Photos and maps
8 days Road trip from Los Angeles to Northern California to Southern Oregon and back
Polina Volynskaya August, 2018,
Epic trip from Los Angles- Monterey-Golden Gate-Mendocino-Redwood Nathinal Park-Crater Lake- McArthur-Burney Falls -Napa- Los Angeles
Big Sur is finally open!!! PCH here we go!
The idea to visit The Redwood National park was in my mind for a long time. For me those giants look just magical and surreal. Finally, the dream become a reality and we decided to plan the big road trip toward Northern California. I was surfing the internet and created a list of interesting places which would be nice to visit. One of the articles also was highly recommend to visit Crater Lake in Oregon (Southern part of Oregon).
I wasn't sure if we will be able to drive that far but my boyfriend calculated all the driving time and confidently told me that it's possible! Yey, we are going.
Running ahead, I will tell you that with the original plan which we had, we suppose to stay in a new town/hotel every night, but through the trip we changed our plans ( we are really enjoyed one of the towns and decided to spend there more time & wild fires in NC), so below is the post-edited road trip schedule:
Day1: Santa Monica-Big Sur- Monterey - Santa Cruz
Day 2: Santa Cruz- Golden Gate- Mour Beach Overlook-Point Reyes National Seashore- Mendocino
Day3: Mendocino- Point Cabrillo Light Station- Glass Beach (Fort Brag)North Coast Brewing Company- Medocino
Day 4: Mendocino - Chandelier Drive-Thru Tree Park - Avenue of the Giants - Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park- Crater Lake, Oregon
Day 5: Crater Lake, Oregon- McCloud, CA
Day 6: McCloud- McCloud Falls- McArthur-Burney Falls- Napa
Day 7: Napa
Day 8: Napa- Santa Monica
Day 2: Santa Cruz- Golden Gate- Mour Beach Overlook-Point Reyes National Seashore- Mendocino
Day3: Mendocino- Point Cabrillo Light Station- Glass Beach (Fort Brag)North Coast Brewing Company- Medocino
Day 4: Mendocino - Chandelier Drive-Thru Tree Park - Avenue of the Giants - Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park- Crater Lake, Oregon
Day 5: Crater Lake, Oregon- McCloud, CA
Day 6: McCloud- McCloud Falls- McArthur-Burney Falls- Napa
Day 7: Napa
Day 8: Napa- Santa Monica
Day 1
Santa Monica - Big Sur- Monterey - Santa Cruz
Santa Monica - Big Sur- Monterey - Santa Cruz
We left Santa Monica orly Sunday morning the weather was just ideal for convertible car- music on, top down, shorts and summer shirts…. but after like about an hour of drive we got so cold… why?— overcast on PCH- classic mistake which most of the tourists do coming to CA, everyone think that CA is always hot and sunny, but its not, during summer especially May, June, and begnning of July- expect massive fog coming from the Pacific. The wind could be pretty cold. Of course, this won't make the trip less beautiful, fathermore, it will add some romantic vibe and uniqueness.
Stops/Overlooks: we did multiple stops on the way up, we didn't rush, we wanted to enjoy the road!
Lunch Morro Bay, sandwiches in the park with stunning view of the island covered into the cloud |
17 miles drive at Monterey we did couple of stops there, enjoyed the wild beach and lonely rock tree view The day was ended in Santa Cruze with wine and Italian dinner. |
Day 2
Santa Cruz- Golden Gate- Mour Beach Overlook-Point Reyes National Seashore- Mendocino
Santa Cruz- Golden Gate- Mour Beach Overlook-Point Reyes National Seashore- Mendocino
When we woke in the morning the temperature outside was about 54F- crazy for beginning of August, especially coming from LA with perfect 80F- so we layers up and left the hotel super early in order to avoid the traffic toward SF on Monday morning. It was foggy, supper foggy. We barely saw the Golden Gate- it was all covered in fog and when we got out from the car to check the view- the wind almost blew as away- 52F- welcome SF summer!
Those moment I rememberd the Mark Twain's quote:
"The coldest winter I ever saw was the summer I spent in San Francisco."
But the tick is as soon as you leave the city the weather becoming better, still foggy but at list in 60s. :)
Those moment I rememberd the Mark Twain's quote:
"The coldest winter I ever saw was the summer I spent in San Francisco."
But the tick is as soon as you leave the city the weather becoming better, still foggy but at list in 60s. :)
We did few stops on the way to the Port Reyes- overlooks and a beach on the way up.
Lunch & NAP: beach at Point Reyes National Seashore ( picnic on the beach)- it was ideal
Must to visit Tomales Oysters Company— the best oysters I ever had+super cute place!!!! |
Hotel Hotel: MacCallum House I just have to mention this hotel- super cute, cozy and welcoming place with an amazing design. It used to be a victorian family house which become a boutique hotel with own elegant restaurant & bar. The price for the room includes breakfast, and attention - its not your basic hotel breakfast, its the breakfast from the menu. Basically this hotel made us want to stay one more night at the town. |
Day 3
Mendocino- Point Cabrillo Light Station- Glass Beach (Fort Brag)North Coast Brewing Company- Mendocino
Mendocino- Point Cabrillo Light Station- Glass Beach (Fort Brag)North Coast Brewing Company- Mendocino
When I was preparing for the trip one of the blogs I found had the picture of the Mendocino Lighthouse and I knew that I want to see it myself. After the ideal breakfast at the ideal hotel we drove to see the light house. The trail to light house have to passes- one is by the road and one through the field - definitely choose the second one- very romantic and isolated!
I was craving to see the Glass Beach for years, but turned out that it's all fraud…. or we didn't find the right place- when we got to the beach there was millions of people who are looking for something in the dirty sand- looked ugly, so we left and headed to taste a bear at the North Coast Brewing Company next door- no regrets!
Mendocino itself is a super cute town, full of galleries and cozy restaurants. Great town to spend romantic weekend with someone special.
Mendocino itself is a super cute town, full of galleries and cozy restaurants. Great town to spend romantic weekend with someone special.
Day 4
Mendocino - Chandelier Drive-Thru Tree Park - Avenue of the Giants - Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park- Crater Lake, Oregon
Mendocino - Chandelier Drive-Thru Tree Park - Avenue of the Giants - Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park- Crater Lake, Oregon
Originally this long drive suppose to be splted for two day, but since we change our plans we had to rearrange our trip. And I tell u what- turnout it wasn't that complicated. We arrived at the destination point 1 hour after the sunset- not that bad, after all we even didn't rush , we really was enjoying our day!
Drive Thru Tree was fun, but don't spend much time there, its much better to plan on long hike in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park- much more worth it!
Picnic at Redwood National State Park 1760 Hufford Rd Trinidad, CA 95555 United States That was absolutely random, we was just driving and then decided to get lunch before the hike in the park, so my boyfriend took the left turn where the sign was saying "beach" and we appeared at abandoned beach, it was spectacular! |
Really Impressive
Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park - that what I was craving to see all my trip- the red wood giant, some articles was saying that one of the Jurassic Park episodes was filmed here, and it's true - when you got there you feel yourself just a little creature. The trees are so big so you can't believe it. It is overwhelming and impressive!
Heading to Oregon
Alright, after The Redwoods we headed to Oregon to see the Crater Lake, but we had a mission on the way, we wanted to visit Beckie's Café , because one of the articles I found was highly reccomened their pies- seriously it was just fantastic- I order the very berry pie and it exceeded all my expectations- it was veeeeery berry and not super sweet!!!!
Way to Oregon was tough- the wildfires was all over and we was driving though crazy smog… but same time it was bringing a beauty and mystery for the scenery.
Way to Oregon was tough- the wildfires was all over and we was driving though crazy smog… but same time it was bringing a beauty and mystery for the scenery.
Hotel Hotel: Crater Lake Lodge Yes, yes and yes- stay there and you will enjoy rustic style of the rooms ( I still cherish I'm my memories a classic bath tub with no shower and with window view to the forest- priceless ), morning view to the lake and amazing host at the frontdesk who will equip you with all possible hikes and ideas hot to spend the day at the Crater lake. |
Day 5
Crater Lake, Oregon - McCloud, California
Crater Lake, Oregon - McCloud, California
Unfortunately when we woke up the smog was still super heavy and we wasn't able to see the lake at all. It was very disappointing and frustrating - to drive all this way up to Oregon and won't be able to see the main pearl! But our team was unbeatable and we decided to go for a few hikes around the lake and little later to try our luck again and get back and to check the view.
Castle Crest Wildflower trail
All my smog frustration got disapeared the monet we got into the forest. It was a true miracle.... Sun was seeping through the smog and the trees... there wasn't any words... there was just wows and ahhh...
Crater Lake view trail The second trail we decided to visit was the Sun Notch trail. We didn't know if we will be able to see the lake... we were just hoping and keep hiking... this moment will stay forever in my meneoris... there was one step before we suppose to see the main view... we looked to each other, breath in... and made the step... and THE MIRACLE had happened... the smog got disappeared... and we was able to the the super blue lake... |
Cleetwood Cove Trail The lake is 5 by 6 miles (8.0 by 9.7 km) across and it has just ONE TRAIl which is going down to reach he water- Cleetwood Cove Trale. It is not the easy one but its very rewarding! |
Way back to California
After the half day roaming around the Crater Lake we headed back to Smokey California. Little by little the green plants was becoming more yellow- this moment when you realize that you back into the golden state.
Hotel Hotel: McCloud Mercantile Hotel When I saw the hotel for the first time it remind me a building from the western movies and I was kinda concerned about the the rooms...but when we open the door the world got splitter on before and after- super beautiful and cute!!! Great breacfast too! |
Day 6
McCloud - McArthur Burney Falls -Napa
McCloud - McArthur Burney Falls -Napa
The main reason we were staying at McCloud is McArthur - Burney Falls which are 40 mins away form the town. But after talking with bartender in the bar the night before we decided to go for a hike at McCloud. Turned out they have an amazing trail with 3 waterfalls.
McArthur Burney Falls McArthur Burney Falls is deffinetly worth to visit. The hike is pretty short but the fallls are just impressive! |
McArthur Burney Falls
Hotel in Napa Hotel: Napa River Inn After a wild trip into the forest, after smokey hikes and long drives along the state it was such a pleasure to come back to the real world to the luxury real world. The hotel itself located into a downtown of Napa, close to all night activities. The concerge was super sweet and offered us free tickets to a live concert. I didn't carry my camera obviously, but believe me we had a blast!!! |
Day 7,8
Napa, Napa- Santa Monica
Napa, Napa- Santa Monica
We spend an amazing day in Napa, we did wine tasting in several vinyerds, we had a posh dinner an amazing restraint... this days you don't have carry the camera... you should just enjoy the moment and drink wine :)
It was little sad to drive back home, even though the home is- Los Angeles, but same time it felt amazing to be able to see the state, to discover all this beaitudul places and to open a new world to ourselves!
It was little sad to drive back home, even though the home is- Los Angeles, but same time it felt amazing to be able to see the state, to discover all this beaitudul places and to open a new world to ourselves!
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