Medford,OR-Redwoods-Trinidad,CA

[lcharvon]

I'm planning a trip with my husband and daughter, leaving LAX, flying to Medford OR, and then driving down to the area of the Redwood National Park.

I'd like to know what the roads are like, are they windy/narrow, or pretty mellow?

If I were to stay somewhere besides Trinidad, CA...but have a homebase for a few days to visit Redwood NP etc, where would it be recommended? We like coastal, oceanview is even better!

Thanks! Looking forward to learning more!

[AZBuck]

Welcome aboard the RoadTrip America Forums!

It's been over 3 decades since I drove between Klamath and Medford, and even then it was late in the evening. I do remember that, even though it was through the forests and mountains (I think I remember a tunnel on US-199, but I don't see it on my maps anymore), it was a quite pleasant drive, much more in the pretty mellow side than the windy/narrow.

Other possibilities for a home base along the coast near Redwoods National Park include Eureka, the largest city in the area, and the communities around it such as McKinleyville.

AZBuck

[lcharvon]

That sounds wonderful..thanks for that recap of a memorable trip! I'm still open to more accounts of the area!

[PNW Judy]

There really aren't many route options to get from Medford to the Redwoods....unless, of course, you're into some more adventurous drives through logging roads and other alternatives. However, unless you're really out-fitted for this and have great maps, I wouldn't recommend it.

199 is really the best and most direct route. It's only about 110 miles from Medford to Crescent City so it's a fairly short jaunt. If you have time, consider taking the 40-mile round trip detour to the Oregon Caves. You would leave 199 at Cave Junction (that's an apt name, isn't it?).

The only other options will add some miles.

(1) You can go north on I-5 from Medford to Green, and then take 42 west to the coast. You'll be able to enjoy the lovely beach town of Bandon and then head back south through some beautiful coastal areas to Crescent City and then south to the Redwoods. This route is about 285 miles.


(2) You can go south on I-5 from Medford to the junction with CA-96, just south of Holbrook. This will bring you out at to the coast at Orick and through some of the southern Redwood NP areas. This route (all the way north to Crescent City) is about 245 miles.

Actually, if you have time during your trip, you might want to take 199 one way and either of these two options the other way. It's always funner to travel new roads than to backtrack on the same road, imho.

I love Eureka. It's definitely worth visiting while you're there with the wonderful architecture and unique shops that they have there. However, I do think that the Trinidad-Orick area is better suited as a home base for the Redwoods. You will have more lodging options in Eureka though so, if you decide on Trinidad, have reservations.

[Mark Sedenquist]

There is a nice restaurant -- not very expensive -- with a nice view in Trinidad: The Seascape

Mark

[lcharvon]

There really aren't many route options to get from Medford to the Redwoods....unless, of course, you're into some more adventurous drives through logging roads and other alternatives. However, unless you're really out-fitted for this and have great maps, I wouldn't recommend it.

Uh, no. Not lookin' for adventerous! LOL...I'm already dreading the winding mountain roads we might encounter. I've come looking for "reassurance"!

199 is really the best and most direct route. It's only about 110 miles from Medford to Crescent City so it's a fairly short jaunt. If you have time, consider taking the 40-mile round trip detour to the Oregon Caves. You would leave 199 at Cave Junction (that's an apt name, isn't it?).

I think that's the way we will probably go. We'll be trying to get to the lodging (home base) the quickest way possible.

The only other options will add some miles.

(1) You can go north on I-5 from Medford to Green, and then take 42 west to the coast. You'll be able to enjoy the lovely beach town of Bandon and then head back south through some beautiful coastal areas to Crescent City and then south to the Redwoods. This route is about 285 miles.


(2) You can go south on I-5 from Medford to the junction with CA-96, just south of Holbrook. This will bring you out at to the coast at Orick and through some of the southern Redwood NP areas. This route (all the way north to Crescent City) is about 245 miles.

Actually, if you have time during your trip, you might want to take 199 one way and either of these two options the other way. It's always funner to travel new roads than to backtrack on the same road, imho.

I love Eureka. It's definitely worth visiting while you're there with the wonderful architecture and unique shops that they have there. However, I do think that the Trinidad-Orick area is better suited as a home base for the Redwoods. You will have more lodging options in Eureka though so, if you decide on Trinidad, have reservations.

We will have reservations for sure...we're looking at vacation rental houses or cabins.

Thank you for the information...I'll be mapquesting this and saving it for the summer! Trinidad seems like a beautiful area, we love coastal!

[Mark Sedenquist]

Trinidad seems like a beautiful area, we love coastal!

Here are some more posts that should interest you:

More recommendations from Judy for LA to Seattle along the coast
Redwoods to Seattle (Peter Thody)
Oregon Delights (Peter Thody)

Mark

[PNW Judy]

Uh, no. Not lookin' for adventerous! LOL...I'm already dreading the winding mountain roads we might encounter. I've come looking for "reassurance"!

You're not the first person who has visited these forums expressing concerns about mountain roads. I don't understand the concern. Interstates and state highways that go through mountainous areas are going to be safe to drive. They will have guard-rails, etc. They might have a few twists and turns, etc. but most parts of the coastal highway in California feel more treacherous than anything you'll find on most mountain roads.

I've probably driven thousands of miles of roads through the various mountain passes over the years. The only time I was concerned was coming over White Pass, one of Washington's steepest, highest passes with one of the windier, narrow roads in certain stretches. But it was winter with snow and ice on the road. Quite different than anything you'll be doing on your trip.

Really, nothing to worry about. Enjoy the scenery and have fun!

[lcharvon]

Safe and enjoyable are two different things. Do you have a preference for dark meat or white? Black and white photos versus color? Action movies over chick flicks?

I dislike the sensation, and try to plan accordingly, but thanks for the reassurance! (and I don't drive the California coastal roads either, with a very few exceptions!) ;)

[roadie]

We did a weekend trip to Trinidad a few years ago (from SF Bay area),
and ate at the Seascape for breakfast. I recall having a crab omellete that
was very tasty.

We stayed at the View Crest Lodge in one of their smaller cottages. It was
clean and comfortable.

We visited Patrick's Point State Park.

Here's a photo from Patrick's Point.