20 Coastal Adventures for Your Northern California Road Trip
If you’re planning a Northern California road trip along the coast, this post is loaded with awesome stops!
We spent hours of research and weeks of traveling on our own Northern California road trip, and came up with these top 20 things to do along the Northern California coast. We hope they’ll be as fun for you as they were for us!
If your road trip is taking you farther from the coast and into the north central part of California, check out this post: A Dozen Awesome Things To Do in Northern California.
Alright! Let’s dig in!
20 things to do during your Northern California road trip
1. Humboldt Redwoods State Park
Humboldt Redwoods State Park is definitely a top thing to do along the northern California coast. This specific area of northern California has the largest expanse of ancient redwoods left on the planet!
While visiting, you can find great fishing, swimming, camping, hiking, and horseback riding. And don’t miss these two awesome sections:
Dyerville Giant - This redwood was the record holder at 362’ tall when it fell in 1991. It's still an impressive sight to see, and can be explored close-up by hiking the Founder’s Grove Trail.
Drive Avenue of the Giants - This 32 mile paved drive is one of the best places to see the redwoods by car along the entire north coast of California.
Visit the state park website for more information.
2. Eternal Treehouse
This is one of those quirky roadside stops found right off the Avenue of the Giants, and is worth a quick 15 minute stop during your Northern California road trip.
The Eternal Treehouse is basically a 20 foot room hallowed out of a redwood stump, along with a gift shop and some information about the famous tree.
3. Ferndale Fairgrounds Camping
If you're trying to keep your northern California road trip budget friendly, and you’re set up to camp, check out the Ferndale Fairgrounds as an overnight option.
Or, if you just need a shower or to fill/dump your RV tanks, this is a great stop too.
Check out their site for up-to-date fees and operating hours.
4. Eureka Old Town District
Eureka’s Old Town District is a part of the United States National Register of Historic Places, with over 150 well-preserved Victorian era buildings. It’s found just a couple blocks from Highway 101, and is roughly located at 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Streets between B and M Streets in downtown Eureka, CA.
Filled with Victorian architecture and huge murals, you can find plenty of local places to eat or drink, numerous small shops to explore, as well as the Eureka Waterfront.
The Eureka Waterfront runs along the Old Town District and looks out across Humboldt Bay. There’s a boardwalk, an operating wharf from where you can buy fresh local seafood, a marina, kayak rentals, and the 6 mile Eureka Waterfront Trail.
You could plan to stop in for a quick visit, or easily spend a day of your northern California road trip here.
5. College Cove Beach
College Cove Beach is a smaller sandy beach with beautiful views, and is actually the north part of Trinidad State Beach. The trail down to this beach is a little jungle-like with a few steeper sections, but our family thought it was a fun hike.
If you hit this awesome northern California road trip stop at low tide, you’ll be able to explore caves with starfish and sea anemone. If you’re here soon after a rain, you might catch a waterfall running into the ocean too.
If you’ve got your kiddos with you, you may prefer to scan the crowds before picking your spot - although we didn’t see anyone in the nude, we had heard that it isn’t uncommon to catch people in the buff.
6. Sue-meg State Park
We were surprised to find that Sue-meg State Park (previously called Patrick’s Point State Park) ended up being one of our favorite coastal stops on our northern California road trip! It’s found about 30 miles north of Eureka, right along the Pacific coast.
The park is only 1 square mile, but there’s tons of adventure to be found here! Be sure to check out these places:
Agate Beach - A short hike down to a stone covered beach where collecting agates and driftwood is popular. We arrived very early and virtually had the place to ourselves as the fog lifted. Because of strong tides, swimming is not recommended.
Mussel Rock - Visit Mussel Rock at low tide! After a short .3 mile walk to the ocean, you’ll be able to find tide pools filled with starfish, sea anemones, crabs, and gobs and gobs of mussels. We also were lucky enough to see a migrating whale as we ate a picnic lunch!
Wedding Rock - Wedding Rock is an impressive sight even from afar, as well as up close by taking the short .2 mile walk out on top. It juts out into the Pacific Ocean, towering high above the waves.
Reconstructed Sumeg Village - Learn more about the North Coast Native American History by exploring a reconstructed Sumeg Village. If you hit it at the right time in the summer, you may be able to witness a traditional ceremony here as well.
