Northern California Road Trip to redwoods

Question

Hi everyone, I plan to do a road trip with my son starting from San Francisco in second half of June. I am planning the following:

Day1: fly to SFO from socal, rent a car and Drive to Mendocino from SFO, overnight on Mendocino

Day 2: drive from Mendocino to Avenue of the giants , overnight in miranda

Day 3, 4, 5 : explore redwoods area with Trinidad as base

Day 6,7 : stay in crescent City

Day 8: drive to Crater lake, stay nearby Crater lake.

Day 9 : drive to Medford and drop rental car and fly back home to socal.

Is this itinerary reasonable in terms of locations I am thinking of staying at and number of days ? Please suggest.

Thank you 😊

Answer

Your proposed Northern California road trip itinerary is overall reasonable and well-paced, giving you time to explore both the coastal regions and the redwoods without feeling rushed. Here’s a detailed assessment of each segment with suggestions:

Day 1: SFO to Mendocino

The drive from San Francisco to Mendocino is roughly 3.5-4 hours without stops. Traffic leaving the city may add some time.
Overnight in Mendocino works well, allowing you to enjoy the coastal town, the bluff trails, and the quaint village atmosphere. Consider stopping in Point Arena or Fort Bragg if time allows.

Day 2: Mendocino to Avenue of the Giants / Miranda

The drive to Avenue of the Giants is approximately 4-5 hours. Leaving in the morning gives you time to stop for views and short walks along the way.
Overnight in Miranda is ideal for exploring the Avenue of the Giants without backtracking. Make sure to stop at Founders Grove, Shrine Drive-Thru Tree, and other iconic spots.

Days 3-5: Trinidad as base for Redwoods exploration

Trinidad is a great base for exploring the northern redwoods, Redwood National and State Parks, and the coastline.
From Trinidad, you can visit Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, Lady Bird Johnson Grove, Fern Canyon (very popular), and the coastal overlooks at Gold Bluffs Beach.
Three days here is generous and allows for both short hikes and scenic drives without rushing. Consider a mix of easy hikes for scenic vistas and slightly longer trails if you and your son enjoy walking.

Days 6-7: Crescent City

Crescent City is perfect for accessing the northernmost sections of the park, including the Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park and Battery Point Lighthouse.
Two days allows for exploring the forests, taking coastal drives, and enjoying beach stops. You can also visit the Trees of Mystery and take the gondola if interested.

Day 8: Crescent City to Crater Lake

The drive to Crater Lake is around 4-5 hours. Staying nearby the lake gives you flexibility to explore the Rim Drive, viewpoints, and short hikes the next morning.
June is a great time as most snow has cleared, though some Rim Drive sections may still be partially closed early in the month, so check conditions before traveling.

Day 9: Crater Lake to Medford

The drive from Crater Lake to Medford is 2-2.5 hours, easy to make for dropping off the rental car and catching your flight back.

Suggestions / Adjustments:

If your son enjoys short hikes, consider squeezing in a few scenic trails in Mendocino on Day 1 or along the way to Avenue of the Giants.
Three nights in Trinidad is excellent; if you want to reduce driving, you could do two nights here and add one extra night in Crescent City.
Make sure to account for gas stops, especially in the more remote redwoods area where stations can be sparse.

Overall, your itinerary is well balanced between driving and exploring, allowing ample time for hiking, scenic views, and enjoying both coastal and forest landscapes. You’ll cover some of the best spots without feeling too rushed.

Northern California Road Trip to redwoods

More Redwood National Park Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions