Redwoods - Itinerary check, please!
 

Hi all,

After much hand-wringing, mind-changing, and worrying, my clan of 4 (including two kids, ages 7 and nearly 4) will be taking off for our redwoods roadtrip this weekend. We'll be making a loop from Portland. Here's the plan:

Day 1: Drive to Grants Pass with stops for ice cream at Rice Hill and animals at the Wildlife Safari in Winston. Stay at Best Western.

Day 2: Drive to Trinidad. Camp at Patrick's Point SP.

Days 3-4: Explore redwoods area. Day 3, stay close to the state park (to avoid a lot more car time). On day 4, head down to Ave. of the Giants, eat at Samoa Cookhouse. Still camping at Patrick's Point.

Day 5: Drive up the coast to somewhere between Port Orford and Bandon. Find a place to camp. (Lots of places around there don't accept reservations.)

Day 6: Check out the dunes, play on the beach

Day 7: Head north to Yachats. Stay in hotel. Check out Sea Lion Caves, etc.

Day 8: Yachats area.

Day 9: Back to Portland.

So! What am I missing? Are there specific (short) hikes or drives that we shouldn't miss? (I know that it's all gorgeous...) We do have one nausea-prone kid, so we have to choose our roads with some degree of caution. Any restaurants to hit? (We'll mostly be cooking at the campsite, but I'd love at least one break from the smoke. :))

Any helpful hints or suggestions are most welcome - thanks!

Looks like a great plan to me.

I agree, looks like a great plan! I stayed near Patricks Point on my trip down the coast in March--it's beautiful.

I'd recommend taking the Newton Drury scenic byway off 101 a bit north of Trinidad and doing a short hike near the Prairie Creek visitors center. I also really like the short Lady Bird Johnson Grove trail a bit further south (a couple miles off 101--it's clearly signed).

And in the Ave of the Giants area, the Founders Grove trail is a good short one.

I don't know how good it would be for young kids, but I really enjoyed the dinner I had at the Larrupin' Cafe in Trinidad (fantastic ribs).

And in Yachats, there were lots of families at the Drift Inn the night I ate there.

I really like the Cape Perpetua area. Views from up high are simply gorgeous on a sunny day. Then there's Devil's Churn where the sea comes inland at a very narrow inlet.

Beautiful area! Have a great trip! :)

Except for the few suggestions above - I think you've planned a great itinerary . . . . .

Terrific! Thanks for the hike and restaurant recommendations - anyone else have suggestions for us? My sons are real nature lovers, so any good wildlife-watching locations would be great.

Anyone know anything about the wildlife park in Bandon? Sounds as though it could either be extremely sketchy or the coolest thing ever...

I think I've replied to another thread you've posted. You have a good itinerary. Patrick's Point is great and there's lots to do in the immediate area.

If you have the time, hike out to the Tall Trees Grove just outside of Orick. You need to get the key at the visitor center that morning, I believe.

Also, drive out to Gold Bluffs and see Fern Canyon. Parts of Jurassic Park was filmed here. There are usually elk out here as well.

I'd skip the Avenue of the Giants. The best redwoods are between Trinidad and Crescent City. If you were driving from the South, I'd say do the Avenue but you are coming from Oregon and I wouldn't bother going south of Eureka unless your kids are interested in Victorians - then go to Ferndale.

Spend some time in Jedidiah Smith too. Excellent redwood groves there and some nice swimming areas on the Smith River.

Hi miamatusow

Here is my take

Day 2 Grants Pass to Patrick’s Pt. will be 3+ hours with no stops but you will want to stop several times. Stop at Jed Smith the summer bridge should be up so you can hike Stout grove. If it is sunny just south of the tourist trap, trees of mystery, there's a nice two-mile drive to Requa off Highway 101 with a good viewpoint of the mouth of the Klamath River. Then drive the Newton Drury scenic byway but leave the hiking for day four. Look out for the elk.
Day 3 Explore Patrick’s Pt., drive south to Trinidad the state beach there is nice. The seascape restaurant by the pier is more family friendly than Larrupin' Café. You might see river otters from the pier but more likely seals.
Day 4 I have to disagree with Otis B Driftwood. I believe the finest stretch of redwoods in the world is along Bull creek in Humboldt Redwoods State Park. That being said it would be a long day trip from Patrick’s Point down there. I would back track to Prairie Creek. Skip fern canyon unless you have a high clearance auto the road is really rough. Tall tress is too hard a hike with young kids. If you decide to go south then by all means take the drive up bull creek and stop at the tall trees area, cross the bridge and hike a short way down stream.
Day 5 and 6 I enjoy Bandon, Bullards beach has camping, the New river has a nice flat hike to a pond.
I have not been north of Bandon for about 3 years so no advice to give but you have a great trip planed let us know how it turns out

Have Fun
GP

Thanks so much for your help! Otis_B and GP: Your help in formulating a travel plan many months ago and your itinerary check now have both been extremely helpful.

Anyone else want to weigh in??

I agree with the recommendation to visit the seafood restaurant right on the wharf in Trinindad.

Fabulous! As long as I can get some non-seafood item for my one picky eater, we should be in good shape!

We have eaten at the Seascape in Trinidad. It was OK and something to do if you are in Trinidad at lunch time but avoid it for dinner. There are better options.

As for Fern Canyon, I disagree about the road. It's not that rough and the Gold Bluffs area is one of the most scenic in the area.

Humboldt Redwoods State Park is a great place. I agree. But you don't need to drive all that way from the north to see fine redwood groves. Just hike the trails in Prairie Creek, Del Norte, or Jedidaiah Smith. There is plenty to see there.