We have driven the coast from SF to LA and it is spectacular but now we would like to see the Redwoods. Thinking about flying into SF and driving north up the coast. Where would by a good place to stay (city-lodging)
as a base to be able to get to the Redwood Parks.We then plan on driving to Yosemite Park and leave from SF. Any driving directions and info would greatly be appreciated. Thanks for any ideas. We are young 60's and prefer quality lodging.

Hi Miss D
I have lived in Humboldt county for 30 years this is the heart of the redwoods range. I do not know where to begin. You have an ambitious plan. How much time do you have? The distances you are talking about are great and the roads are not. The best lodging (hotel-hotel wise) base would be in Eureka although there are B&B elsewhere. Quality lodging and Eureka is an oxymoron. If you drive up highway 1 you should allow time for this beautiful strech of coast. The drive from Eureka to Yosemite is long no matter which way you go. If you tried to do it in one day my guess is 12 hours. Why don't you give me the time frame of your trip and I'll give you some of my recommendations for places to stay and see in Northern California. Hopefully someone can tell you more about Yosemite as I have been there but only twice years ago.

I've tried to post here about 10 times today. Will give it one more shot. Sorry.

Quality hotel in Yosemite is the Ahwanhee which begins to take reservations one year and one day ahead (you can cancel within 3 days of arrival with no penalty) Go to www. yosemitepark.com Please plan to take two days to drive from SF to Eureka--good places to stop are St. Orres in Gualala or Mendocino. Agate Cove a special place. If this posts I might have more to say. It's so frustrating to type all this up and have Fodor's reject it.

Coming back south from Eureka you might want to take inland 101 and stop in Healdsburg or Sonoma town to do some wine tasting. From SF to Yosemite is 4 1/2 to 5 hours. We've tried it so many different ways and it doesn't seem to make much difference. We come from Palo Alto so our route is slightly different, but you'll want to enter the park via 120. Probably going across the Bay Bridge and then onto 580 and then down either 5 or 99 to 120 would be best.