NORTHERN
CALIFORNIA
Welcome to Northern California!
Whether you are nature-bound or city-bound, Northern California will have something to offer you! We traveled from Seattle to San Francisco, and made our best attempt to see as much as we could in-between. Redwoods National and State Parks were definitely a highlight of our trip, and we can promise the pictures do no justice. Take Highway 101 down the coast to see gorgeous western coastlines or spend the day wine tasting in Napa Valley! Cross the Golden Gate Bridge and spend a few days in San Francisco to see all the things “The City” has to office. Northern California is also home to Silicon Valley, best known of companies like Apple and Google!
REDWOODS
Home to the Tallest Trees on Earth
Visiting the Redwoods was always one of our “must-dos.” To say the trees are tall is an understatement. One important thing to note about the Redwoods is the park encompasses both a National Park and three State parks (Prairie Creek, Del Norte, and Jedediah Smith).
Within the parks, you will see two main types of forests. Old growth forests span approximately one-third of the park system and encompasses ancient, towering redwoods. The remaining two-thirds are second growth forests which have younger trees and more crowded forests. These are considered second growth, because these trees grew back after significant logging that occurred in the 20th century.
Redwood trees need space to grow tall and wide, and the park system is actively working to maintain old growth and restore second growth forests. You will find yourself amazed as you explore both types of forests and learning more about these incredible trees.
This area also has a lot of options for scenic drives. One of our favorites was Cal-Barrel Road. Another popular drive is the Avenue of the Giants, which is south of the park area. It has several touristy stops such as the Shrine Drive Thru Tree. If you have some extra time, make a few stops along the way or just enjoy the beautiful scenery!
CAMPING IN THE REDWOODS
But where are the trees?
Determined to camp in the redwoods, we booked one of few remaining sites at Elk Prairie Campground a month or so before our trip! Campground maps don’t typically give much detail, but we assumed all sites would naturally be amongst the giants!
Upon arrival, we quickly realized our site was not only not amongst the giants, but that it was in direct sun (site 71), with no trees in sight. The interesting part about this campground is there is access to fields where the elk roam and it was amazing to see them in the evenings. Also, we did have an incredible view of the stars at our site.
They sell firewood at the campground for $8 a bundle. There are no real food or restaurant options around the campground, so pack what you plan to eat! You can find a convenience store in the nearby town of Orick. Orick Market had a lot of things you may need. Also, Gas options are limited, there is one pump in Orick that is cash only. Showers are available at the campground, some indicate $0.25 a minute and some work without payment.
Overall, we liked the location of the campground as there was access to a lot of great trails nearby, but would definitely recommend a site actually in the woods!
HIKING IN THE REDWOODS
Grab a Map!
During our time in the Redwoods, we hike a few different trails. Two of the most memorable were James Irvine and Tall Trees trails. First, we hiked James Irvine to Clintonia to Miners Ridge from the Prairie Creek visitor center. Overall, it was a great trail because it was lightly trafficked and featured huge redwoods! If you are staying at the Prairie Creek Campground, it is a must!
The most incredible hike of our trip was the Tall Tree Trail. The park gives 50 permits per day to lucky hikers to gain access to the trail, and we were fortune enough to obtain a permit during our visit. From the rangers station, it is approximately a one hour drive to the trail head. There is a locked gate to enter the trail head road. The ranger will give you a code to unlock the gate with your permit! Once making it through the gate, it is about 6 miles of unpaved terrain you must drive through to get to the start of the trail.
Instantly upon starting the trail you see massive, mature trees that are hundreds of years old. The trees on this trail were like none other in the park! The photos do the trail and trees no justice at all, our suggestion is to experience this hike for yourself!
FERN CANYON
More than just trees
You are going to the Redwoods, you are not expecting a narrow canyon full of ferns. This less than a mile nature-walk is absolutely mesmerizing. Within the Prairie Creek Campground, this is most easily accessed by the Fern Canyon parking area off Davison Road. Although, you could take the James Irvine trail mentioned above to make your way here as well. Just remember, you have to hike back!
It’s hard to explain the beauty, but it really is a unique experience. You will be surrounded by luscious ferns and moss while walking across small streams and down trees. The park system offers many areas for nature walks if hiking isn’t your thing, but add fern canyon to the top of your list!
NAPA VALLEY
Wine not?
