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Northern California Coast Tour

A two-day drive down the Northern California coast, pairing old-growth redwoods with two cool-climate coastal gardens. Day one runs from the redwood parkway near Crescent City south to Eureka and on to Fort Bragg for the night. Day two is a full morning at Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, including the walk out to the ocean bluffs. Check current hours and admission before you go, since they change with the season.

  1. Day 1: Redwoods, Eureka, and the drive to Fort Bragg

    1. Redwood National & State Parks: Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway

    Park information: 1111 Second Street, Crescent City, CA 95531
    Hours: Parks open daily; visitor center hours vary by season
    Suggested visit: About 2 to 3 hours, including short walks
    Highlights: A 10-mile drive through the old-growth forest of Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, with roadside stops at Big Tree Wayside, the Prairie Creek Visitor Center, and Elk Prairie, where Roosevelt elk often graze.
    Save or download your route before arriving; cell service is unreliable.
    Drive slowly and use the pullouts rather than trying to cover a large part of the park system.
    Drive south to Eureka: about 1 hour 30 minutes

  2. 2. Humboldt Botanical Garden

    7707 Tompkins Hill Road, Eureka, CA 95503
    Hours: Open seasonally, generally Wednesday to Sunday; admission fee
    Suggested visit: About 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours, longer with the nature trails
    Highlights: 44.5 acres of cool-climate collections, including the Dedekam Ornamental Terrace Garden, the Moss Family Temperate Woodland Garden, and the Lost Coast Brewery Native Plant Garden of northwest California natives.
    Main paths are compacted gravel; some trails are steep and include steps.
    Pack a picnic or plan lunch in Eureka before the drive south.
    Drive Highway 1 south to Fort Bragg: about 3 hours 30 minutes

  3. 3. Fort Bragg and overnight at Noyo Harbor Inn

    500 Casa Del Noyo, Fort Bragg, CA 95437
    Hours: Check-in in the afternoon; call (707) 961-8000 for current times
    Suggested visit: Evening and overnight
    Highlights: A quiet inn above the Noyo River and working harbor, with fishing boats, harbor walks, and water views.
    Dinner: HarborView Bistro & Bar at the inn, or walk down to The Wharf Restaurant for seafood on the water.
    With time before check-in, stroll Laurel Street in downtown Fort Bragg for shops, galleries, and bookstores.

  4. Day 2: A full morning on the Mendocino coast

    4. Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens

    18220 North Highway 1, Fort Bragg, CA 95437
    Hours: Daily, hours vary by season; admission fee
    Suggested visit: At least 2 hours, closer to 3 for photography
    Highlights: 47 acres running from Highway 1 to the Pacific, with rhododendrons, camellias, magnolias, heaths and heathers, roses, perennials, succulents, and a Dahlia Garden of more than 600 plants.
    Follow the main trail all the way to the coastal bluffs, about a half mile each way.
    Rhododendrons peak in spring; dahlias bloom from summer into fall.
    More than four miles of trails altogether, so wear comfortable walking shoes.

Driving time is the main constraint on day one: roughly 5 hours behind the wheel between the parkway, Eureka, and Fort Bragg. Starting early leaves room for unhurried garden visits. · northwestblooms.com