To see and explore great redwoods and northern california coast, do I need to go any further North than Eureka? I had planned on taking the entire 101 route (Leggett to Crescent City), but I may only do the southern portion up to Eureka or Trinidad. However, if there is a must-see further north, I do not want to miss it. Any thoughts?

IMO the best portion of the redwoods is between Eureka and Crescent City.

The entire distance is well worth taking. Take the Avenue of the Giants rather than 101 before getting to Eureka. Also, the jog up to Lady Bird Johnson grove is worthwhile just past Orick. Unless you agree with Reagan that if you've seen one redwood, you've seen them all, drive all the way to Crescent City.

Agree with "Gardyloo...
Don't agree with Reagan about the trees. Plus the Redwood Groves have beautiful "coastal" ferns and in the spring wild azaleas/rhododendrons.
It is truly awesome...

There's a herd of elk at Prairie Creek in Redwood Natl Park, also there are trees of other species like hemlock and sitka spruce that don't occur farther south, and the whole forest just seems more lush and green there. And there's the ocean.

I also would second Avenue of the Giants.Very wonderful place.

Thank you all for the input. I think we will be going all the way to the Oregon border -- I guess its no mistake that it made the "most scenic drives" list.

Where is a good place to stay around Trinidad, McKinleyville, or Eureka?
Good, casual restaurants that don't mind muddy boots?

Thanks again!

There's a good, reasonable Quality Inn just north of Arcata. Two good, casual restaurants: Seafood Grotto in Eureka right where 101 turns north and the Seascape right on the waterfront in Trinidad.

Great local restaurant: the Beachcomber Restaurant in Crescent City south on Highway 101. Terrific atmosphere. Friendly folks!

About 20 miles south of Eureka (it's been a while so check this out) there is a charming Victorian town called Ferndale--the whole town is on the Historic Register. Nice detour for part of a day.

This is some of my favorite area to drive and hike and have a good old fashioned Califronia road trip.

Places to eat in Eureka:

Lazio's seafood...may have to wait for the fresh seafood..popular place

Samoa Cookhouse..last surviving cookhouse in the West...built to feed the loggers...no menu..just hearty food and can buy fresh baked loaves of bread, stroll on driftwood beaches, tour logging museuum

Tomaso's Tomato Pies...Sicilian style Pizza

One suggestion is to stay at the Hartsook Inn at Piercy. The cabins are very very rustic (read door, bed, toilet) in the heart of a 30 acre redwood setting...and on the Eel River which is a blast for fishing and swimming, wading.

Restraunt across the hiway had 4 star gourmet dinners and a great selection of wines when we were there. Do be careful tho and have a designated "walker" to get you back safely across the speed demon hiway..

There is the drive thru tree park..for grins...Leggett..but size it up good BEFORE you go thru as your car may not fit...

But my favorite REdwoods of tehm all are Jedadiah Smith Park..shot some of teh Star Wars scenes in here...we tent camped here and in teh middle of teh night the Bears came into camp and rattled the heck out of the Bear cans...twenty feet from us...
We had a Great time..know you will too..

more Jed Smith:
http://www.mailtribune.com/archive/2...ies/02life.htm

I guess we are addicted to national brands. When Eureka comes at quitting time, we use the Best Western at the south end of town...right next to Marie Callendar's.

bookmarking

In McKinleyville there is a Holiday Inn Express that is good. We stayed there last year on our drive through, and we thought the hotel was brand new the way it looked. They told me it was 6 yrs old, so that tells you how well they keep it up. It is near a little airport, which actually has a good restaurant and you can watch the planes take off and land. You get a discount if you tell them you are staying at the hotel.