California/Oregon Redwood Coast Trip 2019
a somewhat flexible itinerary
Sept. 24, Tuesday
Fly into San Francisco by 12:30 pm.
Head into San Fran's historic Chinatown for some culture and good grub: http://www.sanfranciscochinatown.com/
Enjoy a drive along the incredibly scenic Pacific Coast Highway (California 1) to our hotel in Gualala. http://www.gualala.com/
Sept. 25, Wednesday
Head to Russian Gulch State Park where we will journey to the Russian Gulch Waterfall, hike to the Devil's Punchbowl, and wade tidepools in search of abalone, sea anemones, and starfish. https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=432
From there we will head to the Point Cabrillo Light Station to relax and enjoy its coastal beauty and history. http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=22276
We will spend the night in Garberville. https://garberville.org/
Sept. 26, Thursday
We'll start off by driving among enormous ancient redwood trees on the amazing Avenue of Giants. http://avenueofthegiants.net/
Enjoy a breathtaking hike into Fern Canyon where you'll expect a velociraptor to pounce on you at any moment. https://www.visitredwoods.com/listing/fern-canyon-in-prairie-creek-redwoods-sp/464/
We'll also do a short hike among the redwoods of Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=415
From there, we will squeeze our van through the famous Klamath Tour Thru Tree. You'll want to pull in the mirrors, suck, in, and hold your breath. If we're lucky, we'll get some quality emu loving time afterward at a nearby property. https://www.visitredwoods.com/listing/drive-through-a-redwood/661/
If conditions are good, we'll watch the sunset over the Pacific at the Klamath Overlook. https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g32564-d2483770-r419982917-Requa_Road-Klamath_California.html
Then it's time for bed at our nearby hotel. https://www.visitcalifornia.com/attraction/klamath
Sept. 27, Friday
We will head back to Klammath Overlook to try to view breaching grey and humpback whales. https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g32564-d2483770-r419982917-Requa_Road-Klamath_California.html
Then we'll hike through even larger trees where the Ewoks roamed in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=413
We'll cross the Oregon state line before calling it a night in Grants Pass. https://www.grantspassoregon.gov/
Sept. 28-29, Satuday & Sunday
We'll enjoy some bouldering and a short hike to Mill Creek and Barr Creek Falls. https://www.theoutbound.com/oregon/hiking/hike-to-mill-creek-barr-creek-falls
Then we're off to check into our large cabin in Crater Lake National Park. That's right! We're staying IN the actual park surrounded by old growth cedars and sugar pines where get our adventure on in some of the most beautiful hiking country in the world. https://www.nps.gov/crla/index.htm
Sept. 30, Monday
We will get up bright and early, say a thankful goodbye to the forest and head out to arrive at the Eugene Airport by 12:30pm.
