Northern California itinerary help please?
Sep 13th, 2013, 05:58 PM
#1
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Northern California itinerary help please?
Landing in San Fran 9/24. Have car rental already. We want to stay in Sausalito that night. From there we want to go thru Napa, stay in/near Geyserville/Cloverdale. Then travel to Mendiceno via Hwy 128 - probably plan to stay there for 2 nights.
Then north to Humbolt National Forest, staying one night? Then north to Redwood National Forest, staying ?one night? Then back south to Santa Rosa, and back to SanFran. Our flight out is mid-day Saturday Oct 5th. We'd like to have a couple days in San Francisco at the end.
looking for suggestions about how long to stay or allow for travel to/from each area? Suggestions for any unique things to do - we would like to visit a couple of wineries but that's not the main focus of the trip - the scenery is. We do plan to try and kayak in Mendicino. We are in our 60's and pretty active, but no more hiking than a couple miles max per day. We do not have any reservations for lodging yet since we kind of like to poke along and be somewhat spontaneous. Trying to keep lodging under 200.00/night average if possible. Any thoughts, suggestions will be greatly appreciated!
Then north to Humbolt National Forest, staying one night? Then north to Redwood National Forest, staying ?one night? Then back south to Santa Rosa, and back to SanFran. Our flight out is mid-day Saturday Oct 5th. We'd like to have a couple days in San Francisco at the end.
looking for suggestions about how long to stay or allow for travel to/from each area? Suggestions for any unique things to do - we would like to visit a couple of wineries but that's not the main focus of the trip - the scenery is. We do plan to try and kayak in Mendicino. We are in our 60's and pretty active, but no more hiking than a couple miles max per day. We do not have any reservations for lodging yet since we kind of like to poke along and be somewhat spontaneous. Trying to keep lodging under 200.00/night average if possible. Any thoughts, suggestions will be greatly appreciated!
Sep 13th, 2013, 07:33 PM
#2
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Do you mean Humboldt Redwoods State Park? If so, I can recommend Miranda Gardens as a place to stay in the area.
http://mirandagardens.com/
I'd try to spend more than one night around Redwood National Park for sure. It is a long way to go just to spend one night.
It might be just me, but I wouldn't travel to anywhere in California in these areas without advance reservations. Sept/October is a busy time of year in Northern California. Between the grape harvests/barrel tastings and usually nice weather in the city and along the coast, it might be hard to get places to stay at your price point. It would be worth checking into before you left.
http://mirandagardens.com/
I'd try to spend more than one night around Redwood National Park for sure. It is a long way to go just to spend one night.
It might be just me, but I wouldn't travel to anywhere in California in these areas without advance reservations. Sept/October is a busy time of year in Northern California. Between the grape harvests/barrel tastings and usually nice weather in the city and along the coast, it might be hard to get places to stay at your price point. It would be worth checking into before you left.
Sep 13th, 2013, 10:12 PM
#3
You will want reservations in Sausalito, anywhere in Wine country, and in Mendocino. Other than those you might get away w/o booking. Sept/early October is the best weather of the whole year along the coast plus as wekewoody says the grape harvest/crush draws big crowds. And most definitely you'll want to pre-book the weekend.
Sep 14th, 2013, 03:16 AM
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Stop at Patricks Point State Park along your way to the Redwoods. Visit Agate Beach and Palmers Point. Palmers and Agate are both within Patricks Point State Park. Visit Palmers at lowtide for some great tidepooling (check before you go to see when low tide is going to occur)
Visit Prairie Creek area of The Redwoods. Just pick about any trail near the visitor center for some nice trees. I like James Irvine Trail. It is 4 miles(one way)-so you could just hike in about a mile and then turn around. James Irvine trail is near visitor center. Make sure and drive to Fern Canyon and hike that as well. You are likely to see Elk in Prairie Creek area.
Another great short hike is at Jedediah Smith--The Stour Grove.
Visit Prairie Creek area of The Redwoods. Just pick about any trail near the visitor center for some nice trees. I like James Irvine Trail. It is 4 miles(one way)-so you could just hike in about a mile and then turn around. James Irvine trail is near visitor center. Make sure and drive to Fern Canyon and hike that as well. You are likely to see Elk in Prairie Creek area.
Another great short hike is at Jedediah Smith--The Stour Grove.
Sep 14th, 2013, 04:41 AM
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Maybe consider visiting Sonoma wine country instead of Napa wine country. If you are headed to Geyserville/Cloverdale from Sausalito, you'll have ample opportunity to visit different areas of Sonoma without going out of your way as these wine regions are all close to Highway 101.
Sep 14th, 2013, 05:14 AM
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You'll enjoy your northbound drive on Highway 128. It's lovely.
