan chocolate shops. The most notably popular is the Victorian Inn and the Gingerbread Mansion. They have some great happy hour deals so check them out!

Get back on Highway and head north. Leaving Ferndale behind your next destination will be Eureka where there is enough to keep you entertained for the whole day!


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Eureka, like Ferndale, is known for its lovely Victorian architecture but its most notable building would be the Carson Mansion , an elaborate combination of Queen Anne, Italianate and Eastlake styles built in Walk the city streets and admire the restored buildings or peruse through the many art and craft boutiques. Madaket , a small boat built in that provides short tours of Humboldt Bay. If you have the kids in tow take a trip to Sequoia Zoo! The kids will love the cute and cuddly Red Panda's and mischievous Otters.