San Francisco to Crater Lake - Miss the Redwood Forest?

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Originally Posted by Robbi Lou

We've decided to forgo our 4th night in San Fran and instead leave early evening from San Fran towards the Avenue of the Giants, and stay somewhere fairly close to there

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It still seems like a such shame to drive this stretch at night and miss all of this country. Starting in San Franisco, it occurs to me that you should just use US-101 and go north. Following this plan, you could stay over-night at Ukiah or Leggett and then enjoy the redwoods as you drive north the next day.

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Can we still do 299 if we go this route? Where should we stay now that we have 2 days to get to Crater Lake?

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Sure, after you leave the Avenue of the Giants you can swing east on SR-299 and take that over to I-5 at Redding. I would suggest staying overnight at Medford.

Mark

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Originally Posted by Robbi Lou

We've decided to forgo our 4th night in San Fran and instead leave early evening from San Fran towards the Avenue of the Giants, and stay somewhere fairly close to there. Can we still do 299 if we go this route? Where should we stay now that we have 2 days to get to Crater Lake?

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Robbi- leave SF early evening, then stay somewhere around the Avenue of the Giants is what you mean?

If so, click these and see if anything grabs you. Some pretty neat lodging places in those parts. The Avenue of the Giants is really just a road that parallels the freeway for 31 miles (well marked) and runs through a series of tiny towns and runs through a series of groves of redwoods. The redwoods are quite massive, mainly just taller than your brain can conceptualize. Ironically, they're root systems only run about 10 feet deep- yet can spread out 250 feet! So to survive, they grow in groves, and as they grow, they interlock their root systems with the next tree. 60% of the world's tallest trees are found in the Avenue of the Giants. Anyway, maybe you already knew that but just fun facts about California. ;)

http://www.benbowinn.com - Garberville

http://www.gingerbread-mansion.com - Ferndale

http://www.a-victorian-inn.com - Ferndale

http://www.myersinn.com - Myers Flat

Remember that the section of freeway b/n Leggett to Fortuna is a 70 mile stretch and is known for speedtraps as the road drops down to 40mph in some spots. We've actually seen the local cop just sitting on the other side of the sign at times, waiting.

I've written several articles on the redwoods, here's a quickie excerpt. Fascinating stuff.

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The Dyerville Giant & the Founders Tree are found along the Founders Grove nature trail southeast of this junction. The Dyerville Giant was certified by the American Forestry Association as the Champion Coast Redwood up until it fell in March of 1991. Until that time- this giant redwood was 370 feet tall and was estimated to weigh over 1,000,000 pounds- comparable to a thirty story building or 200 feet taller than Niagara Falls. The base of tree was 52 feet in circumference and 17 feet in diameter.

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I want to see the Avenue of the Giants during the day, so when should I leave to see it during the day? Also, if I go to the Avenue of the Giants where should I stay after that so I can A) still drive the 299 and B) get close enough to stay somewhere that limits the drive to Crater Lake?