We didn’t camp here, but there are three campgrounds with flush toilets, a visitor’s center, and a coin operated shower house you can take advantage of even if you aren’t camping overnight.
Click here to learn more about the Reexamining Our Past Initiative that led to this park’s renaming.
And go here for the State Park website.
7. Humboldt Lagoons State Park
If you have a little extra time during your Northern California road trip and are into wildlife, Humboldt Lagoons State Park could make your list of places to see.
This lagoon is found between Eureka and Crescent City and includes Big Lagoon, Stone Lagoon, Freshwater Lagoon, and Dry Lagoon. It’s part of the largest lagoon system in the U.S.!
Hiking trails will help you explore dunes, forests, prairies, marsh plants, coastal scrub, and ocean. With such varied habitats, you’ll be able to see all kinds of wildlife - from whales and elk to fish and birds.
When you’re done exploring by foot, use your own personal watercraft or rent one to get out into the lagoon! Boating, fishing, kayaking, and paddleboarding are all encouraged in the lagoon. Check the Stone Lagoon Visitor Center for kayak and paddleboard rentals.
Visit the state park’s website for more info.
Redwood National and State Parks
Okay, first things first!
Redwood National Park isn’t like the other national parks in the U.S. Rather than being one national park in one location, it’s actually spread between 4 different parks and locations, all located in Northern California and found quite close to one another.
Three of the parks are California State Parks and one is a National Park. From south to north:
Redwood National Park
Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
This is a unique partnership between the National Parks system and California State Parks, and together, they provide protection for about half of the world’s old-growth redwood forests.
This National Park Service map detailing the state and national parks can help you get your bearings.
Ready for specifics on places to see and things to do in the Redwood National and State Parks?!
Redwood National Park
Redwood National Park is the most southern and the largest of the parks, and there is no fee to visit!
We’ve highlighted 3 must-see places to visit during your Northern California road trip, but stop in at the Kuchel Visitor Center for anything else you need.
8. Ladybird Johnson Trail - This popular 1.4 mile loop trail is mostly level and considered easy. It’s a nice way to see the differences between secondary-growth forests that have been previously logged and old-growth forests filled with ancient redwoods. You’ll easily see, feel, and hear the differences as the hiking trail moves you through both.
To access this trail, you’ll first need to drive 3 miles on Bald Hill Road. This road isn’t recommended for larger RVs or trailers, as it’s quite narrow and windy. Also, the parking area at the trailhead doesn’t accommodate vehicles like these with larger footprints.
9. Redwood Creek Overlook - The Redwood Creek Overlook sits 1,000 feet above sea level and gives expansive views of the redwood forests, the Pacific Ocean, amazing sunsets, and stars.
Interpretive signs help highlight some of what you’re looking out at, most notably the thousands of acres of old-growth redwood forest alongside secondary-growth redwood forest.
Fog and cloud cover sometimes impacts visibility, so you might want to check the weather before routing here.
10. Tall Trees Grove Trail - This isn’t the easiest or most convenient hike, as it’s got a bit of elevation change and requires a permit. If you are able to hike the Tall Trees Grove, you’re in for seeing numerous trees over 350’ tall, and you’ll be skirting past the Hyperion Tree, which is currently touted as being the tallest tree in the world at 380’.
The hike is a total of 4 miles. You’ll descend 800’ within the first 1.5 miles to arrive at the forest floor and begin the hike along Redwood Creek. After a 1 mile loop from which you can admire numerous massive redwoods, you’ll go out the way you came, hiking up 800’ over the 1.5 miles back to the parking lot.
Fifty free permits are available each day, and need to be requested online through the Redwood National Park website at least 3 days in advance. If you know your ideal hiking date, go ahead and secure your permit a few weeks in advance.
If you are awarded a permit, you’ll pick it up at the Kuchel Visitor Center where you’ll be given directions to the trailhead and the day’s gate code to enter the parking area. The narrow, windy road and the trailhead parking lot do not accommodate trailers or RVs over 21’ long.
The Hyperion Tree is a tempting add-on to this hike, but there is no established trail to this tree. Because of the recent hype it’s received, the root system and surrounding vegetation are being negatively impacted. The parks department (as of July 2022) is now issuing fines up to $5000 and up to 6 months jail time for those caught venturing off trail to the Hyperion Tree. So best to stick to the trail and enjoy the other giants throughout the park!
