Redwoods from Eugene or San Fran

Question

I'm in the early planning stages of a trip this coming June/July. I'm considering Driving from Eugene to San Fran and making stops along the way but from looking at the map, it looks like there are more scenic spots on the Cali side. That makes me consider just doing a round trip. Has anyone done both ways and have any input? TIA

Answer

Driving from Eugene, OR to San Francisco along the coast is a fantastic way to see the Pacific Northwest and Northern California, but the route choice can make a big difference in scenery and timing. Both options—driving one-way and returning via the same route or doing a round trip—have their advantages depending on what you want to see and how much time you have.

If your focus is primarily on seeing redwoods and other scenic California coastal areas, you may find it worthwhile to start in Eugene and head south along the Oregon Coast, then continue into Northern California. This allows you to explore the redwoods and coastal scenery without doubling back unnecessarily.

From Eugene south, you can follow Highway 101, which passes through small towns, state parks, and coastal viewpoints before entering Redwood National and State Parks in California.
Stopping in Crescent City, Trinidad, or Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park offers excellent opportunities to hike among old-growth redwoods and see rugged coastlines.
After exploring the redwoods, continuing down 101 through Humboldt County toward the Avenue of the Giants gives you additional scenic forest drives before eventually reaching San Francisco.

Considerations for a round trip:

Returning the same way allows you to catch any spots you might have missed on the first drive, but it can be repetitive. An alternative is to return inland via I-5 for a faster route, which saves time but is less scenic.
If time is limited, doing a one-way trip from Eugene to San Francisco allows you to maximize coastal and redwood stops, then fly or drive back quickly, avoiding backtracking.
Make sure to factor in driving times. Highway 101 along the coast is slower and curvier than inland routes, so plan for extra time if you intend to stop frequently.

Additional tips:

Book accommodations in advance, especially in popular redwood areas, as June/July is peak travel season.
Check park and campground hours or reservations, particularly for Redwoods and other state parks.
If interested in combining coastal views with some inland highlights, consider stopping at the Oregon Dunes, Humboldt Bay, or the Lost Coast area for unique landscapes.

Overall, for a first-time coastal redwoods experience, a southbound trip from Eugene into Northern California with stops along 101 is highly recommended. The return trip can be either inland via I-5 for speed or along the same coast if you want to soak in more scenery.

Redwoods from Eugene or San Fran

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