Would love to get opinions as to the feasiblity of doing Redwood Ntl Park and Lassen Ntl Park in 5 days from Sonoma County and if so what the highlights would be to see.
We are going the last week in August. We are spending Thurs and Fri in San Fran and then driving up to Sonoma and spending Sat night somewhere around the Healdsburg area. From there we would ideally like to go to either Lassen or Redwood Ntl(Crescent city area) . Is that doable from Sunday until Friday heading back down to SFO for a Sat flight. Thank you to all out there who can help.

I did a very similar trip 3 years ago and really enjoyed it.

We stayed at Drakesbad and this is a very unusual lodging(even by national park standards), but we liked it. I would say that 75% of the people had been there many many times before. Swimming in the thermal heated pool is nice each evening and we did a horse ride there too. Of course, see all the thermal features. The highlight for us was the hike to the top of Lassen Peak. Another good hike was Mill Creek Falls. Tons of wildflowers. Another good one is King Falls. We saw a bear on this trail.

Keep in mind that Drakesbad is on one side of the park and really the main area is on the other. It is a pretty long dirt road. Very interesting, meals are included. There are no locks on the doors to your rooms. Ate with people each meal that were hiking the PCT.

I would consider seeing Burney Mac Falls. Very short walk to some very very impressive falls. The only thing I've seen better is in Yosemite or Niagra. Definitely one of the Top 10 in the US, IMOP.

I've been to the Redwoods twice.
I think the very best trail in the park is The James Irvine Trail that connects up with the Fern Canyon trail and ends at the ocean. This is aboue 4-5 miles one way. If you don't do this trail, you can drive around toe Fern Canyon and just hike it. Both trails are fairly easy and in lots of shade, so heat isn't really a problem. The James Irvine starts near Prairie Creek visitor Ctr. Lots of elk normally here.
For a great drive and a great short hike try The Stout Grove.
This is in Jedediah Smith section of the park. The National Park is actually comprised of 3 State Parks.

Here is a good link
http://www.redwoodhikes.com/

Finally, I think a really awesome place is Patricks Point State Park. See Agate Beach and Palmers Point(good tidepooling at Palmers). Yes, Palmers Point is located at Patricks Point. Kinda confusing.

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/w...0IatW7FqybsWmo
Here is a link to a trip with my nephew. This includes, Lassen, James Irvine Trail/Fern Canyon/Gold Beach, Praire Creek, Patricks Point, Burney Falls.

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/w...0IatW7FqybsWnO
This link is to Oregon Trip. There are a few of the Stout Grove area towards the end.

I meant to say, you might be better off staying on the other side of the park rather than Drakesbad. It think the campground may have camping cabins now, if you like that. There are other lodging options. But, the Drakesbad is neat too.

Stout Grove begins at photo #153

Spirobulldog,
I'm so glad you replied, I was hoping to get your opinion. I saw your pictures from the trip with your nephew on anouther thread and thought they were beautiful. We were thinking of staying in Redding 2 nights(for Lassen/Burney) and then in Crescent city for 3. Do you think that's doable to see the hightlights or should we reverse and stay 2 in Crescent city and 3 in redding. How many days was your trip to both spots? I would like to have more time but can't for this trip. Are those beautiful big falls Burney Falls? They look awesome. How far is that from Lassen? Thank you again so much for responding, I really appreciate your help and input.

Redding is not our favorite place to spend a night. We prefer Red Bluff--at the very well managed Hampton Inn there.

HTtY

PS It isn't easy to find a good meal in Crescent City.

Thank you happytrails, I'm glad you mentioned the Hampton inn, my husband is a Hilton honors members and prefers to stay at them if they're conveniently around. Where would you recommend staying in RNP area? My boys are older and do like good food not fast food. I also like to try to eat healthier options if possible. Thanks for the feedback, appreciate it.

Actually the Good Harvest Restaurant in Crescent City has good meals - great breakfast.

