mlm59

DD & I have each have a free ticket for Southwest that must be used by the end of the year. We would like to visit the Napa area and go north to Redwood National Park, but our schedules won't allow us to until the week of Oct 8-15. Is this a good time to visit these areas? Hopefully it's not to late in the year for good weather.

We will likely fly into Oakland due to cheaper car rental prices. Will arrive around 11AM on Oct 8 (Sat). Not sure how far to drive north our first night. Perhaps Garberville? We want to see the Avenue of the Giants before continuing on to Eureka. We will probably spend 2 nights in Eureka as a base for the RNP area. We are then thinking about driving to Ft Bragg to spend Tuesday night and sight-seeing there on Wednesday before driving to the Napa or Sonoma area late on Wednesday. We will spend Thursday & Friday in that area before returning to OAK late on Friday to spend the night near the airport for an early Sat flight home.

Does this sound like a good plan? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

sf7307

It sounds great and the weather is often fabulous, and almost never bad, at that time of year (we have a distinct rainy season, but it doesn't usually start raining steadily until at least November).

spirobulldog

Just so you know. With Southwest you can spend $50 and SW will give you another year on your ticket. I have been to the Redwoods twice. A trip there would be GREAT!!

elnap29

Your timing should be good. The Fall season is usually really nice. I'm personally not that fond of Eureka, so I wouldn't recommend it as a base for Redwood National Park necessarily. A really great place is Ravenwood Motel in Klamath. It is pretty much in the center of things, very clean with kitchens, and very friendly service. Some recommend the Trinidad area. We have also stayed in the old-town part of Arcata and enjoyed that; it is just north of Eureka.

Something to keep in mind: the last full grocery store north of Eureka/Arcata is in McKinleyville. That Safeway is the last place to get supplies until Crescent City.

tomfuller

I'll second the Ravenwood in Klamath.
Compare a flight to Sacramento for price and arrival time. I like the location along I-5 and the good car rental rates as well. If you had more time, you could hit Crater Lake before it gets snowed in. From Crater Lake you would go to Grants Pass and take US 199 into Crescent City and US 101 to Klamath.

traveler24

I agree about Eureka--good place to stop for lunch & get gas. Trinidad-32 miles north of Eureka- has so-so motel-clean just "older'. this area has access to Patrick's Point Park. Good short hike to Agate Beach, although not many agates left...Agree about Klamath's Ravenswood.
Weather should be good but a warm hooded sweatshirt is always necessary.
Ft. Bragg-Mac Kerricker State Park little north of town has great beach access, boardwalk out to ocean view and bathrooms (next to small lake on way to beach) Downtown on main street great place for breakfast-"The Eggery"
Spent many happy days in Ft. Bragg.
Have fun.

SAB

How early is your flight on Saturday? I wouldn't waste a night staying in Oakland unless you are talking before 8 am or something like that.

janisj

I'd forget (totally) about staying a night in Oakland. The area near the airport is not not nice and really isn't safe. If you stick w/ flying in/out of Oakland, then stay that night maybe in Emeryville. I'd also not stay IN Eureka - several good recommendations already posted about alternatives.

Sacramento might be a better option that Oakland -- depending on where you are flying from and Southwest's schedule.

Here is a great place to stay just south of Ft Bragg/Mendocino- better views then most places than Ft Bragg and cheaper than most places in Mendocino.

http://www.littleriverinn.com/

But in general you plan is totally doable -- Fall is normally the very best time of year along the north coast.

iamq

The Avenue of the Giants goes through Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Be sure to stop and spend some time here and at least do the Roosevelt Loop Trail. It is only 1 mile, but it takes you through some HUGE trees.

mlm59

Thanks so much for the quick replies. I have looked at the hotel recommended in Klamath and am considering staying there. I will check the recommendation for Ft Bragg.

I have been checking car rental rates and now see rates are similar in Oakland and Sacramento. We will be taking an early flight from either place, around 7 AM. I think we will definitely choose SMF, I don't like what I've read about lodging around the Oakland airport. I've only been there once and it was daytime when we picked up and returned a rental car.