Alternate Hike: If you are unable to hike the Tall Trees Grove, check out the more accessible Karl Knapp Trail, also filled with some of the tallest Redwoods in the world! You can read more about that hike here. https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/prairie-creek_foothill-trail.htm
Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park is found just north of the Redwood National Park.
Many of the places to visit are free, however, some areas of the state park do require an entrance fee. If you have one, you can use your America the Beautiful National Park Pass to get around these fees though! Expect a fee to enter Gold Bluffs Campground and Elk Prairie Campground, and to drive to Gold Bluffs Beach and Fern Canyon.
We’ve picked out 2 of our favorite things to do during this part of your Northern California road trip, but stop in at the Kuchel or Prairie Creek Visitor Center for more information.
11. Fern Canyon Hike - Fern Canyon Hike is one you won’t soon forget! It’s an easy 1.1 mile loop trail that winds through a 50’ canyon completely covered in massive ferns, with a stream flowing through it. This area is so otherworldly that a part of Jurassic Park 2 was filmed here!
Because so much of this hike is in and through shallow water, seasonal foot bridges are put in place. During our visit, water shoes weren’t necessary because of these strategically placed bridges, but having water shoes on definitely made this hike more fun and memorable for our daughter!
To get to the trailhead, take the 10 mile unpaved Davison Road, which has two water crossings and doesn’t allow trailers or RVs over 24’ long. It’s pretty windy and was super dusty during our visit, but was well maintained. Check on road conditions at the visitor center before starting down, especially if it’s rained recently.
Beginning in 2022, in an effort to minimize impact and preserve this special place for future generations, a free permit is required to hike Fern Canyon between the dates of May 1 and September 30. You’ll have to grab your permit online the day before you want to hike (or earlier). The visitor centers do not issue permits.
12. Coastal Drive - This approximately 9 mile scenic loop runs high above the Pacific Ocean, along the bluff’s edge. It’s the old Highway 101, and although it’s a short drive, allow about 45 minutes to explore.
To get there, turn off of Alder Camp Road, and head right/north onto the gravel Coastal Drive. There’ll be signs! Coastal Drive is a one-way, northbound road.
Stop at High Bluff Overlook, and a bit further down the road keep your eyes out for the WW2 Radar Station disguised as a farmhouse. You’ll also enjoy views of the mouth of the Klamath River flowing into the ocean, and keep a lookout for whales, sea lions, and pelicans as you go.
Coastal Drive will soon end and you’ll turn right/east onto the paved Klamath Beach road to arrive back at U.S. 101.
Motorhomes and trailers are prohibited from using Coastal Drive.
13. Tour Thru Tree - Private Business in Klamath
This is one of those touristy stops (not associated with any of the Redwood National or State Parks) that your kiddos may remember longer than you do! We spent about 15 minutes here after paying the suggested donation of $5, and enjoyed watching a few people inch their vehicles through the drive-through Redwood.
We weren’t the only ones who decided it was wiser to forgo the attempted squeeze through, and instead snapped a quick picture of us standing in the tree before heading down the road.
Adding the Tour Thru Tree to your Northern California road trip is definitely one of those quick and quirky one-time stops! If you arrive and see you’ll have to wait in a long line of vehicles, it may feel less worth your time.
14. Trees of Mystery - Private Business in Klamath
Trees of Mystery is another stop that’s not affiliated with any national or state parks, but because of its location in Klamath right outside the Redwood Parks, it’s worth a visit.
You’ll be able to walk across suspension bridges from 50 to 100 feet up in the redwoods, enjoy an enclosed gondola ride through the treetops, visit and learn about a few unique redwood trees, hike a few easy trails, and tour one of the largest privately owned world-class collections of artifacts from the first Americans.
It’s a fun thing to do along the Northern California coast and will allow you to enjoy the redwoods from a different vantage point!
Check out their website for up-to-date pricing and information.
Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park
By this point in your Northern California road trip, you might be looking for some things to do along the coast that aren’t all about redwoods!
The Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park does have old-growth forests, but also plenty of coastal trails and beaches. There is a fee to enter the Mill Creek Campground here, and you can use your America the Beautiful National Park Pass to enter for free, if you have one.
We’ve outlined two things to do in the state park, but the Information Center at 2nd and K in Crescent City is your stop for more info.
