claricem

We have a week to spend with family in December, and are considering the redwoods of northern CA. We know this isn't the best time of year but it's what we have to work with. Does anyone have advice for places to stay and things to do at this time of year?

janisj

What does 'with family' mean -- will you have children with you?

If it was me I'd (depending on your budget) -- at that time of year I'd probably stay a couple of nights at the Benbow, two nights at the Gingerbread mansion in Ferndale, and a couple of nights either in Trinidad or the Requa Inn in Klamath.

But would make different choices if I was traveling w/ kids.

If it is stormy you really wouldn't be able to hike or beach comb so it could be a lot of hanging around in pubs and 'car sightseeing'.

•••• BUT -- if you just want to see redwoods, I really consider going south of SF, visit the redwoods in the Santa Cruz mountains, and plan your trip more around Monterey/Carmel. More things to do if the weather doesn't cooperate.

november_moon

Redwoods are great any time of year You may have rain to deal with, perhaps significant rain, but it won't snow. And hiking in the redwoods in the rain is pretty nice - the high canopy blocks a lot of the rain, so you can walk through the trees in relative dryness. In December you'll have short days though, so plan things accordingly. The sun won't rise until after 7 and will be setting before 5.

Where to go visit the redwoods depends on how much time you have and were you are visiting family. Northern CA is a big place.

You've got the redwoods in the far north around Eureka and Crescent City, then those in Humboldt Redwoods state park and the Avenue of the Giants. Then farther south, closer to SF you have Muir Woods and Armstrong Redwoods. Farther south you have those in the Santa Cruz mountains.

kleroux

I'd suggest Armstrong Woods State park in Guerneville. It's only about 2 hrs from San Francisco. Then you have the entire Russian River Valley, Healdsburg and towns nearby to explore. With luck it will be raining!!! Consider renting a VRBO or vacation rental of some kind. Personally I get car sick trying to get to Mendocino and it's a long drive to get to the northern part of the state, so I'd consider something closer to S.F.

november_moon

Is the OP starting from SF?

claricem

Thank you so much for all your suggestions. We are 2 young adults, 2 50 year olds and 2 grandparents. Coming from Alaska, Seattle, and OK. I'll look into all these options, we're looking for warmer and more sun than AK ��, but we've been to southern ca and az many times. Thank you!

november_moon

You'll get more sun and warmth than Alaska in all these places, but all redwood forests are temperate, do they'll be cool and probably somewhat rainy that time of year. From your original post, it sounded like you were coming to CA to visit family and wanted to see redwoods while you were here, so determining where in CA you would be initially made sense - but now it sounds as though this is a family trip to CA. If you are coming to CA specifically to see redwoods, then I'd head up to the Humboldt area. The towns up there are very small though, so if you want to see redwoods and other stuff, the Santa Cruz mountains may be your best bet because you could slso see Santa Cruz and Monterey, perhaps SF.