Hi Everyone

We're planning to take a weekend trip from San Francisco to Humboldt Redwoods State Park on the weekend of October 3, 2009.

Our plan is to leave early on Saturday morning from San Francisco and head state to the park. I'm guessing that its almost a 4 hours drive, so we should get there by noon. We'll spend a couple of hours at the park and then check in to a hotel closeby and spend the night there. We'll have a couple of hours in the morning again before we head back (plan to start heading back at 2 pm the next day).

Questions:
- The first day we'll probably see and drive on the Avenue of the Giants and probably do a hike there (any recommendations on which hike?)
- Where to stay? We're budget travelers so I'm guessing something like $100 per night
- Where to eat? Vegetarian, so our options always get limited, but if there is a chinese place around, we're usually taken care of.
- What to do the next day? Should we go back to the park and see something else? Or is there something entirely different that we should see?
- Are there any spots where we can get really beautiful photos that you can recommend?

We're in our early thirties and like photography, hikes and natural beauty.

Thank you very much!

For hiking, you might want to take the road toward the Albee Creek campground and walk around the Rockefeller Grove. I say this because the Ave. of the Giants runs parallel to US 101, so hiking in that area might not be as nice as driving a couple miles from the proximity of 101.

Hi rahulm

Once you reach the southern end of the Ave. of the Giants turn on to it.
There are pamphlets about the drive. Stop at Burlingame visitors center. Hike Founders grove. For overnight you might find something in Fortuna in that price range. There is a group of hotels on the south side of town. The Eel river Brew pub is right there and usually has vegetarian. Take a morning drive to Ferndale then stop at the Big Tree area in Rockefeller forest for a hike before you head home
http://www.humboldtredwoods.org/
http://avenueofthegiants.net/index.php

Have Fun

GP

Thanks so much!

It's a beautiful drive - I did it last year. I stayed in the Roadhouse in Phillipsville (for sheer novelty) and it was cool for a night. Mexican restaurant though - not sure how vegetarian that would be for you.

Any suggestions where to catch a beautiful sunset or sit by the river in the evening?

Thx.

Hi Sheri

Thanks.

Most mexican places will have vegetarian food so that is never a problem

Days are short in October. Sitting by the river in the evening may not be all that great. I was just up there this week and there's not much water in the Eel and the tall trees block the sun by mid-afternoon.

For a nice sunset, head out to Shelter Cove from Redway. The weather is often clear on the coast in October.

I just re-read your post. If you are only spending an afternoon and a morning at Humboldt Redwoods, I would not drive out to Shelter Cove.

In fact, I wouldn't make this trip if I only had that much time. There are redwoods much closer to the Bay Area that you could visit. Save the northern redwoods for another trip when you have more time.

I think that is a heck of a looooong drive for such a short time in the Redwoods. You'll spend more time behind the wheel than actually seeing anything.

I love the Avenue of the Giants area, but that is a lot of driving for staying only 1 night. 2 nights would be our minimum, but DH really balks even then. Could you leave Friday eve, and drive as far as Ukiah or Willets? You'd be much closer and there are some decent lower priced motels.

I recommend stopping at the State Park Visitor Center just north of Meyers Flat on the Ave. of the Giants. The rangers gave us great suggestions for some hikes (can't remember which ones now) and we did not see a single other person on the trail. Gorgeous!