Itinerary advice needed

Question

Hi all, my husband and I (both 45) are planning a Northern CA road trip this May and I'm looking for some advice. We love road trips and don't mind spending 3-4 hours per day in the car. Beautiful scenery and some hiking are the goals. We arrive in SF 5/3 around noon from Boston. We will pick up a rental car and stay overnight in the Fisherman's Wharf area (lodging booked). We've spent a few days in SF already so won't do too much exploring.

Day 1 (5/4) - Tour of Alcatraz in the morning and then head north, stopping in Pt Reyes to explore a little bit, ending in Jenner and staying at River's Edge (lodging booked).

Day 2 (5/5) - Head to Mendocino and Fort Bragg, planning to stop at Glass Beach, MacKerricher, Russian Gulch and/or Van Damme State Parks depending on time. Overnight somewhere in this area?

Day 3 (5/6) - Avenue of the Giants, Eureka, Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Overnight Trinidad?

Day 4 (5/7) - Redwood National Park

Here is where I'm not sure - We have 2 more days and we want to head to Mt Shasta and Lassen National Park but not sure if we will have enough time? We know there won't be much hiking to do at this time of year so it would just be some sightseeing. We love the mountains so just the scenery alone is worth it for us even if we don't get to hike. I'm thinking waterfalls would be amazing at this time of year?

If we don't head to Mt Shasta/Lassen should we spend more time anywhere along the way?

We fly home from SF on 5/10.

Any advice/thoughts are greatly appreciated!

Answer

Your Northern California road trip looks fantastic! You’ve planned some of the most scenic coastal and redwood areas, and your daily driving times are very reasonable. Here’s a detailed breakdown and suggestions for the remainder of your trip, especially regarding Mt. Shasta and Lassen.

Days 1-3: Your itinerary through Pt. Reyes, Jenner, Mendocino, Fort Bragg, Avenue of the Giants, and Humboldt Redwoods is well-paced. You’ll get a great mix of coastline, small towns, and towering redwoods. For overnight options:

Day 2 (Mendocino/Fort Bragg area) – consider staying in Mendocino for a charming small-town feel or Fort Bragg if you prefer being closer to Glass Beach and MacKerricher State Park.
Day 3 (after Avenue of the Giants) – Trinidad is a great choice, small and scenic, with access to the northern redwoods and ocean views.

Day 4: Redwood National Park is perfect for some short hikes and scenic drives. In early May, some of the waterfalls along Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway or near Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park may still be flowing nicely from winter rains. Early morning is ideal for wildlife sightings.

Days 5-6: Regarding Mt. Shasta and Lassen National Park:

Driving from Trinidad to Mt. Shasta takes approximately 5-6 hours. If you go, you might consider staying one night near Mt. Shasta (town of Mt. Shasta or nearby Shasta Lake area).
Lassen Volcanic National Park is about 1.5-2 hours from Mt. Shasta. Early May may still have snow on many trails, so hiking options are limited, but driving through the park and visiting sites like Bumpass Hell (if accessible), Manzanita Lake, and the geothermal areas can still be stunning.
If you decide to include both Mt. Shasta and Lassen, plan for minimal hiking and more sightseeing and photography. Allocate one night near Mt. Shasta or in the park area, then return south toward SF the next day, possibly stopping in Redding for the night.

If you prefer less long driving:

Spend extra time exploring the northern coast. You could spend another night in the redwoods near Orick or in the Klamath area. This allows for more relaxed hikes and scenic drives.
Consider taking a slower pace through Avenue of the Giants, with additional stops at scenic pullouts, small towns, and rivers. The Eel River area has some lovely waterfalls in May.

Summary suggestion:

Option A (includes Mt. Shasta/Lassen): Trinidad → Mt. Shasta (overnight) → Lassen scenic drive → Redding (overnight) → back to SF.
Option B (focus on coast/redwoods, less driving): Spend an extra night in Mendocino or northern redwoods → Trinidad → explore more waterfalls, beaches, and small towns → return south to SF.

Given your love for scenery and relaxed hiking, Option B may provide more enjoyment with less stress from long drives. Option A is feasible but will be a fast-paced northern leg with long driving days.

Finally, for waterfalls in May, the best bets along your route are along Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, northern Avenue of the Giants trails, and small streams near Mt. Shasta if you choose to go that far north.

Whichever option you choose, you’ll be rewarded with some of the most beautiful and varied landscapes California has to offer.