Hi...I am looking for some advice. I want to travel up to Humboldt to take in the sights both coastal and of course the beautiful trees. I live in the bay area and plan to drive up. Can anyone recommend reasonable accomodations and must see "attractions"...other than the Avenue, I'm looking for beaches that are a must see and any national parks in the area. I'm looking into going over Mem. Day weekend, how is the weather up there...does it get very crowded over holiday weekends? Can you estimate travel time?

Thanks so much...

Five hours to Eureka, 90-120 min. more to Crescent City.

You will see ample places along the Avenue or 101 itself to pull off into the groves. The National Park and various California State Parks are all intertwined and mixed up on the map.

You might find yourself having to stay in Eureka or Crescent City over Memorial Day weekend - there will be a lot of visitors.

stagpuder

Over the last 10 years it has rained at least one day on Mem. Day weekend 8 times so it might be wet. The Kinetic Sculpture Race will be going on you might want to check that out. Crowded is a relative term, 2000 people in one place would be crowded for Humboldt county. There will be some people around in the redwoods but you can find places to be alone if thats what you want. If you want to do something out of the norm. Then when you get to the founders grove along the ave. of the giants head out Bull Creek on the Mattole road and keep going. You will end up at the beach and then on to Ferndale. It is about 75 miles and it will take you 4 or 5 hours. Do not do this at night or if it is getting dark. It is a long, narrow, STEEP, curvy, rough road Even if you do not have 4 or 5 hours the trip up the Mattole road to the tall trees area is as nice as it gets in the redwood world. There are bunches of mid range motels in Fortuna, Eureka, or Arcata. You can make it from the Golden Gate to Eureka in less than 5 hours if you speed and stay on 101.
But you will want to take it slow once you hit the Humboldt County line. Nice beaches from Trinidad north to Dry Lagoon, try Patricks Point. Three days is not enough.

Have Fun
GP

GP-

thanks so much...i would like to stay longer...we'll see. appreciate your input!

There is a delightful little town near Eureka called Ferndale - worth a detour off the main highway.

GP and marg beat me to the punch. I lived in Arcata several years ago and hubby and I always enjoyed going to Patrick's Point state park and also to Ferndale. The beach at Trinidad Head is nice, too. I think you'll like getting out of the rat race and traffic of the Bay area and will enjoy the slower pace of Humboldt county. If you like Chinese food eat at Hunan's on the square in Arcata (that is, if it's still there!)

GP - We lived on St. Louis Road. My husband misses the micro brews of the area!