We are now thinking of spending Saturday night in Willits. Reviews for the motels in Garberville aren't good on trip advisor. What will be the best route from SMF to Willits?

Tomfuller-we would love to go to Crater Lake, but there isn't time unless we add a lot of driving to our trip. DD and I both are in need of a more laid-back trip.

Spirobulldog-I am aware that usually you can extend a Southwest reward ticket for $50, but my daughter took a credit card and has the points for 2 tickets. They cannot be extended.

janisj

If it fits the budget -- have a look at this place in Garberville. I personally wouldn't choose Willits if I could afford the Benbow . . .

http://www.benbowinn.com/

iamq

Take a look at Miranda Gardens as well. It is north of Garberville.

charnees

If you go to the Benbow Inn, the cheaper rooms upstairs are very small. We decided to bite the bullet and stayed in one of the big rooms fronting on the river, with a big lawn in front. Much nicer.

janisj

True -- but even w/ the small/more affordable rooms -- one is at the Benbow

The public rooms and gardens/grounds make up for a lot

BarbAnn

Flying in/out of SMF is so much easier than Oakland. You avoid all the traffic in the Bay Area and pay no tolls to go over bridges. The journey from SMF to Willits will take you through the wine country and along the Russian River. From SMF to Willits: Exit airport onto I-5 south, take I-80 west toward San Francisco. Just past Fairfield take Hwy 12 toward Napa (will later intercept Hwy 121). Follow Hwy 121 as Hwy 12 eventually goes to the town of Napa. Right on Hwy 116 (follow signs to Petaluma) where you will pick up Hwy 101 north to Willits. Check out Google map and you can see the route. Takes about 4 hours to make the drive depending on traffic.

While in the Eureka/Arcata area be sure to eat at the Samoa Cookhouse. It is a piece of history in the area.

Another vote for Benbow Inn. Personally, I would not spend the night in Willits. Nothing going on in that town. Ukiah is better, and that is not say much (my parents lived in Ukiah for 30 years).

mlm59

BarbAnn,

Thanks so much for the detailed directions. We have a GPS, but it sometimes takes weird routes to get where we want to go.

I have looked at the Benbow Inn, but don't think I want to spend that much for a place to sleep. Saturday will be a long day. Our flight leaves Indy at 7AM and arrives around noon in SMF. By they time we get to Uriah or Willits, we will be ready to have dinner and go to bed early to start our trip north on Sunday.

Thanks for the suggestion for the Samoa Cookhouse. I'm thinking of staying in Arcata with points for the Holiday Inn Express. Haven't read much positive info about Eureka.

TAW

try to include Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park in your itinerary. Near Crescent City

JayZee

If you're using the Oakland airport there is absolutely nothing wrong with stay at either the nearby Hilton or Holiday Inn for the night. It's unreasonable & wrong to suggest that this immediate area is unsafe.

janisj

"It's unreasonable & wrong to suggest that this immediate area is unsafe."

I stayed for work in one or another hotel on the Hegenberger corridor between 12 and 15 times a year for nearly 4 years. I was robbed (in my hotel room) once, and had to call security in the grounds of the Hilton twice (2 years apart), and saw more than 6 arrests in convenience stores or fast food places--all w/i 1.5 miles of the airport.

The ONLY place I ever felt safe was when I could get a room at the marina in San Leandro or up in Emeryville.

I am not a nervous nellie by ANY means. I travel all over the world--very often solo. I personally would NEVER recommend anywhere between the Coliseum and the airport.

mlm59

JayZee & janisj - thanks for your input on staying near the Oakland airport. Since we may not arrive at our hotel until after dark on Friday evening and will be leaving early Saturday morning for the airport, I think we will fly to SMF. After reading more about the area around the Oakland airport, I don't think we would feel comfortable traveling in that area after dark.

TAW - We are likely going to stay in Arcata. We will have the entire day to spend Monday exploring any area we choose. Do you recommend driving all the way to Crescent City, stopping at many places along the way, including Jedediah Smith park?