San Francisco to Crater Lake - Miss the Redwood Forest?

[Robbi Lou]

I have to drive from San Francisco to Crater Lake with my husband and another couple and it's about 7 hours according to Mapquest. Now, taking I-5 is surely the quick way, but would it be a mistake to miss driving through the Redwoods up past Eureka? We will have already driven the coast from San Diego to L.A., but is it worth it to take an extra 3.5 hours (10 hours total driving one day) to see the Redwoods?

I was thinking San Fran to Crescent City so we could see the Redwoods and then over to Fort Klamath near Crater Lake. I could also go San Fran to Redding and then cut across 299 to Arcata and up to Crescent City, as I've heard that 299 is absolutely gorgeous. Is it too much?

[Mark Sedenquist]

I have to drive from San Francisco to Crater Lake

Welcome to the Great American RoadTrip Forum! I just drove SR-299 from Redding over to Arcata and zigzagged around the coast for four days. It is a beautiful drive, but if you are really trying to go all the all way from San Francisco to Crater Lake in one day and see the redwoods, I think it is too much. Mapquest is way off on this section of roadway. It will be impossible to average much more than 50 mph for most of the coastal route, (there are sections where you are able to drive 65+, but also sections where 35 is closer to reality) I think the day will be closer to 15-20 hours in the saddle -- it might be worth it (those trees are magnificient) but you do have to allow sufficient time.

Mark

[W. Larrison]

I'd recommend doing SF across the Golden Gate up 101 to the Redwoods, and then across at Crescent City to Grants Pass to Klamath Falls to Crater Lake.

However, you'll want to spend at least several hours sightseeing at the Redwoods -- I'd recommend getting down to Gold Beach and Fern Gully, and the Lady Bird grove, at least. If you stay at or near Crescent City, you can make it to Crater Lake in a day I think -- My last trip was from just south of Crescent City over the Howland Hill road through the Jeddiah Smith Redwoods State Park, and then up 199 through Grants Pass to Redding in a day. That included a side trip to Oregon Caves and a tour through them in a day.

[Robbi Lou]

I can't stay at or near Crescent City. If I left Frisco at like 7 am could I see the Redwoods and get to Crater Lake in 1 day?

[pashnit]

I can't stay at or near Crescent City. If I left Frisco at like 7 am could I see the Redwoods and get to Crater Lake in 1 day?

Robbi- I'd have to agree with Mark on this one. I was running around there last weekend too, and the distance is pretty dramatic.

Maybe if you left early from SF, and went up 101 straight to Leggit (watch for speed traps in ALL the small towns), but the Avenue of the Giants is 31 miles long if that's what your planning. At a 35mph speed, take you an hour to get through there. Then onto Fortuna/Eureka. If you took Hwy 199 cutting up into Oregon, still a rather slow road with all the traffic and twists and turns. I suppose it could be done, but you'd be traveling all day on county highways after Crescent City (Oregon border) and maybe you'd reach the base of the hill.

I once rode from the base of Crater Lake, to the top, down the north side, then straight out to the Oregon Coast, then all the way down the Oregon-California coastline on Hwy 1 and cut in around Fort Bragg on Hwy 128 to Sacramento. Lil further than San Fran.

If I remember correctly, it was 16+ hours in the saddle, all county roads, stopping only for gas (no meals) & a couple pics. Couldn't feel my right hand for 3 days after that. :)

If you want to see the redwoods, and you're in San Fran, why not just zip across the Golden Gate over to Muir Woods?

NorCal's Highway 299

[Midwest Michael]

I can't stay at or near Crescent City. If I left Frisco at like 7 am could I see the Redwoods and get to Crater Lake in 1 day?

I'd have to go with the response Mark already gave for this one. Yes, the trip could potentially be done in one day, but it will take you upwards of 20 hours behind the wheel.

[Mark Sedenquist]

If I left Frisco at like 7 am could I see the Redwoods and get to Crater Lake in 1 day?

Pashnit is an expert motorcyclist (who has been known to drive a tweeny-weeny bit above the posted speed limits). If he couldn't cover this distance on his jet-fueled two-wheeler, there is no way you can travel it faster in a car...

Mark

[Robbi Lou]

What is Muir Woods? Would it be an adequate replacement for the Avenue of Giants? I am quite unfamiliar with the West Coast so all these names and places are new to me. Just trying to see as much beauty and wonder as I can...

[cool]

Robbi,
You may want to check this.
Muir woods has redwoods, but I don't think you can compare it to the avenue of the giants.
But it does have some trees, maybe lots of them(probably down the trail-I've not done that).
There is a popular 1 mile trail. Its beautiful, but nothing close to the avenue of the giants, imo.
But if you push yourself too much, you won't be able to see anything completely. So, plan it out.

And as the others have mentioned, 299 is beautiful.

have a nice trip!
cool

[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?