The Redwood Highway: The Long Way- Northern California

The drive north from Mendocino changes almost imperceptibly at first. When the traffic thins, somewhere past Leggett, the redwoods close in and their scale becomes the topic of conversation (amidst the "ooh's"). These trees were already ancient when the first trade routes moved through this land, long before logging camps and rail lines tried (and failed) to tame it.

This stretch of Northern California was shaped by the redwood trees. Timber built fortunes here in the late 19th century, floated down rivers and hauled by rail toward distant cities. What remains now are quieter towns that survived by adapting, landscapes that reclaimed themselves, and a highway that rewards travelers willing to let the road be the plan for their day.

Among the Redwoods

Driving through Avenue of the Giants is a truly, awesome experience, in the literal sense with sunlight shifting through the redwood trunks in a steady repetition of light streams, the smell of pine and moss, and the irresistable urge to look up. Short walks off the road lead to groves where sound drops away almost completely, and the trees beckon you to explore.

Man stands next to redwood tree showing the sheer scale of the trees on northern california roadtrip

Two Memorable Perspectives on the Northern California Redwood Trees

Just south of Arcata, Redwood Sky Walk at Sequoia Park Zoo offers a rare way to experience the forest canopy: suspended walkways thread gently through mature redwoods, allowing you to move at eye level within the branches. (It is quiet, surprisingly meditative, and far more subtle than the name suggests.) It is especially rewarding for travelers who may not want a long hike but still want a sense of immersion — or for families with teens, who tend to appreciate the physical experience of moving through the landscape rather than observing it from the car.

Drive through redwood tree in northern california

A bit farther afield, but often folded into a north–south coastal drive, the Shrine Drive-Thru Tree sits along Highway 101. Yes, you can drive a car through it, and yes, that fact alone risks tipping it into novelty. It is a brief sidebar, faintly eccentric, but a stop you will remember if simply for the feeling of passing through something living and immense.

Arcata: A Northern California Town That Lives for the Outdoors

Arcata feels like a place people live, not just pass through. Its compact plaza- one of the last true town squares in California- anchors daily life. Farmers’ markets spill across it, bookstores and cafés face inward, and the pace feels governed by local habit.

A walk through Arcata Plaza on a weekend morning offers a clear sense of local rhythms. Nearby, the marsh trails at Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary provide an easy counterpoint of flat paths, open sky, and long views toward the bay.

shops along arcata's square

charming town of arcata lined by shops and cafes

murals and local art in quaint arcata

beautiful homes and areas to stroll in arcata, northern california

town square where students and farmers markets flourish in arcata

Where to Stay : Simple, Well-Placed, Thoughtful

Lodging here favors function and warmth over luxury. The Inn at 2nd & C offers a comfortable base in a restored historic building, walkable to Old Town Eureka’s galleries and cafés. For something quieter and more design-forward, Hydrangea Inn is intimate and carefully kept. I usually stay on the square in the historic Hotel Arcata (plan for some street noise, and there is no AC), but there are plenty of short term home rentals, as well. These are places chosen for location and ease, not amenities lists, which is really very characteristic of this University town.

Food Nearby

Meals in this region tend to be straightforward. In Arcata, Campground remains a local favorite for seasonal cooking that is protein forward (read steaks). Some of my personal faves are : Renata's for creative and utterly delicious crepes, Tomo Sushi on the bottom floor of the Hotel Arcata, and Salt for seasonally fresh fare including oysters. In Eureka, Brick & Fire Bistro delivers reliably good food in a relaxed setting—exactly what you want after a long drive, as does Humboldt Bay Bistro, set away from traffic in a sweet little house on the water.

The Pleasure of the Long Route through the Redwoods

The drive from San Francisco, through trees, coast, farms and vines works best when treated as a sequence rather than a destination: a few stops in the redwoods, a morning in Arcata. The appeal lies in making your own discoveries in these less discovered places.

If you are considering a Northern California journey that includes the redwoods and the long road north, I can help shape it around distance, history, and ease—so the drive feels as intentional as the destination. If you are looking for ideas for a romantic getaway, a family roadtrip, or other NorCal destinations, read on.

→ Let’s Plan Your Northern California Getaway

Viewfinder Travel is a boutique travel agency that designs unique, life-enhancing experiences. Whether you are in search of cultural sustenance, a relaxing island unwind, a gourmet escape, a picturesque countryside, or the invigoration of a city, Viewfinder Travel will find your recipe for travel magic. We are reliable, detail-oriented, and have a flair for finding the beautiful, off-the-beaten-path “boutique” experiences—so you can focus on the fun, not the logistics.

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About the Author Jody Holman is a boutique travel advisor, luxury travel writer, and photographer specializing in customized journeys through France, Hawai‘i, and Europe. She curates immersive group experiences, teaches wine classes, and shares sensory-rich stories through Viewfinder Travel. Her work blends editorial precision with a love of communal rituals, cultural depth, and off-the-path discovery.