Based on recommendations from this forum, research, and discussions with my husband, here is the itinerary I have come up with for our California north coast camping trip this summer. We decided against going up into Oregon in the interests of having more time in the places we do visit and less time on the road.

Our plan is to drive up to about the Oregon border and then make our way back down the coast to the Bay Area. My husband's only requirements are good photo oportunities, that we have a campfire and cook out, he doesn't need to wear anything fancier than jeans and a flannel shirt, and we go to at least one brewery during the trip - so if anybody's got any recommendations, let me know

Here is the itinerary - any recommendations or advice would be wonderful:

Day 1: Starting in a Friday morning, drive from SJ north toward Crescent City, stopping for the night somewhere along the way past the half way point - any recommendations would be great.

Day 2: Drive to Jed Smith Redwood park, set up camp, and explore the park.

Day 3: At Jed Smith Redwoods, hiking, taking pictures, maybe attend a ranger walk and/or campfire program if availible.

Day 4: Based at Jed Smith, go into Crescent City to see what we can see.

Day 5: Drive to Grizzly Creek SP, stopping in Eureka and any other interesting places to explore. Buy supplies - I think Eureka should be a good place for that. Camp at Grizzly Creek.

Day 6: At Grizzly Creek SP, exploring the park, relaxing, taking pictures.

Day 7: Drive to MacKerricker SP, stopping at points of interest along the way. Camp at MacKerricker.

Day 8: Based at MacKerricker, go into Fort Bragg and Mendocino to explore.

Day 9: At MacKerricker, wandering the beach, exploring the park.

Day 10: Drive back to San Jose, stopping at Fort Ross on the way.

So - what do you all think? Any recommendations for lunch spots along the way? We are always on the look out for good eats. Local breweries? Interesting sites?

When you're in the vicnity of Mendocino, check out Queenies in Elk for lunch. I don't know about breweries, but there are lots of wineries in Anderson Valley, connecting Hwy 1 to Hwy 101 just a tiny bit south of Mendocino. Be sure to see the Elk near Prairie City.

I'm sorry, not Prairie City, Crescent City!

A second to Grasshoppers suggestion
for Queenies in Elk!
Wander across the road (PCH1) and
prowl through the grounds
at the Greenwood Pier Inn.
In Ft. Bragg try the North Coast
Brewery and the Mendo Bistro.
Not impressed much with Mendocino
these days,the countryside around it is
spectacular IME.
R5

I think you will like McKerriker. While exploring Ft. Bragg, ask someone for directions to Glass Beach - lots of beach glass there we love to collect. Also, past McKerriker there is a beach called Sand Dollar Beach - walk over the dunes and loads of sand dollars - - if you are intersted in that type of thing. Your itinerary sounds great - have a wonderful time and tell us all about it.

I have memories of glass beach! My family used to go to Fort Bragg when I was small and I have some very vivid memories of wandering around on the beach, picking up colorful pieces of very smooth glass. We will definitely have to stop there. Thanks for the tip!

ttt

Hi J_Correa

Off the top of my head

Day 1 Best Western Garberville (free wine in the pm) good cont. breakfast

Day 2 Take the Newton Drury parkway. Pull over and hike in the redwoods

Day 3 Boy scout tree trail. See if they are doing the kayak tours

Day 4 Not much in Crescent city… lighthouse… pebble beach for agate hunting. I would spend my time on the S. Fork of the Smith some great swimming holes. Last time I was up there the local brewery was closed

Day 5 You will have seen this route going up. There is very little time difference between the Newton Drury parkway and 101. Lots to explore! Go out to Requa for the view of the mouth of the Klamath. You might see a gray whale or an orca. There is a costal route off 101 it’s a nice drive I am not a micro fan there is the Lost Coast Brew in Eureka. Eel River Brew in Fortuna. Also ones in Arcata and McKinleyville
As far as Grizzly Creek SP you have been warned! If this is a Tuesday you might get into swimmers, it is much better. Check it out even if you stay at Grizzly

Day 6 there is not much east of Grizzly, several groves back towards 101

Day 7 This will be a long drive! You get on highway 1 at Legget this road makes 36 look like 5, Good Luck! I’ll let someone else cover the southern coast.

I’ll be around if more ???

Have Fun
GP

Hi J_Correa

I had a day to think about this so here is my real 2 cents.

Day 5 Stay at Albee Creek Campground in Humboldt Redwood State Park instead of Grizzly Creek. Check out this web site http://www.humboldtredwoods.org/ This area is so much better and time wise not much different than going out to Grizzly Creek. The Rockefeller Forest is the best example of a redwood forest in the world. There are lots of trails and trees over 350 feet tall.

For a real adventure on day 6 keep driving west on the Mattole road (this is the road from 101 to Albee creek) to Petrolia and then follow the road up the lost coast and back into Ferndale, you can then get back to 101 and drive back to Albee creek. This is about 110 mile loop and worth every hairpin turn.

Have Fun
GP

Thanks for the recomendations GP.