I will be driving from Portland to Laguna Beach. I leave Portland on Fri. Aug.25 and need to be in San Francisco on Sun. Aug 27. I would love to drive through some of the Redwoods, seeing Klamath (Paul Bunyon attraction) and the Ave. of the Giants. I need help as to the drive, timing and places to stay, if this can be done with time to see it.

There is no problem with driving time between Portland and San Francisco in the time you have. I would take I-5 to Grants Pass and then cut over to 101 on 199. I would stay in Crescent City as there are lots of motels there and you then you will be able to take your time with the drive the next day. Trees of Mystery (Paul Bunyan) isn't far from there and you can take your time driving through the Avenue of the Giants. At best San Francisco is a 6 hour drive from Crescent city so that gives you an idea of timing. We do that drive every year and my daughter lives in San Francisco so I know the road like the back of my hand - never get tired of it. Enjoy

The Portland to Crescent City drive is about 5.5 hours along the route suggested by traveller. From Grants Pass to Crescent City there are a couple of good stops along the Smith River, and you shouldn't miss Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park.

Not sure that 6 hours is the right drive time from Crescent City to San Francisco; Yahoo Maps shows it at 7.5+ But if you have all day, plus part of the next... no problem.

Excellent info! What about places to stay?

I am not sure if you want to be on the road two nights - what time do you have to be in San Francisco on the Sunday? I know of a couple of great spots to stay but need to know your timing. The six hours is flat out driving time - I do it all the time I think Yahoo must put in time for stops. I was just giving you the amount of time you need for just driving and your stops have to be added in. Of course the Avenue of the Giants adds some time as well.

If you have time and can arrive in SF later on Sunday I can recommend a couple of really nice places that are just 4 hours or so out of the city. One of them is right in the redwoods so you really get the experience of staying in the trees.

Crescent City has lots of motels etc - nothing spectacular but decent. I recommend it as a stop because you can get to Trees of Mystery early and have time to see the rest at your leisure.

We will be leaving Portland early friday morning, and need to be in San Francisco Sunday afternoon. Any place to stay along the way would be appreciated. We have never been through the redwoods so I want to see as much as we can. Are there hikes or drive thru?

Hi seremarcus

Here is what I would do. !st day overnight in Crescent City. I do not have a specific motel I think there is a best western and a holiday inn express either chain is ok for an over nighter. In the afternoon on 199 you want to drive the Howland Hill road. It is a dirt road but ok for regular cars in the summer, Turn out at the Stout Grove and strech your legs. The Stout grove is in my top 5 redwood groves in the world. Jump in the Smith river Google "Jed Smith State Park" for more information. Day 2 overnight at the best western in Garberville if you can get a room. As you drive down 100 turn off into Prairie Creek State park stop for a while. Continue south past Eureka take the Ave of the Giants. Stop at founders grove if you have time drive up bull creek to the Tall tree area. There are several drive thru trees here is a link http://www.humboldtredwoods.org/drivethrutrees.htm. From Garberville it is about 4 hours with no stops to the Golden Gate

Have Fun
GP

As you drive along the Avenue of the Giants you will find a lot of spots to stop with trails along the way. The Dyerville Giant is a "must" stop. It was considered the tallest tree but several years ago it fell. Actually another tree fell and hit it on the way down. The redwoods have a very shallow root system and it came down as well. We just happended to be in the area at the time. We walked in to see it and the experience was incredible - it was so calm and quiet and just this huge tree and us. The root system itself is huge. As I said there are lots of trails amongst the trees. As far as accommodation goes the Miranda Gardens in Miranda which is on the Avenue is a wonderful place to stay. They have individual cabins right in the trees. We always try to time it so we can spend a night there. Here is their website http://www.mirandagardens.com/
Here is an article I found on the internet that you might like to read http://www.icdc.com/~neubauer/red.htm
It describes the experience of walking through the trees. Stop at some of the State Parks too - Richardsons Grove State Park is particularly interesting and beautiful. They all have nature trails you can take so just enjoy the time you spend there - you will certainly be back!!!!

Thanks for the info. I will do the same--I will book a night in Crescent City and then in Garberville or Miranda. I am a bit confused about this area. Jedediah Smith State Park, Stout Grove both in this area to see? Where is the fern place and the elk Preserve?