As we made our way from the Redwoods to San Francisco, Napa was a perfect stop for an early afternoon wine tasting! We were surprised and frankly overwhelmed at how many wineries there were and how hard it was to determine where to go. Do not even bother searching “best wineries in Napa Valley,” because everyone has a different opinion. What we suggest:
1. Look for a brand you are familiar with. Chances are you will have a better experience, and enjoy the wine more if you are familiar with the brand!
2. Don’t get overwhelmed by the crowds or reservations. If you aren’t into planning months ahead, that is completely fine! There are lots of wineries that do not require reservations ahead of time.
3. Just have fun! No matter where you choose to go, you will have a great experience.
Ultimately we landed on Beringer Vineyards, because it’s a brand we know, they don’t require reservations, and you aren’t obligated to do tastings to explore the property! Also, it is important to note that most wineries are only open 10am-5pm.
This last point is very important. Once you conclude your tasting(s), head over to Mustards Grill for lunch. We can promise you will not be disappointed. Again, don’t be overwhelmed if you didn’t make a reservation, there are usually seats at the bar!
SAN FRANCISCO
Everywhere you look!
Best known for the scenic views of the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco has so much to offer. Although we do recommend checking it out – you can drive, bike or walk across or see it from a local park!
One interesting thing about San Francisco is the weather. No matter if you visit in the winter or the summer, the temperatures stay mostly chilly and consistent throughout the year. Fog is very common here and usually rolls in late afternoon and lasts until mid-morning. You may be surprised to see how vastly different the weather in San Francisco is compared to Napa Valley (which is north of the city).
Although definitely touristy, we recommend checking out Fisherman’s Wharf, especially if you are looking for something to eat. If possible, we suggest walking or taking a Uber/Lyft to the wharf as it is extremely busy and parking was expensive. Boudin Bakery Cafe was definitely worth a stop if you love fresh bread! It is a huge, busy building so you really can’t miss it! Along the bay you will also find Pier 39. There are lots of shops and restaurants along the waterway. Take a walk along the docks, and you will likely find lots of Sea Lions barking and clapping.
Exploring the city is relatively easy, but it is very hilly. If you don’t feel like walking or driving, the city has a historic cable car system! A few “must-do’s” you will typically see are Lombard Street, the actual Full House house, and The Painted Ladies. If you have some extra time, check these places out, if not you won’t be missing much!
ALCATRAZ
An island known for incarceration and freedom
We always knew Alcatraz was popular, but we never realized how far in advance you have to book tickets. The National Park Service only allows one company, Alcatraz Cruises, to operate ferries to and from the island. For that reason, tickets are limited and sell out way in advance during peak summer months. We tried to book about a month out, and had no luck. After many, many, many attempts to get tickets, we were able to get two tickets released the day before our tour. Don’t be like us – plan ahead!
You will see many other companies offering tours, but they cannot take you onto the island. If you are wondering if it’s worth the hassle to get tickets, it definitely is. The experience was very interesting and there is a lot to learn about Alcatraz beyond the fact it used to be a prison. We don’t want to spoil the experience for you, but the National Park Service does a great job with the tour!
GHIRADELLI SQUARE
It’s more than chocolate
Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco is such a hidden gem! Yes, there are lots of opportunities to enjoy all kinds of Ghirardelli treats. We shared the most delicious and expensive ice cream sundae ever, but we still talk about it today!
This old chocolate factory has been converted to a center full of shops, restaurants, and of course chocolate! Ghirardelli Square even has a brewery, San Francisco Brewing Company! There was a really great beer garden with fire-pits (as we mentioned, its always chilly in San Fran).
We definitely recommend spending sometime in Ghirardelli Square when you visit the city!
SILICON VALLEY
What a perspective
At the end of our trip from Seattle to San Francisco, we weren’t quite sure what to do our last day! We decided to have a day of motivation by exploring Silicon Valley.
We spent time at Googleplex, Chef Chu’s, and of course Apple! It’s incredible to see the garage where Apple first began and then see the new $5B headquarters they have today. It’s validation that if you work hard and remain persistent, great things will happen. Although you can’t get to the actual headquarters, we loved the experience!
What we took away:
Overall, you could spend weeks in Northern California and still not be able to discover everything it has to offer. The natural beauty of the coast or being able to immerse yourself in forest of giant trees, cannot be replicated elsewhere! If nature isn’t your thing, you can find endless opportunities to discover Northern California in places such as Napa Valley/Sonoma and San Francisco. Regardless of your interests, visiting the area will definitely be worth your while.