Fall first time trip

Question

Hi folks, my boyfriend and I are in the very early stages of planning a Redwoods trip. What does late September/early October 'generally' look like for weather? Is it feasible to see the highlights with only short hikes if we fly in and out of SFO within 6 days? I'd love to fly into SFO and out of Portland but the one-way car rental would blow the budget. Are there opportunities to get on the water for whale watching for a couple hours in one of the towns? Finally (for now), should we pick a central base hotel or two, or does single nights make more sense? We pack light and don't spend much time in the room.

Thanks in advance!

Answer

Late September to early October is generally a great time to visit the Redwoods. The weather is usually mild, with daytime highs in the mid-60s to low 70s°F (18–22°C) and cooler nights in the 40s–50s°F (7–12°C). Rain is possible but typically less frequent than later in fall. The forest will still be lush, and you'll often get crisp, clear skies—perfect for short hikes and photography.

Given your timeframe of 6 days flying in and out of San Francisco, it is definitely feasible to see many of the highlights with short hikes. You won’t be able to cover the entire park in depth, but you can plan a focused itinerary that balances scenic drives and brief, accessible walks.

Suggested highlights: Humboldt Redwoods State Park and the Avenue of the Giants for towering old-growth trees; Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park for the scenic drives and short trails like the Big Tree Loop; and parts of Redwood National and State Parks like Lady Bird Johnson Grove and the Tall Trees Grove (note the Tall Trees trail requires a permit).
Plan short hikes of 1–3 miles to conserve time and energy while still seeing the majesty of the redwoods up close.
Include scenic coastal stops such as Trinidad Head or Gold Bluffs Beach to experience both forest and ocean scenery.

For whale watching opportunities, the California coast near Crescent City and Trinidad often offers half-day tours in late September/early October. Gray whales may be starting their migration south, and you can also spot harbor seals, sea lions, and seabirds.

Crescent City offers local whale-watching charters that run 2–3 hour trips.
Trinidad and nearby Humboldt Bay may have smaller boat tours for marine wildlife spotting.

Regarding accommodations, a mix of central bases and one-night stays can work depending on your pace. If you prefer fewer hotel changes and don’t mind longer drives between areas, 2–3 central bases works well. For example:

Stay 2 nights in the Humboldt Redwoods area (around Myers Flat or Garberville) to cover Avenue of the Giants and nearby trails.
Stay 2 nights in the northern part of Redwood National and State Parks (near Orick or Crescent City) to explore coastal trails and scenic drives, and to fit in a whale-watching excursion.

This approach minimizes packing/unpacking while allowing you to explore both the southern and northern highlights. Single-night stops are more flexible but will involve more driving each day, which can be tiring if you want to focus on short hikes.

Overall, with careful planning, you can enjoy the essential sights of the Redwoods, experience short but scenic hikes, and even fit in some coastal wildlife activities in your 6-day trip.

Fall first time trip

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