The Requa Inn just south of Crescent City is one of the nicer places to stay in the area. We did not stay but did do a tour. We had an amazing dinner there though- reservations required of course.

http://www.requainn.com

Just up the hill from the Inn is the Klamath River overlook- there are some hiking trails that start there. We hiked from there to Hidden Beach - using a shuttle so only had to do one way.

Also from the overlook, there is another short trail down to another overlook.You can frequently see whales who to come and feed and play at the mouth of the Klamath.

Its a beautiful spot

I can't really tell you where to stay at- as both times I had trouble myself. We were at each spot for about 2-2.5 days. Not really long enough, but doable. It's 4 to 5 hour drive or so from Lassen to Redwoods. Yes, Burney Falls is the big one in the photos. It is a spring, so it runs all the time(doesn't depend on snowmelt or rainfall like those in Yosemite)(at least I'm pretty sure of that). It is north of Lassen. Maybe 30+ minutes out of your way. I don't exactly remember how far it was out of my way.

Patricks Point is south of Redwoods. You could probably spend 2-5 hours there. It is near Trinidad. Go at Low Tide for some really good tidepooling at Palmers Point

In northern California we like to stay at the Best Western Humboldt Inn in Garberville. It strives to be the best place to stay in the area. The rooms are large, there is a reception in the evening, and the breakfast is abundant. We eat dinner at Cecil's--a Cajun surprise. Garberville is just south of Humboldt Weott Redwoods State Park.

We have stayed in all the other towns except Fortuna, which we drove around the last time we were in the area. It is a rather pleasing place and I note that the Best Western Country Inn is #1 in Fortuna on TripAdvisor.

When you pass through Eureka, get off Highway 101 and explore the interesting historic district and the totally amazing Carson Mansion. In Eureka we eat healthy at the very good (but dumpy looking on the outside) Pho Thien Long, 615 F Street.

HTtY

PS If I were you, I would visit Humboldt Weott State Park (home to Avenue of the Giants), stay in Fortuna, visit Grizzly Creek Redwood State Park, and drive scenic 299 east to Lassen NP. In my opinion, the redwood parks north of Eureka are not more interesting than those south of that city. Perhaps others will agree or disagree with this statement.00

Ave of Giants is very good

I'd say stay on 101 then head over to Redding. Caveat: the road from Eureka to Redding is pretty twisty (Highway 299W).

I like to stay at the Benbow Inn, about 200 miles north of SF.

http://www.benbowinn.com/

A truly funky place for a meal is the Samoa Cookhouse, just north of Eureka. Lots of history and food's not bad.

http://www.samoacookhouse.net/

Thank you all very much, so much to think about! Many people say they prefer RNP north to Ave of Giants, I guess we have to just decide what we want to concentrate on. Ave of Giants is not as far and would probably easier to do. The coast just looks so beautiful farther north. Most of the CA coast is beautiful, we just loved Carmel and Big Sur area too. Many of the houses in Trinidad rent by the day and look lovely. Our boys are big and we usually try to get 2 rooms or at least some kind of suite room so we're not on top of each other and so cramped.

Ever thought about camping there? I haven't myself, but might if I return.

I agree with HTTY. Unless you are planning on a loop of 199
over to GP and back down, you might as well stay by Eureka/Arcata
so you can head east on 299. I like Jed Smith State Park better than The National Park for Redwoods, but just my opinion.
Mt. Shasta, though not a park, is awesome also.

I thought Jed Smith was part of the Nat. Park?

I likes Prairie Creek a bit more than Jed Smith. However, the drive to Stout Grove is a good one and Jed Smith didn't seem to be as strenuous or require as much effort. Seemed less people too.

In Trinidad we stayed at the Trinidad Inn- very nice, clean- helpful staff and they do have some suites and rooms with kitchens

here ya go, spiro...
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=413

bbqboy,

You did read about the 4th or 5th paragraph?