stay in one place or different lodging?

Question

We plan to spend about 3 days around Labor Day to visit Redwood parks. We enjoy hiking (not too strenuous 😊) and driving scenic roads.

Because this visit is part of a loop road trip, we can do either direction. If it matters, is going south or north better?

I understand Trinidad, Klamath, and Crescent City has lodging. Given we are going one direction, is it better to stay at different lodging every night so we don't backtrack too much?

Thank you for any thoughts and suggestions.

Answer

For a 3-day visit to the Redwoods around Labor Day, you have a few options for lodging that can help maximize your time in the parks and minimize backtracking. Since you enjoy moderate hiking and scenic drives, planning your stops strategically will make your trip smoother and more enjoyable.

Direction of Travel:

Heading north to south or south to north along the coast and through the Redwoods is largely a matter of personal preference, as both directions offer beautiful scenery. However, driving north to south allows you to end in Crescent City, which has convenient airport access (if needed) and several lodging options.
Going south to north allows you to start near Trinidad or Eureka and finish closer to Klamath or Crescent City, which can be convenient if your loop road trip continues northward afterward.

Lodging Strategy:

Staying in different towns each night is generally recommended if you want to minimize backtracking. For example:

Night 1: Trinidad – good for access to southern trails and scenic coastal viewpoints.
Night 2: Klamath – central for exploring both northern and southern sections of the Redwoods, including scenic drives along the Klamath River.
Night 3: Crescent City – convenient for northern trails, beach access, and easy departure if heading north or east afterward.

Alternatively, if you prefer a more relaxed pace, you could pick a central location like Klamath and do day trips north and south. This reduces packing and moving hotels but will increase daily driving.

Hiking and Scenic Tips:

For shorter hikes, consider the Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail, Big Tree Trail, and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park trails.
Scenic drives along the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway and the Coastal Drive near Prairie Creek offer easy stops without strenuous hiking.
If you stay multiple nights in different towns, you can easily break up the drives and spend more time enjoying the scenery and short hikes without feeling rushed.

Overall, for a 3-day trip with minimal strenuous hiking and a desire to explore several sections of the Redwoods, staying in different towns each night is the most efficient approach, while a single base location works best if you prefer less hotel hopping and don’t mind longer daily drives.

stay in one place or different lodging?

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