The Road to the Redwoods, CA

After leaving Redding and Lassen Volcanic National Park, we drove along Highway 299 to the historic town of Eureka. This 149 mile (235 km) highway, passes through the northern Sierra Nevada, Cascade and Modoc mountain ranges and offers glorious vistas.

We took our time and made multiple stops along the way to enjoy the breathtaking scenery.

An initial settlement was established here in 1850 and named Eureka for the promising possibilities. It became a town for gold miners to obtain supplies, and grew quickly, becoming a major seaport and logging town in April, 1856.

We stayed at the Eureka Inn. This charming hotel was completed in 1922 and opened the same time as the Redwood Highway.

In 1982, it was added to the National Registry of Historic Places. During its peak years, many famous people stayed here including Winston Churchill, Walt Disney, Shirley Temple and multiple US presidents.

We were told by a local bartender that the 4th floor of the inn is haunted, which explained the odd happenings in the elevator. We were staying on the third floor, and every time we stepped into the elevator, and pushed the 1st or 3rd floor button, the 4th floor button also lit up. Very strange, and it happened every single time we were in the elevator. I asked the front desk clerk if it was an electrical problem, but she just smiled and said it happens sometimes. Other accounts of drawers opening and other odd things have been reported. Click here to learn more about this playful phantom.

We enjoyed exploring the town and surrounding area of Humboldt County.

After a day in Eureka, we drove up the coast to the Redwood National and State Parks, with a stop in Trinidad along the way. This relaxed, coastal town nestled among the redwoods offers stunning views of the Pacific. It’s easy to see why Trinidad Bay is one of the most popular places along the Northern California Coast for photographers and artists.

Our next stop was Klamath, just 41 miles (66 km) up the coast, where we spent two days exploring the Redwood National and State Parks.

We even saw a herd of elk along the way.

We booked a quaint, cozy cabin in the woods for our stay.

The Redwoods are absolutely spectacular. We have been here multiple times before, but we never tire of wandering through these massive trees and enjoying the tranquility.

We visited in mid-September which meant the crowds had thinned, but the weather was still mild; a perfect combination.

Much more on the Redwood National and State Parks next week.

If you’re curious about our current activities, check out recent posts by theTravelsketcher.

Have you been to Eureka, Trinidad or the Redwoods? Even if you haven’t, I would love to hear from you so leave a message if you’d like.

Wishing you grand adventures,

Tricia