15. Coastal Trail - This trail runs along a coastal bluff with amazing views of the Pacific. It’s a long trail that runs up and down many sections of the state parks in Northern California, covering about 70 miles, so unless you’re backpacking, you’d just pick a section and hike as long as you want before turning around.
Keep your eyes peeled for sea lions and whales, and you’ll have opportunities to take side trails down to secluded beaches where you can explore tide pools and enjoy some time in solitude.
There are some sections with steeper drop-offs, so if this concerns you you may want to stop in at the Information Center for specifics, or visit this site for help.
16. Enderts Beach - Enderts Beach is not a swimming beach, but at low tide (time your visit accordingly!) you’ll find tons of amazing tide pools to explore with coastal bluffs as the backdrop.
To get to Enderts Beach, park at the southern end of Enderts Beach Road and take the Last Chance Section of the Coastal Trail. After ⅓ of a mile you’ll come to a trail junction before crossing Nickel Creek. Follow the sign pointing down a spur trail towards Enderts Beach. This trail descends 200’ to the beach.
This trail is sometimes closed because of rock fall, so be sure to check ahead. No dogs are allowed on the trail or at the beach, and the only facilities are in the parking lot.
17. Battery Point Lighthouse
Crescent City’s Battery Point Lighthouse first began operation in 1856, and is still in operation today. The lighthouse and museum are open for tours, tide permitting. There’s a 200’ crossing between the mainland and island the lighthouse stands on, which can only be done during low tide.
If you are able to tour Battery Point Lighthouse while on your Northern California road trip, you’ll see artifacts and furniture from the 1850s in the lighthouse keeper’s quarters, learn about the history through photos and documents, and be able to climb into the light tower for a look around.
Check out this site for more information.
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park is the most northern of the 4 total parks. There is a fee to enter the Jedediah Smith Campground.
Here are our favorite things to do in Jedediah Smith State Park. For more information, stop in at the Information Center in Crescent City or at the Hiouchi Visitor Center.
18. Drive Howland Hill Road - We were so glad this drive was on our Northern California road trip list! It’s a 10 mile, sometimes narrow, dirt road through the scenic Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park.
There are turn offs and trailheads throughout to give you chances to get out of your vehicle and stretch your legs while exploring some of these amazing redwoods up close and personal.
So although it’s a short drive, allow plenty of time. RVs and trailers aren’t recommended on Howland Hill Road.
19. Stout Memorial Grove Trail - This ½ mile loop hiking trail is off of Howland Hill Road, at the very east end of it. Because RV’s and trailers aren’t recommended on Howland Hill, nor do they fit in the trailhead parking lot, there is another option if you’re visiting in the summer.
During summer months, you can pay (or use your America the Beautiful Pass) to park at the Jedediah Smith Campground, then walk towards the Smith River. Find the trail heading upstream and after ½ mile use the summer hikers’ bridge to cross the Smith River and enter Stout Memorial Grove.
This is an ancient coastal forest filled with enormous redwoods along the Smith River. Periodic flooding of the Smith inhibits the growth of understory plants and trees, and with little undergrowth, the 300’ redwoods are on full display.
There’s also a short spur trail that’ll take you down to the Smith River.
20. 4x4 Beach Access Off Kellogg Road
Driving on the beach is a memorable addition to a Northern California road trip, and there are fewer and fewer places this is allowed. At the time of this writing, the north section of Tolowa Dunes State Park in Crescent City allows vehicles on the beach.
Take Kellogg Road, pulling into the free parking area to air down your tires before driving your 4WD vehicle right out onto the shoreline. Vehicles aren’t permitted south of this access, which is where Lake Earl Wilderness Area begins. So once at the shoreline, turn right/north to find a spot you’d like to enjoy the rest of your day!
This was the last stop on our Northern California road trip - driving on the beach and enjoying pizza and s'mores - so we didn’t take advantage of exploring the sand dunes or wetlands in Tolowa Dunes State Park. Visit the state park website to see what else this place has to offer!
We hope these 20 things to do along the Northern California coast give you plenty of ideas for your next road trip adventure!
If you’ve found other gems that should be added to the list of worthy Northern California road trip stops, let us know in the comments below.
And don’t forget to jump over to our other post, A Dozen Awesome Things To Do in Northern California, highlighting some great stops in the north central part of California.
As always, thanks for reading.
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