Instead of driving from Humboldt County on Highway 101 all the way to Santa Rosa, you also have the option of coming back along Highway One after Garberville. This drive along the Mendocino, Sonoma, Marin coasts offers fine views and hiking possibilities. Instead of spending the night in Santa Rosa, which is not that scenic, you could stay somewhere along the Sonoma Coast, but the coastal route will take much longer. But maybe you have already toured the Sonoma and Marin coasts on earlier trips.
Instead of driving from Humboldt County on Highway 101 all the way to Santa Rosa, you also have the option of coming back along Highway One after Garberville. This drive along the Mendocino, Sonoma, Marin coasts offers fine views and hiking possibilities. Instead of spending the night in Santa Rosa, which is not that scenic, you could stay somewhere along the Sonoma Coast, but the coastal route will take much longer. But maybe you have already toured the Sonoma and Marin coasts on earlier trips.
Sep 14th, 2013, 07:39 AM
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Thanks for all your help! Looks like all hotels in Sausalito are booked already - as you all advised but I am finding availability on airbnb.com so far. Will definitely pre-book the Mendecino area today. Welcome any other suggestions too!
Sep 16th, 2013, 05:29 AM
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I guess you wanted to spend time in Sausalito. Or was it just a convenient stop on your way north?
Mill Valley is just north of Sausalito (they are adjacent). You might look at reviews for motels and hotels there. As you are into hiking and scenery, Mill Valley is a great base for taking a drive up to Mt. Tamalpais State Park, or to Stinson Beach, or to Muir Woods, or for just taking a walk along Richardson's Bay.
http://www.everytrail.com/best/hikin...ley-california
Mill Valley's old town center is also pleasant, with many shops and restaurants. Mill Valley is also convenient for exploring Sausalito, as it is just minutes away.
Mill Valley is just north of Sausalito (they are adjacent). You might look at reviews for motels and hotels there. As you are into hiking and scenery, Mill Valley is a great base for taking a drive up to Mt. Tamalpais State Park, or to Stinson Beach, or to Muir Woods, or for just taking a walk along Richardson's Bay.
http://www.everytrail.com/best/hikin...ley-california
Mill Valley's old town center is also pleasant, with many shops and restaurants. Mill Valley is also convenient for exploring Sausalito, as it is just minutes away.
Sep 17th, 2013, 06:09 PM
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You might want to have a look at Travelzoo.com
I signed up for email alerts for last minute travel deals from Northern California--I just got one about a deal for accommodation in Elk on the Mendocino coast and thought of you.
Always check the Travelzoo deals against reviews on Trip Advisor and other websites before booking, though, to make sure you are booking into a lemon!
Below is the link to the Mendocino deal I just got sent. It is in Elk, which is beautiful (I have stayed in Elk a few times), but it is about a half hour drive south of Mendocino town, so not as convenient if you plan on spending most of your time in Mendocino town and around its headlands.
http://www.travelzoo.com/local-deals...z_adid=1573923
Info on Elk:
http://www.visitmendocino.com/south-coast/towns/elk
http://voices.yahoo.com/destination-...-11418600.html
I signed up for email alerts for last minute travel deals from Northern California--I just got one about a deal for accommodation in Elk on the Mendocino coast and thought of you.
Always check the Travelzoo deals against reviews on Trip Advisor and other websites before booking, though, to make sure you are booking into a lemon!
Below is the link to the Mendocino deal I just got sent. It is in Elk, which is beautiful (I have stayed in Elk a few times), but it is about a half hour drive south of Mendocino town, so not as convenient if you plan on spending most of your time in Mendocino town and around its headlands.
http://www.travelzoo.com/local-deals...z_adid=1573923
Info on Elk:
http://www.visitmendocino.com/south-coast/towns/elk
http://voices.yahoo.com/destination-...-11418600.html
Sep 17th, 2013, 08:40 PM
#11
I saw that Travelzoo deal in Elk too -- I'm VERY close to pulling the trigger on it (I usually stay at the Little River Inn which I LOVE)
It is just that I have two trips to the UK and one to NYC on the horizon and working out when I can squeeze it is . . . .
But it is a really good deal.
It is just that I have two trips to the UK and one to NYC on the horizon and working out when I can squeeze it is . . . .
But it is a really good deal.
Sep 29th, 2013, 04:41 PM
#13
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Thanks everyone for all your help. We are actually here in northern California now staying at Miranda Gardens thanks for the recommendations. I have never posted a trip report before but will consider soon after my return. LOVING THIS TRIP!
Oct 1st, 2013, 07:59 AM
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Don't stay in Cloverdale, go directly to Mendocino and stay there an extra night. Since wine is not your primary object, skip Napa, visit the town of Sonoma and go on to Mendocino. From Mendocino you can backtrack one day to the Anderson Valley and try its wineries (Roederer, Navarro, Husch among others).
Oct 1st, 2013, 08:03 AM
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